COA flags P62.23M in DMW aid for OFWs
The Commission on Audit (COA) has found deficiencies in the Department of Migrant Workers’ (DMW) implementation of its aid program for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), noting that at least P62.23 million worth of disbursements had incomplete supporting documents.
In its 2025 audit report, the COA said a post-audit of the disbursements charged against the Agarang Kalinga at Saklolo para sa mga OFWs na Nangangailangan (Aksyon) Fund revealed deficiencies in the submission of supporting documents.
These deficiencies were traced to the DMW central office as well as its regional offices in Metro Manila, Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon), Mimaropa (Mindoro Oriental & Occidental, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan), Eastern Visayas and Northern Mindanao.
For the DMW Ilocos Region office, the COA flagged the disbursement of P18.69 million because the documents approving the release of funds lacked the signature of the DMW secretary or his duly authorized representative.
The COA also found deficiencies in the disbursement by the DMW Central Office of P16.22-million worth of assistance for 65 beneficiaries. Of the 65 claimants, 30 did not have a request for approval signed by the concerned fund administrator as well as proof of eligibility, billing invoice and case report.
On the other hand, 25 beneficiaries did not submit the required medical report, the COA noted. The rest either had no proof of unemployment, proof of maltreatment, proof of eligibility or medical reports.
For the DMW Mimaropa Regional Office, the COA flagged a disbursement worth P9.91 million that covered 152 beneficiaries, noting that the “claims were processed and paid despite the absence of one or more required document[s].”
Explanation sought
Among the missing documents were an accomplished request for assistance, Philippine passport or travel documents, proof of OFW status, acknowledgement receipts and other documents relevant to the circumstances declared by the OFW.
“The grant of financial assistance despite the submission of incomplete/deficient supporting documents may result in the failure to establish the legitimacy and regularity of the expenditures,” the COA warned.
The state auditor called on the DMW to submit an explanation for the lack of documents and also revisit its guidelines to ensure that claims are supported with complete documents.
In a statement, the DMW said that it would comply with the COA recommendations while stressing that the findings should not automatically be construed as evidence of corruption or irregularities within the agency.
“These are just continuing process improvements, financial controls and safeguards that we continue to implement,” Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said.
He also clarified that only around eight percent of the department’s budget was under question by the COA, and that the DMW has already responded to the state auditor’s observations that were raised in July.
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