The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) are joining forces to enhance the country’s overseas employment statistics, with a focus on documenting the realities of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).
During a meeting held on August 22, 2025, at the DMW Central Office in Mandaluyong, officials from both agencies discussed data sharing initiatives aimed at strengthening national reports such as the Gross National Income, the National Migration Survey, and the Survey on Overseas Filipinos.
DMW Undersecretary Dominique Rubia-Tutay expressed gratitude for the PSA’s support, particularly in reaching OFWs through programs like the Serbisyo Caravans. “We also hope that PSA will generate disaggregated data sets especially on the demographics of land-based and sea-based OFWs, to enable a more comprehensive assessment of their situations and need,” she said.
The meeting also tackled the proposed exchange of civil registry information, which would allow the DMW to clean and update its records of registered OFWs. This effort is expected to improve the scope and targeting of the agency’s programs and services.
The PSA likewise committed to provide the DMW access to data from the Philippine Identification System (PhilSys) through the agency’s e-registration platform. The collaboration builds on earlier efforts to encourage OFWs to register for the national ID, including the establishment of a PSA office at the DMW headquarters.
The initiative supports Executive Order No. 162, which requires government agencies to integrate PhilSys into their identification systems, and follows President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to improve inter-agency data exchange for more efficient public services and inclusive development.
Key officials present in the meeting included DMW Assistant Secretary Levinson C. Alcantara, Director Grace Teodosio, PSA Deputy National Statistician Rosalinda P. Bautista, and PSA Deputy National Statistician Divina Gracia L. Del Prado.
