The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) works closely with other Philippine government agencies. One of these is the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), which was established by virtue of Republic Act No. 11641, signed by President Rodrigo Duterte on December 30, 2021.
Primarily, the DMW is mandated to facilitate the overseas employment as well as reintegration of Filipino workers. It also promotes the continuous training and knowledge development of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).
Vision, Mission, and Core Values
Based on its official website, the DMW is “the exclusive home in government of our OFWs and their families that protects their rights.” It is also envisioned to promote OFWs’ welfare and “unleash their potential to fulfill their destiny as co-architects of national development.”
The DMW’s mission is to empower migrant workers through digital transformation of its processes and ensure sustained ease of doing business. Moreover, it is committed to “effectively manage the full cycle of Filipino labor migration: from industry regulation, labor market development, facilitative deployment, provision of on-site protection; and up to a national reintegration program that enhances OFW skills, knowledge and competence, and facilitates their safe and productive reintegration in their communities.”
In all its activities, the Department aspires to demonstrate these core values: Compassion, Integrity, Transparency, Excellence, and Service.
Offices of the DMW
Upon its creation, the DMW assumed the powers and functions of seven agencies: Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA); International Labor Affairs Bureau (ILAB) and all Philippine Overseas Labor Offices (POLO); Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers’ Affairs (OUMWA); Office of the Social Welfare Attaché; National Maritime Polytechnic (NMP); and National Reintegration Center for OFWs (NRC).
Today, the Department is organized into the following offices/bureaus:
- Office of the Secretary (OSEC). This office holds primary authority, supervision, and administrative control over all functions of the DMW.
- Internal Audit Service (IAS). This office conducts management and operations performance audit of the DMW’s units and activities.
- Migrant Workers Training Institute (MWTI). The MWTI provides training programs to employees of the DMW, especially those who will be assigned to work overseas.
- National Maritime Polytechnic (NMP). The NMP provides development courses to Filipino seafarers and maritime allied personnel.
DMW Online Services
In line with the government’s more towards “digital transformation,” the DMW operates the following online services and platforms:
- Pre-Employment Orientation Seminar (PEOS). This is a web-based learning session that is one of the requirements for applicants who are planning to work abroad.
- Registration System. This is an online registration system for Filipino applicants who aspire to work overseas.
- OFW Records. This system enables OFWs and their families to file requests for issuance of their OFW Information Sheet or Record.
- Balik-Manggagawa Processing System. Now linked with the E-Registration System, this caters to OFWs who intend to return to work abroad.
- DMW Helpdesk. This is an online portal where OFWs and their families can ask questions, file complaints, or any related concerns.
Contact Information: DMW Main Office
For inquiries and concerns, you can get in touch with the DMW Main Office through the following contact details:
Address: Blas F. Ople Building, EDSA corner Ortigas Ave, Mandaluyong City, Metro Manila
Telephone: 02 8722 1144
Email: connect@dmw.gov.ph
Website: https://dmw.gov.ph/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dmwphl
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Together, the DFA and the DMW, along with other government agencies, are committed to protecting the rights and welfare of Filipinos around the world. Notably, these agencies were recently involved in the repatriation of OFWs who were affected by the Middle East crisis.