Rep. Marissa 'del Mar' Magsino
OFW Party List Representative Marissa “Del Mar” Magsino filed House Bill (HB) 11130, which seeks to establish a holistic and integrated reintegration program for Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) returning to the Philippines. The measure aims to support OFWs as they transition back to life at home, ensuring their economic stability, social reintegration, and overall well-being.
“Our OFWs have long been pillars of our economy, providing essential foreign exchange remittances that fuel the nation’s growth and development,” said Rep. Magsino. “But for many of them, returning home comes with its own set of challenges – finding employment, starting a livelihood, and reuniting with their families after years apart. This bill seeks to provide comprehensive support to make their reintegration smooth, sustainable, and dignified.”
House Bill 11130 offers a multi-faceted approach to address the challenges faced by returnee-OFWs, whether they have retired, been repatriated due to job loss, or returned for personal reasons.
This bill seeks to focus on and address the issues confronting returnee-OFWs, specifically on the availability of and access to decent local employment prospects and entrepreneurial or livelihood opportunities to facilitate their and their families’ transition and settlement to normal life.
A key provision of the bill is the economic empowerment of OFWs through the organization of regular job fairs in strategic locations, entrepreneurship and livelihood development as pathways for economic self-sufficiency, skills training, financial assistance through low-interest loans, and tax incentives for OFW-owned enterprises.
To streamline the implementation of these programs, the bill proposes the establishment of a Returnee-OFWs Management Information System. This database will record the educational background, skills, and work experience of returnees, facilitating job matching and identifying areas for skills development.
Recognizing the psychological and emotional toll of migration, the bill also mandates psychosocial counseling and wellness programs for returning OFWs and their families. These initiatives aim to address the social and emotional aspects of reintegration, fostering stronger family ties and community connections. Community engagement activities will also be encouraged, enabling returnees to actively participate in and contribute to local development.
The integrated reintegration program also includes social protection measures, with agencies like the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) ensuring returnee-OFWs are included in social assistance programs. These efforts aim to address the diverse needs of returning OFWs, particularly those who were repatriated due to illegal recruitment, job displacement, or health issues.
Rep. Magsino emphasized that passing HB 11130 goes beyond fulfilling the government’s constitutional duty to protect OFWs – it is about enabling them to remain valuable contributors to the nation’s development. “Sustainable reintegration allows our OFWs to achieve economic independence, social stability, and mental well-being, giving them the choice to shape their future without being compelled to migrate,” she said.
