President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. reaffirmed the government’s commitment to safeguard overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) from human trafficking and illegal recruitment during his visit to Pampanga.
Marcos announced the signing of a memorandum of agreement (MOA) between national agencies and local governments to strengthen cooperation in protecting Filipinos working abroad. “Kasama ko ang DMW [Department of Migrant Workers] sa hangaring magtagumpay ang kasunduan na ito at lahat ng mga programang makakatulong sa ating mga OFWs,” the President said while distributing aid to affected migrant workers and their families.
He stressed that the initiative represents joint efforts between local and national governments. “Dito sa Pampanga, ating ipapatupad ang MOA, isang simbolo ng pagtutulungan ng local government, kasama na ang national government laban sa illegal recruitment at sa human trafficking. Inaasahan ko na magiging maganda ang resulta ng kolaborasyong ito,” Marcos added.
The MOA includes the participation of the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).
Alongside this, the government extended assistance through the Agarang Kalinga at Saklolo sa mga OFWs na Nangangailangan (AKSYON) Fund. Beneficiaries included OFWs and their families who suffered displacement and emotional distress after recent typhoons. According to the Presidential Communications Office, many households dependent on remittances were left struggling after the calamities disrupted both livelihoods and financial support.
