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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Alan Cayetano pushes for higher DMW budget; cites agency's huge role in supporting OFWs

Alan Cayetano pushes for higher DMW budget; cites agency's huge role in supporting OFWs

Published Nov 20, 2025 01:18 pm

At A Glance

  • Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano has urged the Senate to increase the budget of the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) for 2026, citing its critical role in supporting millions of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).


Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano has urged the Senate to increase the budget of the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) for 2026, citing its critical role in supporting millions of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

Senator Alan Peter Cayetano (Facebook)
Senator Alan Peter Cayetano (Facebook)

During the Senate deliberation on the DMW’s proposed 2026 budget on November 19, Cayetano questioned why only a fraction of government fund is allocated for the agency, compared to other departments. The agency has a proposed P11-billion budget for next year.

Cayetano, a former Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) chief, 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.

He pointed out that the proposed P11-billion budget for DMW 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 of our GDP (Gross Domestic Product) is from OFWs,” he said.

“When we were suffering, we relied on their money. Until now, they are still a big part of our GDP. Then, when we return (the money) to them, we will save it,” he added.

He 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,” Cayetano stressed.

Related Tags

Alan Peter Cayetano DMW OFWs 2026 budget
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