United for OFWs: Kalinga signs MOA with national agencies to boost OFW Protection

Tabuk City, Kalinga – Governor James Edduba delivered a speech during the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signing on February 19, 2026, at the Las Vegas Hotel and Restaurant in Dagupan Weste, Tabuk City, emphasizing the importance of awareness, protection, and inter-agency coordination in safeguarding Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs).

According to 2025 data from the Department of Migrant Workers, a record 2.7 million Filipinos are working abroad, with 299 illegal recruitment cases handled in the first half of the year. The agency also repatriated 800 scam hub victims and rescued over 1,450 Filipinos from trafficking networks in Southeast Asia over the past two two years, underscoring the ongoing risks faced by OFWs.

To address these challenges, the Provincial Government, in partnership with national agencies such as the DMW, TESDA, OWWA, and DOLE, strengthened programs and services for OFWs through the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement.

During the ceremony, Governor Edduba highlighted the initiative’s goal of establishing a more responsive and accessible support system while ensuring stronger coordination among government agencies and law enforcement.

“Prevention begins with awareness, protection begins with information, and justice begins with strong coordination among government agencies and law enforcement. Through this strengthened convergence, we aim to establish a responsive and accessible support system here in Kalinga,” Edduba said.

Edduba also expressed his full support, reaffirming the provincial government’s commitment to the welfare and protection of every Kalinga OFW.

The ceremonial signing was attended by key officials from the Provincial Government of Kalinga, representatives from the DMW, OWWA, TESDA, and DOLE, as well as local chief executives from the different municipalities and the City of Tabuk, highlighting the shared commitment to support and protect Kalinga’s Overseas Filipino Workers.