Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac of the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) issued a powerful call to action for the private recruitment sector, urging agency owners to reject “shortcuts” and embrace global quality standards to protect Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs).
Speaking at the “Beyond Compliance: The Executive Guide to QMS Onboarding” event held on December 17, 2025, Secretary Cacdac addressed 121 Private Recruitment Agencies (PRAs) and Licensed Recruitment Agencies (LMAs). The forum, organized in partnership with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the Philippine Association of Service Exporters, Inc. (PASEI), focused on integrating Quality Management Systems (QMS) into the recruitment process.
Secretary Cacdac emphasized that the Philippines’ reputation as a leader in labor migration is built on a foundation of rigorous governance—a tradition that must not be compromised for profit.
“Don’t throw away this very, very strong tradition of migration governance. You are all part of that tradition,” Secretary Cacdac stated. “Walang cutting corners, walang bulsa ng kita (no pocketing of profits) to the detriment of OFW applicants or the improvement of your facilities.”
The Secretary highlighted that the quality of the Filipino workforce must be matched by the quality of the recruitment process. He stressed that a commitment to ISO standards and QMS is not just about paperwork, but about institutionalizing integrity through:
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Strict Enforcement: Total adherence to the “no-gift” and “no-bribery” policies.
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Ethical Pathways: Ensuring workers are recruited through safe, regular, and legal tracks.
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Continuous Improvement: Building on the 25 existing ISO programs currently supported by independent QMS consultants, inspectors, and evaluators.
The Secretary reminded agency owners that their internal operations have a direct impact on the Philippines’ diplomatic standing. He noted that the Department’s commitment to quality resonates with foreign heads of state and the global community.
“Whatever we do here resonates abroad,” Secretary Cacdac concluded. “For LMAs, QMS is deeply rooted in culture—it goes beyond compliance to embody the trust of the Filipino people.”
The DMW remains committed to working alongside the IOM and PASEI to ensure that all recruitment agencies transition from basic compliance to a culture of excellence and ethical responsibility.
