MANILA — The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) has disbursed PHP13.76 million (about $234,000) in livelihood assistance to returning overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), benefiting 5,769 individuals under a government reintegration program, officials said Wednesday.
The aid was provided through the National Reintegration Network (NRN), a multi-agency initiative aimed at helping former and repatriated migrant workers rebuild their lives and livelihoods in the Philippines.
According to DMW data as of June 8, the beneficiaries include 5,013 former OFWs and 756 recently repatriated workers.
The agency said the financial assistance is intended to support small business ventures, enabling returning workers to establish sustainable sources of income after years of overseas employment.
“In accordance with the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., the DMW, along with various agencies under the NRN, continues to provide comprehensive support for the employment, livelihood, and welfare of our OFWs who wish to stay and start anew in the Philippines,” the department said in a statement.
Beyond livelihood grants, the NRN program offers entrepreneurship training to help beneficiaries develop business skills, as well as employment assistance for those seeking local jobs or planning to work abroad again.
The DMW reported that it has delivered 28,361 services to date, including job matching, training support, and welfare assistance.
Job-matching efforts have reached 2,467 beneficiaries, with participation from 226 local companies and 104 private recruitment and manning agencies.
In addition, 690 recently repatriated OFWs received psychosocial and welfare support through post-repatriation orientation seminars under the government’s “Kalinga” program.
The agency also said 1,605 domestic workers have been endorsed for skills training in coordination with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, with 837 training vouchers and scholarships distributed as of May 31.
Government coordination has expanded job referral efforts, with 1,805 referrals facilitated through the Department of Labor and Employment, 656 through the Department of Tourism, 383 through the Department of Health, 151 through the Department of Public Works and Highways, and 18 through the Department of Education.
The NRN, led by the DMW, brings together multiple government agencies to provide a comprehensive reintegration framework for returning migrant workers, covering livelihood, employment, skills development, and welfare services.
