MANAMA, Bahrain — October 24, 2026 — A total of 1,414 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) benefited from 9,323 government transactions during the first two days of the Bagong Bayani ng Mundo caravan in Bahrain. The initiative, formally the Bagong Bayani ng Mundo–OFW Serbisyo Caravan, brings essential public services closer to Filipinos working and living overseas.
Led by the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), the two-day initiative brought together Philippine government agencies. They provided accessible, coordinated, and convenient services to the Filipino community in Bahrain.
Launch and Participating Agencies
The caravan was formally launched on October 23. Philippine Ambassador to the Kingdom of Bahrain His Excellency Gines Jaime Ricardo D. Gallaga led the launch, together with the following officials:
- DMW Undersecretaries Jainal T. Rasul Jr. and Dominique Rubia-Tutay
- Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Administrator Ryan Uy
- MWO-Bahrain Labor Attaché Orville Balitoc
- Labor Attaché Geraldine C. Mendez
- Heads of delegations from participating agencies
Nine government agencies participated in the caravan:
- Philippine Embassy
- DMW–Migrant Workers Office (MWO)
- OWWA
- Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)
- Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth)
- Land Bank of the Philippines
- Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA)
- Social Security System (SSS)
- Home Development Mutual Fund (Pag-IBIG Fund)
For the first time, the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) and the OFW Hospital also joined the initiative. In addition, their participation expanded the range of services available to overseas Filipino workers.
Services from the PSA, OFW Hospital, and PhilHealth continued on October 25, 2026, at the Philippine Embassy in Bahrain. As a result, more Filipinos could access essential government assistance.
Community Partners and Volunteers
The DMW, Philippine Embassy, and MWO-Bahrain also recognized the invaluable contributions of Filipino community organizations and volunteers. These include:
- Guardians Bahrain
- AKP
- Our Lady of Hope Bahrain (OLOH)
- Katilingban sang mga Ilonggo sa Bahrain (KIB)
- Good Cause
- Ateneo Leadership and Social Entrepreneurship (ALSE) OF-LIFE
- Students from the Philippine School of Bahrain
Their volunteer support made the caravan a success.
About the Bagong Bayani ng Mundo Caravan
Bahrain marks the 26th location and the 13th country reached by the caravan. The DMW spearheads this government initiative, which launched in June 2025, in partnership with 20 government agencies.
Under the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., the program aims to bring government services closer to OFWs. It also aims to reduce the burden of accessing assistance abroad. Furthermore, it strengthens the government’s commitment to protecting the rights and welfare of Filipino migrant workers.
Overall, the strong turnout in Bahrain highlights the continuing importance of coordinated government action. It responds to the needs of OFWs, whose sacrifices and contributions remain vital to their families and the Philippine economy.
More than a service caravan, the initiative represents the government’s continuing commitment. Ultimately, it ensures that Filipinos abroad are not forgotten and that public service reaches them wherever they may be.
