DFA to turn over OFW assistance to DMW on July 1, 2023

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) will be turning over Assistance-To-Nationals functions (ATN) for Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) to the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) starting July 1.

In a statement, DFA said the DMW will handle all assistance cases involving OFWs in compliance with Republic Act No. 11641.

This includes legal or medical assistance, repatriation, and shipment of remains through AKSYON Fund, except in countries with no resident Migrant Workers Offices (MWOs) under the DMW.

The public is requested to refer to the DMW all requests for assistance involving OFWs (whether documented or undocumented) situated in the following countries or territories with resident MWOs:

Asia-Pacific

• Australia
• Brunei Darussalam
• China (including Hong Kong, Macau)
• Japan
• Korea
• Malaysia
• New Zealand
• Singapore

Middle East and Northern Africa

• Bahrain
• Israel
• Jordan
• Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
• Kuwait
• Lebanon
• Morocco
• Oman
• Qatar
• United Arab Emirates

Europe

• Czech Republic
• Germany
• Greece
• Italy
• Spain
• Switzerland
• United Kingdom

America

• Canada
• United States of America

“For all OFWs situated in countries other than the above, the Department of Foreign Affairs shall continue to be responsible for assisting them through its Assistance To Nationals (ATN) and Legal Assistance Funds (LAF),” DFA noted.

OFWs may contact the DMW via hotline numbers: 87221144 or 87221155; or email: repat@dmw.gov.ph; connect@dmw.gov.ph or cacdac@dmw.gov.ph.

The DFA, however, will continue to assist all other overseas Filipino nationals worldwide who are not OFWs/temporary workers but fall under other categories such as students, tourists, dual citizens, permanent residents, etc. — Sherylin Untalan/BM, GMA Integrated News