The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said that there is P1.2 billion ready for the execution of Assistance to Nationals (ATN) programs for the millions of Filipinos working abroad.

DMW Undersecretary Hans Cacdac also assured that the department is ready and capable of taking over the ATN duty from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on July 1.

“Naka-factor in na siya ang we would be ready for our operational budget for 2024,” Cacdac said during the virtual press briefing.

Cacdac stated that the DMW recently deployed an additional 94 individuals to the various Migrant Workers Offices (MWO) around the world, and they plan to mobilize an additional 98 personnel in the next months.

“For now, we will make do with what we have. In the government we really have to go through the initial adjustments,” he said.

“We also wish for the public to bear with us during these transitional stages, But we stand ready already by July 1st along with the DFA,” Cacdac added.

According to the law, more than 40 MWO in the field led by labor attaches must report to the DMW.

The DMW Undersecretary also pointed out that they already have enough units, structure, and manpower for the ATN service.

Meanwhile, legal support, repatriation, welfare and labor-related services, as well as emergency and crisis response, are among the ATN services to be offered by DMW, according to Cacdac.