The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), through its Institute for Advanced and Strategic Studies on Migration and Development (IASSMD), solidified its commitment to evidence-based policymaking by signing a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA) during a two-day forum held on December 11-12, 2025, at the DMW Makati office.
The forum, titled “Knowledge to Policy and Practice: Advancing Labor Migration Governance Through Evidence and Action,” gathered policymakers, researchers, and partner institutions to tackle critical issues facing Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs).
Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac underscored the significance of the partnership with IPA, represented by its Country Director Aftab Opel, highlighting the need to craft policies and programs directly informed by the lived experiences of OFWs.
Speaking on the first day, Secretary Cacdac stated, “We formalize our partnership with the IPA, and the signing of this MOA is more than a ceremonial act. It is a commitment, a shared commitment, to elevate research, strengthen our analytical foundations, and design programs that respond to the real experiences of our OFWs.”
He further emphasized the practical importance of the collaboration, adding, “This partnership is a reminder that research is not abstract. It is a lifeline that helps us understand risks, evaluate what works, and design solutions that matter in the everyday lives of OFWs.”
The forum served as a crucial platform for examining key labor migration issues, including deployment and labor market trends, OFW reintegration, migrant rights protection, remittances, wages, mental health, and emerging innovations in the sector.
Anchored on the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to strengthen labor migration governance, the event forms part of the DMW’s broader and continuous efforts to advance research and adopt evidence-based strategies to better protect and serve Filipino migrant workers and their families.
