Push Admin

Repatriated overseas Filipino worker (OFWs) Felicilda Aboc faces the media upon arrival at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 in Pasay City on October 17, 2024, after being evacuated from conflict-affected Lebanon. Maria Tan, ABS- CBN News

Article (news)

FELICILDA-ABOC

Jessie Cruzat

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/173146193117820241017-repratriated-ofw-naia-MT-04.jpg" style="width:900px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span id="isPasted" style="color:rgb(51, 51, 51);letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:left;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;white-space:pre-wrap;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-color:initial;display:inline !important;float:none">Repatriated overseas Filipino worker (OFWs) Felicilda Aboc faces the media upon arrival at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 in Pasay City on October 17, 2024, after being evacuated from conflict-affected Lebanon. Maria Tan, ABS- CBN News </div>MANILA — The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and its attached agency, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), presented its P8 billion proposed budget for 2025 during the Senate hearing on Wednesday. The discussion highlighted key issues, including budget, bilateral agreements, and safeguards for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).“We were told by the secretary, for example, in the Saudi Arabia, in Qatar, in Kuwait, and even in UAE, they have this domestic worker protection agreement that they have signed and continuously assess and monitor,” said Sen. Joel Villanueva. “There will be additional safeguards that will be put in place,” Sen. Risa Hontiveros asked whether the DMW&#x27;s budget allocation would be sufficient to meet the growing personnel needs and action fund requirements to support OFWs. She said having enough resources was important to maintain effective operations.The DMW&#x27;s ongoing efforts to protect OFWs were also discussed, specifically in the context of 39 negotiated international agreements and treaties on labor migration. Villanueva reported that the agency currently has 48 bilateral agreements with other countries while 39 were pending.Countries with key agreements which are already signed include Saudi Arabia, where a new deal aims to institute a &quot;white-listing&quot; system for foreign recruitment agencies and streamline the payment process for claimants; Kuwait, where the agreement seeks to ensure the resumption of OFW deployment with additional safeguards in place; Qatar, where there is no-placement policy in order to protect OFWs from illegal fees; and in United Arab Emirates, where recruitment of Filipino healthcare professionals was improved to meet labor demands.“These agreements are essential to ensuring that our workers abroad are given proper protection,” said Villanueva. “The Secretary has assured us that countries like Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, and UAE have implemented domestic worker protection agreements and continuously assess and monitor the situation.”In a bid to enhance the welfare of migrant workers, DMW and the Social Security System (SSS) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to improve the pension system and provide better social security benefits for OFWs. This partnership aims to ensure long-term security for Filipino workers abroad.A major focus was placed on the Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar (PDOS) and the Post-Arrival Orientation Seminar (PAOS), which are country-specific programs designed to prepare OFWs for their work abroad. Villanueva noted that 27 migrant offices conduct these orientation programs regularly. These programs include cultural training and language lessons, particularly for domestic workers.“Pwede pa bang mag-back out ang isang OFW applicant pagkatapos niyang maintindihan at maunawaan ang posible niyang kapalaran?” asked Hontiveros.Villanueva confirmed that applicants can back out at any time, as these orientation programs are intended to inform workers about their future prospects and the realities of working abroad.Meanwhile, Hontiveros also highlighted the issue of “illegal recruitment”, expressing concerns about the lack of proper access to accommodation and services for distressed male OFWs. “Meron pong diskriminasyon pagdating  sa mga distressed na lalaking OFWs. Lalo nq pagdating sa access sa accommodation,” she added. The DMW, however, assured the Senate that steps would be taken to improve services and resources for male OFWs facing hardship abroad.The department also continues to monitor the situation and provide necessary support for Filipino workers facing legal challenges overseas.<div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/11/6/more-ofws-dependents-to-arrive-from-lebanon-this-week-dmw-2159">More OFWs, dependents to arrive from Lebanon this week -- DMW</a> <a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/10/28/embassy-urges-saudi-arabia-to-settle-unpaid-wages-of-10-000-ofws-719">Embassy urges Saudi Arabia to settle unpaid wages of thousands of OFWs</a></div>

The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and its attached agency, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), presented its P8 billion proposed budget for 2025 during the Senate hearing on Wednesday.

The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and its attached agency, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), presented its P8 billion proposed budget for 2025 during the Senate hearing on Wednesday.

Protection for OFWs tackled in DMW budget deliberation at Senate

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Traffic

Manila

Horoscope

News

Protection for OFWs tackled in DMW budget deliberation at Senate

Jessie Cruzat,

ABS-CBN News

Published Nov 13, 2024 09:47 AM PHT

Read More:

Senate

DMW

OFW

migrant workers

2025 budget

national budget

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.