MANILA — The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) on Monday said it is looking to “double its efforts” in shutting down illegal recruitment offices in the country this year.

The DMW closeed down 7 illegal recruitment firms in 2023, and the number reached 11 in the first half of 2024, DMW Secretary Hans Cacdac told state television PTV.

The DMW has been hosting several awareness campaigns to educate Filipinos on illegal recruitment schemes, he said.

“Siguraduhing lisensyado ang isang recruitment agency… I-check sa DMW in terms of legal ba yung certificate na pinapakita,” he said.

“Kung ang recruiter ay walang opisina, mahilig makipagkita sa mall, sa park, sa airport o gov't offices, magduda kasi dapat may office ang recruiter,” he said.

“You can tell na illegal kasi ang placement fees in general binibigay yan pag may trabaho nang naibigay sa iyo which means a contract and a work visa,” he added.

Cacdac also warned the public against recruiters who do not show their faces or correspond with applicants using emails with generic names.

“Usually ang modus diyan hindi nagpapakita ng mukha… puro group chats, email, pero hindi mo nakikilala nang harap harapan yung recruiter,” he said.

The DMW also plans to roll out an app that would make the processing of OFW clearances faster.

“We are just going through some technical concerns, IT-related concerns, and we are ready to relaunch the OFW pass,” Cacdac said.

“It’s been made easier but things can still be done,” he said.