MANILA — A new legislative initiative aims to provide comprehensive support for returning overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), addressing the myriad challenges they face upon re-entry to the Philippines. House Bill 11130, proposed by OFW Party-list Representative Marissa Magsino, seeks to create a sustainable and dignified reintegration program that tackles economic, social, and psychological hurdles.
“Our overseas workers are more than economic assets — they are the heartbeat of our national resilience,” Magsino emphasized. The proposed bill recognizes that repatriation extends far beyond economic resettlement, encompassing psychological, social, and professional rehabilitation.
The legislation’s comprehensive strategy includes establishing a sophisticated Returnee-OFWs Management Information System, which would create a dynamic database tracking workers’ skills, education, and professional experiences. This innovative system aims to facilitate targeted job placement and skills development, bridging the gap between global work experience and local employment opportunities.
Key provisions of the bill spotlight economic empowerment through strategic interventions: regular job fairs, entrepreneurship training, low-interest loan programs, and tax incentives for businesses owned by returning workers. Simultaneously, the proposal addresses critical psychological dimensions, proposing robust counseling and wellness programs designed to support workers and their families during this transformative period.
“Sustainable reintegration isn’t just about jobs and money; it’s about restoring social stability and mental well-being,” Magsino stated, underscoring the bill’s holistic philosophy.
The proposed legislation involves multiple government agencies, including the Department of Migrant Workers and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, signaling a coordinated, whole-of-government approach to supporting these critical national contributors.
By prioritizing comprehensive support mechanisms, the bill aims to empower OFWs to become active participants in local economic development, transforming potential challenges of repatriation into opportunities for personal and national growth.
As the Philippines continues to be a global labor exporter, this proposed legislation represents a pioneering approach to supporting workers who have long been the economic backbone of the nation.
The bill awaits further legislative proceedings, holding the potential to revolutionize how the Philippines supports and reintegrates its global workforce.
