Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _________ 
Introduced by:  REP. SALVADOR A. PLEYTO, SR. 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
This proposed legislation aims to establish a comprehensive, integrated, 
and sustainable reintegration program for returning Overseas Filipino Workers 
(OFWs). This measure, which has seen several consolidated bills, including one 
known as the "Bagong Balikbayan Act," seeks to address the multifaceted 
challenges faced by OFWs upon their return to the Philippines. 
The bill's core rationale stems from the recognition of OFWs' invaluable 
contributions to national development, particularly through remittances. 
However, it also acknowledges that many returning OFWs encounter significant 
difficulties in transitioning back to local life, including finding employment, 
starting businesses, and coping with social and psychological adjustments after 
years abroad.  
The current systems are often deemed insufficient or short-term, leading 
to what is sometimes referred to as the "revolving-door syndrome," where OFWs 
are compelled to seek work abroad again due to a lack of sustainable 
opportunities at home. 
Hence, the general framework of this proposed legislation includes early 
intervention and preparation, which would ideally be initiated by migrant 
workers' offices approximately six months before an OFW's scheduled return, 
providing pre-departure orientation and planning assistance. 
Specific provisions for OFWs who return due to distress, illegal 
recruitment, job displacement, or health issues are provided, ensuring they 
receive necessary aid from agencies like the Department of Migrant Workers 
(DMW), Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), and the Department 
of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). 
August 5, 2025
10:25 am
3021


Various house bills related to comprehensive OFW reintegration have been 
consolidated and approved at the committee level in the House of 
Representatives. This indicates strong legislative intent to pass such a measure. 
Concurrently, the Philippine government has already taken steps to strengthen 
OFW reintegration efforts through administrative actions, such as the formal 
launch of the National Reintegration Network (NRN) in June 2025.  
This inter-agency network, chaired by the Department of Migrant Workers 
(DMW) and co-chaired by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), 
aims to provide coordinated support in line with many of the principles 
envisioned in this proposed House Bill. 
The passage of this House Bill into law would provide a more permanent 
and comprehensive legal mandate for these reintegration initiatives, ensuring 
their long-term sustainability and effectiveness in empowering returning OFWs 
to build fulfilling and productive lives in the Philippines. It underscores a shift 
towards viewing OFWs not just as remittance senders, but as vital human capital 
whose skills and experiences can be harnessed for national progress. 
SALVADOR A. PLEYTO, SR 


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _________ 
Introduced by:  REP. SALVADOR A. PLEYTO, SR. 
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 “OFW Reintegration Act 
of 2025.” 
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, psychosocial,
gender-responsive, and cultural dimensions, regardless of their
documentation status;
(b) Ensure such reintegration programs are customized to the needs and
skills of OFWs and mainstreamed throughout the migration cycle and
promote:
(1) Access to local employment, entrepreneurship, agriculture,
3021


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 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, 
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. 
 
(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); 
(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 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. 
 
 
      (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. 
 
(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 the 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 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; 
(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. – 
 


(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. 
 
 
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. – 
 
(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, 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. 
 
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. 
 
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, rules 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,