Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Undersecretary Patricia Yvonne Caunan has been appointed as the new administrator of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA). 

Caunan, who took her oath of office before DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac, replaces former television host Arnell Ignacio as OWWA Administrator. 

“With her deep experience in international labor policy and her unwavering dedication to the welfare of overseas Filipino workers, Administrator Caunan brings both expertise and heart to her new role,” the DMW said in a statement. 

Caunan, served as the DMW Undersecretary for Policy and International Cooperation since 2022, where she facilitated the negotiation of around 15 bilateral labor agreements to enhance protection for Filipino migrant workers with countries including Canada, Austria, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Finland, Denmark, Singapore, Croatia, Slovenia, and Kuwait. 

She also headed a law firm specializing in labor, civil, administrative, and criminal cases.

Caunan acknowledged the weight of continuing the role of OWWA in the lives of overseas Filipino workers. 

“I know there’s still so much we need to do, I believe we need one OWWA, one DMW, and one government for OFWs."

No official statement has been released about Ignacio’s exit. Appointed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in August 2022, Ignacio previously served OWWA from 2018 but quit his post in February 2019 citing ‘personal reasons.’