New Leadership in Overseas Workers Welfare Administration
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has appointed Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Undersecretary Patricia Yvonne Caunan as the new head of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA). She replaces Arnell Ignacio in this key role.
The appointment was announced through a statement posted on the DMW’s official Facebook page, where Caunan was seen taking her oath before Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac.
In her statement, Caunan expressed deep gratitude for the trust placed in her. “Taos-puso po akong nagpapasalamat sa tiwala at kumpiyansang ibinigay sa akin ng ating Pangulo, at siyempre, sa inyong patuloy na paggabay. Napakapalad ko po—dahil ang dalawang naging boss ko sa pamahalaan ay tunay na may integridad at malasakit sa mga OFW. Ako mismo ay naging saksi sa inyong pamumuno sa POEA at OWWA—ang puso ninyo ay nasa bawat manggagawang Pilipino sa ibang bansa,” she said.
She added, “Alam kong napakarami pa nating kailangang gawin. Naniniwala ako na kailangan natin ng isang OWWA, isang DMW, at isang gobyerno para sa OFW.”
Extensive Experience in International Labor Policy
Caunan brings with her a wealth of experience in international labor policy and a strong commitment to the welfare of overseas Filipino workers. Before her new appointment, she served as Undersecretary for Policy and International Cooperation at the DMW since 2022.
Her role involved facilitating the signing of 15 bilateral labor agreements with countries such as Canada, Austria, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Finland, Denmark, Singapore, Croatia, Slovenia, and Kuwait. These agreements aim to enhance protections for Filipino workers abroad.
Secretary Cacdac praised Caunan’s efforts, stating, “She has been a trailblazer, that’s even an understatement. The frontier she has opened for bilateral and international cooperation has been amazing. She has the legal know how, the heart, the common sense, and the common touch, which is the most important.”
Transition and Future Directions
The government has not disclosed the reasons behind the leadership change at OWWA, and Ignacio has yet to comment on his replacement. Meanwhile, Caunan’s appointment signals a continued focus on strengthening support systems for overseas Filipino workers.
With her background and dedication, she is expected to push forward initiatives that align with both OWWA’s and DMW’s missions to provide comprehensive assistance to the Filipino diaspora.
For more updates on overseas Filipino workers, visit Filipinokami.com.
