Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
Twentieth Congress 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. 2964 
Introduced by Representatives Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez, Yedda 
Marie K. Romualdez, Andrew Julian K. Romualdez and Jude A. Acidre 
AN ACT 
ESTABLISHING 
A 
COMPREHENSIVE, 
INTEGRATED 
AND 
SUSTAINABLE REINTEGRATION PROGRAM FOR OVERSEAS 
FILIPINO WORKERS 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Constitution states, under Section 3, Article XIII on Social Justice and 
Human Rights, particularly its sub-article on Labor, that "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." 
It further states that "it shall guarantee the rights of all workers to self-
organization, collective bargaining and negotiations, and peaceful concerted 
activities, including the right to strike in accordance with law. They shall be 
entitled to security of tenure, humane conditions of work, and a living wage. They 
shall also participate in policy and decision-making processes affecting their 
rights and benefits as may be provided by law." 
Hence, this Representation proposes this measure to give life and substance 
to these provisions of the Constitution by enabling overseas Filipino workers 
(OFWs) to access local entrepreneurial, educational, and employment 
opportunities should they decide to remain with their respective families here in 
the Philippines for good. This bill likewise includes the provision on security of 
tenure, humane conditions of work, and a living wage for OFWs through 
August 4, 2025
5:00 pm


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employment either in the government career service or in private enterprises 
known for upholding these essential employee benefits.  
This proposed legislation also provides former OFWs who are to be 
reintegrated into the Philippine domestic economy to participate in policy and 
decision-making processes affecting their rights and benefits under existing laws 
and under the provisions of this draft bill. 
The education, training, and experience gained by OFWs abroad must be 
put to good use in the development of our country. The State must, therefore, 
provide opportunities for "brain gain" through this bill, other legislative 
measures, and executive issuances. 
OFW welfare is the main objective of this measure. This proposed law 
seeks to provide them with benefits and incentives should they decide to invest 
in businesses in the Philippines, such as access to financial literacy training and 
seminars, as well as the needed capital to start their respective enterprises. 
During the 19th Congress, this measure was already approved by the House 
of Representatives on Third Reading. 
Thus, the passage of this measure is urgently requested. 
FERDINAND MARTIN G. ROMUALDEZ 
YEDDA MARIE K. ROMUALDEZ 
ANDREW JULIAN K.  ROMUALDEZ 
JUDE A. ACIDRE 


Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
Twentieth Congress 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. 2964 
Introduced by Representatives Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez, Yedda 
Marie K. Romualdez, Andrew Julian K. Romualdez and Jude A. Acidre 
AN ACT 
ESTABLISHING 
A 
COMPREHENSIVE, 
INTEGRATED 
AND 
SUSTAINABLE REINTEGRATION PROGRAM FOR OVERSEAS 
FILIPINO WORKERS 
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 “Bagong 
Balikbayan Act.”    
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. – The State recognizes the invaluable 
contributions of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) to national development and 
is committed to upholding their fundamental rights, including the right to equal 
opportunity, decent living, dignity, and participation in decision-making 
processes affecting their lives and well-being. Further, it is the declared policy of 
the State to: 
(a) Implement a comprehensive, integrated, and sustainable reintegration
program for returning OFWs, addressing economic, social,


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psychosocial, gender-responsive, and cultural dimensions, regardless 
of their documentation status; 
(b) Ensure such reintegration programs are customized to the needs and 
skill of OFWs and mainstreamed throughout the migration cycle and 
promote:  
(1) Access to local employment, entrepreneurship, agriculture, 
fisheries, aquaculture, and other livelihood opportunities;  
(2) Development of financial literacy programs; and  
(3) Attainment of economic self-sufficiency, social stability, and 
psychosocial well-being for returning OFWs and their families. 
(c) Foster conditions where migration is a matter of choice rather than 
necessity; and, 
(d) Collaborate with relevant public and private stakeholders in the design, 
implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of reintegration programs 
and assistance. 
 
SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. – As used in this Act, the following terms are 
defined as follows: 
 
(a) Full-cycle Reintegration Program refers to interventions starting with 
the pre-departure stage, on-site support during employment, and 
assistance upon return; 
 
(b) Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) refers to a Filipino who is to be 
engaged, is engaged, or has been engaged in remunerated activity in a 
country of which he or she is not an immigrant, citizen, or permanent 
resident or is not awaiting naturalization, recognition, or admission, 
whether land-based or sea-based regardless of status; excluding a 


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Filipino engaged under a government-recognized exchange visitor 
program for cultural and educational purposes; 
 
(c) Reintegration refers to a multi-dimensional process enabling OFWs to 
re-establish economic, social, and psychosocial well-being upon return; 
and, 
 
(d) Undocumented OFW refers to an OFW not registered with the 
Philippine government as an OFW, or whose documents are incomplete 
or invalid. An undocumented OFW is also known as an “irregular 
OFW”;  
 
SEC. 4. Applicability. – This Act shall apply to all returnee-OFWs, 
irrespective of their typology and status, including:  
 
(a) Land-based and sea-based OFWs; 
(b) Documented or undocumented OFWs; 
(c) OFWs who have been voluntarily or mandatorily repatriated, 
regardless of the grounds for such repatriation;  
(d) OFWs returning to the country due to retirement or upon the 
termination of their employment contract; and 
(e) OFWs returning to the country due to distressing circumstances in the 
host country, such as war or conflict, economic instability, abuse or 
exploitation, pandemics, natural disasters or diplomatic fallout. 
 
This Act shall also extend to OFWs who require targeted assistance, 
including senior or solo-parent OFWs. Furthermore, the families of returnee-
OFWs shall likewise be covered and benefited by the provisions of this Act, 


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subject to and as may be further detailed within the implementing rules and 
regulations promulgated hereto. 
 
SEC. 5. Access to Employment Opportunities and Qualification 
Recognition. – 
 
(a) Job Fairs. The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), together with 
the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) shall, in 
coordination with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), 
Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Trade and Industry 
(DTI), Department of the Interior and Local Government, Department 
of Education, Department of Health (DOH), Civil Service Commission 
(CSC), Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Public Employment 
Service Office, and in consultation with concerned business chambers 
and groups in the private sector, private enterprises recognized for 
ensuring security of tenure, humane conditions of work, and a living 
wage, and relevant Local Government Units (LGUs), plan and conduct 
regular series of job fairs in strategic sites and LGUs where there are 
significant presence of returnee-OFWs.  
 
These job fairs shall facilitate employment opportunities in: (1) 
The private sector; (2) The national or local government, including their 
agencies, bureaus, offices, instrumentalities, and government-owned 
and/or -controlled corporations (GOCCs), for civil service qualified 
OFWs; and (3) Academic and non-academic positions in public 
schools, and state colleges and universities. Such job fairs shall take 
into consideration the specific skills, credentials, eligibilities, and 
experience acquired by OFWs from working overseas.    


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(b) Expanded Employment Facilitation. The DMW and other concerned 
government agencies shall expand the employment facilitation offering 
for OFWs in the public, private, and development sectors based on 
progressive eligibility or qualification criteria, in partnership with the 
relevant national government agencies, the Private Sector Advisory 
Council, industry or professional associations, and other stakeholders. 
 
(c) Civil Service Eligibility. The CSC shall formulate guidelines to grant 
appropriate civil service eligibility to non-civil service qualified OFWs, 
based on the education, training, and experience they acquired while 
living or working overseas. 
 
(d) Skills and Academic Recognition. The Technical Education and Skills 
Development Authority (TESDA) and the CHED shall provide the 
necessary rules and regulations to grant pertinent national certification 
or appropriate degree diploma(s), respectively, recognizing the 
education, training, and experience OFWs acquired while living or 
working overseas. 
 
SEC. 6. Initiation of Reintegration Process. – The reintegration process for 
concerned OFWs shall be initiated by the relevant Migrant Workers Offices 
(MWOs) six (6) months before the intended return of the OFW to the Philippines. 
This process shall commence by providing access to four (4) paths for 
reintegration, namely: 
 
(a) Education, upskilling/reskilling/retooling/micro-credentialing 
(Kaalaman);  


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(b) Psychosocial and social support services (Kalinga);  
(c) Entrepreneurship (Negosyo); and,  
(d) Employment (Hanap-buhay). 
 
SEC. 7. Returnee-OFWs Management Information System (ROMIS) and 
Reintegration Management System (RMS). – 
 
(a) Establishment of ROMIS. The DMW shall establish and maintain the 
ROMIS, which shall serve as the primary information network and 
database containing information on the educational attainment, skill 
levels, and experience of all returning OFWs. The ROMIS shall 
function as a referral system to the private sector and government 
institutions to facilitate job matching, possible hiring, and/or skills 
upgrading. 
 
(b) Development and Function of RMS. Within the ROMIS framework, 
the DMW shall finalize the development and operationalization of the 
RMS. The RMS shall be an online system and platform designed to 
streamline the reintegration process for returnee-OFWs. It shall provide 
access to a range of services, including financial literacy programs, 
livelihood training, and access to funding opportunities. 
 
(c) System Objectives. Both the ROMIS and the RMS shall facilitate 
effective connections with government and private sector partners to 
ensure a smooth transition for returnee-OFWs back into local 
employment or entrepreneurship. The RMS shall further aim to provide 
efficient support for the holistic needs of returnee-OFWs and their 


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families, thereby seeking to empower them to reintegrate successfully 
and continue contributing to national development. 
 
SEC. 8. Institutional Framework for Reintegration. – 
 
(a) Lead Agency. The DMW shall, in coordination with the OWWA and 
the National Reintegration Center for OFWs (NRCO), serve as the 
primary agency responsible for the implementation of the full-cycle 
reintegration program. 
 
(b) Role of the NRCO. The NRCO shall function as the central 
coordination mechanism to: (1) Enhance participation of all 
stakeholders to achieve transformative, effective, and efficient delivery 
of services to returnee-OFWs and their families; and (2) Ensure the 
harmonized and synergized implementation of the full-cycle national 
reintegration policy and program.  
 
The NRCO shall design and institutionalize reintegration 
frameworks, strategies and standards that address the economic, social 
and psychological aspects of return, and shall lead the coordination of 
relevant government agencies, local government units, and partners 
from the private sector and civil society. Together with the OWWA, it 
shall implement reintegration programs and services in accordance with 
established plans, policies and guidelines. It shall maintain a centralized 
reintegration database, undertake policy and program research, and 
ensure that all reintegration initiatives are coherent, evidence-based, 
and aligned with national migration and development priorities. 
 


8 
 
(c) Role of MWOs and OWWA Overseas Welfare Offices (OWOS). The 
MWOs together with the OWOS located abroad shall be strengthened 
to enable them to provide reintegration counseling and support services 
directly to OFWs onsite, including undocumented workers. 
 
SEC. 9. Pre-Return and Reintegration Orientation Seminar (PRROS). – 
There shall be a PRROS to be offered by MWOs worldwide, similar in intent to 
pre-employment, pre-departure, and post-arrival orientation seminars, but 
concentrating on essential information for a returning OFW seeking to be 
reintegrated back into the Philippine economy and society. 
 
SEC. 10. Business-Oriented Capacity-Building Training. – 
 
(a) Provision of Training. The DOLE shall, in coordination with the DTI 
and the DA, provide Business-Oriented Capacity-Building Training for 
OFWs who are seeking to set up their businesses. 
 
(b) Training Focus Areas. The training shall focus on the following key 
areas: (1) Business conceptualization and the conduct of feasibility 
studies; (2) Registration and all other administrative matters related to 
creating one’s own business; (3) Safe and sustainable business 
financing, incorporating the DMW’s Financial Awareness Seminar-
Small Business Management Training (FAS-SBMT), which promotes 
financial awareness and provides training for the development and 
management 
of 
small 
businesses; 
(4) 
Business 
promotion/advertising/marketing; and (5) Service/product delivery. 
 


9 
 
(c) Enhancement of FAS-SBMT and Collaboration. The DMW's FAS-
SBMT shall have strengthened program coordination and shall expand 
its offerings. Pursuant thereto, the DMW shall collaborate with 
concerned national government agencies and stakeholders to provide 
co-opportunities for entrepreneurship development, incubation, 
marketing, and mentoring. 
 
(d) DA Agricultural Credit Policy Council Support. The DA's ACPC shall 
offer capacity-building support alongside its credit programs. The DA 
and its ACPC shall provide services specifically designed for those 
engaged in the agri-fishery sector. This support shall be made available 
to returnee-OFWs applying for ACPC's loan programs to assist them in 
acquiring the necessary skills and improving their business 
management. 
 
(e) Small Business Corporation (SB Corp). The SB Corp, a government-
owned and controlled corporation operating under the Department of 
Trade and Industry, shall support reintegration efforts by providing 
capacity-building programs and access to credit facilities. 
 
(f) Mentorship Facilitation. The training provided under this Section shall 
also serve as a means by which returnee-OFWs are assisted in finding 
and connecting with mentors in the business sector, particularly those 
established in the industry the returnee-OFW intends to enter. 
 
(g) Prioritization. Prioritization for participation in the training and related 
support under this Section shall be given to those returnee-OFWs with 
no background in putting together and running/operating their own 


10 
 
businesses, particularly those intending to establish a single 
proprietorship and having no seasoned business partners. 
 
SEC. 11. Components of Reintegration Services. – Reintegration services 
shall include the following components provided at relevant stages of the 
migration cycle: 
 
(a) Pre-Departure:  
(1) Mandatory pre-departure orientation seminars covering 
available reintegration services and support for undocumented 
OFWs;  
(2) Financial literacy training focused on management of earnings 
and future planning; and  
(3) Family counseling on coping mechanisms for separation and 
eventual reunification. 
 
(b) On-Site Support:  
(1) Provision of accessible support services through MWOs for 
OFWs in distress, including undocumented workers;  
(2) Opportunities for skills development and training designed to 
enhance employability upon return; and  
(3) Establishment of mechanisms for addressing exploitation and 
abuse, ensuring access to legal and psychosocial support. 
 
(c) Upon Return:  
(1) Provision of personalized reintegration counseling and case 
management to develop tailored reintegration plans;  


11 
 
(2) Delivery of economic reintegration assistance, including 
facilitation of job placement, entrepreneurship training, and 
access to financing;  
(3) Facilitation of social reintegration support, covering access to 
housing, documentation, education, healthcare, and social 
protection schemes;  
(4) Provision of psychosocial support services addressing mental 
health concerns and challenges from migration; and  
(5) Grant of special attention to the needs of vulnerable OFWs, 
particularly victims of trafficking, persons with disabilities, and 
those with specific medical or psychosocial needs. 
 
SEC. 12. Protection for Undocumented OFWs. – No undocumented OFW 
shall be denied reintegration services due to their status. Mechanisms shall be 
established for the regularization of undocumented OFWs' status upon return to 
facilitate access to services and benefits. Information dissemination campaigns 
shall inform undocumented OFWs of their rights and available reintegration 
support. A dedicated hotline and online platform shall be established for 
confidential assistance to undocumented OFWs. 
 
SEC. 13. Monitoring and Evaluation. – The DMW shall develop a 
monitoring and evaluation framework to assess the reintegration program's 
effectiveness and conduct regular impact assessments to ensure program 
responsiveness to OFWs' evolving needs. 
 
SEC. 14. Dedicated Financing and Loan Programs. – 
 


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(a) Development and Provision. The DMW and the OWWA shall, in 
coordination with the Department of Finance (DOF), the Department of 
Budget and Management (DBM), the DA, particularly its Agribusiness 
and Marketing Assistance Service (AMAS) and ACPC, Government 
Financial Institutions (GFIs), and qualified Private Financial 
Institutions, develop and provide dedicated financing or loan programs. 
 
(b) Purpose and Terms. These programs shall facilitate the establishment, 
operation, sustainability, or expansion of enterprises and livelihood 
projects, including Micro-, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises 
(MSMEs), owned by returnee-OFWs, under minimal and affordable 
terms and conditions. 
 
(c) Eligibility and Support. (1) The dedicated programs under this section 
shall primarily cater to returnee-OFWs with no existing enterprise or 
livelihood project. (2) Returnee-OFWs with an existing enterprise that 
is dismally performing shall also be eligible: Provided, That the DMW, 
OWWA, DOF, DBM, DA (through AMAS and ACPC), and GFIs shall 
provide financial and other support, including technical guidance, 
necessary to revitalize the undertaking. (3) Returnee-OFWs with 
existing enterprises deemed robust may be referred to the standing 
programs of the DTI for appropriate assistance. 
 
SEC. 15. Program for Qualified OFWs to Teach in the Academe. – The 
DMW shall, in coordination with the CHED and TESDA, provide a program to 
invite qualified and highly-skilled OFWs to teach in colleges/universities 
recognized by the CHED and/or in training centers accredited by the TESDA. 
 


13 
 
SEC. 16. Social Assistance Measures. – The DMW shall, together with the 
OWWA, the Department of Social Welfare and Development, and the DA, 
include returnee-OFWs as beneficiaries in their respective social protection and 
other programs.    
 
The DMW and OWWA, through their regional offices, shall encourage 
community engagements for returnee-OFWs and their families. 
 
All reintegration programs and services, including social assistance 
measures under this Act, shall be guided by the principles mandated under 
Section 17 of Republic Act (R.A.) No. 11641, otherwise known as the 
"Department of Migrant Workers Act", ensuring a multi-dimensional 
reintegration program that effectively addresses the economic, social, 
psychosocial and cultural aspects of reintegration. 
 
The implementing rules and regulations of this Act shall contain detailed 
and specific provisions on social assistance and protection to ensure that more 
OFWs are included in the various social protection programs offered by the 
government, the private sector, and non-government organizations (NGOs). 
 
SEC. 17. Right to Participate. – Former OFWs who are to be reintegrated 
into the Philippine domestic economy shall, as much as practicable, participate in 
policy and decision-making processes affecting their rights and benefits under 
existing laws and under the provisions of this Act. 
 
SEC. 18. Application of Anti-Age Discrimination Law. – 
 


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(a) Compliance Obligation. In the extension of services to former OFWs 
and in all matters concerning their local or domestic employment, all 
government agencies, GOCCs, and all private corporations, 
partnerships, sole-proprietorships, including NGOs and other kinds of 
private organizations, shall strictly observe and follow all provisions of 
R.A. 10911, otherwise known as the "Anti-Age Discrimination in 
Employment Act". 
 
(b) Monitoring and Coordination. The DMW and the DOLE shall 
constantly coordinate to monitor the plight and situation of all former 
OFWs employed in local/domestic jobs to ensure full compliance with 
the aforementioned law. 
 
SEC. 19. Psychosocial Support and Counseling. – The DMW shall, 
together with OWWA and the DOH, facilitate psychosocial support and 
reintegration counselling for returnee-OFWs and their families. 
 
SEC. 20. National Reintegration Network (NRN). – The NRN shall be 
established through formal partnership agreements with relevant government and 
private partner agencies. It shall serve to strengthen and institutionalize 
collaborative efforts aimed at ensuring the effective delivery of reintegration 
programs and services. The NRN shall facilitate convenient and seamless access 
to such services through the creation of both Physical and Online One-Stop-
Shops, wherein all relevant programs and services are integrated and made 
available on a unified platform. All government agencies and instrumentalities 
offering services to OFWs shall form part of the NRN. 
 


15 
 
SEC. 21. Creating/Upgrading Offices and Personnel. – The DMW and 
other concerned government agencies, upon consultation with and approval of 
the DBM, shall create or upgrade the necessary offices and hire appropriate 
personnel to ensure the effective implementation of this Act. 
 
SEC. 22. Non-diminution of Benefits. – All rights, privileges and benefits 
previously enjoyed by returnee or reintegrated OFWs before the effectivity of this 
Act, including those set forth in R.A. 8042, otherwise known as the “Migrant 
Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995”, as amended, R.A. 10801 or the 
“Overseas Workers Welfare Administration Act”, among other relevant laws, 
executive issuances, including pertinent Supreme Court decisions, shall continue 
to be recognized and shall not be diminished. 
 
SEC. 23. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – The DMW shall, together 
with the OWWA and the National Reintegration Center for OFWs (NRCO), 
promulgate the necessary implementing rules and regulations within ninety (90) 
days from the effectivity of this Act, 
 
The promulgation shall be made in coordination with the key government 
agencies mentioned in this Act, and in consultation with concerned GOCCs, 
especially those giving grants, extending loans, and providing technical 
assistance to MSMEs, and other relevant stakeholders in the private sector and 
NGOs. 
 
SEC. 24. Appropriations. – The amount necessary for the initial 
implementation of this Act shall be charged against the current year’s 
appropriations of the departments and agencies concerned. Thereafter, such 
amount shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act. 


16 
 
 
SEC. 25. Separability Clause. – If any provision or part hereof is held 
invalid or unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provisions not 
otherwise affected shall remain valid and subsisting.    
 
SEC. 26. Repealing Clause. – Any law, presidential decree or issuance, 
executive order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation 
contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, 
modified, or amended accordingly.    
 
SEC. 27. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. 
 
Approved,