The Department of Tourism (DoT) is aiming to expand the number of Filipinos engaged in tourism-oriented businesses. In connection, thus, the agency recently sealed a partnership with the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) for the Investment in Philippine Opportunities for Nation’s Tourism (IPON Tourism) program, which would allow returning overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) to invest in tourism-related properties and activities as partners, owners, or entrepreneurs.

Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco said the partnership not only supports the sustainable reintegration of OFWs into the country but also reinforces tourism as a pathway to economic opportunities.

Bringing two pillars 

of the economy together

“Our workers abroad sustain families and local communities, while tourism generates jobs, supports enterprises, and drives regional growth. Today’s signing of our MoU, a continuation of our Balik Bayani sa Turismo program through IPON Tourism, brings these two pillars of our economy together so that returning OFWs can reintegrate into a sector that is expanding and full of opportunity and hope,” Secretary Frasco said after the ceremonial signing of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) with DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac last Friday.

Touted as the newest and most expansive component of the Balik Bayani sa Turismo (BBST) partnership launched in January 2024, the IPON Tourism program bridges the country’s OFWs with income opportunities in public and private sector entities from the accommodations, transportation, sales and logistics industries, among others.

The program’s investment partners include Duty Free Philippines, Hotel 101 Global, Archipelago Philippine Ferries Corporation (FastCat), DOON Transport Technologies Inc. and 2GO Express Inc.

Tourism continuosly expanding

“These partnerships show that the tourism industry is not only growing, but is continuously expanding its value chain so that our OFWs can participate as workers, mentors, investors, and small-business owners,” the Tourism chief added.

Balik Bayani sa Turismo Programs

Originally comprised of only two components, the BBST program now presents returning OFWs with more financial windows in tourism-related businesses to ensure that stable economic opportunities await their return to the country.

Tourism Livelihood Training

Part of this partnership is the rollout of the Tourism Livelihood Training, which equips returning OFWs with relevant information, industry knowledge, and practical skills that help them pursue meaningful and long-term careers in the tourism sector.

The capacity-building initiative spans tourism-allied industries, including homestay, culinary, farm tourism, tour-guiding, and micro-retail. 

Following its successful pilot run that trained 41 OFWs in Pangasinan in August 2024, more Tourism Livelihood Trainings are set to be rolled out in Isabela, Cebu and Davao this December.

Apart from this, the BBST also consists of the Teach-it-Forward Program, which honors the years of experience of OFWs by providing them the opportunity to mentor, assess, and share their knowledge as resource speakers and assessors in line with programs toward the development of Philippine tourism.