In direct response to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to enhance government service accessibility for Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and their families, the Migrant Workers Office (MWO) and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) in Washington, D.C., successfully hosted a two-day information and service caravan on June 7-8, 2025, at the Save the Seed Energy Center in Tortola, British Virgin Islands (BVI).
The caravan aimed to deliver essential services directly to the Filipino migrant community, many of whom face significant challenges in traveling to Washington, D.C., for assistance. “We conducted the activity because we wanted to bring our services right to the doorsteps of OFWs. These OFWs have limited means to go to Washington, D.C., hence we thought it best for us to go to them instead,” stated Labor Attaché Saul De Vries. He emphasized that this initiative aligns with the President’s and Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac’s commitment to reaching out and serving migrant workers effectively.
More than 200 overseas Filipino workers took advantage of the caravan’s offerings, which included contract verification services, OWWA membership renewal, and labor consultation services. The British Virgin Islands, a British Overseas Territory in the Caribbean, is home to approximately 800 OFWs employed across diverse sectors such as health and social work, finance, hospitality, wholesale and retail trade, construction, and household services, primarily residing in Tortola and Virgin Gorda.
Adding to the comprehensive support, the caravan featured virtual presentations from key Philippine government agencies. Representatives from the Social Security System (SSS), Pag-IBIG Fund, PhilHealth, and OF Bank provided orientations on their programs, including valuable high-yielding investment options for Filipino migrants, to around 45 OFWs. The MWO and OWWA also presented their range of programs and services.
During the event, Labor Attaché De Vries and Welfare Officer Mae Codilla engaged in a productive meeting with BVI Governor Daniel Pruce. Their discussions centered on workplace issues and pending complaints affecting Filipino migrants in the territory. “We appreciate the interest of the Governor in listening to the labor concerns of our OFWs and his willingness to relay the same to appropriate authorities within the BVI government. We also thank the BVI for the employment opportunities it provides to Filipinos in search of employment options,” De Vries concluded.
