POEA (Philippine Overseas Employment Administration) used to regulate OFW deployment. Its functions are now under the DMW (Department of Migrant Workers), created by RA 11641.
What the DMW does:
- Licenses and monitors recruitment agencies
- Processes and verifies OFW contracts and deployment documents
- Runs pre-departure orientation
- Handles protection and assistance for OFWs
- Works on bilateral labor agreements
What it means for you (aspiring OFW):
- Use only DMW-licensed recruitment agencies — check the license before paying anything
- Make sure your contract goes through proper processing
- Illegal recruitment is a crime; report suspicious offers to the DMW