Manila, Oct. 6 -- Senate Committee on Finance chairperson Sen. Sherwin "Win" Gatchalian on Monday commended the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) for its swift and innovative action in addressing the plight of distressed overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), particularly in the Middle East.

During the 2026 budget hearing of the DMW and the Commission on Filipinos Overseas, Gatchalian cited a sharp decline in the number of OFWs seeking shelter and assistance abroad.

"I want to congratulate the Department of Migrant Workers because during my first term as senator, when I visited our embassies in the Middle East, there were about 500 to 600 distressed OFWs in halfway houses in Dubai, Saudi Arabia, and other parts of the region. But when I re...