PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan (PIA) –The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) recorded 276,980 Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) from the MIMAROPA region as of the first semester of 2024, indicating a significant increase in workers deployed abroad.
According to DMW MIMAROPA Regional Director Jonathan Gerodias, the data were captured during the first semester of 2024, gathered from the forwarded record of accredited overseas recruitment agencies to the central office of DMW.
However, the number of workers deployed abroad in 2023 was not mentioned during the reporting of DMW in Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas on Tuesday, September 3.
“There’s a significant increase. Ang proseso natin itong mga accredited overseas recruitment agencies, they submit to the central their total number of deployed applicants. From there, we gather the data kung nasaan bansa sila, saan probinsya galing,” Gerodias said.
The Department also strengthened its partnership with local government units in the region to boost information dissemination and raise awareness at the grassroots level. DMW believes it would prepare migrant workers before and after leaving the country.
The DMW is in close coordination with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) to provide training to equip aspiring overseas workers, such as in scaffolding, which has more demands aboard.
Gerodias warned the public to be more cautious with illegal recruitment schemes and advised them to check their website for the list of licensed recruitment agencies.
“Yong licensed recruitment agency ang dapat ino-offer nya lang na trabaho ay ‘yong approved job order—Maraming case tayo na the moment na nagbahay-bahay na yong nagri-recruit, medyo bantayan na natin dahil that’s illegal recruitment,” he added. (RG/PIA MIMAROPA-Palawan)
