All these governmental and policy developments have seen the emergence of overseas migration as a major phenomenon in the country’s socio-economic and cultural life.

Over the decades also, overseas migration has evolved. The Philippines continues to implement quick-response efforts to assist OFWs in distress and in need (which the pandemic further made evident). But there are also other efforts: regulating the growing recruitment industry; directing remittances to development and to safe, fortuitous investment and entrepreneurial products and activities;  looking at the manpower and other development needs of the country; among others.

Let us return to the DMW. The full opening of this Department in 2024 comes as the Philippines celebrates the 50th anniversary of the 1974 Labor Code, which formally began facilitative overseas labor migration and its regulation by the country.

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