Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) officer-in-charge Leo Hans Cacdac vowed to continue the programs that the late Secretary Susan “Toots” Ople started in the agency.
Cacdac said included in his top list is to assist at least 10,000 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who had worked for nine Saudi companies that declared bankruptcy following the economic crisis in 2015.
The official said the DMW will assist the said OFWs in receiving their pending wages in full.
He is also focusing on the unfinished filling of nearly 1,000 plantilla positions in the department and the enhancement of the DMW full-cycle reintegration program for OFWs.
Among the programs to be accomplished were the strengthening of the One Repatriation Command Center (ORCC); intensifying anti-illegal recruitment and human trafficking efforts; providing legal, medical, and humanitarian assistance through the P1.2B AKSYON Fund; and, continuing the organization and building of the DMW through the establishment of all our proposed 17 regional centers and four additional Migrant Workers Offices (MWOS) overseas.
“As we remain in grief and mourning over the loss of our dearest Secretary Toots, we adhere to her constant reminder that there is so much to be done, with so little time. Indeed, our dear OFWs expect no less from each and every one of us here at the DMW, their home in government,” Cacdac said.
He said he was inspired by the work ethic of Ople who would personally go abroad to supervise, for instance, the repatriation of OFWs and in checking the condition of OFWs in distress.