MANILA -- Fulfilling the unwavering commitment of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to promote the welfare of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), the President led on Friday the launch of the ‘DMW Mobile App,’ nearly a year after he directed the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) in his 2022 State of the Nation Address (SONA) to automate the verification of contracts of the OFWs.

In his speech during the event at the Heroes Hall, Malacañan Palace, President Marcos said that the launch of the DMW Mobile App is a significant chapter in the administration’s commitment to serve the OFWs, consistent with the thrust towards government digitalization for greater efficiency, greater collaboration and enhanced accessibility for all.

President Marcos also noted that the DMW has stayed true to his directive in his first SONA and has taken the necessary steps towards digitalizing its services

“This innovative app will revolutionize the way our OFWs access certain services, such as the verification of their contracts and applying for their OFW Pass,” President Marcos said.

“And so now, any OFW has access to this service at their fingertips,” he added.

The President also expressed his gratitude to the DMW, Bureau of Immigration (BI), and Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) for their efforts in realizing the project as he emphasized that entering and exiting Philippine borders will now become more efficient for the OFWs.

“We owe it to our hardworking migrant workers for making great strides not only for themselves, but for their loved ones and our country. Our OFWs endure hardships for being far away from their comfort zones to fuel the aspirations of their families and their communities,” President Marcos said.

“So, this initiative is a tribute to their dedication and a reaffirmation of our commitment to their well-being as we continue to find ways to make their lives better no matter where they are. I acknowledge that the success of this endeavor relies on the cooperation and partnerships amongst many stakeholders,” he added.

Citing the fruitful cooperation of the DMW and the BI, President Marcos urged other government agencies and the private sector to unite in pooling their resources and expertise for the effective implementation and improvement of the DMW Mobile App.

President Marcos said that the DMW Mobile App only shows a glimpse of the government’s efforts to modernize and digitalize services for OFWs as he assured them that the government will build on and integrate the advantages that “all these developments bring into public service delivery.”

“I am delighted to see the outcome of this initiative, especially now that we are striving towards expanding the Department of Migrant Workers’ reach to other countries and digitalizing other OFW services. Ladies and gentlemen, the launch of the Department of Migrant Workers Mobile App reflects our unwavering commitment to the welfare and the protection of our OFWs,” the President said.

“It once again demonstrates our deepest desire to leverage technology for the betterment of their lives and the efficient delivery of government services that they need even if they are far away from home, especially when they are far away from home. So, together, let us all work to ensure that our migrant workers are supported, empowered, and given every opportunity to succeed in their respective fields in the lands where they choose to live and work,” he added.

In his SONA in 2022, President Marcos directed the DMW and the DICT to automate the verification of contracts and issue Overseas Employment Certifications (OECs) that can be stored on smartphones. (PND)