House panel OKs substitute bill establishing OFW reintegration program

Repatriated overseas Filipino worker (OFWs) Felicilda Aboc faces the media upon arrival at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 in Pasay City on October 17, 2024, after being evacuated from conflict-affected areas in Lebanon. Maria Tan, ABS- CBN News

MANILA — The House of Representatives Committee on Overseas Workers and Affairs has approved a substitute bill seeking to establish a reintegration program for returning overseas Filipino workers. 

In the House panel's meeting on Monday, it approved the substitute bill subject to amendments and the corresponding committee report. 

The unnumbered measure which will be known as the "Bagong Balikbayan Act" is a consolidation of House Bills 4978, 7180, 11026, 11130, 11132, 11136 and 11160.

It aims to implement a "comprehensive, integrated and sustainable" reintegration program for OFWs regardless of their documentation status. 

"What makes this measure so important is that it directly addresses what many of our OFWs worry about: what happens after the contract ends, after they come home? Reintegration isn’t just about giving them seminars or token programs. It’s about building a future they can look forward to," House Committee on Overseas Workers Chairperson Rep. Jude Acidre said.

"This bill aims to create a solid framework—one that offers real, long-term support. We’re talking about livelihood programs, access to financial services, reintegration counseling, and even psychosocial support," he added.  

Under the proposed measure, families of returning OFWs will also be covered and OFWs who require targeted assistance such as senior citizens or solo parents. 

OFW Party-list Rep. Marissa "Del Mar" Magsino, the author of HB No. 11130, highlighted the importance of reintegration in the process of labor migration of OFWs. 

"Ang bahaging reintegration ang pinaka-kritikal kung saan kailangang tiyakin ang pagkakaroon nila ng financial independence, personal well-being, at pagkabuhay muli ng kanilang mainit na relasyon sa kanilang mga pamilya at pakikitungo sa kani-kanilang pamayanan," she said.

In pushing for the measure, Magsino cited a 2021 report from the UN International Organization for Migration (IOM) which showed 87 percent of OFW returnees remain jobless three months since they returned to the country. 

Magsino said the same report showed 96 percent of OFW returnees were not able to receive reintegration assistance from government. 

Aside from livelihood and economic needs, Magsino said the bill also aims to address the social, psychosocial, gender-responsiveness and cultural needs of OFWs. 

The social protection measures shall be implemented by the DMW, OWWA and the Department of Social Welfare and Development. The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Civil Service Commission (CSC) and other relevant agencies will also help in ensuring access to employment opportunities and qualification recognition.

Under the bill, concerned Migrant Workers Offices (MWOs) shall initiate the reintegration program six months before the OFW's return. The program will be composed of education and upskilling, psychosocial and social support services, entrepreneurship and employment. 

The National Reintegration Center for OFWs (NRCO) will serve as the primary body responsible for the implementation of the reintegration program.

There shall also be the establishment of the Returnee-OFW Management Information System and Reintegration Management System to serve as a database and to streamline processes and services. 

The bill likewise has a provision for the protection and regularization of undocumented OFWs to ensure their access to services and benefits in the regularization program. 

Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Administrator Patricia Yvonne Caunan expressed support for the bill. 

"OWWA fully supports the consolidated bills, the substitute bill and proposals being deliberated today. These align with our commitment under the one DMW approach, which seeks to harmonize the full migration cycle from pre-to return to close integration among OWWA, DMW and our field offices abroad and at home," she said. 

"Reintegration is not just the concern of one government. Reintegration is the concern of all Filipinos as the OFWs and their role when it comes to promoting and helping develop our national economy. Reintegration is not a closure it is a continuation of public service," Caunan added. 

DMW Assistant Secretary Francis De Guzman also backed the measure, but said they will be submitting minor comments on terminologies used in the bill. 

"We are very thankful to the committee and authors of the bill for fully pushing for the bill, that will put reintegration at the fore and there will be sufficient funds. We fully support it and the department stands ready to implement it once it is passed into law," he said.

ADDRESSING THE BALIKBAYAN BOX ISSUE

The House panel also approved the committee report on its investigation on the balikbayan boxes issue, which includes the draft Joint Administrative Order (JAO) of the DMW, Department of Trade and Industry, and Bureau of Customs.

Following a meeting of technical working group last March, a draft of the JAO was presented during the meeting of the House panel. 

Key provisions include a simplified process for OFWs to claim tax-exemptions of balikbayan boxes, the imposition of solidary or joint liability for local deconsolidators and foreign consolidators which will also be part of their contracts. 

Julito Doria of the Bureau of Customs said the JAO includes a clause protecting the property of the OFW, not just the person.

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