POEA (Philippine Overseas Employment Administration) historically regulated OFW deployment. DMW (Department of Migrant Workers) is the new (2022+) cabinet-level department absorbing POEA functions.
Functions:
- Recruitment agency licensing
- OFW contract verification
- Pre-departure orientation seminars
- Deployment statistics
- Policy enforcement
- Bilateral employment agreements
What it means for you (aspiring OFW):
- Use only POEA/DMW-licensed recruitment agencies
- Verify your contract is processed through proper channels
- Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar (PDOS) is mandatory
- Illegal recruitment is a major crime — POEA-listed agencies only
- E-Registration via POEA online portal makes deployment paperwork faster