The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and the Global Anti-Scam Alliance (GASA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to strengthen protection for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) against online scams.
The agreement aims to improve digital safety programs for OFWs, boost cross-border intelligence sharing, and provide practical tools to help migrant workers identify and avoid scams. It also seeks to help them respond quickly before financial losses occur.
Telecommunications company Globe supports the initiative as chair of the GASA Philippines chapter. The coalition includes Globe, Gogolook, Meta, Google, Mastercard, and Scamwatch Pilipinas, with the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) participating as an observer.
Online scams have become more complex and often involve cross-border transactions and digital communication. OFWs and their families are among those at risk, especially when sending money home or dealing with unfamiliar online contacts.
“Overseas Filipino workers make tremendous sacrifices for their families and for the countrym” said Derick Ohmar Adil, head of AI and Privacy Governance of Globe. “They should not have to worry about falling victim to scams while working abroad,” “Through this partnership with the Department of Migrant Workers, we are strengthening digital literacy and promoting responsible use of technology so that protection keeps pace with evolving threats.”
Under the partnership, the group will expand public awareness campaigns, strengthen digital literacy programs, conduct joint training sessions, and support research on scam trends. The goal is to give OFWs and their families clear guidance on how to spot warning signs, verify suspicious messages or transactions, and protect their income.
“For our overseas Filipino workers, every peso they earn represents sacrifice, discipline, and love for their families,” said Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac of the Department of Migrant Workers. “We cannot allow criminals to take that away through deception,” Cacdac said. “This partnership strengthens our ability to protect OFWs through better information sharing, stronger digital literacy, and coordinated action across borders.”