Tacloban city: The Department of Education (DepEd) has expanded its reintegration support for overseas Filipino worker (OFW) teachers amid an increase in educators seeking to return to local classrooms. This week's nationwide Bayanihan Para sa Balikbayang Manggagawa National Reintegration Network (NRN) Fairs, held in collaboration with the Department of Migrant Workers, provided returning licensed teachers and their families access to stable livelihoods and educational services.
According to Philippines News Agency, Education Secretary Sonny Angara emphasized that the program fulfills President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s mandate to prioritize the welfare of displaced workers and their families. 'Ang direktiba ni Pangulong Bongbong Marcos ay tiyaking may naghihintay na maayos na trabaho para sa ating mga gurong nagbabalik-bayan upang hindi na nila kailangang muling mawalay sa kanilang mga pamilya (President Bongbong Marcos' directive is to ensure that there are good jobs waiting for our returning teachers so that they will not have to be separated from their families again),' Angara said, as quoted in a news release Sunday. 'Sa pamamagitan ng programang ito, hindi namin kayo hahayaang mag-isang harapin ang mga hamon sa inyong pagbabalik (Through this program, we will not leave you alone to face the challenges of your return),' he added.
President Marcos and Angara officially launched the regional fairs in Tacloban City, Leyte on April 15 as part of the whole-of-government effort to support OFWs displaced by the Middle East conflicts. Data from the events showed high engagement for the Sa 'Pinas, Ikaw ang Ma'am at Sir (SPIMS) Program help desk, as hundreds of returning educators sought pathways to reintegrate into the local public school system. The Cagayan Valley fair engaged 166 educators, while Calabarzon assisted 105 teachers with inquiries. The SPIMS Program also drew 96 inquiries in Negros Island Region, 94 in Central Visayas, 78 in the Cordillera Administrative Region and 48 in Mimaropa.
During the Balik Turo: A Hero's Journey Way Home segment of the fairs, SPIMS beneficiaries highlighted the emotional and professional impact of the program. Teacher I Pamela Moron of Sta. Fe National High School in Leyte shared the unique fulfillment of serving Filipino learners after teaching in Cambodia for three years. Teacher I Kaydee Pelayo of Candaba Elementary School in Pampanga, who returned from the United Arab Emirates during the pandemic, encouraged other OFWs to trust the transition process. 'Akala ko walang babalikan sa Pilipinas, pero sa mga katulad ko na OFW na umuwi, huwag kayong mag-alinlangan dahil ang gobyerno may SPIMS Program na tutulong sa inyo (I thought no one would return to the Philippines, but for OFWs like me who have returned home, don't hesitate because the government has the SPIMS Program to help you),' Pelayo said. They expressed gratitude for the opportunity to be reunited with their families while practicing their profession.
Aside from employment, DepEd provided a comprehensive menu of services, including scholarships for qualified OFW family members wishing to enter the teaching profession and education subsidies through the voucher program for the children of OFWs. Special tests for Accreditation and Equivalency and Philippine Educational Placement Test were also offered to help families transition back into the Philippine school system. DepEd facilitated licensure support and review incentives for those preparing to take the board exams.
