The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) has rolled out PHP2.2 million in assistance to overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) from Northern Mindanao who fell victim to scams abroad.
During a press briefing on Tuesday, DMW Undersecretary Bernard Olalia said 43 OFWs, most of them from Misamis Oriental, sought help through the Agarang Kalinga at Saklolo para sa mga OFWs na Nangangailangan (Aksyon) Fund. The workers were deceived upon arriving in South Korea.
In addition, four other OFWs each received relief packages worth PHP120,000 containing essential goods.
The Aksyon Fund is intended for urgent and critical support to OFWs facing hardships overseas, as well as their families left behind.
Olalia also reminded Filipinos to be vigilant against fraudulent recruitment drives circulating online. He warned that some groups disguise their operations as “study and work abroad” opportunities.
“Even when these agencies claim they are registered with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority or Department of Labor and Employment, their recruitment activities remain illegal if they did not obtain a license from the DMW,” Olalia stressed.
