At the start of the year, the Department of Migrant Workers set out its operational tone by underscoring speed, accessibility, and empathy as core principles in dealing with overseas Filipino workers and their families.
During the agency’s first flag-raising ceremony for 2026 on January 5, Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac stressed that the Department’s mandate is anchored on direct and immediate response, positioning the DMW as the primary point of assistance for OFWs throughout the migration cycle. He described the agency’s service philosophy as removing procedural barriers in favor of an approach that prioritizes dignity and ease of access.
The ceremony also featured reflections from guest speaker Rev. Fr. Carmelo Caluag, Executive Director of Caritas Philippines, who spoke on the role of compassion in public service. He framed compassion as a conscious choice to step into another person’s difficult circumstances, noting that vulnerability enables meaningful connection rather than signaling fragility.
In addressing the realities faced by migrant families, Fr. Caluag pointed to the social consequences of labor migration, particularly the prolonged absence of mothers working overseas. He referred to this separation as the loss of the “Ilaw ng Tahanan,” highlighting the emotional and familial costs borne by households left behind.
He further called on government personnel to cultivate a work environment grounded in mission, care, and hope, encouraging a renewed sense of responsibility toward migrant workers whose sacrifices extend beyond economic contribution.
