By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) is set to operate on a proposed budget of about P11 billion in 2027, but the allocation represents a reduction from the agency’s funding this year despite mounting demands for assistance to overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).
The proposed 2027 allocation is about P654.26 million lower than the DMW’s P11.7-billion budget for 2026, according to the government’s proposed National Expenditure Program.
The budget proposal is being scrutinized by the House Committee on Appropriations as lawmakers assess whether the department will have enough resources to protect and assist Filipinos working abroad.
Despite the overall reduction, some key programs for OFWs are being given additional funding.
The Social Protection and Welfare for OFWs Program is proposed to receive about P3.34 billion, up from P3.22 billion in 2026, an increase of roughly P120 million.
The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) is also slated for a modest increase, with its proposed allocation rising from about P4.25 billion to P4.31 billion.
The DMW’s AKSYON Fund, which provides emergency assistance to distressed OFWs, is expected to retain its P2-billion allocation in 2027.
The proposed budget, however, cuts the DMW Secretary’s office allocation by about P450 million, from P6.77 billion to P6.32 billion.
The Overseas Employment and Welfare Program is likewise facing a reduction of about P159 million, from P4.899 billion to approximately P4.74 billion.
One of the steepest reductions falls on the DMW’s Maritime Research and Skills Competency Program, whose proposed funding drops from P338.03 million to about P112.77 million.
The budget proposal comes after the government mounted major repatriation and assistance efforts for Filipinos affected by conflicts and other emergencies overseas.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. earlier reported that more than 12,000 OFWs had been repatriated from the Middle East conflict, while assistance had been extended to more than 140,000 affected workers.
The government also reported spending billions of pesos for repatriation and economic assistance as Filipino workers were evacuated from conflict-affected areas.
The proposed 2027 national budget totals P7.2 trillion, about six percent higher than the 2026 national budget. But with agencies submitting more than P11 trillion in funding proposals, the Department of Budget and Management said the government had to prioritize programs within available fiscal space.
For the DMW, the budget debate will test whether the government can maintain adequate protection and emergency assistance for OFWs while reducing spending in several areas.
With Filipino workers continuing to face conflicts, displacement, abusive employment conditions and other emergencies abroad, the final allocation for the DMW could have a direct bearing on the government’s ability to respond when OFWs need help most.
ia/xf
