The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) has made significant strides in supporting overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and their families, with nearly 30,000 beneficiaries receiving assistance through its reintegration programs. DMW Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac shared these accomplishments in a Facebook post, where he detailed the agency’s efforts to provide sustainable solutions for returning OFWs.
As part of its ongoing commitment, the DMW is set to launch a virtual and physical one-stop shop for reintegration services. This initiative aims to provide immediate assistance to OFWs planning their return or those who have already resettled in the country. “Which means, kahit nagbabalak pa lang silang umuwi, ay nandito na kami,” Cacdac explained, assuring OFWs that government agencies are already in place to assist them with financial aid, livelihood support, and other reintegration services.
Beyond reintegration, the DMW has intensified its fight against illegal recruitment and human trafficking. According to Cacdac, the agency successfully closed 15 illegal recruitment establishments—more than double the usual yearly rate. Additionally, 71,000 illegal recruitment posts on TikTok and Facebook were taken down, and 71 illegal recruitment cases were prosecuted, leading to 15 convictions. The department also provided legal assistance to 20,000 OFWs in need.
On the healthcare front, the OFW Hospital in San Fernando, Pampanga has served 86,000 in-patient and out-patient cases. Cacdac highlighted the hospital’s expansion, particularly the establishment of a Cancer Care Center, which had its groundbreaking ceremony in December 2024. This facility is intended to provide specialized care for OFWs and their families.
Looking ahead to 2025, the DMW plans to expand its services by constructing more facilities to improve OFW welfare, tightening employment standards, and enhancing financial literacy programs. “Our mission to accomplish is to have more facilities that cater to our OFWs to their comfort,” Cacdac said. He reaffirmed the agency’s rights-based approach to governance, ensuring that OFWs not only receive protection but also gain access to programs that empower them financially and professionally.
Guided by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., the DMW continues to uphold its vision as the “Tahanan ng OFWs”, ensuring that Filipino migrant workers feel valued, respected, and supported in every step of their journey—whether abroad or upon their return home.
