Camarines Sur inks deal with DMWvs illegal recruitmen, human trafficking

By Charen Vera

The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and the Provincial Government of Camarines Sur entered into an agreement to intensify actions against illegal recruitment and human trafficking during the provincewide memorandum of agreement signing held on September 12, 2024, at the Summit Hotel Naga, Naga City.

“Today marks a significant milestone in our journey toward protecting and promoting the welfare of our OFWs. Ito pong MOA natin, signing ceremony, and awareness campaign on anti-illegal recruitment and trafficking serve not only as a formal event but as a powerful manifestation of our commitment to a cause that deeply resonates within us all,” DMW Secretary Atty. Han Leo Cacdac said, highlighting the dedication of the local chief executives, PESO managers, and uniformed personnel in safeguarding the welfare of the overseas Filipino workers (OFW) who courageously leave their homes in search of better opportunities for their families, communities, and the province of Camarines Sur.

Led by DMW Secretary Atty. Han Leo Cacdac and Camarines Sur Governor Luigi Villafuerte, 2nd District Congressman Lray Villafuerte, OWWA Regional Director Zenaida Ramos, DMW Regional Director Atty. Jeena Paclibar-Laceda, along with the local chief executives of the province signed the memorandum of agreement that aims to protect OFWs against illegal recruiters, traffickers, scammers, and syndicates through public information drives on safe migration, workers' education sessions, and joint detection and case handling.

During the program, DMW Secretary Cacbac and Governor Luigi Villafuerte also led the awarding of financial grants to 14 AKSYON beneficiaries.

AKSYON or the Agarang Kalinga at Saklolo para sa mga OFWs na Nangangailangan Fund of DMW aims to provide legal, medical, financial, and other forms of assistance to OFWs, including repatriation, shipment of remains, evacuation, rescue, and any other analogous intervention to protect the rights promote the welfare of Filipino migrant workers.

One of the beneficiaries of the AKSYON Fund is Mary Grace Sarilla, a 35-year-old resident of Perpetual Help, Iriga City. Sarilla worked in Jordan as a domestic helper in hopes of earning a living that would support the education of her 3 children. However, things did not go well for her.

“Nag-work po ako sa Jordan. Sa kasamaang palad, nakaapat po akong employer. Sa loob ng 1 buwan, naka-tatlo po akong employers. Yung sa pang apat po, dun na ako naka-3 months, dun na [rin] po ako minaltrato,” recalled Sarilla.

With her first employer, Sarilla only lasted 10 days after being overworked by serving two households, while with her second employer, she was let go by the family only after 4 days because the patient she was nursing has Alzheimer’s and often forgets about the help. With her third employer, she also only lasted 10 days after being overworked to the point that her arms started swelling and she eventually fell ill.

After the three employers, Sarilla asked help from her agency in the Philippines only to be obstructed by her agency in Jordan. “Humingi ako ng tulong sa agency ko sa Pilipinas tapos pinadalhan nila ako ng ticket pero yung agency ko dito sa Jordan, hindi nila sa’kin pinakita. Ang [sabi] nila sakin na mag-try pa ng trabaho.”

Sarilla was kept locked in an accommodation by her agency to prevent her from escaping. Until eventually she was presented to a new employer. The first few days of her work with her fourth employer were manageable until it became unbearable.

According to Sarilla, her employer started tapping her arms and shoulders a little stronger than what’s acceptable and they also started threatening and intimidating her with knives. Instead of waiting for things to escalate, Sarilla ran away. She went directly to the Philippine Embassy in Jordan and asked for help and shelter.

“Thank you, Lord. Nagpapasalamat talaga ako sa embassy sa Jordan kasi hindi nila ako pinabayaan kahit wala akong gamit na dala ni isa. Wala akong passport o ano man na katibayan sa sarili ko kasi nga naiwan pero hindi sila nagdalawang-isip na tulungan ako,” thanked Sarilla.

Apart from rescuing her in Jordan, the DMW also provided Sarilla with a financial grant amounting to P30,000 as a reintegration measure to aid in her return to the Philippines.

Sarilla's harrowing experience is a stark reminder of the widespread exploitation of OFWs by unscrupulous agencies that prioritize profits over people's welfare and well-being. Her rescue is just one of many examples of the dire consequences of this abuse, highlighting the urgent need for stronger protection and stricter regulations to safeguard the health, safety, and dignity of Filipino workers who risk their lives every day to provide for their families abroad.

With the provincewide signing of this memorandum of agreement, the Provincial Government becomes a loyal ally to the country’s modern-day heroes who bravely venture abroad, taking risks and seizing opportunities all for the hopes of securing a brighter and better future for their families and loved ones.

CAMSUR FIGHTS ILLEGAL RECRUITMENT AND HUMAN TRAFFICKING. Camarines Sur Gov. Luigi Villafuerte and Dept. of Migrant Workers (DMW) Sec. Atty. Hans Leo Cacdac formally signed a joint agreement to intensify actions against illegal recruitment and human trafficking especially in the province held at the Summit Hotel, Naga City last Sept. 12, 2024. They also led the awarding of financial grants to 14 AKSYON (Agarang Kalinga at Saklolo para sa mga OFWs na Nangangailangan) Fund beneficiary. jmts/rbmjr/pgomultimedia/09252024/fb_GovLuigiVillafuerte/fb_ProvinceofCamarinesSur