Marcos’ marching order to new DMW chief Cacdac: Protect OFWs

MANILA, Philippines — Newly-appointed Migrant Workers chief Hans Cacdac has received his first marching order from President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr: ensure the protection and welfare of overseas Filipinos.

READ: Marcos appoints Cacdac Secretary of Department of Migrant Workers

In a radio interview, Cacdac said Marcos’ personal instruction to him was to make certain that Filipino migrant workers get immediate help in times of need.

“Ang marching order ng Pangulo ay bigyan ng sapat na proteksyon, siguraduhin na nagagabayan natin ang Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) lalo na sa panahon ng kanilang distress o oras ng pangangailangan,” said Cacdac over Radyo 630.

(The President’s marching order was to give them sufficient protection and ensure the welfare of our OFWs, especially in times of distress and need.)

READ: Legarda bats for greater protection for overseas Filipino workers

Apart from this, the new Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) secretary added that the “digitization of processes” aimed at easing OFWs’ burdens is also “very important to the President.”

Before he was appointed DMW chief, Cacdac served as the agency’s officer-in-charge. Susan “Toots” Ople headed the agency until her death due to breast cancer in August 2023.

READ: Susan ‘Toots’ Ople, champion of migrant workers; 61

“It’s an honor to be serving our department under the legacy and, of course, the continuing friendship – sa tingin ko, hindi naman napapatid ‘yung aking malalim na mga karanasan na pinagdaanan namin ni [former] Secretary Toots at ‘yung mga gabay at aral na naibilin niya sa akin,” said Cacdac.

(It’s an honor to be serving our department under the legacy, and of course, the continuing friendship of former Secretary Toots. I think that my deep experience from all the things we went through and the lessons and guidance from former Secretary Toots will remain with me.)