Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS.
Second Regular Session

7244

House Bill No.

Introduced by ANGKLA Party-list Representative Jesulito A. Manalo

AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR A NATIONAL REVERSE MIGRATION POLICY, CREATING THE
NATIONAL REVERSE MIGRATION COMMISSION, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS
THEREFORE

EXPLANATORY NOTE

According to the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, thirty three percent (33%)
of countries around the world were concerned the percentage of citizens living outside their national

jes was too high.' This number has been steadily increasing since 1976. This can be attributed
to brain drain.

Brain drain is the departure of highly educated and skilled people from a country, and is viewed
as harmful to the economy.’ The loss of human capital in the fields of medicine, science, engineering,
‘management, and education can be a roadblock to economic and social development.‘ There are even
studies which state that “remittances cannot compensate for a country’s loss of a significant portion of
its “best and brightest’”.’ When countries send out highly skilled migrants, they lose the unforeseen
economic impact that these individuals provide in terms of increased productivity, the provision of
public services such as health and education, tax revenues, and improved quality of public discourse.®

L. BASSARSKY, ET AL., UNITED NATIONS DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL AFFAIRS REPORT ON
INTERNATIONAL MIGRATION POLICIES: GOVERNMENT VIEWS AND PRIORITIES 65 (2013).

L. BASSARSKY, ET AL., UNITED NATIONS DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL AFFAIRS REPORT ON
INTERNATIONAL MIGRATION POLICIES: GOVERNMENT VIEWS AND PRIORITIES 65 (2013).

J. BATALOVA ET AL., FIRING UP REGIONAL BRAIN NETWORKS: THE PROMISE OF BRAIN CIRCULATION IN
‘THE ASEAN ECONOMIC COMMUNITY 14 (2017).

J. BATALOVA ET AL., FIRING UP REGIONAL BRAIN NETWORKS: THE PROMISE OF BRAIN CIRCULATION IN
‘THE ASEAN ECONOMIC COMMUNITY 14 (2017).

J.M. BRINKERHOFF, Diasporas, Skills Transfer, and Remittances: Evolving Perceptions and Potential in
CONVERTING MIGRATION DRAINS INTO GAINS: HARNESSING THE RESOURCES OF OVERSEAS
PROFESSIONALS 4 (2006); citing D. KAPUR, ET AL., GIVE US YOUR BEST AND BRIGHTEST: THE GLOBAL
HUNT FOR TALENT AND ITS IMPACT ON THE DEVELOPING WORLD (2005).

JM. BRINKERHOFF, Diasporas, Skills Transfer, and Remittances: Evolving Perceptions and Potential in
CONVERTING MIGRATION DRAINS INTO GAINS: HARNESSING THE RESOURCES OF OVERSEAS
PROFESSIONALS 4 (2006); citing ¢. OZDEN, ET AL., INTERNATIONAL MIGRATION, REMITTANCES AND THE
BRAIN DRAIN (2005).



In the Philippines, the number of Filipino migrant employees with university degrees grew by
almost seventy four percent (74%) from 2001 to 2011.” We must nip this problem in the bud, and stem
the tide of brain drain before it is too late, through the creation of a circular migration pattern.

The establishment of a national reverse migration policy would ensure our OFWs, especially
those who are highly-skilled or professionals, would eventually come back to the Philippines, and
contribute more than just remittances to nation-building. OFWs have developed globally-competitive
skills, knowledge, resources, and connections over time which should be used for the greater good of
the country. Let us harness their expertise, as well as human and financial capital, to create a better
future for the Philippines.

Representative, ANGKLA Party-List

al J. BATALOVA ET AL., FIRING UP REGIONAL BRAIN NETWORKS: THE PROMISE OF BRAIN CIRCULATION IN

‘THE ASEAN ECONOMIC COMMUNITY 14 (2017).


Republic of the Phi
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

House Bill No "7244

—
Introduced by ANGKLA Party-list Representative Jesulito A. Manalo
—)]

AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR A NATIONAL REVERSE MIGRATION POLICY, CREATING THE
NATIONAL REVERSE MIGRATION COMMISSION, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS
THEREFORE

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
assembled:

Chapter I
General Provisions

Section 1. Short title. This Act shall be known as the “Reverse Migration Act”.

See. 2. Declaration of Policy. ~The following are hereby declared to be the policies of the
State:

(a) The State shall promote a just and dynamic social order that will ensure the prosperity
and independence of the nation and free the people from poverty through policies that provide adequate
social services, promote full employment, a rising standard of living, and an improved quality of life
for all;

(b) The State shall afford full protection to labor, local and overseas, organized and
unorganized, and promote full employment and equality of employment opportunities for all. Towards
this end, the State shall provide adequate and timely social, economic and legal services to Filipino
migrant workers;

(©) While recognizing the significant contribution of Filipino migrant workers to the
national economy through their foreign exchange remittances, the State does not promote overseas
employment as a means to sustain economic growth and achieve national development. The existence
of the overseas employment program rests solely on the assurance that the dignity and fundamental
human rights and freedoms of the Filipino citizens shall not, at any time, be compromised or violated.
The State, therefore, shall continuously create local employment opportunities and promote the
equitable distribution of wealth and the benefits of development;

(d)_ The State shall give priority to education, science and technology, arts, culture, and
sports to foster patriotism and nationalism, accelerate social progress, and promote total human
liberation and development;



(e)_ The State shall develop a self-reliant and independent national economy effectively
controlled by Filipinos;

(f) The State recognizes the indispensable role of the private sector, encourages private
‘enterprise, and provides incentives to needed investments; and

(g) The State shall promote comprehensive rural development and agrarian reform.

See. 3. Definition of Terms. — Unless otherwise provided, the following terms shall have the
meanings hereinafter set forth:

(a) Commission shall refer to the National Reverse Migration Commission;

(b) DBP shalll refer to the Development Bank of the Philippines;
(c) DFA shall refer to the Department of Foreign Affairs;

(d) DOLE shall refer to the Department of Labor and Employment;
(¢) LBP shall refer to Landbank of the Philippines;

(f) NEDA shall refer to the National Economic Development Authority;

(g) OFW shall refer to Overseas Filipino Workers as defined in Section 3(a) of Republic Act
No, 8042, as amended;

(h) OWWA shall refer to the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration; and
(i) POEA shall refer to the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration.

See. 4. National Reverse Migration Policy. ~ The Commission must set a national reverse
migration policy which would take into consideration, among others:

1. Key development sectors in the Philippines such as education, agricultural, information
technology, engineering, and research and development;

2. Major development areas in the Philippines based on poverty levels and available
resources;

3. Major OFW classifications based on profession, income, educational background,
geography, or any other category germane to the development sectors and areas;

4. Primary needs of OFWs for a smooth reintegration; and

5. Necessary incentives including reduced processing time for registrations, licenses, and
clearances, or improved financing terms through low-interest rates and collateral free loans.

See. 5. Composition of the Commission. — The Secretary of Labor and Employment shall be
the ex officio Chairperson of the Commission. The ex officio members of the Commission shall be the
following officers, or their duly appointed representatives:

Secretary of DFA;
NEDA Director-General;
POEA Administrator;
OWWA Administrator;
DBP President;
Landbank President; and

aveene


7. OFW Bank President.

There will be two additional members of the Commission from the private sector to be
appointed by the President of the Philippines representing the sea-based and land-based sectors
respectively.

The Commission shall also have an Executive Director who shall act as the Commission's
Secretary, and handle all administrative matters.

See. 6. Budget for Incentives and Project Costs. —The annual budget for incentives and project
costs shall be sourced from the OWWA Fund, the funds of DBP, Landbank and the OFW Bank, as well
as the OFW Sovereign Fund,

See. 7. Appropriation from the National Government. —The initial budget of the Commission
shall be sourced from the existing budget of the Department of Labor and Employment and the Overseas
Workers Welfare Administration,

Sec. 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations.— The Commission shall issue the implementing
rules and regulations within six (6) months from the effectivity of this Act.

See. 9. Separability Clause. — If, for any reason, any section, subsection, 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.

See. 10. Effectivity Clause. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication
in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,