The Department of Migrant Workers-7 (DMW-7) has reported issuing over 4,000 Overseas Employment Certificates (OECs) from January to June of this year.
Regional Director Atty. Karl Arriola announced that the agency has processed a total of 4,396 OECs during the first six months of 2024.
Additionally, the DMW-7 has assisted 126 clients through its Welfare and Repatriation programs and provided reintegration assistance to 100 beneficiaries, amounting to a total of P870,000 in reintegration funds.
Amidst these positive figures, Director Arriola reiterated the importance of engaging only with licensed recruitment agencies when seeking overseas employment.
He emphasized that illegal recruitment and human trafficking remain persistent problems in the country and that providing accurate information to the public is crucial in preventing individuals from falling victim to these illegal activities.
The DMW-7 has strengthened its information dissemination campaigns to raise awareness about the dangers of dealing with unlicensed recruiters.
Furthermore, the agency has been working closely with licensed recruitment agencies to combat illegal recruitment and human trafficking.