MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) has shut down a travel agency in Pampanga for illegally recruiting Filipinos for jobs in Bulgaria.

DMW Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac ordered the closure of Yatra Travel & Tours in San Fernando City after it was found recruiting workers without the necessary license from the department.

The Migrant Workers Protection Bureau (MWPB), in coordination with local authorities in Bataan, led the operation against the travel agency.

DMW Undersecretary Bernard Olalia said this was the ninth establishment closed by the agency this year as part of efforts to crack down on illegal recruiters.

“May mga sinarado na tayong training centers, visa travel consultancy business entities, marami na tayong sinarado. Pang-siyam na itong sinarado natin ngayong taon at hindi kami titigil sa mga susunod pang araw. Patuloy po ang surveillance both actual physical and online at hindi po tayo titigil hangga’t hindi po natin nahahalughog lahat ng mga illegal recruiters,” Olalia said.

Illegal recruitment scheme

According to the DMW, Yatra Travel & Tours was offering factory worker positions in Bulgaria’s automobile and textile industries, with salaries ranging from P90,000 to P110,000 per month.

Applicants were allegedly charged processing fees between P400,000 and P500,000, with a required P50,000 down payment for a slot reservation.

“Ang laki ng sinisingil nila sa ating mga kawawang kababayan. Hinding hindi natin matatanggap ang ganitong klaseng panloloko. Malinaw ang tagubilin ng ating Pangulo at ng aming mahal na Secretary Hans Cacdac na protektahan ang ating mga OFWs laban sa illegal recruiters,” Olalia said.

Legal actions, blacklisting

The DMW said it has placed the agency’s key officers on its blacklist and permanently barred them from engaging in any overseas recruitment activities.

It also recommended the cancellation of the company’s business permit in San Fernando, Pampanga, and is preparing legal action against its officers.

The agency urged victims of Yatra Travel & Tours to report their cases through the MWPB hotline (+63 2 8721-0619), email (mwpb@dmw.gov.ph), or Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/dmwairtip).