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New program for OFW reintegration
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Posted on Oct 27 2006
The Philippine government has created a “Reintegration Secretariat” that will firm up the necessary approaches to successfully reintegrate OFWs into the country’s socio-economic mainstream on their return home.
DOLE Secretary Arturo D. Brion confirmed that the Philippine government “will bolster the existing reintegration program for the overseas Filipino workers with the creation of a Reintegration Secretariat,” according to a statement from the Information and Publication Service of the Department of Labor and Employment.
Brion said the objective of this program is “to further help the Philippines’ modern-day heroes upon their return home, following their productive work engagement in overseas economies.”
He said a holistic, three-dimensional approach would be implemented, in coordination with the Philippine Overseas Labor Offices around the world. It intends to assist OFWs and their families take part in the successful reintegration of returning overseas workers. The three facets of this proposed program include Community Reintegration, and Economic Reintegration, alongside the traditional existing program.
DOLE programs that have been helping returning OFWs find jobs back in the Philippines or reemployment overseas, or business, livelihood, and retraining opportunities will continue.
Community Reintegration, Brion said, would still be pursued in cooperation with local governments and relevant sectors. This program will continue to assist both returning OFW’s and those still working overseas, who aim to take part in the development of the Philippines.
Under the Economic Reintegration facet, the government will continue to improve the remittance channels for OFWs and encourage, as well as assist those so intending, to invest soundly and productively using their remittances or earnings, with government assistance.
Brion cited the efforts on the part of other agencies to assist the OFWs remit their hard-earned earnings, and reintegrate into the country’s mainstream.
