OVERSEAS work has long been seen as a ticket to better opportunities. The recent Iloilo PESO Job and Migrants Fair 2025 sparked both hope and caution. While more than 3,300 local and overseas job openings were offered and 22 applicants were hired on the spot, the event’s real triumph lay in its emphasis on safe migration and the fight against illegal recruitment.
The lure of foreign employment remains strong among Ilonggos. Every year, thousands leave to seek better pay and prospects abroad. But for some, their dreams are endangered by unscrupulous recruiters who prey on desperation. The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) have repeatedly warned about this menace, yet new victims continue to emerge — a sobering reminder that information and vigilance must never wane.
This is why Iloilo’s continuing campaign for responsible migration awareness must be sustained and expanded. The Anti-Illegal Recruitment Orientation during the PESO (Public Employment Service Office) fair was not just an add-on activity but a vital step toward protecting lives and livelihoods. Jobseekers must be taught not only how to find work but also how to recognize legitimate agencies, verify documents, and understand their rights under Philippine law.
Local governments should integrate these lessons into regular employment programs. Barangay-level orientations, partnerships with schools and civic organizations, and the use of social media platforms can all amplify the message: never transact with unlicensed recruiters, and always verify with DMW or OWWA.
At the same time, authorities must hold fly-by-night recruiters accountable. The fight against illegal recruitment is not merely educational — it is also punitive. The government must pursue offenders with the same vigor it uses to promote overseas employment.
Protecting Ilonggo workers in the global labor market should go beyond opening doors; it must ensure that those doors lead to safety, dignity, and genuine opportunity. The Iloilo experience reminds us that every successful deployment begins with informed, empowered workers — and that protection, not just placement, must always come first.
Ultimately, the success of every Ilonggo worker abroad reflects not only individual perseverance but also the strength of the systems that prepared and protected them. If Iloilo continues to pair opportunity with vigilance, its workers will not merely leave the province — they will carry with them the assurance that their government stands firmly behind them, every step of the way.
