Bringing government services closer to Filipinos abroad, Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac led the soft opening of the new Migrant Workers Office (MWO) in Phnom Penh on July 14, 2026.
The launch of the MWO marks a major milestone in strengthening on-site assistance and protection for the estimated 13,000 Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) currently residing and working in Cambodia.
Joining Secretary Cacdac at the inaugurating event were Philippine Ambassador to Cambodia H.E. Flerida Ann Camille Mayo and DMW Undersecretary Felicitas Q. Bay. The opening was marked by a ribbon-cutting ceremony, an official blessing, a walkthrough of the new facilities, and the unveiling of the office marker to signal the formal start of operations.
In his keynote address, Secretary Cacdac emphasized that the establishment of the Phnom Penh MWO is a direct response to the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. following his state visit to Cambodia in September 2025.
“DapatLang is our guiding mantra,” Secretary Cacdac said, stressing the government’s duty to provide swift care and services. “The MWO will serve as a permanent support system to protect our workers, particularly against the threat of illegal recruitment and human trafficking.”
Secretary Cacdac also revealed that negotiations are currently underway with Cambodia’s Ministry of Labor and Vocational Training (MLVT) for a bilateral labor agreement aimed at institutionalizing stronger safeguards for Filipino workers.
Labor Attaché Melvin Caseda, Head of MWO-Phnom Penh, welcomed the development, noting that a permanent DMW presence in Cambodia ensures that the needs of OFWs are met with greater speed and efficiency.
Ambassador Mayo pledged the Philippine Embassy’s full cooperation and commended the vital work of the Rapid Response Team (RRT), which has been active in Cambodia since December 2025. He also expressed gratitude to Filipino community organizations and key local partners, including Cambodia’s General Department of Immigration (GDI) and the HBS Law Firm, for their invaluable assistance in resolving trafficking and scam-related cases.
The newly established MWO will work hand-in-hand with the RRT to provide continuous legal, consular, and welfare services, ensuring a safer environment for the Filipino community in Cambodia.
