Pangasinan: The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) has opened a help desk in this town to provide easier access to services for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in the province.
According to Philippines News Agency, two more desks are set to open soon in Bayambang and Dagupan City, as confirmed by DMW Ilocos Region officer-in-charge, Assistant Director Romeo Jaramilla. The Malasiqui help desk, located in Barangay Cabatling, has been operational since July 23, providing essential services to the OFW community.
Jaramilla highlighted that the Malasiqui office operates on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, with a staff and a DMW officer present every Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The services offered include Balik Manggagawa assistance, issuance of OFW records, welfare support, and repatriation.
Further, Jaramilla announced the future establishment of DMW help desks in Bayambang town and Dagupan City, expected to open next month. The Deed of Usufruct for the upcoming office was signed on July 26, reinforcing DMW's commitment to bringing public service nearer to the OFW community.
According to 2023 data from the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), the Ilocos Region is home to 543,630 OFWs, with 412,118 inactive OWWA members. The majority, 490,512, are land-based workers, 42,346 are sea-based, and 10,772 others are unspecified.