The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) are seeking additional funding for 2027 after lawmakers raised concerns over resources available for assisting overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), particularly during emergencies.
At a Senate Committee on Finance budget hearing on September 21, DMW Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac asked lawmakers to consider an additional P2 billion for the department, including P1 billion specifically for the AKSYON (Agarang Kalinga at Saklolo para sa mga OFW na Nangangailangan) Fund. OWWA also requested another P2 billion.
The proposed National Expenditure Program currently sets aside P11.616 billion for DMW and OWWA combined for 2027. That amount consists of P7.267 billion for the DMW Office of the Secretary and P4.349 billion for OWWA.
The agencies had initially sought a combined P37.674 billion, leaving more than P26 billion of their requested funding outside the proposed national budget. The shortfall includes reductions affecting programs such as the OFW Hospital, Migrant Workers Offices, and maritime training, although some welfare, reintegration, and regulatory programs received higher allocations.
Senators pointed to the need for sufficient funds as the government continues to respond to crises affecting Filipinos abroad. Villanueva specifically cited the large number of Filipino workers in the Middle East and the additional resources previously required for emergency responses to conflicts in the region.
The AKSYON Fund has already been used extensively to assist distressed OFWs. Figures presented at the hearing showed that more than 606,000 workers received assistance through the fund from July 2023 to July 2026. From January through July 2026 alone, P2.95 billion was distributed to 145,448 beneficiaries, while the fund’s 2026 allocation was raised to P5 billion amid the Middle East crisis.
Senate Finance Committee Chairperson JV Ejercito emphasized the Senate’s willingness to work on additional resources for OFW welfare programs.
“Be assured that here in the Senate, marami naman tayong champion dito ng mga OFW. Magtutulungan lang kami; mahirap man, masikip man ang elbow room natin, gagawin natin ang paraan dahil hindi naman natin pwedeng pabayaan ang ating mga OFW. Sila po ang bumubuhay sa ekonomiya natin for several decades, di ba? So kailangan, sa oras ng kagipitan nila, ay andiyan tayo,” Ejercito said.
Senator Joel Villanueva, who serves as the budget sponsor for DMW, also highlighted the agency’s reintegration initiatives and efforts against illegal recruitment. He said the department’s proposed budget, together with its request for additional funding, would be endorsed for consideration during Senate plenary deliberations.
Villanueva also stressed that government assistance should ultimately be measured by the services delivered to migrant workers rather than simply by how much of an allocation is spent.
