MANILA, Philippines—More than 40 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) awaiting deployment were found living in cramped and substandard conditions inside a small four-bedroom house, raising concerns over the treatment of migrant workers in temporary accommodations.

The overcrowded facility in Quezon City was discovered during a surprise inspection led by Sen. Raffy Tulfo, chair of the Senate Committee on Migrant Workers, along with officials from the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW). The visit followed multiple complaints about poor conditions in such accommodations.

Inside the facility operated by Mondial Overseas Corporation Private Employment Agency, OFWs were packed into small rooms without double-deck beds, forcing many to sleep in uncomfortable arrangements. The restroom lacked a shower and a proper toilet flush, while a missing door compromised privacy, he said.

“This is no way to house our OFWs,” Tulfo said, questioning the accommodation’s owner, Roland Collado, on whether he would allow his own daughter to live under similar conditions.

Beyond overcrowding, the facility lacked fire extinguishers, emergency exits, and even a stocked first-aid kit—raising further safety concerns.

A separate inspection of another accommodation owned by Collado in Zamboanga, Quezon City, revealed similar conditions. 

More than 40 OFWs lived in rooms with poor ventilation and empty water dispensers. 

A notice posted on the refrigerator prohibited workers from storing food or cooling drinking water.

“OFWs deserve better than this,” Tulfo said, emphasizing that basic needs like access to clean drinking water should be non-negotiable. 

He suggested installing at least three water dispensers and designating a prayer room for workers of all faiths.

In Manila’s Paco district, an inspection of four facilities operated by MEJA International Manpower Agency Inc. uncovered even “worse conditions,” according to the lawmaker.

Only one of the accommodations was registered with the DMW, while all four suffered from overcrowding, poor ventilation, and a lack of basic furniture, he said.

“There are no electric fans, no tables, no chairs—OFWs are forced to eat on the floor,” Tulfo said, reprimanding the caretaker for failing to provide humane living conditions.

He ordered the DMW to closely monitor the accommodations and ensure that all necessary improvements are made within a month. Collado and other facility operators promised to comply.