The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) has been setting up new offices and appointing labor attachés to expand global reach and strengthen protection and welfare programs for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

In an interview over local Filipino program in Hong Kong on Monday, Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said the DMW, being one of the youngest departments, is literally building its workforce, moving from “building the house” to “delivering services” for OFWs worldwide by establishing new Migrant Workers Offices (MWO) in areas where there are OFWs.

“I’m glad to report that we have rendered the oath to about 800 new positions, employees to new positions. That means our workforce now is substantially new, but at the same time, stronger, more, and better,” he said.

Cacdac said President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has a directive to enhance protection, and listen and give solution to the problems of the OFWs.

Since its establishment, he said the DMW has opened new MWOs in Vienna, Budapest and Bangkok, bringing the total to 42, and with plans to reach 45 by year-end.

He said the department is now focused on repatriation and crisis operations, citing the return of Filipinos from Sudan, Myanmar and the Middle East.

Cacdac said the DMW plans to build a bigger Migrant Workers Shelter in Hong Kong by 2026, which will double as a resource and training hub.

The department is also introducing preventive health programs and medical retainers for OFWs facing health challenges.

“A shelter that will also function as a training ground, training center, migrant workers resource center. Yun ang naman nakalagay sa law, hindi naman shelter eh (That’s what the law says, it’s not just a shelter). So we will have a bigger and better shelter, migrant workers resource center,” he said.

Meanwhile, to prepare Filipinos for new job markets, the DMW is working with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority and the Commission on Higher Education to train workers for digital, green and care economy jobs.

Cacdac also urged recruiters to widen opportunities for women beyond domestic work.

The DMW is also continuing its OFW Serbisyo Caravan to bring multiple government services directly to the OFWs.

“So yes, we’ve been going around. And ito naman, yung 15 or 16 government agencies na kasama namin. Ang marching orders lang naman ni Presidente (And there are 15 or 16 government agencies that are with us. The President’s marching orders are simple), make them feel the care and the services, on-ground services of our government agencies,” Cacdac said. (PNA)