DMW eyes budget hike for OFW reintegration network

Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) returning home may soon find reintegration easier, as the government eyes a major funding increase and a centralized service hub to streamline support for migrant workers.

Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Cacdac said the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) is hoping for a 200 percent increase in the budget of the National Reintegration Center for OFWs (NRCO) equivalent to roughly P250 million in the upcoming National Expenditure Program.

"Let’s just pray because the National Expenditure Program hasn’t been released yet, but there’s a possible 200 percent increase in the budget of the National Reintegration Center… we keep our fingers crossed," he said.

Reintegration, according to Cacdac, refers to the permanent return of overseas Filipino workers to the Philippines, where they choose to remain for good while continuing to support their families and contribute to the national economy through local employment.

The increase comes with the creation of the National Reintegration Network (NRN), a multi-agency initiative that aims to consolidate government services under one roof.

Apart from DMW and OWWA, agencies that will be a part of the NRN include the Department of Labor and Employment, Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Agriculture, Department of Tourism, the Technical Educations and Skills Development Authority, Pag-IBIG Fund, National Commission on Muslim Filipinos, Department of Science and Technology, Overseas Filipino Bank, Social Security System, Philippine Pharma Procurement, Inc., PhilHealth, Department of Social and Welfare Development, and the Small Business Corporation.

The DMW Secretary said that the 10-story NRN building is expected to rise by August 2027 in the Occupational Safety and Health Center, Agham Road, Quezon City and will be built by the Department of Public Works and Highways. 

"While that’s not in place yet, we plan to set up a [temporary one-stop shop] at the office in Makati," he added.

The establishment of NRN is based on Article XII, Section 36 of the Implementing Rules and Regulation of Republic Act No. 11641 or the “Department of Migrant Workers Act” which aims to “strengthen societal stakeholders' coordination in the delivery of reintegration services, including but not limited to livelihood, microenterprise and employment assistance and referrals to returning OFWs.”

OWWA Administrator Patricia Yvonne Caunan said the NRN is also a direct response to long-standing complaints from OFWs about having to go from one government office to another to access different types of support.

The DMW also signed an agreement with the Commission on Human Rights to roll out programs benefiting OFWs, including human rights education, mobile legal clinics, quicker response to abuse cases, joint investigations, and inclusive policy consultations.