DMW-ADVISORY-12-2026 — CLARIFICATION ON THE ACCREDITATION BY MIGRANT WORKERS OFFICES (MWOs) AND ATTESTATION AT THE CENTRAL OFFICE (CO)

Pepartment of Aliarant Morkers Blas F. Ople Building, Ortigas Avenue cor. EDSA,Mandaluyong City 1550 Republic of the Philippines

IAN NC OFW Website:www.c mw.gov.ph | Email: [email protected] | Hotlines: 8722 1152, 8722 1155, 8822 1159, 8724 3665 BAGONG PILIPINAS

ADVISORY NO.11 2

Series of 2026

TO : ALL CONCERNED

SUBJECT : Clarification on the Accreditation by Migrant Workers Offices

(MWOs) and Attestation at the Central Office (CO)

process applications for accreditation of existing or prospective employers/principals The Department hereby reiterates that Migrant Workers Offices (MWOs) shall

with jobsites located in countries under their primary or concurrent jurisdiction. For reference, please see the attached list of foreign service posts and their respective jurisdictions, as designated under Department of Foreign Affairs(DFA) Department Order No. 2025-015; and the MWO directory at www.dmw.gov.ph.

and Regulations, and in observance of Ease of Doing Business (EODB), the following guidelines shall apply: Pursuant to Section 103, Rule I, Part III of the 2023 DMW Land-based Rules

1. Accreditation Process through MWOs

All accreditation documents must be verified by the concerned MWO. Upon complete verification, the MWO shall issue the corresponding Accreditation Certificate, in accordance with Section 104 of the 2023 DMW Rules and Regulations Governing the Recruitment ana Empioyment of Landbased Workers.

2. Processing in the Absence of an MWO

be either: In the absence of an MWO in the jobsite country, the required documents must

- Apostilled by the appropriate authority, or If not apostilled, authenticated by the Philippine Embassy or Consulate with jurisdiction over the jobsite country.

In either case, the apostilled or authenticated documents shall be forwarded to the Department's Landbased Accreditation Bureau (LAB) at the Central Office for the issuance of the Accreditation Certificate.

Note: If the documents are already apostilled, further acknowledgment by the Philippine Embassy or Consulate shall no longer be required, unless the laws of the DEPARTMENTjobsite countnkspecifically require additional legalization or authentication. Y eneral Services Divisior Administrative Servic 0

Date:March 11,2026 RECEIVED By:RICHIE M.GUEVARRA Time:09:20 A.M. By:DMW General Services Division on _March 11,2026 CONTROLLED AND DISSEMINATED

3. Accreditation through Attestation at the Central Office (CO)

or exercises concurrent or oversight jurisdiction over such country, the Central Office (CO), through the Land-Based Accreditation Bureau (LAB), may process the attestation and issue the corresponding Accreditation Certificate in exceptional If an MWO or a Philippine Embassy or Consulate exists in the jobsite country.

agency are physically present in the Philippines and no application for accreditation circumstances, provided that both the employer/principal and the licensed recruitment has been initiated with any MWO.

situations where the employer/principal and the licensed recruitment agency are both For purposes of this Advisory, exceptional circumstances may include

immediate processing, or logistical constraints prevent the timely processing of the application by the concerned MWO. physically present in the Philippines, urgent recruitment timelines necessitate

In such cases, the concerned MWO shall be duly informed and properly coordinated with regarding the application processed at the CO.

However, if an application has already been initiated with the MWO having

defer to the jurisdiction of the concerned MWO to avoid duplication of processing. Certificate shall be handied exciusiveiy by such MWO. in such instances, the CO shali jurisdiction over the jobsite country, the processing and issuance of the Accreditation

4. Countries with No MWO or Embassy/Consulate Presence

present, the employer/principal may submit accreditation documents directly to the In countries where neither an MWO nor a Philippine Embassy or Consulate is

Certificate, subject to the guarantees under Section 4 of RA 8042, as amended by Republic Act No. 10022. Department for attestation and issuance of the corresponding Accreditation

fourteen (14) working days prior to the scheduled attestation to allow for pre-evaluation For attestation purposes, the required documents must be submitted at least

and virtual screening. The physical presence of both parties during the attestation shall be required.

Secretary and in accordance with the guidelines issued by the Department of Finance Applicable attestation fees shali be coliected, subject to the approvai of the

and other relevant oversight government agencies.

This Advisory is issued for the guidance and compliance of all concerned.

HANS LEO J.CACDAC

Secretary

CONTROLLED AND DISSEMINATED By: DMW General Services Division on March 11,202