The House of Representatives has approved on second reading the proposed Bagong Balikbayan Act, which seeks to establish the Philippines’ first unified, full-cycle reintegration system for Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs).
House Committee on Overseas Workers Affairs chairperson Bryan Revilla said House Bill 6643 addresses the longstanding problem of fragmented reintegration programs across agencies. Lawmakers passed the measure via viva voce during Wednesday’s plenary session.
Revilla emphasized that reintegration remains the “most neglected phase” of the migration cycle, calling for a national strategy that begins even before an OFW returns home.
The bill is based on a four-pillar framework—Kaalaman, Kalinga, Negosyo, and Hanapbuhay—providing returning OFWs with skills recognition, education, psychosocial support, entrepreneurship and financing assistance, and expanded employment opportunities.
Reintegration efforts will now start six months before an OFW’s scheduled return, with Migrant Workers Offices abroad initiating the process.
“Tinitiyak ng panukalang batas na ang suporta ng gobyerno ay hindi lamang bago ang pag-alis, kundi habang nasa abroad, sa mismong pag-uwi, at hanggang sa kanilang muling pagbangon dito sa Pilipinas,” Revilla said.
“Pinaninindigan natin na ang pag-alis at pag-uwi ay dapat maging malayang pagpili, hindi bunga ng kakulangan ng oportunidad sa sariling bayan.”
The law also institutionalizes civil service eligibility for OFWs based on overseas experience, national certification and diploma recognition through TESDA and CHEd, nationwide job fairs, centralized OFW information systems, and the creation of One-Stop Reintegration Hubs. Undocumented OFWs will likewise have pathways to regularization and confidential support services.
“Sa Bagong Balikbayan Act, sisiguraduhin natin na paglapag pa lamang sa Pilipinas, agad nilang mararamdaman ang alaga, oportunidad, at direksyon para sa matagumpay na pagbabalik sa komunidad at kabuhayan,” Revilla added.