President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has assured overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) that the government will not ease up in its fight against human trafficking and illegal recruitment.
During his visit to Pampanga, Marcos announced the signing of a memorandum of agreement (MOA) between several national agencies and local governments. The deal, he said, is meant to strengthen collaboration and ensure that Filipinos who work abroad are given the safety and protection they deserve.
“Kasama ko ang DMW sa hangaring magtagumpay ang kasunduang ito at lahat ng mga programang makakatulong sa ating mga OFWs,” Marcos declared as he distributed aid to OFW families.
He emphasized that Pampanga will serve as one of the areas where this MOA will be enforced, symbolizing the unity of local and national governments in tackling illegal recruitment and trafficking. “Inaasahan ko na magiging maganda ang resulta ng kolaborasyong ito,” he added with hope.
The agreement brings together the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA)—all working hand in hand to shield OFWs from abuse.
Aside from the MOA, the President also oversaw the distribution of the Agarang Kalinga at Saklolo sa mga OFWs na Nangangailangan (AKSYON) Fund Assistance, aimed at helping OFWs and their families who were heavily affected by recent typhoons.
Hundreds of families, many of them dependent on remittances, lost not only their homes but also their main source of income because of the disasters. The assistance, the Palace noted, is meant to provide immediate relief as they work to recover both economically and emotionally.
For Marcos, the message is clear: protecting OFWs is not just a policy—it’s a duty.
