On October 27, 2025, Rizal Technological University (RTU) participated in the “Capacity Enhancement Training for Higher Educational Institutions” organized by the Department of Migrant Workers – National Capital Region (DMW-NCR). Held at the DMW Makati Building, the program gathered over 300 participants from 41 higher education institutions across the region, all committed to promoting labor migration awareness and protecting the rights of Filipino migrant workers.

The training aimed to equip school officials, faculty members, and guidance personnel with the necessary knowledge and tools to address issues related to overseas employment, safe and legal migration, and the protection of migrant workers. By strengthening institutional capacity, the DMW-NCR seeks to foster informed and responsible engagement with migration opportunities among students and prospective overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

The program placed strong emphasis on anti-illegal recruitment and human trafficking, recognizing the critical role of schools in raising awareness and guiding students toward safe migration pathways. Through a series of expert-led discussions, participants were introduced to legal frameworks, operational risks, and protective mechanisms surrounding labor migration.

Atty. Falconi V. Millar, Regional Director of DMW-NCR, delivered his opening remarks emphasizing the importance of proactive collaboration between government agencies and academic institutions.

The morning session featured presentations from Mr. Ken P. Sarmiento, Chief Administrative Officer of the DMW-NCR Finance and Administrative Division, who provided an overview of the Overseas Employment Program and the Department’s mandate, Ms. Genevieve C. Aguilar-Ardiente, Chief Labor and Employment Officer of the MW Protection Division, who led the expectation-setting segment, and Mr. Clark B. Briz, Chief Labor and Employment Officer of the MW Processing Division, who discussed familiar modus operandi and the “4-Dapat” framework to avoid illegal recruitment.

The afternoon session focused more intensively on the Anti-Illegal Recruitment and Trafficking in Persons campaign. It featured insights from Atty. Rajeen Jillian D. Blasca, Special Investigator from AIRTIP-MWPB, Atty. Farhan T. Jumdain, Attorney III of the MW Protection Division, and Mr. Rex O. Marcos, Chief of the Welfare Reintegration Services Division. Their presentations emphasized legal remedies, migrant worker protection strategies, and reintegration support programs for returning OFWs, while reinforcing the importance of vigilance and institutional involvement in preventing trafficking and illegal recruitment.

RTU was represented by a diverse and committed delegation of administrators, faculty members, and extension associates from various university offices and departments. The attendees included administrators from the Extension and Community Services Office, Data Privacy Office, Cooperative Education Office, Human Resource Management Office, and the Office of the Student and Alumni Affairs Services, together with their unit heads. Several department heads and faculty members of the academic sector of RTU were also present in support of the advocacy of the training, coming from the College of Arts and Science, College of Education, College of Engineering, College of Business, Entrepreneurship, and Accountancy, Institute of Architecture, and Institute of Computer Studies.

RTU’s active participation in this capacity enhancement training underscores its commitment to institutional development and its role in promoting safe, legal, and well-informed migration practices. By engaging in this initiative, the university strengthens its internal capabilities to support students and personnel in navigating overseas employment opportunities safely, responsibly, and ethically.

As the Department of Migrant Workers continues to expand its collaboration with higher education institutions, RTU remains steadfast in its dedication to professional development, policy alignment, and the advancement of programs that protect and empower the Filipino workforce globally.