Cayetano questions small DMW budget despite huge OFW role

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November 20, 2025

4–6 minutes

Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano on Wednesday questioned the small budget the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) is receiving despite its critical role in supporting millions of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs).

During the Senate deliberation on the DMW’s proposed 2026 budget on November 19, Cayetano said the government must explain why an agency that protects workers bringing in billions of dollars in remittances receives only a fraction of the funds given to other departments.

Cayetano, a former Foreign Affairs Secretary and the one who pushed for the House of Representatives’ version creating the agency when he was still the Speaker, stressed that the DMW has proven its value through its work in opening new job markets, forging bilateral agreements, and running programs for OFW protection and upskilling.

With the agency’s proposed P11-billion allocation, Cayetano argued that the budget remains small compared to the P2 trillion in OFW remittances in 2024.

“The key word there is focus. The reason we put the DMW, at least my personal reason, is iba y’ung nakatutok talaga [sa mga OFWs] and it’s just too big. Almost 10 percent ng ating GDP (Gross Domestic Product) ay galing sa OFWs,” he said.

“Noong naghihirap tayo, pera nila [ang] inaasahan natin. Hanggang ngayon, they still are a big part of our GDP. Tapos ‘pag ibabalik [ang pera] sa kanila, titipirin natin,” he added.

Cayetano also asked the agency to put more on research and programs that help OFWs upgrade their skills and access better jobs.

“Two sides kasi ‘yan. Finding new markets na apples-to-apples with present skill level ngayon. That’s one reason you’re focusing on new markets, but there’s a second part… paano talaga y’ung upskilling ng mga empleyado, nung labor,” he said.

A long-time advocate for the welfare of Filipinos abroad, Cayetano also emphasized that strong programs must be based on solid data.

“If OFWs contribute that much to us I think in every aspect of their daily life, we should have a research about that, even the social cost,” he said.

Cayetano also noted that while the DMW is taking on more work, opening new markets, and addressing daily OFW concerns, its funding remains small in relation to its mandate.

He cited the recent removal of billions of pesos from the DPWH as funds that could have supported OFWs.

“If there’s somewhere good to put it, it’s in the DMW. Pero hindi namin mailalagay unless mag-propose kayo [ng mga programa,]” he said to the agency.

Cayetano also said while he is supporting the DMW’s budget, the agency must show that its programs directly address OFW needs.

“OFWs give so much to the country. Bakit maliit ang budget ng DMW kumpara sa laki ng kontribusyon nila?” he said.

“Ang labanan dito is how you can hit the nail on the head, y’ung mga programang kailangan talaga ng OFW,” he added.

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