By Darryl John Esguerra | Philippine News Agency
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Tuesday inaugurated the Department of Migrant Workers’ (DMW) Bagong Pilipinas One-Stop OFW AKSYON Center, calling it a symbol of the government’s commitment to providing fast and efficient services to overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).
Located at the DMW Makati Building along Malugay Street in Barangay Bel-Air, Makati City, the facility centralizes and offers full-cycle support for OFWs and their families and will “remove the complication of bureaucracy” for migrant workers, Marcos said.
The services cover every stage of the migrant worker’s journey, from departure and overseas employment to return and reintegration into their communities.
The center’s major services include Balik-Manggagawa processing, reintegration support, legal assistance, and other aid through the DMW AKSYON Fund.
It also houses services from other government agencies such as the Social Security System (SSS), Pag-IBIG Fund, PhilHealth, and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), as well as departments like Agriculture, Health, Labor, Trade, Tourism, Science and Technology, and Social Welfare.
A notable feature of the center is Migrant’s Brew, a café providing free coffee and snacks to visiting OFWs and their families.
“Isa itong simbolo ng isang mas mabilis, maayos, at pinagsama-samang serbisyo para sa ating mga OFWs,” Marcos said.
“Layunin nitong gawing mas madali ang proseso, mula sa reintegrasyon, legal na tulong, hanggang sa pagsasanay at iba pang serbisyo na kailangan nila,” he added.
Through a usufruct agreement, the Bagong Pilipinas OFW AKSYON Center extends the DMW’s operations by utilizing space in the former Landbank Building.
This expansion will help the DMW better serve its growing workforce and provide more efficient services to OFWs, particularly in southern Metro Manila, the President said.
Marcos concluded his remarks by reaffirming his administration’s commitment to pursuing initiatives that will support OFWs wherever they are in the world.