New wellness hub to serve 500,000 Filipino seafarers with public-private support

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More than 500,000 Filipino seafarers help keep the global maritime industry moving. Now, a new Seafarers’ Wellness Center aims to ensure they and their families are supported beyond the deck.

Led by the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) in partnership with the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), the center brings together legal, medical, and welfare services in one accessible hub. BDO Unibank joined the initiative as part of its continuing “Alagang Kabayan” commitment to overseas Filipinos.

The facility offers free legal assistance through the Public Attorney’s Office and volunteer lawyers, an Alagang OWWA Yakap Clinic and Gamot Botika para sa mga Marino, rest and recreation spaces, and training rooms for Pre-Departure Orientation Seminars (PDOS).

OWWA Administrator Patricia Yvonne “PY” Caunan described the center as a meaningful first step toward expanding similar facilities nationwide.

“Maliit man ito, magandang simula ito upang mas lalo nating maiparamdam ang Alagang OWWA—serbisyong may puso,” she said, noting that sustained public support will allow similar centers to be established in other regions.

While the center focuses on physical and legal welfare, financial preparedness remains essential to long-term stability. Through its Alagang Kabayan program, BDO works closely with OWWA and DMW to deliver financial literacy sessions and PDOS nationwide. These sessions guide seafarers on budgeting, remittance management, scam prevention, and reintegration planning.

“We want OFWs to be financially empowered and in control of their future,” Caunan said, underscoring the value of public-private partnerships in extending meaningful services to migrant workers.

For seafarer Christian Jay Padrigon, digital banking has made managing money at sea more convenient. Through his Kabayan Savings account and BDO Pay, he monitors transactions and remittances in real time—giving him peace of mind even while onboard.

Another seafarer, Ronnel Hurgo, shared that disciplined saving and consistent remittances over nearly two decades helped him build assets and secure his family’s future.

“Malaking tulong ang BDO sa pag-iipon at pagpapadala ng pera. Importante na may naipupundar tayo para sa pamilya at sa sarili,” he said.

DMW Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac also acknowledged the seafarers’ sacrifice and dedication not only to their family but also to their community and country.

Congresswoman Johanne Bautista emphasized that increased budget allocations for OWWA and DMW in 2026 reflect sustained national commitment to migrant welfare. The Wellness Center, she said, is a concrete example of how resources translate into frontline services.

By aligning financial empowerment with holistic welfare initiatives, BDO reinforces its role as a long-term partner to Filipino seafarers—from pre-departure planning to reintegration.