Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 225

Introduced by Representative Crispin Diego “Ping” D. Remulla

AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR THE REINTEGRATION OF REPATRIATED OFWS INTO THE
PHILIPPINE WORKFORCE AND BUSINESS SECTOR

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Philippines continues to witness a significant influx of repatriated Overseas
Filipino Workers (OF Ws) due to various global crises. As of early 2025, over 1,569 OFWs and
68 dependents have been repatriated from Lebanon alone, due to escalating regional conflicts.
Additionally, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) reported that an average of
approximately 900 distressed OFWs return monthly in 2024. Furthermore, the Overseas
Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) in Central Visayas reported an increase in
Overseas Filipino Workers (OF Ws) seeking assistance for repatriation earlier this year.

Despite existing support mechanisms, the reintegration of our modern-day heroes into
the domestic workforce and the business sector remains a pressing concern. Many repatriated
OFWs encounter difficulties in securing employment or establishing sustainable livelihoods,
leading to economic instability and underemployment.

This proposed measure aims to support the smooth reintegration of repatriated OF Ws
by providing pathways to employment or business opportunities. It cnables returning OF Ws to
remain productive members of society by applying their skills, expertise, and experience to the
domestic economy, ultimately promoting self-reliance and driving economic development.


In view of the foregoing, the approval of this measure is earnestly sought.

CRISPIN DIEGO “PING” D. REMULLA


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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 225

Introduced by Representative Crispin Diego “Ping” D. Remulla

AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR THE REINTEGRATION OF REPATRIATED OFWS INTO THE
PHILIPPINE WORKFORCE AND BUSINESS SECTOR

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

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “OFW Reintegration Act.”

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. — The State recognizes its duty to secure the interests
and welfare of all Filipino workers, whether they be employed locally or abroad. As such. the
State acknowledges the necessity of enacting measures to ease repatriated OFWs back into the
Philippine workforce and/or business sector, as they may so choose. with the focus on putting
them back to self-sufficiency.

SEC. 3. Applicability. — This Act shall apply to all OFWs who have been repatriated,
whether they willingly resigned from their posts abroad or had their employment terminated.

SEC. 4. Business-Oriented Capacity-Building Training for OFWs. - The
Department of Labor and Employment (DOL

in coordination with the Department of Trade
and Industry (DTI), shall provide training for OF Ws who are secking to set up their businesses.
The training shall focus on the following areas:
a)
b)

Business conceptualization and the conduct of feasibility studies;

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


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¢) Service/product delivery.

‘The training shall also be a means for the OFWs to be assisted in finding and connecting
with mentors in the business sector, particularly those already established in the specific
industry that an OFW would want to venture into.

Prioritization shall be given to those OF Ws with no background in putting together and
running/operating their businesses, especially those who will be going into single
proprietorship, with no seasoned business partners to rely on.

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 OF Ws, who are in the process of setting up their own MSMEs.

Such programs shall strictly be for those OFWs with no existing MSMEs. OFWs with
existing MSMEs shalll be accommodated by DTI’s standing programs.

SEC. 6. Job Fairs for OFWs. — The DOLE, in coordination with the Department of
Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), shall
have a series of job fairs for possible employment opportunities for OFWs in the private sector.

SEC. 7. Government Job Fairs for Civil Service Qualified OFWs. — The DOLE. in
coordination with the Civil Service Commission (CSC), the DILG, and the Office of the
Government Corporate Counsel (OGCC), shall have a series of job fairs for possible
employment of civil services qualified OFWs in the national or local government, its agencies,
bureaus, offices, and instrumentalities, including government-owned and controlled
corporations (GOCCs).

SEC. 8. Skills Assessment and Certification. — The TESDA. in coordination with the
DOLE and other concerned agencies, shall conduct skills assessment and certification for
repatriated OFWs.

SEC. 9. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — The Secretary of Labor and
Employment, the Secretary of Interior and Local Government, together with concerned
agencies, 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 and private stakeholders
including:

a) The Civil Service Commission;

b) The Department of Interior and Local Government;

©) The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI);


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d) The Department of Finance (DOF);

©) The Department of Budget and Management (DBM);

f) The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA): and

g) The Office of the Government Corporate Counsel (OGCC).

SEC. 10. Appropi
‘Act shall be charged against those authorized in the current and subsequent General

ions. — The amount necessary to carry out the provisions of this

Appropriations Act.

SEC. 11. Separability Clause. — If any part of this Act is declared unconstitutional or
invalid, the other provisions not affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect.

SEC. 12. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, orders, rules, and regulations or parts
thereof inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or amended accordingly.

SEC. 13. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following its
publication in the Official Gazette or in any major newspaper of general circulation in the

Philippines.

Approved,