According to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), there is an increase in the number of deployed overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) during the first half of the year 2006. From January to June 2006, 564,920 OFWs left the country to work overseas. This figure represents a 1.69 percent increase (9,387) from 555,533 of deployed OFWs last 2005. From January 1 to June 29, 2006, a total of 136,763 overseas Filipino seafarers, and 428,157 documented land-based OFWs, have been deployed to more than 180 host destinations.

A report from the the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) to Labor and Employment Secretary Arturo D. Brion, states that the increase in global OF deployment is mainly caused by a higher OFW rehiring rate in various land-based industries. Another reason is the high demand for the services of skilled overseas Filipino seafarers in the field of global shipping.

The Labor Chief, Arturo Brion said that that the steady rise of OFW deployment is a good sign of the DOLE's efforts to strengthen global OFW marketing initiatives through the Philippine Overseas Labor Offices (POLOs), and to sustain the thrust towards better protection and welfare at their overseas work sites.

Brion also added, "As we build up our global marketing thrusts, we are confident that we shall inch closer to achieving, if not surpassing, our 1-million goal in total documented OFWs deployed worldwide as the year 2006 progresses."

Meanwhile, Labor Undersecretary for Employment Danilo P. Cruz, said that land-based OFW deployment has been reinforced by a robust 6.8 percent (18,380) growth in rehired OFWs worldwide to 288,820 as of June 29, 2006, from 270,440 in the same period in 2005.

Cruz added that the total number of Filipino seafarers continues to rise to higher levels in the global shipping industry based on the strength of the Philippines' consistent compliance with the amended Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) of the International Maritime Organization (IMO).

Cruz also bared that as of June 29, 2006, an increment increase of 16,007, from 120,756 in the same period last year to 136,763 highly skilled overseas Filipino seafarers have been deployed globally, representing a growth rate of 13.3 percent.