New Biliran office opens its doors and serves first client on opening day
NAVAL, BILIRAN — The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) formally opened its Biliran Provincial Office on September 30, 2026, marking the establishment of the first DMW provincial office in Eastern Visayas and bringing the Department’s programs and services closer to Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), their families and aspiring migrant workers in the province.
The new office was established through a partnership between DMW Regional Office VIII and the Provincial Government of Biliran, which provided space for the Department’s provincial operations.
The DMW delegation was led by OIC-Regional Director Atty. Lovely Aissa B. Velayo-Agliam and OIC-Assistant Regional Director Marlon M. Macalla, together with personnel from DMW Regional Office VIII.
The Biliran Provincial Office will initially be staffed by one plantilla personnel, Sr. LEO Innah Jona Fe Cumpio, and two Government Internship Program (GIP) personnel, with support and coordination from the Regional Office.
Representing Governor Rogelio J. Espina, Sangguniang Panlalawigan Member Lucille Curso Roa welcomed the establishment of the office, noting that Biliranons previously had to travel to Tacloban City to access DMW services, incurring additional transportation, food and other expenses.
“Today, we take an important step toward making these services more accessible, responsive, and convenient to the people of Biliran,” Roa said.
She added that the establishment of the office reflects the spirit of the Provincial Government’s Serbisyo Biliranon, which seeks to bring government services closer to communities.
“This is the spirit of Serbisyo Biliranon—bringing government closer to the people and turning partnerships into meaningful action,” she said.
Services Closer to OFWs and Their Families
The DMW Biliran Provincial Office will serve as a local access point for information and assistance concerning overseas employment, migrant worker documentation, welfare and protection services, and reintegration and livelihood programs.
The opening is expected to reduce the time, cost and effort required for Biliranons to access government services related to overseas employment and migrant worker concerns.
More importantly, the office demonstrated its purpose immediately upon opening.
First Client, First Day: Seafarer Finds Help Closer to Home
During the launching on September 30, Biliranon seafarer Ricmar Anonat became the first client of the newly opened DMW Biliran Provincial Office.
Anonat had returned home after his overseas employment was affected by the Middle East crisis. He sought assistance from the newly opened office after previously approaching the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), which referred him to DMW and informed him that a provincial office was opening in Biliran.
For Anonat, the opening of the provincial office came at an opportune time.
“Dako gyud akong pasalamat nga naa na’y DMW office diri sa Biliran. Dili na mi kinahanglan moadto pa sa Tacloban kung mangayo og tabang. Mas duol na ug mas sayon na para namong mga OFW ug seafarer ang pag-avail sa serbisyo sa DMW,” he said.
[“I am very grateful that there is now a DMW office here in Biliran. We no longer have to go all the way to Tacloban to seek assistance. DMW services are now closer and more accessible to OFWs and seafarers like us.”]
Anonat’s visit gave immediate meaning to the opening of the new provincial office. On the same day that the office formally opened its doors, it was already providing assistance to a Biliranon migrant worker seeking government support.
The establishment of the DMW Biliran Provincial Office marks a significant step in expanding the Department’s presence across Eastern Visayas and strengthening access to government services for migrant workers and their families.
For Biliranons, the new office means that essential DMW services are now closer to home—bringing government assistance within easier reach of the province’s OFWs, seafarers, aspiring migrant workers and their families.
From its first day, the message is clear: DMW services are now closer to Biliranons. END #EVChub8
