Illegal recruitment seems to be the most unbeatable enemy of every Filipinos' dream of working abroad. Thus, the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) is continuously fighting against illegal recruitment of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

In fact they have linked up with the Public Employment Service Offices (PESOs) in various local government units (LGUs) nationwide to widens its network of partners in their campaign against illegal recruitment.  

The services offered by PESO are free of charge; it is maintained by the LGUs and a number if non-governmental organizations (NGOs), state universities and colleges.

The POEA Administrator Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz said that their agency helps PESO managers in improving their skills and competence in transmitting correct and timely information on overseas employment to the public that also includes assistance to victims of illegal recruitment.

Trainings on the realities of overseas employment and important measures to avoid illegal recruitment was conducted by the worker education group of the POEA in the National Capital Region (NCR), Bulacan and Palawan. 

According to Baldoz, aside from PESO, they also linked up with the Philippines National Police (PNP), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), and other NGOs in its drive against illegal recruiters.

The city government of Valenzuela was praised by Baldoz for forging an agreement with the Overseas Placement Association of the Philippines (OPAP). The city government uses the services of the member agencies of the association for the deployment of its residents in overseas jobs.   

The POEA chief emphasized that aspiring overseas workers should only approach agencies that are duly licensed by POEA to avoid exposure to abuses and exploitation. She also said that the government is strengthening its campaign against illegal recruiters due to the increasing number of Filipinos planning to work abroad.