Rowegie Abanto

Authorities welcome home 13 Filipino surrogate mothers and 3 babies on December 29, 2024, days before New Year. DOJ photo/File

DOJ and IACAT member agencies DFA, DSWD, BI, NBI and DOH welcome home 13 Filipino surrogate mothers and 3 babies  on December 29, 2024, days before New Year. DOJ photo

Article (news)

Authorities welcome home 13 Filipino surrogate mothers and 3 babies 

Zen Hernandez

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/176646167602220241230-cambodiia-surrogate-mothers-DOJ218.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" spellcheck="false" style="text-align:left">Authorities welcome home 13 Filipino surrogate mothers and 3 babies on December 29, 2024, days before the New Year. <em>DOJ photo/File</em></span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>MANILA — The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) reported gains in law enforcement, overseas worker protection, and digitalization during its 2025 year-end media briefing, outlining efforts aimed at improving government services for overseas Filipino workers.</p><p>Since January, the DMW has ordered the closure of 32 illegal recruitment agencies, more than double the 15 recorded in 2024. </p><p>Authorities also arrested or filed cases against 25 individuals linked to illegal recruitment for scam hubs in several Southeast Asian countries.</p><p>Working with the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), the DMW repatriated 204 Filipinos from scam hubs in Myanmar this year and opened a new labor office in Bangkok to strengthen regional assistance.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/12/21/remains-of-ofw-who-died-in-hk-fire-arrive-in-manila-1653">Remains of OFW who died in HK fire arrive in Manila</a></div><p>The department also signed 10 new Bilateral Labor Agreements (BLAs) in 2025, bringing the Philippines’ total to 72 BLAs with various countries. </p><p>These agreements seek to improve worker protection, standardize contracts, and strengthen dispute-resolution mechanisms.</p><p>The DMW reiterated its commitment to overseas domestic worker protection, affirming rights such as no confiscation of phones or passports, access to justice, and enhanced monitoring. </p><div><br/></div><div><strong>SALARY INCREASES, LEGAL AID</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>While salary increases remain largely voluntary, the department reported 3,000 job orders offering at least USD 500, higher than the usual USD 400. </p><p>Hong Kong raised domestic worker wages to USD 600, while Malaysia also implemented salary increases. </p><p>Additional measures include the Kamusta Kabayan app and a “Know Your Employer” video interview protocol.</p><p>The DMW said 25 international lawyers and legal assistance teams were deployed to assist OFWs abroad. </p><p>DMW Secretary Hans Cacdac said the sentences of two Filipino death-row inmates in Saudi Arabia were commuted.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RESPONSE TO MAJOR INCIDENTS, DIGITALIZATION</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>Utilization of the AKSYON Fund reached 98 percent in 2025, up from 49 percent in 2023 and 59 percent in 2024. </p><p>The fund supported 160,000 OFW beneficiaries, covering emergency assistance, repatriation, and welfare services. </p><p>Cacdac cited the department’s response to major incidents, including Houthi attacks in the Red Sea, which affected multiple vessels carrying Filipino crew, the Myanmar earthquake, and the Tai Po fire in Hong Kong.</p><p>The DMW also reported progress in digitalization, including the phasing out of the Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC). </p><p>A total of 514,000 OFWs had already been processed through the eGov.ph hub, allowing eligible workers to proceed directly to eTravel after system verification. </p><p>The department said airport terminal fee refunds still require an OEC, with discussions ongoing with airlines to streamline the process.</p><p>Meanwhile, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration reported serving 856,551 OFWs at OFW lounges in NAIA Terminals 1 and 3 this year, bringing the total served to 1.5 million since opening. </p><p>Another 184,844 sea-based workers were also assisted through the seafarer hub.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>OTHER NEWS</strong></div><div><strong><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Rjfx6zvmm_Q?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></strong><br/></div><div> </div>

<p>Since January, the DMW has ordered the closure of 32 illegal recruitment agencies, more than double the 15 recorded in 2024. </p>

Since January, the DMW has ordered the closure of 32 illegal recruitment agencies, more than double the 15 recorded in 2024.

DMW reports stronger enforcement, expanded OFW protection in 2025

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DMW reports stronger enforcement, expanded OFW protection in 2025

Zen Hernandez,

ABS-CBN News

Published December 23, 2025 12:16 PM PHT

Read More:

DMW

OFWs

OWWA

Secretary Hans Cacdac

Illegal Recruitment

Scam Hubs

Seafarers

Domestic Workers

Hong Kong Fire

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