Manila: The provincial government of Dinagat Island is advocating for the resumption of the Seasonal Workers Program (SWP) for South Korea. This year, the province aims to send over 1,000 residents to South Korea, building on the program's success over the past two years, Governor Nilo Demerey Jr. announced in a statement.
According to Philippines News Agency, Governor Demerey met with top officials from the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) at their Central Office. The meeting focused on scheduling a consultative gathering in the province to discuss guidelines that ensure the protection and welfare of seasonal workers. The governor highlighted that between 2023 and 2024, 530 residents of Dinagat benefited from the SWP, working for five to eight months with average monthly earnings ranging from PHP65,000 to PHP90,000.
Key points regarding the SWP were discussed during the meeting, including draft guidelines to aid local government units in managing the program. Governor Demerey proposed holding a consultation in February 2026 with DMW officials, provincial authorities, and stakeholders in Dinagat Islands.
Success stories from former participants of the SWP were shared, including those of Jean Montejo and Chris Marie Desierto. Montejo, from Barangay Poblacion, San Jose, described how her work in South Korea allowed her to purchase land and fulfill her family's financial needs. She gained valuable farming experience while working on a farm in PyeongChang from July to December 2024, which she now applies to her family garden in Dinagat.
Desierto, from Barangay Sta. Cruz, San Jose, also benefited from the program, having worked twice on a vegetable farm in Yeongwol-gun. Her income from the SWP enabled her to buy farmland and establish a boarding house, providing her with ongoing income. She emphasized the program's impact not only on her family but also on the broader community, noting the transfer of farming technology knowledge.
Millard Tawakal of the DMW Office in Dinagat Islands stated that 1,500 residents are prepared for deployment once the SWP resumes. The provincial government facilitated alternative overseas employment for approximately 50 residents when the SWP was paused last year. These residents traveled to Europe, the Middle East, and Hong Kong for work.
The 1,500 prospective seasonal workers completed comprehensive training, including basic Korean language, physical fitness, skills, and agricultural training, all funded by the provincial government.
