DMW aids OFWs, kin affected by Cebu quake

By Marita Moaje, Philippine News Agency

HELP FOR OFWs. Injured residents in Bogo City, Cebu due to the strong earthquake on Tuesday (Sept. 30, 2025) receive treatment from the Department of Health (DOH). The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) on Wednesday (Oct. 1, 2025) has also mobilized aid to overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), especially those whose flights were affected, including their families. (Photo: PNA/Facebook)

MANILA – The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) has mobilized assistance for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), including their families, who were affected by the 6.9-magnitude earthquake that jolted the Visayas on Tuesday evening.

In an interview on Wednesday, Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said he has directed regional offices to coordinate with the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) in assessing the condition of OFWs, seafarers, and their families in hard-hit areas, including Biliran, Northern Samar, Eastern Samar; Catbalogan City, Sta. Rita, and Marabut in Samar; Isabel, Calubian, Kananga, Palompon, Merida, and Tacloban City in Leyte; Southern Leyte; and Ormoc City.

He also assured affected OFWs of continuous service, specifically for those who may be stranded at airports and ports, and those with affected flight schedules.

He said that DMW regional offices in the Western, Eastern and Central Visayas have been directed to remain open and continue providing services to OFWs.

“Marami kasi siyempre paalis, maraming padating, so yung airport counters natin, DMW and OWWA (Overseas Workers Welfare Administration) are open. I talked to OWWA (Administrator) PY Caunan as well to continue providing the services (Of course, there are many people leaving, many people arriving, so our airport counters, DMW and OWWA are open. I talked to OWWA Administrator PY Caunan as well to continue providing the services),” Cacdac said.

“So sa mga OFWs na paalis o pabalik, huwag kayong mag-alala, bukas pa rin po, pinagutos din ito ng ating Pangulo na ensure that hindi madi-disrupt ang services natin, yung departing and arriving OFWs (So to the OFWs who are leaving or returning, don’t worry, we are open, our President also ordered this to ensure that our services for departing and arriving OFWs, are not disrupted),” he added.

Cacdac said the priority now is to identify the immediate needs of OFW families and ensure that appropriate support reaches them quickly.

He also ordered full assistance for those who require employment documentation services, which he said, may be done online, assuring that the DMW Central and Regional Offices will meet the needs of these OFWs.

“Alinsunod sa direktiba ni Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., kasama ninyo ang DMW na handang kumilos, subalit iginagalang natin ang mandato ng mga pangunahing ahensya sa disaster response upang sila ang maunang makaresponde sa mga apektadong lugar (In accordance with the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., the DMW is with you ready to act, but we respect the mandate of the main disaster response agencies to be the first to respond to affected areas,” the DMW said.

For urgent needs, families of OFWs and seafarers may contact the nearest DMW and OWWA Regional Office or call OWWA 24/7 hotline 1348.