Department of Migrant Workers opens Kalinga provincial office, brings OFW services closer to iKalingas

TABUK CITY, Kalinga — Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), aspiring migrant workers, and their families in Kalinga can now access government services without leaving the province following the opening of the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW)-Kalinga Provincial Office at the Provincial Capitol.

During the Kapehan sa Kapitolyo on August 3, DMW-Cordillera Senior Labor and Employment Officer Rexton Falag-ey thanked Governor James S. Edduba and the Provincial Government of Kalinga for providing office space for the newly established provincial office, now located on the third floor of the Capitol Building in Capitol Hills, Bulanao, Tabuk City.

Falag-ey said the provincial office brings frontline services closer to Overseas Filipino Workers, former OFWs, aspiring migrant workers, and their families, eliminating the need for many iKalingas to travel outside the province to seek assistance.

"We thank Governor James for providing us an office here in Kalinga. The provincial office provides the same services to OFWs, former OFWs, their families, and the general population of Kalinga," he said.

Like the agency's regional and national offices, the DMW-Kalinga Provincial Office provides assistance on migrant worker welfare and protection, reintegration programs, employment facilitation, legal concerns, documentation, and other OFW-related services.

Falag-ey said the office is expected to benefit not only active OFWs but also returning migrant workers who need support in rebuilding their livelihoods and reintegrating into their communities.

He added that DMW is strengthening partnerships with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and other government agencies to expand reintegration programs that offer skills training, employment opportunities, entrepreneurship assistance, and career development for returning OFWs.

"We decided to collaborate with TESDA. Initially, our focus was on repatriated workers from the Middle East because many of them came from the region. However, after our previous meeting, we agreed to prioritize OFWs directly affected by the conflict," Falag-ey said.

Governor Edduba welcomed the establishment of the provincial office, emphasizing the importance of making government services more accessible to iKalingas, particularly families whose livelihoods depend on overseas employment.

According to DMW-Cordillera, the region has more than 36,000 documented OFWs, although the actual number is believed to be higher because many workers process their overseas employment outside the region.

From 2025 to early 2026, 557 documented OFWs from the Cordillera were deployed to the Middle East, while 63 OFWs were repatriated through government-assisted flights due to the conflict in the region.

Falag-ey said the opening of the DMW-Kalinga Provincial Office marks a significant step in making government assistance more accessible and responsive, ensuring that migrant workers and their families receive timely support without having to travel outside the province.