The Philippine government successfully held the Sama sa Roma: New Hero of the World – OFW Service Caravan from October 11-14, 2025, in Rome, Italy, drawing a crowd of nearly 1,500 Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs).
The historic four-day event, spearheaded by the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) in partnership with various Philippine government agencies, was designed to bring essential government services directly to OFWs, enabling them to access benefits and assistance without the need to return to the Philippines.
The caravan delivered a wide array of critical services, including mobile passporting, OWWA membership and e-Card registration, Pag-IBIG, SSS, and PhilHealth transactions, legal assistance from the Office of the President and PAO, and psychosocial and livelihood assistance from DSWD, alongside reintegration consultations.
In his message to the attendees, DMW Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac emphasized the President’s directive to ease the burden on OFWs: “In your everyday life, every stress because you have multiple jobs, the President ordered that at least we can provide services that will make your life easier.”
OWWA Administrator Patricia Yvonne Caunan echoed this sentiment, underscoring the importance of making the government’s presence felt: “At the command of our dear President — accelerate and bring the service of our government closer to our OFWs. Let us bring the service of government here in Rome, where our OFWs are.”
The event received the full support of the Philippine Embassy in Rome, with Philippine Ambassador H.E. Nathaniel G. Imperial stating, “This gathering is for you — a tribute to your sacrifice, faith, and unwavering love for our nation.”
Philippine Ambassador to the Holy See, H.E. Grace Ragenia Macahilig, also extended a heartfelt message: “Your government is here for you. It continues to look out for you, no matter how far you have gone in your journey — for your families, and for our nation. You are not forgotten.”
Senator Erwin Tulfo, a staunch advocate for OFW rights, highlighted the workers’ crucial role in the national economy: “You are the so-called backbone of our economy. That’s why it’s only appropriate for the government to bring government services to you — so you don’t have to go there. The government is just letting you know that we are behind you, especially under the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.”
The caravan also served as a platform to introduce innovative government initiatives. DICT Undersecretary for Digital Reforms David Almirol, Jr., presented the eGovPH Super App, a flagship project aimed at digitalizing government services. “Bringing government services closer to the people… wherever you are, wherever you are in the world, you can transact with the government,” he said, stressing that all government services will be accessible through the app.
Congressman Bryan Revilla of the House Committee on Overseas Workers Affairs acknowledged the immense sacrifices of OFWs, particularly parents far from their families. He called for the continued improvement of services and the creation of laws to genuinely assist OFWs, specifically mentioning the strengthening of reintegration programs and the provision of additional skills and knowledge.
The successful Sama sa Roma caravan is a testament to the Philippine government’s unified commitment to its OFWs—the nation’s “real new heroes of the world.” The DMW plans to launch similar programs in various parts of the world to continuously extend the “service to the New Philippines” to Filipinos abroad.
