CALAMBA CITY, Laguna (PIA) – The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) in Calabarzon has intensified its campaign against online scams and illegal recruitment targeting overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).
During the Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas on Tuesday, September 3, DMW IV-A Regional Director Karen Quilao said their office has integrated anti-scam sessions into its pre-employment seminars for OFWs, equipping them with the tools and knowledge to protect themselves from online scams and fraudulent activities.
“Our efforts are being intensified because many OFWs continue to fall victim to these fraudulent schemes. The DMW’s pre-employment seminar campaign aims to prevent online scams by providing training and seminars to aspiring OFWs, ensuring they are well-informed before leaving the country to work abroad,” Quilao explained.
The regional DMW chief added that the seminar covers topics such as identifying common scams, understanding the risks involved in online transactions, and knowing where to seek help if they encounter suspicious activities.
“When it comes to online scammers, this is also included in our anti-illegal recruitment campaign. We ensure that all our compatriots who are leaving the country have attended the pre-employment seminar so they are fully equipped when they work abroad,” she stressed.
Quilao also emphasized their intensified campaigns against illegal recruitment and human trafficking to ensure that OFWs are less vulnerable to exploitation. She said the DMW IV-A is collaborating with local government units and various government agencies to investigate and trace these fraudulent activities.
Quilao affirmed the DMW’s commitment to strengthening the agency’s programs and services to ensure the welfare of OFWs and their families.
“We will also strengthen our training, seminars, and assistance to OFWs and their families to help them become resilient and improve their quality of life. The DMW will always be here for every OFW worldwide, as we are called ‘Tahanan ng OFW.’”
The Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas is a weekly media forum program of the Philippine Information Agency, in partnership with Presidential Communications Office, which highlights the programs, projects, and policies of the national government under the Bagong Pilipinas governance agenda of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s administration. (AM/PIA 4A)