Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
Third Regular Session

House BILL No. 11026

Introduced by Representative Crispin Diego “Ping” D. Remulla

PROVIDING FOR THE REINTEGRATION OF REPATRIATED OFWS INTO THE
PHILIPPINE WORKFORCE AND BUSINESS SECTOR
EXPLANATORY NOTE

Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) play a crucial role in the Philippine economy. Their
remittances not only support their families but also contribute to national development.
However, repatriated OF Ws, especially those due to job loss, health issues, or unforeseeable
circumstances, often face difficulties in reintegrating into the local job market or starting
business ventures as their new source of income. This difficulty may be due to not having a

vast support network or not having the resources to transition smoothly.

This measure secks to address the reintegration challenges of repatriated OFWs by
offering opportunities for employment or entrepreneurship. This measure will allow OFWs to
continue contributing to the Philippine economy and to continue contributing their skills,
expertise, knowledge, and experience to the local economy thereby fostering self-sufficiency

and economic growth.



In view of the foregoing, the approval of this measure is earnestly sought.

CRISPIN DIEGO “PING” D. REMULLA


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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
Third Regular Session

11028

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by Representative Crispin Diego “Ping” D. Remulla

AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR THE REINTEGRATION OF REPATRIATED OFWS INTO THE
PHILIPPINE WORKFORCE AND BUSINESS SECTOR:

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title. — This Act shall be known as the “OFW Reintegration Act.”

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. — The State recognizes its duty to secure the interests
and welfare of all Filipino workers, whether they be employed locally or abroad. As such, the
State acknowledges the necessity of enacting measures to ease repatriated OFWs back into the
Philippine workforce and/or business sector, as they may so choose, with the focus on putting
them back to self-sufficiency.

SEC. 3. Applicability. — This Act shall apply to all OFWs who have been repatriated,

whether they willingly resigned from their posts abroad or had their employment terminated.

SEC. 4, Business-Oriented Capacity-Building Training for OFWs. — The
Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), in coordination with the Department of Trade
and Industry (DTD, shall provide training for OFWs who are seeking to set up their businesses.

The training shall focus on the following areas:

a) Business conceptualization and the conduct of feasibility studies;


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b) Registration and all other administrative matters related to creating one’s own

business;

c) Safe and sustainable business financing;

4d) Business promotion/advertising/marketing; and

e) Service/product delivery.

‘The training shall also be a means for the OFWs to be assisted in finding and connecting
with mentors in the business sector, particularly those already established in the specific
industry that an OFW would want to venture into.

Prioritization shall be given to those OFWs with no background in putting together and
running/operating their businesses, especially those who will be going into single
proprietorship, with no seasoned business partners to rely on.

SEC. 5. Dedicated Financing / Loan Programs for OFW-Owned MSMEs. ~ The
DOLE, in coordination with the Department of Finance (DOF) and the Department of Budget
and Management (DBM), shall create new financing/loan programs that will exclusively cater
to OFWs, who are in the process of setting up their own MSMEs.

Such programs shall strictly be for those OF Ws with no existing MSMEs. OF Ws with
existing MSMEs shall be accommodated by DTI’s standing programs.

SEC. 6. Job Fairs for OFWs. — The DOLE, in coordination with the Department of
Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), shall
have a series of job fairs for possible employment opportunities for OF Ws in the private sector.

SEC. 7. Government Job Fairs for Civil Service Qualified OFWs. - The DOLE, in
coordination with the Civil Service Commission (CSC), the DILG, and the Office of the
Government Corporate Counsel (OGCC), shall have a series of job fairs for possible

employment of civil services qualified OFWs in the national or local government, its agencies,



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bureaus, offices, and instrumentalities, including government-owned and controlled
corporations (GOCCs).

SEC. 8 Implementing Rules and Regulations. — The Secretary of Labor and
Employment, the Secretary of Interior and Local Government, together with concerned
agencies, shall jointly promulgate the necessary rules and regulations required for the effective
implementation of the provisions of this Act.

In drafting the IRR, the Secretaries shall consult with public and private stakeholders
including:

a) The Civil Service Commission;

b) The Department of Interior and Local Government;

©) The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI);

d) The Department of Finance (DOF);

) The Department of Budget and Management (DBM);

f) The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA); and

2) The Office of the Government Corporate Counsel (OGCC).

SEC. 9. Appropriations. ~ The amount necessary to carry out the provisions of this
Act shall be charged against those authorized in the current and subsequent General
Appropriations Act.

SEC. 10. Separability Clause. — If any part of this Act is declared unconstitutional or
invalid, the other provisions not affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect.

SEC. 11, Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, orders, rules, and regulations or parts
thereof inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or amended accordingly.

SEC. 12. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following its
publication in the Official Gazette or in any major newspaper of general circulation in the

Philippines.


Approved,