03/08/2025
The recent government caravans for Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in the UAE have highlighted a critical need for change. While these physical events are meant to help, they've instead created frustration and disappointment. Many OFWs spent precious time—some even taking unpaid leave—to wait in long lines for hours, only to leave with nothing accomplished.
Instead of spending millions on these large-scale, in-person events, that same budget could be used to create robust online platforms. OFWs are already accustomed to living in a digital-first world, and it's time for government services to catch up. A proper digital system would allow OFWs to complete tasks from home, without the need to travel or sacrifice a day off.
It's time to prioritize progress over outdated processes. The 'Bagong Bayani' deserve services that are empathetic to their realities—services that are digital by default, not by option.
