The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) announced on Tuesday, July 16, that it will temporarily shut down its online systems after being impacted by a ransomware attack.
In an advisory, the DMW said the temporary shutdown of its online systems is part of the preemptive measures to protect Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) data and information.
Electronic or online systems that issue Overseas Employment Certificates (OEC) or OFW Passes, OFW information sheets, and other online services may not be used temporarily while efforts to restore online systems are ongoing.
Meanwhile, DMW assured that the databases containing OFW data were not affected by the attack.
"The DMW is coordinating with the Bureau of Immigration (BI) and airport authorities to facilitate the smooth departure of OFWs," the advisory read.
"The DMW apologizes for inconveniences to the OFWs and members of their families and is exerting all efforts to continue serving OFWs while instituting stronger measures to protect their information," it added.
