Institute For Advanced & Strategic Studies on Migration & Development

23/09/2026

𝐎𝐧𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐒𝐞𝐱𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐀𝐛𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐨𝐫 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝 𝐒𝐞𝐱𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐀𝐛𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐨𝐫 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐬

23/09/2026

𝐀𝐃𝐕𝐈𝐒𝐎𝐑𝐘 𝐍𝐎. 𝟓𝟒, 𝐒. 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔: 𝐖𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐀𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐭 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐄𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐩𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐨𝐟 𝐊𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐚

10/09/2026

𝑩𝒓𝒊𝒅𝒈𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑩𝒐𝒓𝒅𝒆𝒓𝒔, 𝑺𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑺𝒐𝒍𝒖𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔: 𝑩𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒍𝒂𝒅𝒆𝒔𝒉 𝑫𝒆𝒍𝒆𝒈𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝑬𝒙𝒑𝒍𝒐𝒓𝒆𝒔 𝑷𝒉𝒊𝒍𝒊𝒑𝒑𝒊𝒏𝒆 𝑳𝒂𝒃𝒐𝒓 𝑴𝒊𝒈𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝑮𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒏𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆

Mandaluyong, September 9, 2026 — A multi-stakeholder delegation from Bangladesh visited the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) to gain insights into the Philippines’ labor migration governance framework, including its evolution, institutional mandate, and key programs.

Held at the PST Hall of the Blas F. Ople Building in Mandaluyong City, the study visit featured discussions on the Philippine labor migration governance framework, the creation and mandate of the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), the Department’s coordination with Public Employment Service Offices (PESOs), and reintegration services.

The program opened with Welcome Remarks from Assistant Secretary Levinson C. Alcantara, who emphasized the importance of the session in strengthening ties and fostering closer relations between the Philippines and Bangladesh. This was followed by a message from the Head of the Delegation, Dr. Nazneen Kawshar Chowdhury, Executive Chairman of the National Skills Development Authority under the Prime Minister’s Office of Bangladesh. Undersecretary Jainal T. Rasul, Jr. subsequently delivered a response, setting the tone for the discussions and the exchange of experiences between the Philippines and Bangladesh.

The learning discussion began with an audiovisual presentation highlighting the creation and mandate of the DMW. Director Andrea Luisa C. Anolin of the National Reintegration Center for OFWs presented the country’s reintegration and post-migration support mechanisms for overseas Filipino workers. Meanwhile, Mr. Clark B. Briz, Chief of the Migrant Workers Processing Division of DMW-NCR, discussed the Department’s coordination with PESOs for aspiring migrant workers, highlighting the importance of preparing prospective overseas workers for migration.

The presentations were followed by an open discussion, providing an opportunity for the participants to exchange perspectives and explore areas of common interest in labor migration governance. The study visit concluded with Closing Remarks from Director Francisco S. Aguilar, Jr. of the Foreign Stakeholders Relations and Engagement Bureau, who underscored the significance of sustained engagement and knowledge-sharing in advancing effective labor migration governance. The visit highlighted the value of international cooperation and peer learning in strengthening systems that protect and support migrant workers while promoting responsive, effective, and sustainable labor migration policies.

27/08/2026

𝗗𝗠𝗪 𝗛𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗿𝘀 𝗝𝗮𝗽𝗮𝗻𝗲𝘀𝗲 𝗔𝗺𝗯𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗮𝗱𝗼𝗿 𝗘𝗻𝗱𝗼, 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗿𝗺𝘀 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝗣𝗛–𝗝𝗮𝗽𝗮𝗻 𝗟𝗮𝗯𝗼𝗿 𝗧𝗶𝗲𝘀
Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac, along with DMW Senior officials, hosted a farewell luncheon for outgoing Japanese Ambassador Endo Kazuya on August 17 in Makati City. The luncheon honored his distinguished service and contributions to the Philippines–Japan relationship.
Secretary Cacdac thanked Ambassador Endo for advancing bilateral cooperation between Manila and Tokyo in areas including labor migration, skills mobility, human resource development, and worker protection.
“Your tenure significantly boosted key programs between our two governments, particularly the Technical Intern Training Program (TITP), the Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) Program, and the Philippine-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (PJEPA),” Secretary Cacdac noted.
Both parties reaffirmed their shared commitment to expanding safe, fair, ethical, and sustainable employment opportunities while protecting the rights and welfare of overseas Filipino workers in Japan.
DMW Undersecretaries Felicitas Q. Bay and Jainal T. Rasul Jr.; Assistant Secretaries Levinson C. Alcantara and Julyn S. Ambito-Fermin; and Director Maria Teresa D. Delos Santos attended the event, underscoring the enduring partnership between the DMW and the Embassy of Japan.

𝗗𝗠𝗪 𝗛𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗿𝘀 𝗝𝗮𝗽𝗮𝗻𝗲𝘀𝗲 𝗔𝗺𝗯𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗮𝗱𝗼𝗿 𝗘𝗻𝗱𝗼, 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗿𝗺𝘀 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝗣𝗛–𝗝𝗮𝗽𝗮𝗻 𝗟𝗮𝗯𝗼𝗿 𝗧𝗶𝗲𝘀

Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac, along with DMW Senior officials, hosted a farewell luncheon for outgoing Japanese Ambassador Endo Kazuya on August 17 in Makati City. The luncheon honored his distinguished service and contributions to the Philippines–Japan relationship.

Secretary Cacdac thanked Ambassador Endo for advancing bilateral cooperation between Manila and Tokyo in areas including labor migration, skills mobility, human resource development, and worker protection.

“Your tenure significantly boosted key programs between our two governments, particularly the Technical Intern Training Program (TITP), the Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) Program, and the Philippine-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (PJEPA),” Secretary Cacdac noted.

Both parties reaffirmed their shared commitment to expanding safe, fair, ethical, and sustainable employment opportunities while protecting the rights and welfare of overseas Filipino workers in Japan.

DMW Undersecretaries Felicitas Q. Bay and Jainal T. Rasul Jr.; Assistant Secretaries Levinson C. Alcantara and Julyn S. Ambito-Fermin; and Director Maria Teresa D. Delos Santos attended the event, underscoring the enduring partnership between the DMW and the Embassy of Japan. # # #

Also available here: https://dmw.gov.ph/news-releases/news-release-198211

26/08/2026

𝐃𝐌𝐖 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐓𝐂𝐂𝐏 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐋𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐫 𝐌𝐢𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐂𝐨𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐓𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐧𝐚, 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐚 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐲 𝐕𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐭

PASAY CITY, Philippines — 20 August 2026. The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), in collaboration with the Technical Cooperation Council of the Philippines (TCCP) of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), conducted a study visit for the General Administration Department of the Government of Telangana, India, through its Non-Resident Indian (NRI) Advisory Committee. The activity promoted knowledge exchange and strengthened cooperation on safe, ethical, and orderly labor migration, particularly in migrant worker protection, ethical recruitment, welfare, and reintegration.

The program featured welcome remarks from DFA Undersecretary Maria Andrelita S. Austria, followed by a message from Dr. B.M. Vinod Kumar, Chairman of the Telangana State Government’s NRI Advisory Committee, and a response from DMW Assistant Secretary Mary Grace L. Riguer-Teodosio. DMW officials Director Paul E. Listones, Atty. Kristina Marie Joy B. Andal-Escosia, Labor Attaché Geraldine C. Mendez, Director Andrea Luisa C. Anolin, and Special Assistant Lemuel C. Lopez presented key Philippine practices on labor migration governance, ethical recruitment, worker protection, migrant welfare, and reintegration.

The study visit concluded with an open discussion and a brief message of thanks from OIC-Assistant Secretary Maria Teresa D. Delos Santos of the DMW Policy and International Cooperation Cluster. The activity highlighted the shared commitment of the Philippines and Telangana, India, to advancing migrant-centered governance and exploring stronger cooperation toward safe, orderly, ethical, and dignified labor migration.

04/08/2026

𝗗𝗠𝗪 𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲𝘀 𝗟𝗮𝗯𝗼𝗿 𝗠𝗶𝗴𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗚𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗶𝘀𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗧𝗼𝗴𝗼𝗹𝗲𝘀𝗲 𝗢𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹𝘀 𝘃𝗶𝗮 𝗧𝗖𝗖𝗣 𝗞𝗻𝗼𝘄𝗹𝗲𝗱𝗴𝗲 𝗘𝘅𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲

MANILA – The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), through the Institute for Advanced and Strategic Studies on Migration and Development (IASSMD), conducted an Online Introductory Course on Migration Governance for officials of Togo’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation, African Integration and Togolese Abroad (MAECIATE) on July 30, 2026. Held in partnership with the Technical Cooperation Council of the Philippines (TCCP) under the Collaborative Framework on Labour Migration Governance, the course highlighted the Philippines’ experience in building a whole-of-government, coordinated, and rights-based labor migration system.
DMW Assistant Secretaries Levinson C. Alcantara and Julyn S. Ambito-Fermin led discussions on the country’s institutional safeguards, interagency mechanisms, and services across the migration cycle. DFA Undersecretary Maria Andrelita S. Austria, TCCP Chair-Alternate, emphasized the value of international cooperation and knowledge exchange. During the open forum, Togolese officials explored how Philippine practices could be adapted to their national context and expressed particular interest in the DMW’s administration of 43 Migrant Workers Offices worldwide.
MAECIATE Deputy Minister Secretary General Afo Salifou thanked the Philippine Government for organizing the course and reaffirmed Togo’s commitment to strengthening its migration governance framework through ongoing collaboration. Philippine Ambassador Mersole J. Mellejor likewise underscored both countries’ shared commitment to institutional capacity building and improved protection for migrant workers. Through this initiative, the DMW continues to promote the Philippine labor migration governance model internationally and to support stronger, safer, and more rights-based migration systems.
# # #

24/07/2026

𝑫𝑴𝑾 𝑾𝒆𝒍𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒔 𝑩𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒍𝒂𝒅𝒆𝒔𝒉 𝑫𝒆𝒍𝒆𝒈𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝑲𝒏𝒐𝒘𝒍𝒆𝒅𝒈𝒆 𝑬𝒙𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆 𝒐𝒏 𝑵𝒖𝒓𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑾𝒐𝒓𝒌𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒄𝒆 𝑫𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒍𝒐𝒑𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕

The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), through the Institute for Advanced and Strategic Studies on Migration and Development (IASMD), welcomed a delegation from the Government of Bangladesh accompanied by the Asian Development Bank on 20 July 2026 for a study visit on understanding the Philippine nursing system and global workforce development. The program opened with welcome remarks from Undersecretary Jainal T. Rasul, Jr., followed by a message from Dr. S. M. Ziauddin Hyder, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (status of State Minister) for Health Affairs of Bangladesh. The activity provided an avenue for sharing the Philippines' best practices in managing the overseas healthcare workforce and strengthening bilateral cooperation between the two countries.

During the study visit, DMW officials presented key programs and initiatives that highlight the Department’s best practices in labor migration governance. Director Celso J. Hernandez, Jr. discussed the Digital Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC) System. Director Liza C. Alcera delivered a presentation on Ethical Recruitment Frameworks, and Atty. Tetchie P. Assudo discussed the DMW's Measures Against Illegal Recruitment Operations and the One-Stop-Shop Model for Overseas Worker Protection. Meanwhile, Director Jerome P. Yanson presented the Philippines' Bilateral Labor Agreements with Germany (GIZ Triple Win), the United Kingdom, and Japan, while Director Mary Grace Quillente discussed the Government-to-Government hiring arrangements. Assistant Secretary Maria Regina Angela G. Galias comprehensively presented the Protection Systems for Filipino Healthcare Workers Overseas. The program concluded with closing remarks from Director Francisco S. Aguilar, Jr., reaffirming the DMW's commitment to promoting safe, ethical, and well-managed labor migration through international cooperation and knowledge exchange.

24/07/2026

𝑫𝑴𝑾 𝑺𝒉𝒐𝒘𝒄𝒂𝒔𝒆𝒔 𝑷𝒉𝒊𝒍𝒊𝒑𝒑𝒊𝒏𝒆 𝑩𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝑷𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒄𝒆𝒔 𝒊𝒏 𝑳𝒂𝒃𝒐𝒓 𝑴𝒊𝒈𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝑮𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒏𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝑳𝒂𝒖𝒅𝒆𝒓 𝑰𝒏𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒕𝒖𝒕𝒆 𝑫𝒆𝒍𝒆𝒈𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏

On 15 July 2026, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), through the Institute for Advanced and Strategic Studies on Migration and Development (IASMD), welcomed an academic delegation from the Lauder Institute of the University of Pennsylvania for a study visit at the DMW in Mandaluyong City. The activity served as a platform for sharing the Philippines' experiences, policies, and initiatives on labor migration governance and diaspora engagement, while fostering stronger academic and institutional collaboration. The program opened with welcome remarks from Undersecretary Darlene R. Pajarito, which she reaffirmed the DMW's commitment to international cooperation and knowledge exchange. It was followed by a message from Professor Shannon Brown of the Lauder Institute who expressed appreciation to the Department and highlighted the significance of learning from the Philippine labor migration governance model.

The study visit featured presentations from DMW offices on key migration and development issues, particularly on migrant workers' welfare, crisis response, and inter-agency coordination. These topics were presented by Assistant Secretary Maria Regina Angela G. Galias, who highlighted the Department's welfare interventions, protection mechanisms, crisis response initiatives, and emergency repatriation programs for overseas Filipino workers. The program concluded with closing remarks from Undersecretary Jainal T. Rasul, Jr., who emphasized the importance of sustained collaboration among government agencies, academic institutions, and international partners in advancing evidence-based labor migration policies.

24/07/2026

𝑩𝒖𝒊𝒍𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑺𝒕𝒓𝒐𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒓 𝑴𝒊𝒈𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝑷𝒂𝒓𝒕𝒏𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒉𝒊𝒑𝒔: 𝑫𝑴𝑾 𝑯𝒐𝒔𝒕𝒔 𝑰𝒏𝒅𝒐𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒊𝒂𝒏 𝑴𝒊𝒏𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒚 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑷𝒓𝒐𝒕𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒐𝒇 𝑴𝒊𝒈𝒓𝒂𝒏𝒕 𝑾𝒐𝒓𝒌𝒆𝒓𝒔 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝑺𝒕𝒖𝒅𝒚 𝑽𝒊𝒔𝒊𝒕

From 30 June to 1 July 2026, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), through the Institute for Advanced and Strategic Studies on Migration and Development (IASMD), hosted a two-day study visit for the delegation from Indonesia's Ministry for the Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers (KP2MI) at the Blas F. Ople Building in Mandaluyong City. The activity served as a valuable platform for exchanging best practices on the Philippines' labor migration governance framework, ethical recruitment systems, migrant worker protection mechanisms, and reintegration programs, further strengthening bilateral cooperation between the Philippines and Indonesia in promoting safe, orderly, and rights-based labor migration. The program formally opened with welcome remarks from OIC-Assistant Secretary Augusto B. San Diego III, followed by a message from the Head of the Indonesian Delegation, Director Yayan Hernuryadin, S.Pi., M.S.E., Ph.D., Director for the Placement of Migrant Seafarers and Migrant Fishers.

The two-day study visit featured presentations from DMW officials and subject matter experts. Director Maria Teresa D. Delos Santos acknowledged the delegates and DMW officials, while OIC-Assistant Secretary Augusto B. San Diego III and Mr. Vince G. Peneyra presented the Philippines' policies and systems for facilitating ethical and orderly overseas employment of seafarers, highlighting the employer accreditation system, standard employment contracts, contract verification processes, and deployment workflow management. Atty. Mylette V. Andres, Atty. Catherine Jade M. David, and Ms. Donna Jane O. Destura discussed the regulation of private recruitment agencies, ethical recruitment standards, and anti-illegal recruitment measures. Assistant Secretary Maria Regina Angela G. Galias presented the DMW's welfare and protection programs for migrant workers, Atty. Carlos Joseph B. Villanueva discussed grievance handling and migrant case management, Assistant Secretary Levinson C. Alcantara shared the Department's initiatives on policy and international cooperation, and Engr. Yusoph T. Admain highlighted the country's reintegration and post-migration support programs. The study visit concluded with closing remarks from Director Francisco S. Aguilar, Jr., who reaffirmed the DMW's commitment to advancing regional cooperation and enhancing the protection of migrant workers through sustained knowledge sharing and the exchange of best practices.

17/07/2026

📚 WE’RE HIRING: LIBRARIAN (CONTRACT OF SERVICE)

💰 Monthly Salary: PHP 43,942.80 (inclusive of 20% premium)
📅 Application Deadline: July 30, 2026

The Department of Migrant Workers, through the Institute for Advanced and Strategic Studies on Migration and Development (IASMD), is accepting applications for a Librarian for the Susan V. Ople Labor Migration and Development Resource Center.

Qualified applicants must submit:

• Application letter addressed to Director Maria Teresa D. Delos Santos, IASMD
• Personal Data Sheet (CSC Form 212, Revised 2026)
• Work Experience Sheet
You can download the CSC forms here: https://tinyurl.com/CSC-Forms-IASMD

Send the complete requirements to [email protected].

Please see the infographic for the complete qualifications and duties and responsibilities.

Apply now or share this post with qualified licensed librarians and library and information professionals.