‘Bagong Balikbayan Act’ passage sought

A House lawmaker appealed to the Senate on Sunday to pass the “Bagong Balikbayan Act,” a priority measure designed to institutionalize support for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) transitioning back to life in the Philippines.

Representative Jude Acidre, of the Tingog Partylist, urged the Senate to act on House Bill 6643 following its approval and transmittal by the House of Representatives in December.

The bill, principally authored by former Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez, aims to consolidate reintegration services, expand livelihood assistance, and provide a predictable support system for returnees.

Acidre, who chairs the House Committee on Higher and Technical Education, said the timing of the appeal is critical as many OFWs return home following the holiday season.

“Every first quarter of the year, we see OFWs come home with plans to rebuild their lives,” Acidre said. “This bill ensures they are not left to navigate that transition alone, but are met with clear pathways to work, livelihood and family stability.”