The Department of Migrant Workers’ (DMW) budget has more than doubled from ₱4.3 billion when it was established in 2023 to ₱10 billion in 2026, after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. added ₱3 billion to the agency’s Aksyon Fund this year on top of ₱2 billion already allocated under the 2026 General Appropriations Act.
Migrant Workers Undersecretary Dominique Rubia-Tutay explained the details in an interview on DZRH News program The Situation Report on Monday, September 7.
The DMW undersecretary said the additional ₱3 billion was released in direct response to the ongoing Middle East crisis, which has driven up the number of OFWs needing emergency repatriation, financial assistance, and legal support.
“Nagkaroon po ng crisis, dinagdagan po ng ating Pangulong Bongbong Marcos ng 3 billion pa ‘yung ating Aksyon Fund,” Rubia-Tutay said.
Rubia-Tutay said the total Aksyon Fund now stands at ₱5 billion for 2026—₱2 billion from the GAA and ₱3 billion in supplemental funding—and covers legal assistance, medical assistance, financial assistance, and transport for distressed OFWs.
Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said the budget growth reflects the Marcos administration’s commitment to building not just a paper department but a fully functioning one with the resources needed to deliver services at scale.
The President’s migrant workers chief said the ₱10 billion budget covers the DMW’s central office, regional offices, and overseas posts, and represents a decisive break from the days when OFW welfare functions were handled by a much smaller and less resourced agency.
Cacdac stressed that the budget will continue to grow as the DMW expands its presence domestically and abroad, consistent with President Marcos’ standing directive to ensure that no OFW in need is left without a response from the government.
