By Brian Campued
In line with his directive that no Filipino should be left behind amid the impact of the geopolitical conflicts in the Middle East, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Wednesday led the regional rollout of the “Bayanihan Para sa Balikbayang Manggagawa National Reintegration Network” (BBM-NRN) in Tacloban City, Leyte.
The initiative brings together key government agencies and private sector partners at a single venue, providing a one-stop hub for returning overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) to access employment opportunities, livelihood support, and essential government services.
Led by the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), the reintegration fair at the Leyte National High School Gymnasium offered services including medical assistance, psychosocial counseling, livelihood support, employment facilitation, and skills training.
Around 2,500 local and overseas job opportunities were also made available through government programs in partnership with private recruitment agencies.
Aside from the DMW, participating agencies included the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), Department of Education (DepEd), Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Information and Communications Technology, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, Department of Labor and Employment, Department of Health, and Department of Trade and Industry, among others.
In a speech at the oath-taking of 2,121 newly promoted educators and principals in Eastern Visayas, the President underscored the government’s commitment to helping OFWs reintegrate, particularly licensed teachers who wish to practice their profession in the country through the “Sa ‘Pinas, Ikaw ang Ma’am at Sir” (SPIMS) reintegration program—a joint effort of the DMW and DepEd.
“Layunin ng SPIMS ang tulungan ang mga Filipino OFWs na makapasa sa Licensure Examination for Teachers nang sila’y makapagtrabaho sa ating mga pampublikong paaralan,” Marcos said.
“Sila ay makakatulong sa paglutas ng teacher shortage sa bansa. Tiyak ko po na ang inyong karanasan sa labas ng bansa ay magiging dagdag-lakas sa ating sistema,” he added.
First launched in Quezon City on April 6, the BBM-NRN is anchored in three pillars, namely “Kalinga” (welfare), “Kaalaman” (education), and “Kabuhayan” (livelihood)—highlighting a whole-of-government, whole-of-nation approach to help OFWs in their journey, not just back to the country but also to society.
During the inspection of the reintegration fair, Marcos was accompanied by DMW Sec. Hans Leo Cacdac, OWWA Administrator PY Caunan, DepEd Sec. Sonny Angara, and CHED Chair Shirley Agrupis.
In a Facebook post, Caunan said that through their Balik Pinas, Balik Hanapbuhay (BPBH) Program, livelihood grants were given to 27 OFWs to help those interested in starting a business in the country.
“Hindi nagtatapos sa repatriation ang tulong mula sa OWWA at sa ibang ahensiya ng gobyerno… Mula sa pag-uwi, tungo sa panibagong simula. Patuloy ang serbisyo. Tuloy ang pagbangon,” Caunan said.
According to the latest government data, at least 5,400 OFWs and their dependents affected by the crisis in the Middle East have returned to the Philippines since the government commenced its repatriation efforts in February.
-jpv
