The Senate Committee on Finance approved the proposed budget of the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) for fiscal year 2025.
During the budget hearing on Tuesday, the DMW said the department was allocated P8.5 billion under the 2025 National Expenditure Program.
The budget was notably 16 percent lower compared to its 2024 budget of P10.13 billion and will be allocated with P5.1 billion to the office of the secretary and P3.4 billion to the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA).
“The budget will] sustain our efforts in strengthening protection of migrant workers’ rights, promoting their welfare and enhancing their capacities for economic self-reliance and quality of life for their families,” said DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac.
According to the DMW, its 2025 budget for the Office of the Secretary, which is 21% or P1.355 billion lower than the 2024 budget, will be used for the Overseas Employment and Welfare Program, Overseas Employment Regulatory Program, Labor Migration Policy and International Cooperation Program, and the Maritime Research and Skills Competency Program.
A total of P319.176 million will be allocated for regional DMW operations, which saw a 134% increase in its budget, while international migrant workers offices (MWO) will have P387.322 million for regular operations and P580.594 million in verification funds.
The DMW also announced plans to open new migrant workers office (MWOs) in the following cities:
- Abuja, Nigeria
- Bern, Switzerland
- Pretoria, South Africa
- Ankara, Turkey
- Oslo, Norway
- Warsaw, Poland
Meanwhile, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) saw a 7% decrease in its 2025 budget, or P269.608 million, with its P3.409 billion allocation.
The DMW said that for 2025, it aims to increase MWO visibility and enhance service provision, enhance AKSYON fund operations, expedite procurement activities in support of program implementation of the department, and develop offices as centers of “Compassion, Integrity, Transparency, Excellence and Service.”
Committee chair Senator Joel Villanueva approved the budget for submission to the plenary for action, and assured that he will assist the agency to secure additional funding for its other projects.
“Malaking bagay po sa atin na mapag usapan ang budget ng DMW and makita natin kung paano pa natin maiimprove yung ating serbisyo sa ating mga kababayan,” said Villanueva.
(It’s important for us to be able to discuss the budget of the DMW and see how else we can improve our services to our countrymen.)
“We are once again re-affirmed why we pushed for the creation of this very important department… Based sa datos, nagkaroon ng 93.31 percent na pagtaas sa numero ng mga deployed OFWs mula 1.2 million noong 2022, [ngayong] 2023 [ay] 2.3 million na,” the senator added.
(Based on data, there was a 93.31 percent increase in the number of deployed Overseas Filipino Workers from 1.2 million in 2022, [it is now] 2.3 million for 2023.) —RF, GMA Integrated News
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