QUEZON CITY — Nearly a hundred employees and officials of the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) walked alongside former overseas Filipino workers at the LoveLaban PridePH Festival 2026 on June 28. The department’s presence sent a clear message that every modern‑day hero, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, deserves protection and respect.
A Strong Show of Solidarity
The DMW delegation was led by OWWA Administrator PY Caunan and DMW Assistant Secretary for Reintegration Services Kiko De Guzman. They joined LGBTQIA+ advocates, community members, and fellow government workers in a march that wound through the University of the Philippines Diliman campus. The contingent’s size reflected the department’s deepening commitment to inclusive governance.
Marchers carried banners calling for safe spaces and equal rights for all overseas Filipino workers. The atmosphere was festive yet purposeful, with chants and cheers blending into the broader celebration of identity and belonging. For many participants, the moment was both personal and professional, a chance to stand with colleagues whose journeys have often been overlooked.
Tahanang Makulay: A Home for Every OFW
The march was the centerpiece of Tahanang Makulay 2026, the DMW’s Pride Month celebration that recognizes the lived experiences of LGBTQIA+ migrant workers and their families. The initiative seeks to create a welcoming environment within government services, ensuring that no OFW feels marginalized or invisible. The name itself—Tahanang Makulay—promises a colorful home for all.
Administrator Caunan stressed that the department’s duty extends to every stage of an OFW’s journey. She emphasized that DMW and OWWA must care for workers without exception, and that walking with the LGBTQIA+ community is a concrete reaffirmation of that pledge. Her words drew applause from the crowd.
Policy Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion
The DMW’s participation is anchored in solid policy ground. As Co‑Chairperson of the Inter‑Agency Diversity and Inclusion Committee under Executive Order No. 51, the department actively pushes for equal access to protection, assistance, and opportunities for all migrant workers. The executive order, signed in 2023, institutionalized a whole‑of‑government approach to diversity.
The committee works to harmonize programs across agencies so that LGBTQIA+ OFWs face no discrimination when availing themselves of government services. The DMW’s role in this body ensures that the concerns of migrant workers are placed at the center of national inclusion efforts. The Pride march was both a celebration of progress and a reminder of the work still ahead.
Protecting the Rights of LGBTQIA+ Migrant Workers
For many overseas Filipino workers who belong to sexual minorities, the challenges of migration are compounded by the risk of discrimination in host countries and, at times, from within their own communities. The DMW has pledged to make its services more welcoming, accessible, and respectful for everyone, with training and policy adjustments underway to ensure frontline personnel are sensitive to diverse needs.
Assistant Secretary De Guzman noted that the reintegration programs of the department are being reviewed to ensure they are fully inclusive. From livelihood support to legal assistance, every intervention must recognize the unique circumstances of LGBTQIA+ returnees. The march served as a public commitment to accelerate these reforms and to listen closely to the voices of those directly affected.
Moving Forward with Pride
The LoveLaban PridePH Festival brought together government agencies, civil society organizations, and private citizens in a shared celebration of identity and human rights. For the DMW and OWWA, the event was more than a symbolic gesture; it was a reminder that support for OFWs must embrace everyone, including LGBTQIA+ workers and their families.
As the marchers dispersed under the afternoon sun, the promise of Tahanang Makulay lingered: a home where every OFW can find safety, acceptance, and the full support of their government.
