‘Return of OFW deployment to pre-COVID level shows lack of quality local jobs’

January 6, 2024 | 2:47pm

Passengers queue at the various gates of the NAIA Terminal 3 in Pasay City on October 29, 2022.

STAR / Miguel De Guzman

MANILA, Philippines — While the deployment of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) might be back to pre-pandemic levels according to the government, progressive group Migrante said that the data is not something to be proud of.

The group had this to say after Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) officer-in-charge Hands Leo Cacdac revealed last Thursday that around 2.5 million overseas employment certificates (OECs) and passes were issued to OFWs in 2023.

“It is yet another proof that after four years since COVID-19 hit the world, the Philippines continues to fail in creating decent jobs at home,” said Migrante in a statement on Saturday.
 
“It shows that the country under the Bongbong Marcos regime is