THE Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) shuts down the operation of three language training centers allegedly involved in illegal recruitment and human trafficking during the simultaneous operations in Bulacan and Cebu this morning, 16 May 2025.
Ordered closed were IWA Language Learning Center located at Unit 18 Twin Plaza Complex, KM. 42 McArthur Highway, Bulihan, Malolos, Bulacan; Aseanway Learning and Development Center located at Unit 6 Paseo Building 2, Rocka Drive Villares, Pio Cruzcosa, Calumpit, Bulacan and Aseanway Learning and Development Center Cebu branch at 2nd Flr., Menzi Bldg., Pajo, Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu.
The said illegal recruitment agencies posing as learning centers are the 11th, 12th and 13th establishments that were shut down by the DMW-Migrant Workers Protection Bureau this 2025. This is in pursuant to the marching order of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to protect our overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and run after illegal recruiters and human traffickers.
“Sa utos ng ating mahal na Presidente at ni Secretary (Hans Leo) Cacdac na lahat ng iligal na establisimiyento na nangangalap ng mga manggagawa nang walang lisensya mula sa DMW ay ating pong ipapasara,” said Undersecretary Bernard P. Olalia who led the closure operations in Malolos.
MWPB Director Geraldine Mendez explained that IWA Language Center started operations in 2025 with the modus of referring their students to their partner recruitment agencies after they finished their trainings. The language center is allegedly asking P50,000 to P70,000 to their trainees in exchange for jobs in Japan, Korea and some European countries as factory workers, hotel staff, agriculture workers, and fruit pickers.
Undersecretary Olalia stressed that the connivance of unlicensed language centers and recruitment agencies is highly illegal. Despite having a licensed from TESDA, he said that the language center is not authorized to hire, refer, and procure workers for jobs abroad.
Meanwhile, Assistant Secretary Jerome A. Alcantara led the Calumpit operation against Aseanway Center that is conducting the same modus of referring their trainees to their partner agencies.
Also on the same time, MWPB Director III Eric D. Dollete spearheaded the closure of another language center with the similar name of Aseanway Learning and Development Center located at the 2nd Floor of Menzi Bldg., Pajo, Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu.
Undersecretary Olalia said that they are now conducting a full-investigation on the identities of the registered owners of the establishments, due to the possibility of being run by a single person or a family.
“Sa utos ng ating mahal na Presidente at ng ating Secretary ng Department of Migrant Workers hindi po magpapabaya ang MWPB ng DMW sa pagsugpo, sa pag-combat, pagkitil sa mga entities, mga persons na nagre-recruit at nagre-refer ng mga OFWs papuntang abroad ng walang lisensya. Pupuntahan namin kayo kahit saang sulok ng Pilipinas,” Undersectary Olalia stressed
