MANILA — Philippine authorities rescued 78 prospective overseas Filipino workers from an unregistered accommodation facility in Palanan, Makati after inspectors found the site operating without proper permits and in unsafe living conditions, the Department of Migrant Workers said Thursday.
The workers told officials they had been recruited by Jenerick International Manpower Inc. and were promised domestic worker positions in countries across Asia and the Middle East. DMW inspectors, however, discovered the facility lacked the required clearance permit and was deemed unfit for habitation due to insufficient space, inadequate ventilation, and unsafe conditions.
The DMW-National Capital Region office and the Migrant Workers Protection Division acted swiftly, implementing Closure Order No. 2. Local government units assisted in ensuring the operation was conducted in an orderly and secure manner.
Following the rescue, the DMW coordinated with the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration to provide immediate assistance to the displaced workers, including financial aid and temporary accommodation.
The closure is part of a broader government campaign, ordered by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., to strengthen protections against illegal recruitment and human trafficking networks targeting Filipinos seeking work abroad.
The DMW renewed its call for the public to thoroughly verify recruitment agencies, job orders, and employment offers before making payments or entering into work arrangements. The agency also urged citizens to report suspicious recruitment activity to the DMW or appropriate authorities to help safeguard aspiring overseas workers from exploitation.
