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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. 2713 
Introduced by Representatives Bryan B. Revilla, Lani Mercado-Revilla, and Ramon 
Jolo B. Revilla III 
AN ACT 
ESTABLISHING A COMPREHENSIVE, INTEGRATED AND SUSTAINABLE 
REINTEGRATION PROGRAM FOR OVERSEAS FILIPINO WORKERS 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) have long been hailed as modern-day heroes for 
their significant contributions to the Philippine economy through remittances and 
foreign exchange. However, despite their sacrifices and service, returning OFWs often 
face daunting challenges when reintegrating into Philippine society. These include 
difficulty finding employment, lack of support for starting a business, limited access to 
mental health and psychosocial services, and the absence of a streamlined, 
coordinated system for reintegration. 
The “Bagong Balikbayan Act” proposes the establishment of a comprehensive, 
integrated, and sustainable reintegration program for all returning OFWs, regardless 
of their employment status, location, or reason for coming home. The bill covers not 
only documented and undocumented workers but also sea-based and land-based 
workers, and those returning due to retirement, contract completion, or distressing 
circumstances abroad such as conflict, abuse, or economic instability. 
This measure aims to institutionalize a full-cycle reintegration approach that begins 
before an OFW’s return, continues through post-arrival support, and extends to long-
term economic and social inclusion. It empowers the Department of Migrant Workers 
(DMW), in coordination with the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), 
to take the lead in implementing programs that offer employment facilitation, skills 
recognition, access to civil service eligibility, and business development support. The 
bill also mandates the creation of digital systems—the Returnee-OFWs Management 
Information System (ROMIS) and the Reintegration Management System (RMS)—to 
streamline services and improve job matching and access to financing opportunities. 
Additionally, the measure strengthens inter-agency cooperation through the National 
Reintegration Network (NRN) and establishes physical and digital one-stop-shops for 
reintegration services. It ensures that no OFW, including the undocumented, is left 
behind and places particular emphasis on supporting vulnerable groups such as solo 
parents, persons with disabilities, and victims of trafficking. 
July 30, 2025
5:00 pm


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In reaffirming the right of OFWs to participate in policy decisions that affect their future, 
this proposed law seeks to transform migration from a matter of necessity into a matter 
of choice. 
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill – which was previously approved on 
third and final reading by the House of Representatives in the 19th Congress – is 
earnestly sought.  
  REP. BRYAN B. REVILLA 
REP. LANI MERCADO-REVILLA 
Representative, AGIMAT Partylist  
 Representative, 2nd District of Cavite  
REP. RAMON JOLO B. REVILLA III 
Representative, 1st District of Cavite


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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. 2713
Introduced by Representatives Bryan B. Revilla, Lani Mercado-Revilla, and Ramon 
Jolo B. Revilla III 
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, 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 well19 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: 


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(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 


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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. 


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(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 


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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 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: 


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(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 


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(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. – 


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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. 
 
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 


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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, 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,