Manila: The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and the Department of Education (DepEd) have partnered for a regional reintegration fair to deliver essential government services to returning overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in the Bicol Region.
According to Philippines News Agency, the activity, dubbed 'Bayanihan Para sa Balikbayang Manggagawa: A National Reintegration Network (NRN),' is being held from April 13 to 16 at the DepEd Regional Office V in Rawis. DMW Regional Director lawyer Jeena Laceda stated the initiative converges various programs for livelihood, employment, and education in a single venue for OFWs and their families.
'It ensures that OFWs and their families have access to skills training, certification, financial assistance, and pathways to sustainable local employment, enabling a smoother transition back to their communities,' Laceda said. Key programs featured include 'Sa Pinas, Ikaw ang Ma'am at Sir (SPIMS),' which assists licensed teacher-OFWs in returning to public school teaching, the Enhanced Livelihood Development Assistance Program (ELDAP) providing livelihood grants and business development support, and the Enhanced Balik Pinay, Balik Hanapbuhay (EBPBH) offering financial and entrepreneurial assistance specifically for women OFWs.
Laceda added the activity adopts a "whole-of-government" approach to bring services directly to beneficiaries, saving them the time and cost of traveling to multiple offices. The initiative also addresses primary challenges faced by returning migrants, such as local employment difficulties, lack of startup capital, and economic disruptions.
A pilot rollout targeting an initial batch of OFWs is scheduled for Wednesday, April 15, with a larger regional event tentatively set for May or June 2026. Meanwhile, DepEd is providing education-related services, including the Alternative Learning System (ALS), Accreditation and Equivalency (A and E) Test, Philippine Educational Placement Test (PEPT), and financial assistance for students and teachers.
Other participating agencies include the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Health (DOH), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Professional Regulation Commission (PRC), and the Social Security System (SSS).
