CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA)–Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Region 10 Director lawyer Fidel Macauyag reported during the Sept. 3 Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas the implementation of 87 activities under the Anti-Illegal Recruitment and Trafficking-in-Persons (AIRTIP) program in the region.
He cited an incident in Initao where a travel agency recruiting for overseas jobs was shut down after surveillance operations.
AIRTIP is a program of DMW that aims to protect the rights of migrant workers and focuses on combating illegal recruitment and human trafficking.
The regional director added that domestic helpers abroad are vulnerable to employer abuse. Hence, he recommended to the higher management that DMW must provide and hire in-house lawyers who are licensed to practice law in the host country.
“This approach will enable the prosecution of abusive employers and encourage others to treat Overseas Filipino Workers more carefully,” Macauyag said.
He reported that DMW is currently hiring in-house lawyers, as well as filling up plantilla positions following the establishment of regional centers to cater to the needs of OFWs and their families in the region, as well as in various provinces.
Macauyag said the government seeks to transform the journey and the narrative of the OFWs and their families through various programs.
“Through DMW, we will empower OFWs and their families to fulfill their potential as partners in national development. We will support them at every stage, from pre-employment to their return,” he said.
Other than AIRTIP, DMW is also implementing reintegration programs, which are just among the several programs in the department. These reintegration programs include conducting financial awareness seminars, evaluation of applications, and distribution of benefits under the Livelihood Program for Overseas Filipino Workers Reintegration, distribution of benefits to qualified teacher beneficiaries under its “Sa ‘Pinas Ikaw ang Ma’am at Sir” (SPIMS) program, and distribution of AKSYON Fund to qualified OFWs and their families.
He reported that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. honors the contribution of OFWs to nation-building.
“In 2023, OFW remittances reached a record high of 37.2 billion U.S. dollars (USD), a 3 percent increase from 36.1 billion USD in 2022. Consequently, the President has directed all government agencies, particularly the DMW and OWWA, to work together in protecting the rights of OFWs and promoting their welfare throughout their migration journey,” he said.
Macauyag emphasized that the region conducted agency inspections, provided frontline services, processed 18,760 applications, and assisted 627 new hires.
He said they also provided 17,128 help desk services, conducted 751 conciliation and mediation activities, released 11,011 OFW records, and supervised 62 job fairs in collaboration with local government units. (IJBD/PIA Misamis Oriental)
