"DMW shuts consultancy firm for illegal recruitment,"

The Doubled D Training Consultancy (DDTC) at Room 301, MBI Building, Ronquillo Corner Ongpin Streets in Sta. Cruz, Manila referred and promised overseas jobs to Filipino workers.

"It is clear in the definition of illegal recruitment, under our law, that a consultancy firm should not refer a client to any agency, and is not allowed to collect fees," DMW Assistant Secretary for Licensing and Adjudication Services Francis Ron De Guzman said Tuesday...

The Migrant Workers Protection Bureau conducted surveillance operations stemming from several complaints filed against the firm.

During the investigation, it was revealed that DDTC is charging a P80,000 processing fee per applicant for various sea-based positions, such as able-bodied seaman, oiler, and engineer.

However, Diana Gabriel, administration manager, said they were only collecting a P200-400 referral fee.

"We are just a small agency. We are not even a company but we are accredited by the city government of Manila. We are just helping those who want to work abroad. We are just referring them to a recruitment agency," Gabriel said.

Gabriel added that they were not aware of the violations they committed and that the agency promised to comply with all the necessary requirements needed for them to operate again...