Dept. of Migrant Workers to formulate strategy map with labor attaches

Department of Migrant Workers Secretary Susan Ople (Arnel Tacson)

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) is set to create a strategy map with labor attaches during a planning workshop in Tagaytay City from December 12 to 15, said the agency on Saturday. 

“The workshop will lead to the formulation of the DMW’s strategy map with very clear indicators for performance, professionalism, and policy implementation,” said DMW Undersecretary Maria Antonette Velasco-Allones. 

“We are in discussions with the DFA on how best to carry out this transition since our attaches abroad would also require some training on how to render legal assistance in partnership with law enforcement agencies in countries with a high concentration of OFWs,” said DMW Secretary Susan Ople. 

The DMW is currently still under transition as it takes over the responsibilities of other government agencies.

Ople also plans to double down on information dissemination to make sure that OFWs know about the new agency.

“A lot of our OFWs don’t even know that the DWM now exists, where and how we can be reached, as well as the services that we offer,” said Ople. 

According to Ople, they also plan to have a fund dedicated for the psychosocial support and humanitarian assistance of OFWs. 

“We have so much to do because our transition to a fully constituted department is a continuing effort in collaboration with various departments, notably [Department of Labor and Employment] and the DFA,” said Ople. 

The DMW was created and formed in December 2021, during the administration of former president Rodrigo Duterte.

According to the agency, it will only become a fully constituted department once its budget is signed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in the General Appropriations Act 2023. 

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