On 18 June 2026, the GPCCI Policy and Advocacy Committee (PAC) convened the fourth installment of the IMPACT Dialogue Series, titled “IMPACT: A GPCCI Regulatory Exchange with the Department of Migrant Workers,” via Zoom. The session further advanced the platform’s objective of fostering collaboration between government and the private sector on response protocols, migrant communities, and reintegration programs.
In his opening remarks, Dr. Christian Peter Scheld, GPCCI President and Country Director of Konecranes, underscored the importance of strengthening protection systems, improving deployment processes, and enhancing international coordination in an increasingly complex global environment. He highlighted the Department of Migrant Workers’ (DMW) critical role in safeguarding Filipino workers, emphasizing that labor migration remains both a protection priority and a key economic pillar requiring responsive and forward-looking policies.
Undersecretary Felicitas Q. Bay presented the DMW’s emergency response protocol for Filipino migrant workers in conflict-affected areas in the Middle East, emphasizing its role in mitigating displacement risks and alleviating the conditions of Filipino workers abroad. She outlined the comprehensive, three-stage approach of the response framework: onsite assistance, repatriation and post-arrival support, and reintegration.
She also introduced three flagship reintegration programs: KALINGA, which provides care and psychosocial support; KAALAMAN, which focuses on knowledge-building and upskilling; and KABUHAYAN, which promotes livelihood development and economic empowerment. This adaptable framework reflects the Philippines’ longstanding experience in migration governance and its continued commitment to protecting overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) during times of vulnerability.
The open forum and Q&A session, moderated by Mr. Yves Aguilos, Head of Government Affairs and Data Privacy Officer, surfaced key concerns from the business community, including geopolitical volatility in the Middle East, labor mobility with Germany, the direct hiring program, and opportunities for enhanced government–private sector collaboration.
In his closing remarks, Mr. Aguilos expressed appreciation to the DMW and reiterated the importance of sustained dialogue to better understand and address emerging risks in global labor mobility. The session reaffirmed the value of strengthening labor migration systems, with GPCCI committing to further engagements under the IMPACT Dialogue Series in support of effective migration governance and economic resilience.
