The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), in coordination with various government agencies, successfully concluded the third phase of the “New Hero of the World: OFW Service Caravan” in Dubai, delivering a record-breaking 10,559 government transactions for 5,536 Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) from January 8 to 12, 2026.
Following the “whole-of-government” mandate of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., the five-day event brought essential services directly to the Filipino community in the UAE, significantly reducing the bureaucratic hurdles often faced by workers abroad.
Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac highlighted that the Caravan’s success is rooted in the administration’s push for broader digitalization. By streamlining document processing and standard applications, the DMW is freeing up critical resources on the ground. “Our goal is to make services accessible anywhere in the world through digital transformation,” said Secretary Cacdac. “By making routine transactions easier and faster, we allow our Migrant Workers Offices (MWO), like MWO-Dubai, to pivot their focus toward urgent welfare cases, such as hospital visits and immediate medical or legal assistance for our countrymen.”
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Massive Reach: Served over 5,500 individual OFWs in less than a week.
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High Volume: Processed an average of nearly two transactions per person, covering everything from contract verification to social security and health insurance updates.
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On-Site Support: Collaborative participation from various partner agencies ensured a “one-stop-shop” experience for the attendees.
The DMW reaffirmed its commitment to continuing these caravans globally, ensuring that government aid is not just a promise but a tangible reality for the millions of Filipinos working overseas. The integration of digital tools remains a priority to ensure that future phases are even more efficient and less time-consuming for the “New Heroes” of the Philippines.
