President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has appointed Patricia Yvonne Caunan as the new administrator of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), replacing Arnell Ignacio, who has held the position since August 2022.
Caunan, who previously served as the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Undersecretary for Policy and International Cooperation, officially took her oath before DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac on May 16.
As an experienced lawyer with a strong background in labor, civil, administrative, and criminal law, Caunan played a crucial role in the creation of 15 bilateral labor agreements between the Philippines and various countries during her tenure at DMW.
DMW Secretary Cacdac lauded Caunan’s dedication and skills, describing her as a “trailblazer” in expanding international cooperation for Filipino migrant workers. “She has the legal know-how, the heart, the common sense, and the common touch, which is the most important,” he said.
