Committee on Migrant Workers Chairperson Senaor Raffy Tulfo urged his colleagues to support the immediate passage of Senate Bill No. 2423 or “The Bagong Balikbayan Act” which establishes a comprehensive, integrated, and sustainable reintegration program for returning Overseas Filipino Workers.
In his sponsorship speech for SB No. 2423 , Tulfo said that while the Department of Migrant Workers, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) and other concerned agencies have initiated steps to fulfilling their mandate to implement comprehensive national reintegration program under Republic Act No. 11641, he said that the current reintegration system remains fractured and there are still gaps to be filled.
“Marami pa ring nagbabalik na OFWs ang nauubos ang savings dahil sa maling investments at mapanlinlang na business deals.”
“Today, our National Reintegration Network (NRN) merely acts like an ‘emergency room’ rather than a recovery center. Marami pa ring nagbabalik na OFWs ang nauubos ang savings dahil sa maling investments at mapanlinlang na business deals,” the legislator said.
“May mga OFWs na kahit mataas ang naging posisyon at nagtamo ng special skills sa ibang bansa, pagdating dito ay either jobless or underemployed dahil sa maling job matching. Yung iba naman, umuuwi dito na may psychological trauma dahil sa masamang karanasan abroad kaya hindi na makapagtrabaho,” the lawmaker added.
The senator said the bill also seeks to institutionalize the existing mechanisms and programs being implemented by the DMW, in collaboration with other agencies, which have been proven effective and successful to ensure continuity of the program and proper funding.
Notably, SB No. 2423 mandates the initiation of the reintegration process at six months before the actual return of the OFW and recognizes 4 paths namely education, psychosocial and social support services, entrepreneurship and employment.
Likewise, the measure mandates the DMW to develop and maintain the Returnee-OFWs Management Information System (ROMIS) that will serve as a primary information network and database, and a referral system to facilitate job matching and hiring, and will also ensure access to employment opportunities through job fairs, expanded employment facilitation, civil service eligibility and skills or academic recognition.
Tulfo said the measure also provides business-oriented capacity building and trainings, on targeted areas, with opportunities for collaboration and mentorship facilitation, and priority will be given to OFWs without any business background but highly interested in putting up their own enterprise
It also mandates DMW and other concerned agencies, especially the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of finance (DOF) and other government financial institutions to develop and offer dedicated financing and loan programs that would help returning OFWs start their life in the country.
“Sa mga oras ng emergency, hindi dapat tayo nangangapa.”
“With escalating regional conflicts and shifting geopolitical landscapes, thousands of our kababayans face sudden displacement, unexpected job losses, and emergency repatriations. Sa mga oras ng emergency, hindi dapat tayo nangangapa. Hindi puwedeng temporary assistance lang ang ating maibigay – gaya ng one-time cash dole-out at food packs. We need a permanent, institutionalized safety net ready to receive them,” he said.
“Panahon na para bigyan natin ang ating mga Bagong Bayani ng pagkakataon na ipagpatuloy ang kanilang mga pangarap sa sariling bayan,” he concluded.
