The Department of Migrant Workers will be handling legal matters related to Filipino migrants from the Department of Foreign Affairs next year as the agency is seeking to convert the Philippine Overseas Labor Offices into Migrant Workers Offices.

According to DMW Secretary Susan Ople, aside from the assistance in labor disputes which has been POLO's responsibility, the DMW — through the proposed MWO — will take responsibility of disputes involving criminal cases once their proposed P16.323 billion budget has been approved.

However, Ople said that legal assistance training will be needed to fulfill the added responsibilities of labor attaches of the new MWOs.

"We are in discussions with the DFA on how best to carry out this transition since our attaches abroad would also require some training on how to render legal assistance in partnership with law enforcement agencies in countries with a high concentration of OFWs," Ople said.

At least 42 POLOs have been previously part and funded by the Department of Labor and Employment until last 7 July, when their supervision has been transferred to the DMW and labor attaches from POLOs are expected to participate in the DMW's upcoming strategic planning workshop.

Meantime, the DMW also eyeing an "AKSYON Fund" that would hire lawyers for assistance to distressed OFWs, which will be overseen by Undersecretary Hans Leo Cacdac and the agency's welfare and foreign employment cluster.