PHILIPPINES: The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and the Department of Health (DOH) met on September 25, 2026, to discuss how the Gulf Health Council’s WAFID medical screening system should operate in the Philippines. The WAFID portal began activating on September 17 for Saudi Arabia-bound workers.
Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac said the portal’s algorithmic pre-assignment of clinics amounts to illegal “decking” under Section 16 of Republic Act No. 10022, which guarantees an OFW’s freedom to choose any DOH-accredited facility. The agencies also reviewed exam requirements, fees, and the regulation of medical facilities. They agreed that any WAFID rollout on Philippine soil must follow Philippine law and an appropriate inter-agency framework.
What is WAFID?
According to the DMW, the Wafid Program is a digital platform for managing the pre-deployment medical exams of workers bound for Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.
On August 4, 2026, representatives of the GCC Secretariat, the Gulf Health Council, and several embassies presented the program at the DMW Central Office. The delegation said WAFID operates in 21 countries, including the Philippines, and outlined its accreditation process for participating clinics and its quality assurance measures.
The Philippines then had 24 accredited medical centers and clinics, and the Council said it plans to add more. DMW Undersecretary Jainal Rasul, Jr. led the department’s side of the meeting.
The “Decking” Complaint
Cacdac’s objection centers on how applicants end up at a particular clinic. The DMW says WAFID assigns clinics by algorithm, which it considers illegal “decking” under Section 16 of RA 10022. The department says that provision protects an OFW’s right to pick any DOH-accredited facility.
Note: No final legal ruling has been reported, so the claim remains the department’s position.
Cost and Travel Concerns
The DMW also flagged practical problems and risks for applicants:
- Fees: Additional portal fees could exceed DOH-regulated caps.
- Travel: Arbitrary clinic assignments could force applicants to pay for transport and lodging to reach distant clinics.
- Fair recruitment: The department said these burdens violate fair-recruitment standards.
What the Agencies Agreed On
The DMW and DOH agreed to address WAFID through an appropriate Philippine regulatory and inter-agency framework. They also agreed that any implementation within Philippine territory must be consistent with existing laws and regulations.
The DMW cited the 2016 Supreme Court ruling in AMCOW v. GAMCA and deferred to the DOH’s primary authority over local health facilities and fee structures.
“The DMW remains committed to facilitating the orderly deployment of OFWs while ensuring that the implementation of foreign employment requirements within Philippine territory is undertaken consistently with Philippine law and the protection of the rights and welfare of Filipino migrant workers,” Cacdac said.
A Shift in Tone Since August
DMW Officials said they supported the GCC move for improving accessibility and for upholding integrity, credibility, and transparency, including uniform fees and transparent selection of clinics. By late September, with the portal live, the department was raising legal and cost objections.
The DMW says its talks with Gulf and GHC authorities are continuing to reconcile the health requirements for entry into Gulf countries with domestic legal protections, so deployment can proceed while worker welfare is protected.