President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has appointed Patricia Yvonne Caunan as the new administrator of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), marking a strategic leadership transition in the agency dedicated to protecting Filipino workers abroad.
Caunan, a seasoned lawyer and former DMW Undersecretary for Policy and International Cooperation, was sworn in Friday by Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac, replacing Arnell Ignacio who led the agency since 2022.
A key architect of international labor agreements, Caunan has been instrumental in negotiating 15 bilateral labor migration pacts with countries including Canada, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Singapore. These agreements aim to enhance protections for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in increasingly complex global employment landscapes.
“I am very fortunate because my bosses in government have demonstrated integrity and genuine care for OFWs,” Caunan said, acknowledging the legacy of her predecessors.
Secretary Cacdac praised Caunan’s appointment, describing her as a “trailblazer” with exceptional legal expertise and a profound understanding of migrant workers’ challenges.
Throughout her career, Caunan has distinguished herself by providing free legal assistance and advocating for migrant workers’ rights, bringing a robust legal background in labor, civil, administrative, and criminal law to her new role.
The OWWA, an agency attached to the DMW, plays a critical role in developing and implementing welfare programs for Filipino workers and their families worldwide.
Caunan’s appointment comes at a crucial time, as the Philippines continues to be a major global labor exporter, with millions of workers seeking opportunities internationally.
