Marcos vows no letup in fight vs. OFW trafficking

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said the government will continue to take action to protect overseas Filipino workers against human trafficking and illegal recruitment.

In a visit to Pampanga, Marcos announced the signing of a memorandum of agreement (MOA) between government agencies and the local government to strengthen collaboration to keep Filipinos working abroad safe.

''Kasama ko ang DMW sa hangaring magtagumpay ang kasunduan na ito at lahat ng mga programang makakatulong sa ating mga OFWs,'' Marcos said during the distribution of assistance to OFWs.

(The DMW is with me in ensuring the success of this deal as well as the other programs which aim to help OFWs.)

''Dito sa Pampanga, ating ipapatupad ang MOA, isang simbolo ng pagtutulungan ng local government, kasama na ang national government laban sa illegal recruitment at sa human trafficking. Inaasahan ko na magiging maganda ang resulta ng kolaborasyong ito,'' he added.

(In Pampanga, we will enforce this MOA that shows the cooperation of the local government and the national government in fighting illegal recruitment and human trafficking. I am hoping that this collaboration will yield good results.) 

The concerned agencies include the Department of Migrant Workers, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, the Department of Labor and Employment, and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority. 

Meanwhile, the Agarang Kalinga at Saklolo sa mga OFWs na Nangangailangan (AKSYON) Fund Assistance was provided to OFWs and their families affected by recent typhoons.

This, as hundreds of families — including those of OFWs — were displaced and suffered both economically and emotionally. 

According to the Presidential Communications Office, many OFW households depend on remittances for their livelihood, and recent calamities have disrupted their sources of income.—LDF, GMA Integrated News