Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Secretary Silvestre Bello III said that the department has various reintegration programs that will help repatriated Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs).
In The Filipino Times’ live streaming on Facebook titled ‘Usapang OFW,’ the secretary said that one of these initiatives is the PHP20,000 cash assistance in line with the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA)’s social preparation programs for livelihood projects or community-based income-generating projects.
He added that this program has already helped various repatriated Filipinos to start their own eatery or catering service.
“Mayoon kaming livelihood initiatives under our reintegration program that is still ongoing. We can provide PHP20,000 for those who want to put up their own small business,” he said.
Bello added that they can also support those who want bigger capitals through providing PHP100,000 to PHP1 million cash as loans.
“Kung gusto nila ng mas malaking puhunan, makakapagbigay naman kami mula PHP100,000 to PHP1 million pero as a loan. Kaya kailangan din na pag-aralan talaga ng mga OFWs ang nais nilang pasuking Negosyo para hindi sila mapasubo,” he noted.
In addition, he said DOLE has also signed a memorandum of agreement with the Department of Education (DepEd) to initiate the Sa ‘Pinas Ikaw ang Ma’am/Sir (SPIMS) program. In this project, DepEd will prioritize OFW teachers who have returned or have been repatriated back to the Philippines in the hiring process.
“Ibibigay naming ang mga pangalan ng mga OFW teachers sa DepEd at sila ang priority pagdating sa hiring process. Ito ang aming agreement sa DepEd upang matulungan ang mga OFW natin na mga guro nan ais makapagtrabaho muli sa Pilipinas,” he said.
Documented OFWs will also be prioritized by OWWA in their education programs that provide scholarships for children of displaced OFWs.
Bello also confirmed the availability of BPO jobs for repatriated OFWs, stating that the agency, together with the IT and Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP), are fulfiling the increasing demand for manpower particularly for those with backgrounds in information technology and healthcare.
In addition, the department has also coordinated with construction companies to hire displaced OFWs in the ‘Build, Build, Build,’ program of President Rodrigo Duterte. “Nakiusap ako sa mga construction leaders not to mechianise their operations, but to instead manualize it to provide jobs for more OFWs. Pumapayag naman sila,” he added.
Repatriated OFWs who have a background in fishing, Bello added, can also be provided non-motorized fiberglass boats for livelihood.
