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Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
Nineteenth Congress  
Third Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ______ 
Introduced by Representatives  
LORDAN G. SUAN, MICHAEL M. MORDEN,  
DALE B. CORVERA, and BIENVENIDO M. ABANTE, JR. 
AN ACT  
ESTABLISHING A FULL-CYCLE REINTEGRATION PROGRAM FOR OVERSEAS 
FILIPINO WORKERS (OFWs), ENSURING THEIR SMOOTH AND SUSTAINABLE 
TRANSITION BACK TO THE PHILIPPINES, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES  
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) are heralded as modern-day heroes, 
significantly contributing to the Philippine economy through their remittances, 
which totaled USD 36.14 billion in 2022, accounting for approximately 9% of the 
country’s GDP (Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, 2023). However, their sacrifices 
often come with profound economic, social, and psychological challenges. Many 
OFWs face exploitation, job insecurity, and challenges in reintegrating into 
Philippine society after returning home.  
The proposed “Full-Cycle OFW Reintegration Act” seeks to institutionalize 
a comprehensive reintegration program, addressing the needs of OFWs 
throughout the entire migration cycle: pre-departure, during employment 
abroad, and upon their return. This holistic approach is crucial for ensuring that 
reintegration is sustainable and empowers OFWs to make migration a choice 
rather than a necessity.  
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While OFWs significantly contribute to the national economy, they remain 
vulnerable to exploitation, mental health issues, and economic instability upon 
returning to the Philippines. The lack of a structured reintegration program has 
led to many returning OFWs facing unemployment, debt, or an inability to 
reintegrate into their families and communities effectively.  
Existing reintegration programs, such as those offered by the Overseas 
Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), provide limited assistance and often 
fail to cater to undocumented OFWs, who are particularly vulnerable. A 
comprehensive and inclusive approach is essential to address these gaps and 
provide equitable services to all OFWs.  
The Philippines, as a signatory to the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly, 
and Regular Migration (GCM), is committed to implementing migration policies 
that promote the safety and well-being of migrant workers. This bill aligns with 
Objective 21 of the GCM, which advocates for measures to promote sustainable 
reintegration for returning migrants.  
Studies have highlighted the importance of psychosocial and economic 
support in facilitating successful reintegration. For instance, the International 
Labour Organization (ILO) underscores the need for tailored reintegration plans, 
financial literacy training, and access to job opportunities as key factors for 
ensuring sustainable reintegration (ILO, 2021). These findings are echoed in UN 
IOM — A Handbook for Reintegration Programming in the Philippines, which 
outlines best practices for reintegration initiatives tailored to the Philippine 
context. 
The 
handbook emphasizes the 
importance of 
a holistic, 
multistakeholder approach that addresses the individual, family, and community 
dimensions of reintegration.  
Undocumented OFWs, who constitute a significant portion of the migrant 
population, are often excluded from reintegration programs due to their legal 
status. This bill ensures that no OFW is left behind, establishing mechanisms for 
the regularization of their status and equitable access to reintegration services. 
The proposed legislation aims to (1) institutionalize a full-cycle reintegration 
program that addresses the multidimensional needs of OFWs at every stage of 
the migration process; (2) establish a dedicated Reintegration Bureau within the 
Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) for the effective implementation and 
monitoring of reintegration programs; (3) ensure sustainable economic 
reintegration by providing access to skills training, job placement, and 
entrepreneurial 
opportunities; 
(4) 
prioritize 
psychosocial 
and 
social 


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reintegration, including access to housing, healthcare, education, and mental 
health services; and (5) extend reintegration services to undocumented OFWs, 
ensuring inclusivity and protection.  
The establishment of a Reintegration Fund, supported by government 
appropriations, private sector partnerships, and international development 
assistance, ensures the program’s financial sustainability. The institutional 
framework leverages the existing capacities of the DMW, OWWA, and Migrant 
Workers Offices (MWOs) abroad, enhancing their capabilities to deliver 
reintegration services effectively.  
The “Full-Cycle OFW Reintegration Act” underscores the State’s 
commitment to valuing and supporting OFWs throughout their migration 
journey. By institutionalizing a holistic reintegration program, this legislation not 
only addresses the immediate and long-term needs of OFWs but also empowers 
them to contribute meaningfully to national development upon their return.  
This bill is anchored on best practices and recommendations found in UN 
IOM — A Handbook for Reintegration Programming in the Philippines with an 
added emphasis on addressing the needs of undocumented workers  
In light of the pressing need for sustainable and inclusive reintegration 
solutions for OFWs, this bill’s approval is fervently sought.  
LORDAN G. SUAN 
MICHAEL M. MORDEN 
Cagayan de Oro City, 1st District 
Abante Pangasinan Ilokano (API) Party List 
DALE B. CORVERA 
BIENVENIDO M. ABANTE, JR. 
Agusan Del Norte, 2nd District 
Manila, 6th District 


Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
1 
Nineteenth Congress 
Third Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ______ 
Introduced by Representatives 
LORDAN G. SUAN, MICHAEL M. MORDEN, 
DALE B. CORVERA, and BIENVENIDO M. ABANTE, JR. 
AN ACT 
ESTABLISHING A FULL-CYCLE REINTEGRATION PROGRAM FOR OVERSEAS 
FILIPINO WORKERS (OFWs), ENSURING THEIR SMOOTH AND SUSTAINABLE 
TRANSITION BACK TO THE PHILIPPINES, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. — This Act shall be known as the "Full-Cycle OFW 
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Reintegration Act." 
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SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. — The State recognizes the invaluable 
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contributions of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) to national development and 
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is committed to upholding their fundamental rights. It is hereby declared the 
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policy of the State to: 
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(a) Provide comprehensive reintegration assistance to all OFWs,
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regardless of their documentation status, ensuring their smooth transition back 
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into Philippine society; 
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(b) Mainstream reintegration into all stages of the migration cycle, from
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pre-departure, through employment abroad, to return; 
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(c) Address the diverse needs of OFWs across economic, social,
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psychosocial, gender-responsive, and cultural dimensions; 
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(d) Ensure sustainable reintegration by empowering OFWs to make
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migration decisions as a matter of choice, not necessity; and 
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(e) Collaborate with stakeholders to design, implement, monitor, and 
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evaluate reintegration assistance programs. 
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SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. — For the purposes of this Act, the 
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following terms are defined as follows: 
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(a) "OFW" refers to any Filipino working abroad, regardless of 
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documentation status. 
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(b) "Undocumented OFW" refers to an OFW not registered with the 
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Philippine government or whose documents are incomplete or invalid. 
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(c) "Reintegration" is a multi-dimensional process enabling OFWs to re-
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establish economic, social, and psychosocial well-being upon return. 
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(d) "Full-cycle reintegration program" encompasses interventions starting 
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pre-departure, on-site support during employment, and assistance upon return. 
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SECTION 4. Institutional Framework. — (a) The Department of Migrant 
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Workers (DMW) shall serve as the primary agency for implementing the full-
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cycle reintegration program. 
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(b) A Reintegration Bureau shall be established within the DMW to 
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oversee program implementation, monitoring, and evaluation. 
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(c) Migrant Workers Offices (MWOs) abroad shall be strengthened to 
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provide reintegration counseling and support services to OFWs, including 
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undocumented workers. 
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SECTION 5. Reintegration Services. — (a) Pre-Departure: 
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1. 
Mandatory 
pre-departure 
orientation 
seminars 
covering 
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reintegration services and support for undocumented OFWs. 
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2. 
Financial literacy training for effective management of earnings and 
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future planning. 
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3. 
Family counseling on coping mechanisms for separation and 
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eventual reunification. 
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(b) On-Site Support: 
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1. 
Accessible support services through MWOs for OFWs in distress, 
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including undocumented workers. 
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2. 
Skills development and training to enhance employability upon 
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return. 
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3. 
Mechanisms for addressing exploitation and abuse, including 
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access to legal and psychosocial support. 
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(c) Upon Return:
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1.
Personalized reintegration counseling and case management for
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tailored reintegration plans. 
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2.
Economic reintegration assistance, including job placement,
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entrepreneurship training, and access to financing. 
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3.
Social reintegration support, including housing, documentation,
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education, healthcare, and social protection schemes. 
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4.
Psychosocial support services to address mental health concerns
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and challenges from migration. 
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5.
Special attention to vulnerable OFWs, including victims of
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trafficking, those with disabilities, and those with medical or psychosocial needs. 
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SECTION 6. Protection for Undocumented OFWs. — (a) No undocumented 
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OFW shall be denied reintegration services due to their status. 
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(b)
Mechanisms shall be established for the regularization of
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undocumented OFWs' status upon return to facilitate access to services and 
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benefits. 
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(c) Information dissemination campaigns shall inform undocumented
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OFWs of their rights and available reintegration support. 
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(d) A dedicated hotline and online platform shall be established for
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confidential assistance to undocumented OFWs. 
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SECTION 7. Reintegration Fund. — There is hereby established a special 
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fund to be known as the Reintegration Fund, which shall be utilized exclusively 
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for the purpose of supporting the reintegration of Overseas Filipino Workers 
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(OFWs) into Philippine society. 
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SECTION 8. Monitoring and Evaluation. — (a) The DMW shall develop a 
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monitoring and evaluation framework to assess the reintegration program's 
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effectiveness. 
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(b) Regular impact assessments shall ensure program responsiveness to
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OFWs' evolving needs. 
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SECTION 9. Appropriations. — The amount necessary for implementing 
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this Act shall be taken from the current budget of the DMW. Thereafter, the 
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amount necessary for the continued implementation of this Act shall be included 
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in the Annual General Appropriations Act. 
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SECTION 10. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — Within ninety (90) 
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days from the effectivity of this Act, the DMW shall promulgate the necessary 
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rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act. 
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SECTION 11. Repealing Clause. — All laws, presidential decrees, executive 
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orders, memoranda, circulars, and other issuances, or parts thereof, which are 
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inconsistent with the Act, are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
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SECTION 12. Effectivity Clause. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) 
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days after its publication in the Official Gazette, in a newspaper of general 
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circulation, or on a website provided for by law.
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Approved,