DMW to set up Migrant Workers Office in Cambodia

President Marcos met with some 500 Filipinos in Phnom Penh

The Department of Migrant Workers will soon set up a Migrant Workers Office in Cambodia, in line with a directive from President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., issued during his meeting with about 500 members of the Filipino community in Phnom Penh last Sunday, Sept. 7.

The new MWO will serve the estimated 10,000 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Cambodia, where many fall prey to syndicates operating scam hubs.

During the President’s visit, Philippine Ambassador to Cambodia Flerida Ann Mayo reported that cases of Filipinos being lured to the scam hubs there have more than doubled this year. Last month alone, at least 24 Filipino victims were rescued from the syndicates.

Basahin ang detalye!

DMW Secretary Hans J. Cacdac, who was among a number of Cabinet ministers who accompanied the president during the visit, said the new MWO will be immediately set up in coordination with Foreign Affairs Secretary Theresa Lazaro and Ambassador Mayo.

The MWO will provide legal aid, welfare assistance, reintegration programs and skills training for OFWs and complement the Philippine Embassy’s work in addressing the concerns of all Filipinos in the country.

Filipinos in Cambodia give warm welcome to their president

During his visit, President Marcos gave recognition to the vital role that Filipinos play in strengthening economic and diplomatic ties between the Philippines and Cambodia, particularly through their contributions in the education and medical sectors, businesses, and infrastructure projects.

On his return to Manila, he reported securing five business deals and three government-to-government agreements with Phnom Penh.

He met with both the Acting Head of State and Senate President Hun Sen and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet on advancing the two countries’ bilateral relations.

Those who accompanied him on his visit apart from Cacdac were SFA Lazaro, Trade Secretary Ma Cristina Roque, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Laurel, Jr., Commission on Higher Education Chair Shirley Agrupis, and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos.

Currently, the DMW has 42 MWOs worldwide, and is working to establish more in countries with significant Filipino migrant populations.