MANILA — Philippine government agencies are stepping up efforts to help returning overseas Filipino workers transition back into the domestic workforce, with 58 workers completing the first batch of a new flagship scholarship program Tuesday in Taguig City.
The Department of Migrant Workers and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority jointly administered the pilot KAALAMAN Scholarship Program, which aims to equip returning OFWs with marketable skills and pathways to stable employment after years of working abroad.
“The KAALAMAN Program does not only provide training but also creates real pathways toward quality employment opportunities for our OFWs,” said DMW Undersecretary Felicitas Bay.
Of the 165 workers who enrolled in the program, 146 completed it, including Tuesday’s graduating cohort. Participants underwent specialized training in paramedicine, emergency medical services, emergency vehicle operation, and caregiving — fields expected to open both local and overseas job opportunities.
Most scholars returned from Saudi Arabia and other Middle Eastern countries, while others came from Hong Kong and various parts of the Asia-Pacific region.
The scholarship serves as the training component of the broader KAALAMAN Program, which encompasses financial literacy education, entrepreneurship support, and preparation for alternative income sources. Officials said the initiative aligns with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to strengthen reintegration support and ensure returning workers have access to decent opportunities at home.
The government said the program reflects a wider push to help OFWs transition into sustainable employment or business ventures rather than remain dependent on overseas contract work.
