THE DEPARTMENT of Migrant Workers (DMW) on Wednesday signed partnership agreements with the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) and social media app TikTok for a campaign against the trafficking of Filipino workers.
“The two agreements, one grounded in legal defense, the other in digital advocacy, represent a strategic, complementary approach to migrant protection,” Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac said during the signing ceremony at the Department of Migrant Workers in Mandaluyong City.
“They remind us that no single solution exists to end trafficking. What we need is a whole-of-society approach where law, media, government, private sector, and civil society converge to uphold the rights of Filipinos,” he added.
Under the memorandum of agreement with IBP, Filipinos who fell victim to illegal recruitment may access free legal aid through at least 1,000 volunteer lawyers.
“With the IBP, we strengthen access to justice, legal representation, and accountability for trafficked migrant workers — ensuring they are no longer silenced, but heard and protected,” the DMW said in a statement.
IBP National President and Chairman Allan G. Panolong said they will offer “traditional” and “developmental” legal aid to overseas Filipino workers (OFW).
“Traditional is the representation in court or quasi-judicial agencies. We will represent the OFWs… But when it comes to our development legal aid, it consists of legal advice, legal education, our thoughts on how to avoid being scammed, (and) what your rights are as an OFW,” Mr. Panolong said.
The IBP said OFWs may opt to get a referral from the DMW or directly approach volunteer lawyers at the IBP desk stationed at the DMW for consultations.
Meanwhile, DMW’s partnership with TikTok entails a public awareness campaign, content monitoring, and training for DMW personnel.
“Through our partnership with TikTok Philippines, we leverage the influence of digital platforms to raise awareness, educate the public, and prevent trafficking before it begins,” the agency said in a statement.
TikTok Philippines Public Policy Manager Peachy Paderna said they will take down and ban content creators proven to be involved in trafficking or illegal recruitment activities.
“If you do attempt to scam or defraud TikTok users or even people off the platform, what we do is ban accounts that have severe violations or repeated violations. So, our assurance and commitment, not just to the DMW, but to the Filipino community, especially our OFWs, is that our priority is your safety,” Ms. Paderna said.
DMW Undersecretary Bernard P. Olalia said they handled 300 illegal recruitment cases from January to June this year, significantly higher than the 71 recorded in 2024. — Katherine K. Chan
