Senator Risa Hontiveros expressed her strong support for the Department of Migrant Workers’ (DMW) ongoing efforts to protect and assist overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and their families during her visit to the agency’s central office in Mandaluyong City on Monday, April 14.
Welcomed by DMW Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac, Hontiveros toured several of the department’s key frontline services, including the One Repatriation Command Center (ORCC), the AKSYON Unit, the OFW Welfare Monitoring System, and the Gender and Development (GAD) Hearing Room. These units reflect the agency’s focus on repatriation, real-time monitoring, and reintegration support.
During a briefing on services for OFWs departing for Kuwait, the senator praised the department’s additional pre-departure orientation that supplements the standard PDOS. She underscored the need for better cultural awareness among OFWs.
Secretary Cacdac, meanwhile, stressed the importance of proper documentation and ethical recruitment. “Ang mahalaga sa puntong ito ay dumaan ang inyong mga kontrata sa DMW at lisensyado ang inyong recruitment agency, dapat whitelisted po ‘yan,” he said.
Hontiveros also took time to visit the Bazaar of OFW returnees, where she interacted with beneficiaries of reintegration programs such as Balik Pinay, Balik Hanapbuhay. The senator reaffirmed her commitment to protecting migrant workers, especially women and solo parents.
“Sa inyong kagalingan sa ibang bansa, panatilihin po natin ang ugnayan sa DMW. Nandito sina Sec Hans sa DMW, at asahan niyo rin po ‘yong opisina ko ay mananatiling co-partner niyo, mga kabaro at mga kapwa manggagawa,” she said.
