Quezon city: Returning overseas Filipino worker (OFW) teachers were lauded on Monday for their dedication and resilience as the Department of Education (DepEd), in partnership with the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), reinforced pathways for their reintegration under the 'Sa Pinas, Ikaw ang Ma'am/Sir' (SPIMS) program.

According to Philippines News Agency, the 'Bayanihan Para sa Balikbayang Manggagawa: A National Reintegration Network (NRN) Fair' at Quezon City Hall saw DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara emphasize the government's commitment to supporting returning OFWs not only in employment but also in education and family stability. Angara noted the streamlined reintegration process for repatriated teachers, highlighting the immediate employment opportunities and educational support provided by DepEd, particularly for teachers fleeing conflict in the Middle East.

The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) reported that the SPIMS program's comprehensive approach, including financial assistance for 8,047 teachers and online refresher courses for 521 others, has made it the government's most successful reintegration program for OFWs. Since its launch in 2014, SPIMS has assisted over 11,000 licensed Filipino teachers in transitioning from overseas employment back into Philippine public school classrooms.

Teacher "Jennifer," who returned from Qatar after 12 years, credited SPIMS for easing her transition back to teaching in Malabon. She highlighted the simplicity of the application process via SPIMS' Facebook page and email. Three former OFWs, Bryll Borgo±os, Veronica Dungog, and Aylene Lara, were also honored for their inspiring journeys of overcoming challenges abroad and successfully reintegrating into the local education system.

Aylene Lara, who returned from Thailand, shared her experience of family separation and the healing process through reintegration, now teaching at Calero Integrated School in Liloan, Cebu. Lara expressed gratitude for the SPIMS program, her school principal, and co-teachers for aiding her smooth transition back to teaching.

Veronica Dungog, displaced from the UAE by the Covid-19 pandemic in 2021, praised SPIMS for alleviating her unemployment fears. She expressed gratitude to the government for allowing her to resume teaching at West Crame Elementary School in San Juan City and acknowledged the continued support from DMW and DepEd.

DepEd also provided on-site services at the fair, including registration for Accreditation and Equivalency tests, access to the Senior High School Voucher Program, 720 scholarship slots under the Teacher Education Scholarship Program, and review incentives for licensure exams. The SPIMS program addresses national teacher shortages and leverages the global exposure of returning OFWs, enhancing local teaching quality while allowing educators to stay close to their families. DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac praised these teachers as "double, triple heroes" for their contributions as educators and OFWs.