Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

Twentieth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 50

Introduced by Representative RAYMOND ADRIAN SALCEDA

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING THE BALIKBAYANI CENTER AS A ONE-STOP
REINTEGRATION HUB FOR RETURNING OVERSEAS FILIPINO WORKERS
(OFWs) AND OFW DEPENDENTS, PROVIDING FOR ITS IMPLEMENTATION,
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) are hailed as modern-day heroes, contributing an
estimated P1.87 trillion annually to the Philippine economy through remittances, supporting
millions of families, and strengthening the country’s foreign exchange position. Yet, upon their
return — whether by choice, crisis, or tragedy ~ many OFWs are met not by a system of care,
but by confusion, red tape, and disjointed government support.

This bill seeks to institutionalize the Balikbayani Center as a one-stop reintegration hub
for returning OFWs, patterned after the successful Malasakit Center model under Republic Act
No, 11463. Each Balikbayani Center will be strategically located in regional centers, with
emergency services available in major ports of entry such as NAIA, Cebu, and Davao to
provide immediate, consolidated, and dignified assistance to OFWs the moment they step back
on Philippine soil. Services will also be available for OFW dependents.

The core innovation of the Balikbayani Center is inter-agency co-location — bringing
together the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), the Department of Social
Welfare and Development (DSWD), the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), the
Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), the Department of Trade
and Industry (DTI), the Department of Health (DOH), and other agencies in a single service
window. This ensures that OFWs can access all their reintegration needs — livelihood support,
psychosocial services, emergency aid, training, and business support — without navigating
multiple agencies, forms, and queues.

The bill prioritizes labor-intensive and vulnerable occupations, such as domestic work,

caregiving, construction, and factory labor, in recognition of the greater reintegration needs of
workers returning from these sectors. It also mandates immediate support such as temporary

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shelter, transportation for family reunification, and food assistance — basic dignities too often
overlooked.

Importantly, the bill does not create a new bureaucracy. It leverages existing agency
budgets, particularly the OWWA Trust Fund and special purpose funds of DSWD and DOLE,
aligning with the rightsizing policy of government. The Department of Migrant Workers
(DMW) is designated as the lead implementing and rule-drafting agency.

The Balikbayani Center Act is a tribute to the hard work and sacrifice of Filipino
workers abroad. It tells every OFW: “Balik ka sa bayan ~ may gobyernong sasalubong.”
Through this bill, we make that promise real.

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

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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Quezon City

‘Twentieth Congress
First Regular Session

50

HOUSE BILL NO. _

Introduced by Representative RAYMOND ADRIAN SALCEDA

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING THE BALIKBAYANI CENTER AS A ONE-STOP
REINTEGRATION HUB FOR RETURNING OVERSEAS FILIPINO WORKERS
(OFWs) AND OFW DEPENDENTS, PROVIDING FOR ITS IMPLEMENTATION,
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

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 “Balikbayani Center Act.”
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy.— It is the policy of the State to recognize the invaluable
contribution of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) to national development. In line with this,
the State shall provide a coordinated, accessible, and dignified reintegration process for
returning OFWs by establishing Balikbayani Centers as one-stop reintegration hubs.
SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. — As used in this Act:

(a) Balikbayani Center refers to a one-stop shop established in designated locations to
consolidate the delivery of all necessary services to returning OFWs;

(b) Returning OFW refers to any Overseas Filipino Worker returning to the Philippines
upon completion or premature termination of employment;

(c) Documented OWWA member refers to an OFW with active membership in the
Overseas Workers Welfare Administration at the time of departure or return;

(4) Reintegration Services refer to support programs and interventions provided by the
government to help returning OFWs transition back to local employment, entrepreneurship,
skills development, psychosocial recovery, and family reunification;

(©) Vulnerable Occupations refer to categories of overseas employment that are
typically low-wage, labor-intensive, and prone to risk or abuse, such as domestic work,

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caregiving, construction, and factory-based labor; and

() OFW dependents refer to immediate family members of returning OFWs, including
spouse, children, or parents who may also require support services upon the OFW's return,
such as counseling, livelihood orientation, or educational guidance.

SEC. 4. Establishment of Balikbayani Centers. —

At least one Balikbayani Center shall be established in every region, with additional
Balikbayani Centers in major regional cities. Emergency Balikbayani Centers for arriving
OFWs in distressed situations shall also be established at the following locations:

(a) Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminals 1 and 3;
(b) Mactan-Cebu International Airport; and
(c) Davao International Airport.

Additional centers may be established upon recommendation of the Secretary of Labor
and Employment in consultation with the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration
(OWWA) and other concerned agencies. The Balikbayani Center shall follow the framework
and best practices under Republic Act No. 11463, or the “Malasakit Center Act of 2019,”
particularly in the co-location of services, reduction of red tape, and one-stop-shop operational
efficiency.

SEC. 5. Core Services. — Each Balikbayani Center shall co-locate and coordinate the
following services, including essential arrival support:

(a) Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) ~ Certification of eligibility
for reintegration services; provision of counseling, post-arrival orientation, and tracking of
repatriated members; and referrals for livelihood, training, and psychosocial programs as
provided under Republic Act No. 10801, or the “OWWA Act of 2016”;

(b) Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) — Release of Sustainable
Livelihood Program (SLP) grants and Aid to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS); provision
of immediate arrival assistance including temporary shelter referrals, transportation support
for reunification with families, and food assistance for the first 48 hours;

(©) Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) - Enrollment in Tulong
Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) and livelihood starter
kits;

(d) Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) — On-site
application for training with allowance and toolkits;

(c) Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) - Business startup assistance and referrals
to Negosyo Centers;

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(f) Department of Health (DOH) and concemed Local Government Unit (LGU) Health
Offices — Medical services, psychological debriefing, and health checkups; and Malasakit
Center services for OFW dependents; and

(g) Other government agencies as may be requested by OWWA or as may be directed
by the President, for the efficient delivery of reintegration support and public services.

SEC. 6. Eligibility. — All returning OFWs and OFW dependents shall be eligible to
avail of the services of the Balikbayani Center, with priority extended to those in labor-
intensive or vulnerable occupations such as domestic work, caregiving, construction, and
factory-based employment. Priority shall likewise be given to:

(a) Documented OWWA members;

(b) Repatriated OFWs due to abuse, labor violations, or crisis situations; and

(©) Victims of trafficking, contract violations, or other verified grievances.

SEC. 7. Implementing Agencies. — The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) shall
serve as the primary implementing agency. Each Balikbayani Center shall be headed by a
designated Center Manager under the DMW, with one-stop co-located agency desks manned
by permanent representatives from the concemed agencies.

SEC. 8. Inter-Agency Oversight. — A Joint Coordinating Committee shall be created,
composed of representatives from DMW, DOLE, OWWA, DSWD, TESDA, DTI, and DOH.
The Committee shall:

(a) Formulate unified protocols for reintegration service delivery;

(b) Submit quarterly performance and outcome reports to the Office of the President;
and

(c) Maintain a centralized dashboard to monitor all Balikbayani Centers.

SEC. 9. Appropriations. - The funding for the establishment and operation of
Balikbayani Centers shall be sourced from the existing budgets of participating agencies.

Thereafter, the maintenance and operations shall be charged against the regular budgets
of participating agencies, including:

(1) OWWA Trust Fund;

(2) Special Purpose Funds of DMW, DSWD and DOLE; and

(3) President's Socioeconomic Projects Fund, where applicable.

SEC. 10. Implementing Rules and Regulations. ~ Within sixty (60) days from the
effectivity of this Act, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), in consultation with all
concemed agencies and stakeholders, shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for

the effective implementation of this Act.

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SEC. 11. Separability Clause. — If any portion or provision of this Act is declared
invalid or unconstitutional, other provisions hereof shall remain in full force and effect.

SEC. 12. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, orders, rules, and regulations or other
issuances or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or
modified accordingly.

SEC. 13. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication
in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,

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