SAN FERNANDO CITY, Pampanga – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Friday announced the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) among key government agencies to strengthen the fight against illegal recruitment and human trafficking of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

“Sa ilalim ng kasunduang ito, magpapatupad ang mga kasaping ahensya, katuwang ang lokal na pamahalaan ng Pampanga, ng mga programa laban sa illegal recruitment at human trafficking,” Marcos said during the distribution of Agarang Kalinga at Saklolo sa mga OFWs na Nangangailangan (AKSYON) Fund Assistance to OFWs and their families.

The MOA seeks to improve coordination among agencies to protect Filipinos aspiring to work abroad, while also providing mechanisms to support victims and prosecute perpetrators.

Signatories include the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), and the provincial and local governments of Pampanga.

Marcos urged agencies to implement the agreement with “compassion, integrity, and efficiency,” adding: “Magsilbi tayong solusyon, hindi dagdag na pampahirap.”

He also paid tribute to OFWs for their sacrifices and contributions to national development. “Hindi matutumbasan ng anumang salita ang aming pasasalamat sa inyong sakripisyo… Kaya naman ay ginagawa ng pamahalaan ang aming makakaya upang patuloy kayong suportahan sa loob at sa labas ng bansa,” the President said.