Push Admin

Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Administrator Hans Leo Cacdac during a briefing at the Department of Labor and Employment office in Manila on Jan. 8, 2020. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/File

Article (news)

Hans Leo Cacdac

Lyza Aquino

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:950px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/171436389320220200108-dole-iraq-repatriation-JC-2784.jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left"><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">Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Administrator Hans Leo Cacdac during a briefing at the Department of Labor and Employment office in Manila on Jan. 8, 2020. <em>Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/File</em></span><em> </em></span></span></span></div><div><span data-offset-key="2c3ka-0-0" id="isPasted" style="box-sizing:border-box;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"><span data-text="true" style="box-sizing:border-box">MANILA -- Newly appointed Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) </span></span><span data-offset-key="2c3ka-0-1" style="box-sizing:border-box;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"><span data-text="true" style="box-sizing:border-box">Secretary </span></span><span data-offset-key="2c3ka-0-2" style="box-sizing:border-box;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"><span data-text="true" style="box-sizing:border-box">Hans Leo Cacdac said on Monday he would safeguard the rights and welfare of overseas Filipino workers. </span></span></div><p>Cacdac attended his first flag raising ceremony as the DMW chief at their main office in Ortigas Avenue on  Monday morning. He also paid tribute to his predecessor and friend Susan &quot;Toots&quot; Ople, who passed away in August last year due to breast cancer. He said that they would continue the programs that the late secretary has started.</p><p>&quot;Through the years we agreed within ourselves to have these kind of approaches and processes when it comes to OFWs. I commit myself to what we&#x27;ve taken up before with Sec. Toots, and we will further pursue other programs and services,&quot; he said.</p><p>Cacdac also highlighted the importance of bilateral talks with his counterparts in different countries in ensuring that the rights of OFWs are honored.</p><p>&quot;Iyong human and employment rights ng ating mga OFW, isusulong natin ipaglalaban natin, sa mga pakikipag-usap natin sa mga host countries through bilateral talks. Sa punto pa lang ng recruitment hanggang sila ay ma-deploy at hanggang sila ay makauwi, ang karapatan nila ay isinasaalang-alang natin,&quot; he said.</p><p>Cacdac said that the agency would implement stricter regulations to protect OFWs from human trafficking and illegal recruitment.</p><p>The DMW will also implement livelihood and training programs so that OFWs can protect and leverage their income. The agency will also streamline and digitalize other recruitment processes to help ease operations when it comes to overseas employment.</p><p>&quot;Tutulungan natin silang magplano at mag-invest. Diyan papasok ang pathways na bubuoin natin sa pamamagitan ng trainings, pagtalaga ng employment, career and livelihood pathways,&quot; he added.</p><p>Cacdac said he would visit Saudi Arabia in the coming weeks as part of his first overseas engagement as the DMW Secretary.</p><p>On top of his agenda is a meeting with Saudi officials regarding the labor claims of some former OFWs who were left unpaid for years.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>REPATRIATION OF SLAIN OFWS</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>Cacdac also gave updates on the OFWs who were killed in the latest Houthi attack in Gulf of Aden. </p><p>He said operations to recover their remains were on going.</p><p>&quot;With respect to Middle East, with relation to hidwaan doon ngayon, yung dalawang tripulanteng nasawi, kasalukuyan nang isinasagawa ang salvaging operations,&quot; he said. </p><p>&quot;Hindi nakatulong na may security threats pa rin on that part of the world, and weather disturbances doon. Rest assured we are under way in terms of salvaging operations natin.&quot;  </p><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/3/10/marcos-condoles-with-families-of-slain-seafarers-in-houthi-attack-1722">Marcos condoles with families of slain seafarers in Houthi attack</a><br/><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/3/10/9-filipino-crew-members-of-seized-tanker-back-in-ph-1808">9 Filipino crew members of seized tanker back in PH</a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>TAIWAN QUAKE UPDATE</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>There are no Filipinos injured in the latest earthquake that hit Taiwan this weekend, Cacdac added. </p><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/world/2024/4/27/taiwan-hit-by-several-quakes-strongest-reaching-6-1-magnitude-818">Taiwan hit by several quakes, strongest reaching 6.1-magnitude</a></div><p>&quot;Since the April 3rd earthquake, nagsagawa tayo doon ng relief goods operations, namigay ng pagkain sa ospital, and the augmentation team is still there and monitoring the situation. Walang ulat tayong natangap na may nasaktan and I hope it stays that way,&quot; he said. </p><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/world/2024/4/3/in-photos-taiwan-earthquake-1340">IN PHOTOS: Taiwan earthquake</a></div><div><br/></div>

<p>Newly appointed Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) <i>Secretary </i>Hans Leo Cacdac said on Monday he would safeguard the rights and welfare of overseas Filipino workers. </p>

Newly appointed Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said on Monday he would safeguard the rights and welfare of overseas Filipino workers.

New DMW chief Cacdac vows to protect rights, welfare of OFWs

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Traffic

Manila

Horoscope

News

New DMW chief Cacdac vows to protect rights, welfare of OFWs

Lyza Aquino,

ABS-CBN News

Published Apr 29, 2024 12:43 PM PHT

Read More:

OFW

DMW

Cacdac

Hans Leo Cacdac

Houthi

Gulf of Arden

seaman

seafarer

Taiwan

Taiwan earthquake

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

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.