Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS,
First Regular Session

House Bill No__ 335

Introduced by Representative ROSE MARIE J. ARENAS

AN ACT PROVIDING FOR A NATIONAL REVERSE MIGRATION POLICY,
CREATING THE NATIONAL REVERSE MIGRATION COMMISSION, AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFORE

EXPLANATORY NOTE

According to the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, thirty three percent
(33%) of countries around the world were concemed the percentage of citizens living outside
their national territories was too high.' This number has been steadily increasing since 1976.”

‘This can be attributed to brain drain.

Brain drain is the departure of highly educated and skilled people from a country, and
is viewed as harmful to the economy.’ The loss of human capital in the fields of medicine,
science, engineering, management, and education can be a roadblock to economic and social
development.’ There are even studies which state that "remittances cannot compensate for a

country's loss of a significant portion of its best and brightest". When countries send out

*L. BASSARSKY, ET AL., UNITED NATIONS DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL
AFFAIRS REPORT ON INTERNATIONAL MIGRATION POLICIES: GOVERNMENT VIEWS AND
PRIORITIES 65 (2013).

21 BASSARSKY, ET AL., UNITED NATIONS DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL
AFFAIRS REPORT ON INTERNATIONAL MIGRATION POLICIES: GOVERNMENT VIEWS AND
PRIORITIES 65 (2013).

3 J BATALOVA ET AL,, FIRING UP REGIONAL BRAIN NETWORKS: THE PROMISE OF BRAIN
CIRCULATION IN THE ASEAN ECONOMIC COMMUNITY 14 (2017)

“"), BATALOVA ET AL., FIRING UP REGIONAL BRAIN NETWORKS: THE PROMISE OF BRAIN
CIRCULATION IN THE ASEAN ECONOMIC COMMUNITY 14 (2017)

5 JM. BRINKERHOFF, Diasporas, Skills Transfer, and Remittances: Evolving Perceptions and
Potential in CONVERTING MIGRATION DRAINS INTO GAINS: HARNESSING THE RESOURCES
OF OVERSEAS PROFESSIONALS 4 (2008), citing D. KAPUR, ET AL., GIVE US YOUR BEST AND
BRIGHTEST: THE GLOBAL HUNT FOR TALENT AND ITS IMPACT ON THE DEVELOPING
WORLD (2005).


highly skilled migrants, they lose the unforeseen economic impact that these individuals
provide in terms of increased productivity, the provision of public services such as health and

education, tax revenues, and improved quality of public discourse.°

In the Philippines, the number of Filipino migrant employees with university degrees
grew by almost seventy four percent (74%) from 2001 to 2011.’ We must nip this problem in
the bud, and stem the tide of brain drain before itis too late, through the creation of a circular
migration pattern.

The establishment of a national reverse migration policy would ensure our OFWs,
especially those who are highly skilled or professionals, would eventually come back to the
Philippines, and contribute more than just remittances to nation-building. OFWs have
developed globally-competitive skills, knowledge, resources, and connections over time
which should be used for the greater good of the country. Let us harness their expertise, as

well as human and financial capital, to create a better future for the Philippines.

This bill was first introduced by ANGKLA partylist during the 17” Congress,

3" District, Pangasianan

© JM. BRINKERHOFF, Diasporas, Skills Transfer, and Remittances: Evolving Perceptions and
Potential in CONVERTING MIGRATION DRAINS INTO GAINS: HARNESSING THE RESOURCES
OF OVERSEAS PROFESSIONALS 4 (2006); citing ¢. OZDEN, ET AL. INTERNATIONAL
MIGRATION, REMITTANCES AND THE BRAIN DRAIN (2005).

" J. BATALOVA ET AL., FIRING UP REGIONAL BRAIN NETWORKS: THE PROMISE OF BRAIN
CIRCULATION IN THE ASEAN ECONOMIC COMMUNITY 14 (2017).


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

$

House Bill No.

Introduced by Representative ROSE MARIE J. ARENAS

AN ACT PROVIDING FOR A NATIONAL REVERSE MIGRATION POLICY,
CREATING THE NATIONAL REVERSE MIGRATION COMMISSION, AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFORE.

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:
Chapter 1
General
Provisions

See 1. Short title, - This Act shall be known as the “Reverse Migration Act”.

See. 2. Declai
State:

ion of Policy. - The following are hereby declared to be the policies of the

(a) The State shall promote a just and dynamic social order that will ensure the
prosperity and independence of the nation and free the people from poverty through policies
that provide adequate social services, promote full employment, a rising standard of living,
and an improved quality of life for all;

(b) 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.
Towards this end, the State shall provide adequate and timely social, economic and legal
services to Filipino migrant workers;

(©) While recognizing the significant contribution of Filipino migrant workers to the
national economy through their foreign exchange remittances, the State does not promote
overseas employment as a means to sustain economic growth and achieve national
development. The existence of the overseas employment program rests solely on the assurance
that the dignity and fundamental human rights and freedoms of the Filipino citizens shall not,
at any time, be compromised or violated. The State, therefore, shall continuously create local
employment opportunities and promote the equitable distribution of wealth and the benefits of
development;

(4) The State shall give priority to education, science and technology, arts, culture,
and sports to foster patriotism and nationalism, accelerate social progress, and promote total
human liberation and development;


(e) The State shall develop a self-reliant and independent national economy effectively
controlled by Fi ;

(f) The State recognizes the indispensable role of the private sector, encourages private
enterprise, and provides incentives to needed investments; and

(2) The State shall promote comprehensive rural development and agrarian reform

See. 3. Definition of Terms. — Unless otherwise provided, the following terms shall have the
meanings hereinafter set forth:

(a) Commission shail refer to the National Reverse Migration Commission;
(b) DBP shall refer to the Development Bank of the Philippines;

(c) DFA shail refer to the Department of Foreign Affairs;

(4) DOLE shall refer to the Department of Labor and Employment;

(e) LBP shall refer to Landbank of the Philippines:

(f) NEDA shall refer to the National Economic Development Authority;

(g) OFW shall refer to Overseas Filipino Workers as defined in Section 3(a) of Republic Act
No. 8042, as amended;

(h) OWWA shali refer to the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration; and
(i) POEA shall refer to the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration.

Sec. 4. National Reverse Migration Policy. - The Commission must set a national reverse
migration policy which would take into consideration, among others:

1. Key development sectors in the Philippines such as education, agricultural, information
technology, engineering, and research and development;

2. Major development areas in the Philippines based on poverty levels and available
resources;

3. Major OFW classifications based on profession, income, educational background,

geography, or any other category germane to the development sectors and areas;

Primary needs of OFWs for a smooth reintegration; and

Necessary incentives including reduced processing time for registrations, licenses, and

clearances, or improved financing terms through low-interest rates and collateral free loans.

ye

5. Composition of the Commission. ~ The Secretary of Labor and Employment shall be
the ex officio Chairperson of the Commission. The ex officio members of the Commission shall be the
following officers, or their duly appointed representatives:

Secretary of DFA:
NEDA Director-General;

avewne

Landbank President; and


7. OFW Bank President.

There will be two additional members of the Commission from the private sector to be
appointed by the President of the Philippines representing the sea-based and land-based sectors
respectively.

The Commission shall also have an Executive Director who shall act as the Commission's
Secretary, and handle all administrative matters.

Sec. 6. Budget for Incentives and Project Costs. ~The annual budget for incentives and project
costs shall be sourced from the OWWA Fund, the funds of DBP, Landbank and the OFW Bank, as well
as the OFW Sovereign Fund.

Sec. 7. Appropriation from the National Government. The initial budget of the Commission
shall be sourced from the existing budget of the Department of Labor and Employment and the Overseas
Workers Welfare Administration

Sec. 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. The Commission shall issue the implementing
rules and regulations within six (6) months from the effectivity of this Act.

See. 9. Separability Clause. — If, for any reason, any section, subsection, clause or term of this
Act is held to be illegal, invalid, or unconstitutional, such parts not affected by such declaration shall
remain in full force and effect.

Sec. 10. Effectivity Clause. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication
in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,