While the ongoing COVID-19 crisis still affects the deployment of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), the current demand for sea-based workers is almost up to the pre-pandemic levels, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) said.

OWWA Administrator Hans Leo Cacdac admitted that the pandemic has been making the deployment difficult among Filipino migrant workers, particularly land-based workers, due to restrictions being imposed in different countries.

"However, yung deployment ng mga sea-based workers halos pumapantay na sa pre-COVID kaya’t nakikita natin talaga na nanunumbalik sa usual demand (the deployment of sea-based workers seems to be returning to pre-COVID levels so we see it is almost back to the usual demand)," Cacdac said.

According to Cacdac, these figures only showed that many foreign ship owners preferred Filipino seafarers.

Aside from the seafarers, the OWWA chief added that they have also noted a demand for Filipino workers in different industries such as health care, engineering and architecture, logistics, and IT-based works.

While most employers always rely on the skills set of the worker, Cacdac said that the health situation of the employee and the origin country has been among the major factor being considered for the deployment.

"First and foremost, the employers will always rely on the skills set -- the reliability, the quality, the loyalty of our Filipino workers," Cacdac said.

"Ngayon, dito sa pandemya nagiging factor din iyong kalusugan. Siyempre titingnan na rin iyong health conditions or situation dito sa ating bansa (With the pandemic, the health also becomes a factor. Of course, they will also look at the health condition or situation here in our country)," he added.

Meanwhile, Cacdac reminded OFWs to ensure that they are only transacting with a legitimate and licensed recruitment agency and foreign employers both accredited by the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA).