Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _____ 
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Introduced by Representative Geraldine B. Roman 
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EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Section 18 of Article II of the Constitution states that the state recognizes labor as the 
primary social and economic force. It is responsible for protecting workers' rights and 
promoting their well-being. Furthermore, Section 20, Article II of the Constitution provides 
that the State enterprise provides incentives for needed investments. 
Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) choose to work hard abroad and live thousands of 
miles away from their families in exchange for financial support to send their children or family 
members to the school to provide a better life for them. Furthermore, they provide a 
comfortable home for their families. 
Nonetheless, the government must not allow our OFWs, who are regarded as modern-
day heroes, to continue working abroad and being separated from their families. We must 
provide them with opportunities to return home and earn a living so they can be with their loved 
ones and watch their children grow. 
Equal opportunity can be classified into four types: formal quality of opportunity, 
substantive equality of opportunity, equality of fair opportunity, level playing field, and 
meritocracy. As a result, with this measure, people-centered legislation is proposed. 
Overseas Filipino Workers are the main objective of this measure.  This proposed 
measure seeks to provide OFWs with benefits and incentives when they decide to invest in 
businesses in the Philippines, such as access to financial literacy training and seminars, as well 
as capital to start their businesses. 
The passage of this measure is urgently requested. 
REP. GERALDINE B. ROMAN 
District Representative 
Bataan, 1st District
February 15, 2023
11:48 am
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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _____ 
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Introduced by Representative Geraldine B. Roman 
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AN ACT 
PROVIDING FOR ENHANCED BENEFITS, WELFARE, AND REINTEGRATION 
OF REPATRIATED FILIPINO MIGRANT WORKERS INTO THE PHILIPPINE 
WORKFORCE, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER 
PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled. 
SECTION. 1. Title. – This Act shall be known as the “Filipino Migrant Workers 
Welfare Act of 2023.” 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. – It is the policy of the State to promote, at all times, the 
welfare of its citizens whether in the country or overseas. Further, the State recognizes the 
significant contribution of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) to the national economy through 
their foreign exchange remittances and their valuable role as a partner in our nation's progress. 
At the same time, the State recognizes the role of business enterprises in employment generation 
resulting in economic growth and a strong development foundation for the country. 
SEC. 3. Declaration of the Principle of Equal Opportunity. – The State recognizes that 
all individuals have the right to equal opportunity to live decently and with dignity. Every 
individual has the right to participate and be given access to information relating to the decision-
making processes that affect their lives and well-being.  
The State further declares that migrant workers are individuals deserving of secured 
rights of a decent life, dignity, and humane employment. They should be allowed to live a life 
of normalcy, living in co-existence with other workers who are living a peaceful and productive 
life, secured, and protected by law. 
SEC. 4. – Business-Oriented Capacity-Building Training for OFWs. – The 
Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), in coordination with the Department of Trade 
and Industry (DTI), shall provide training for OFWs who are seeking to set up their businesses, 
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The training shall focus on the following areas: 
 
 
a) Business conceptualization and the conduct of feasibility studies: 
b) Registration and all other administrative matters related to creating one’s own 
business; 
c) Safe and sustainable business financing; 
d) Business promotion/ advertising/ marketing; and 
e) Service/ product delivery  
 
 
SEC. 5. – Dedicated Financing/ Loan Programs for OFW-Owned MSMEs. – The 
DOLE, in coordination with the Department of Finance (DOF) and the Department of Budget 
and Management (DBM), shall create new financing/loan programs that will exclusively cater 
to OFWs, who are in the process of setting up their MSMEs. 
 
 
Such programs shall strictly be for those OFWs with no existing MSMEs. OFWs with 
existing MSMEs shall be accommodated through DTI’s programs.  
 
 
SEC. 6. – Government Job Fairs for Civil Service Qualified OFWs. – The DOLE, in 
coordination with the Civil Service Commission (CSC) and the Department of Interior and 
Local Government (DILG), shall have a series of job fairs for possible employment of civil 
service qualified OGFWs in the national or local government, its agencies, bureaus, offices, 
and instrumentalities, including government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs).  
 
 
SEC. 7. – Program for Qualified and Highly-Skilled OFWs to Teach in the Academe. 
– The DOLE, in coordination with Commission on Higher Education (CHED), shall provide a 
program to invite qualified and highly-skilled OFWs to teach in colleges/universities accredited 
by CHED.  
 
 
SEC. 8. – Tax Exemption. – AN OFW-owned business enterprise shall be exempt from 
the payment of income tax for a non-extendable period of five (5) years following registration. 
This exemption is without prejudice to any other benefit or tax exemption granted to the 
enterprise by any other laws. All Local Government Units (LGUs) are encouraged either to 
reduce the amount of local taxes, fees, and charges. 
 
SEC. 9. – Other Benefits and Incentives. – An OFW-business enterprise may also avail 
of the following incentives for a non-extendable period of five (5) years following registration: 
 
a) Fifty Percent (50%) reduction on real property taxes imposed on real property if 
used in the OFW-owned business enterprise; 
b) Tax and duty-free importation of raw materials, capital equipment, machinery, and 
spare parts exclusively used in the operation of the OFW-owned business enterprise; 
and/or 
c) Preferential access to financing from government financial institutions at rates 
below the market rates; 
 
Provided, That an OFW-owned business enterprise may avail of these incentives for a 
period of five years following registration.  
 
 


 
SEC. 10. – Implementing Rules and Regulations. – The Secretary of Labor and 
Employment and the Secretary of Interior and Local Government shall jointly promulgate the 
necessary rules and regulations required for the effective implementation of the provisions of 
this Act. 
 
 
In drafting the IRR, the Secretaries shall consult with public stakeholders: 
 
1) The Civil Service Commission (CSC); 
2) The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG); 
3) The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI); 
4) The Department of Finance (DOF); 
5) The Department of Budget and Management (DBM); 
6) The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA); and 
7) The Office of the Government Corporate Counsel. 
 
 
SEC. 11. – Appropriations. – The amount necessary to carry out the provisions of this 
Act shall be charged against those authorized in the current and subsequent General 
Appropriations Act. 
 
 
SEC. 12. – Separability Clause. – If for any reason, any section, clause, or term of this 
Act is held to be illegal, invalid, or unconstitutional, such parts not affected by such declaration 
shall remain in full force and effect. 
 
 
SEC. 13. – Repealing Clause. – All laws, presidential decrees, issuances, executive 
orders, letters of instruction, rules, and regulations inconsistent with the provisions of this Act 
are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
 
 
SEC. 14. Effectivity Clause. -This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or a newspaper of general circulation. 
 
 
Approved,