The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) wants to make it easier for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) to get help from the government. After their big event at the Dubai World Trade Center, the DMW said they will use more computers and online tools, but will still have people to help in person. This way, OFWs can get help quickly and easily, just like President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. asked.
The recent Bagong Bayani ng Mundo – OFW Serbisyo Caravan, held at the Dubai World Trade Center on August 3, 2025, drew thousands of participants. While the turnout was impressive, many OFWs were unable to receive the services they came for due to overwhelming demand.
Learning from Past Challenges
DMW Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac expressed regret about this but reassured OFWs that improvements are on the way. “We apologize to those who were not served on that day. But rest assured, we will be back in more ways than one. We will sharpen our digitalization efforts,” said Sec. Cacdac.
He also shared that the next caravans, including future ones in Dubai, will follow a “hybrid” model. This means combining online tools with face-to-face services to provide more accurate, secure, and accessible assistance to OFWs.
Hybrid Services for the Future
Under this new approach, the DMW plans to deliver many services digitally to make things easier and faster for OFWs. However, in-person services will remain an essential part of caravans, especially for processes that require personal interaction, such as biometric-based tasks like registering for a national ID or obtaining legal documents. Sec. Cacdac emphasized that this hybrid strategy aims to deliver smooth and reliable service while meeting the highest regulatory standards.
During the recent Dubai caravan, OFWs were able to access various services, including membership renewals for the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), E-card issuance, and registering for PhilHealth, Pag-IBIG, and the Social Security System (SSS). Over 11,500 transactions were completed in just one day, benefiting nearly 6,000 OFWs.
The DMW’s hybrid caravans will continue to offer these key services while finding new ways to make service delivery faster and more efficient.
A Commitment to OFWs
This initiative is part of the government’s One Country Team Approach, a program designed to protect and empower OFWs. The DMW’s goal is to make government programs more accessible even for those working abroad. With these new digital and hybrid methods, OFWs can look forward to improved support in the future.
Secretary Cacdac affirmed, “We are committed to delivering efficient, accessible, and responsive services for our OFWs wherever they may be.”
Below is the full press release announcement:
News Release
Department of Migrant Workers
August 7, 2025
DMW vows enhanced service delivery through digitalized, hybrid Serbisyo Caravans
The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) vowed to improve its service delivery through digitalized and efficient system in bringing government services closer to overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) OFWs as directed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.
Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac acknowledged the challenges and lessons learned from the Bagong Bayani ng Mundo – OFW Serbisyo Caravan held at the Dubai World Trade Center on August 3, 2025, which recorded overwhelming turnout of OFW participants.
“We apologize to those who were not served on that day. But rest assured, we will be back in more ways than one—we will sharpen our digitalization efforts. So we vow, na sa susunod na round, lalo na sa Dubai, we will have a hybrid part two, where processes are digitalized. And this will be the general trend for our future caravans starting sa pagbabalik natin sa Dubai,” said Secretary Cacdac.
The Secretary also reaffirmed he department’s commitment to delivering more efficient, accessible, and responsive services to Filipinos abroad through its digitalization efforts.
“While we pursue online solutions such as dataflow systems and partnerships with firms like VFS, we also recognize the indispensable role of in-person services, particularly for biometric-based processes like national ID registration and legal document issuance through the Public Attorney’s Office (PAO),” the Secretary explained.
To better serve OFWs, the DMW will adopt a hybrid approach in future caravans—integrating digital innovations with essential face-to-face services to ensure accuracy, security, and compliance with regulatory standards.
During the Caravan, the most requested services are OWWA membership and renewal, E-card issuance, PSA for National ID registration, national registry document issuance; PhilHealth contribution payments; Pag-IBIG for MP2 savings and investment programs, SSS, contribution payments and inquiries.
The Bagong Bayani ng Mundo – OFW Serbisyo Caravan, held at the Dubai World Trade Center on August 3, 2025, successfully delivered a total of 11,569 government transactions to 5,928 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in a single day. This despite the many challenges faced during the one-day event.
The initiative is part of the administration’s One Country Team Approach, a whole-of-government strategy that aims to serve OFWs holistically—ensuring protection, empowerment, and ease of access to government programs abroad.###