“No Kalinga OFW Will Be Left Behind”: DMW Usec. Olalia assures free legal, medical, financial aid

Tabuk City, Kalinga – The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) has vowed to strengthen the protection and welfare of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) from Kalinga through closer coordination with local officials.

On February 19, 2026, local government units in the province, led by the Provincial Local Government Unit, signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the DMW and partner agencies to enhance support for iKalinga OFWs.

The MOA signing was led by DMW Undersecretary Bernard Olalia, together with DMW-CAR OIC Regional Director Cheryl Daytec, Governor James Edduba, local chief executives, and heads and representatives of partner agencies.

A Young Department with a Firm Mandate

In his address, Undersecretary Bernard Olalia emphasized that while the Department of Migrant Workers is a relatively young government institution, its mandate—to protect the rights and promote the welfare of OFWs and their families—is firm. He stressed that the DMW has acted swiftly to implement programs that directly respond to the needs of its target beneficiaries.

“We are the youngest among all departments in the country. We were conceptualized and constituted in 2021 and became a full department in 2022. Young, but firm in our mandate, of course, to protect and promote the welfare of our OFWs and their families,” Olalia stated.

DMW’s Three Core Assistance Programs

The undersecretary detailed the three major assistance programs of the DMW, emphasizing that these are designed to ensure that no OFW—whether abroad or back home—will feel abandoned by the government.

According to Olalia, one of the agency’s core services is free legal assistance. He explained that the DMW provides free legal aid to OFWs facing cases abroad and assured local officials in Kalinga that any iKalinga encountering legal troubles overseas may be endorsed to local DMW offices for immediate action.

“We have a quick-action fund, agarang tulong sa mga OFWs. If our OFWs abroad are facing legal problems, the DMW, through our Migrant Workers Offices in 42 destination countries, is there to render free legal assistance. So if you know someone who has a problem abroad, just inform us and we will communicate and assist them. Whatever legal issues they face, we will be there to render assistance free of charge,” said Olalia.

The second assistance program is medical support. The DMW official said that OFWs who return home and need medical attention may seek help from the department, which can shoulder hospital-related expenses.

“If there is an OFW here in Kalinga who has a health-related concern, whether hospital confinement or doctor’s appointments, just inform us and we will take care of the hospital bills. They will not pay anything,” he added.

The third assistance is financial aid, particularly for OFWs who are forced to return home before completing their contracts due to problems abroad. He shared that aside from the cash assistance from the DMW, partner agencies also provide support upon assessment.

“All distressed OFWs who return home, especially those who were unable to complete their employment period due to problems abroad, will receive financial assistance. There is also additional support from OWWA, DOLE, and TESDA,” he continued.

Olalia further assured that no Kalinga OFW will be left behind.

“Whatever you need, our CAR Regional Office will be here to provide the right information and assistance for our OFWs,” said Olalia.