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| The City Government of Navotas signs a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) CAMANAVA, and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) CAMANAVA to establish a unified support system for Navoteño OFWs. (Photo Courtesy of DMW – National Capital Region) |
By Janna Marie Pineda
QUEZON CITY (PIA) — A four-pillar government convergence is revolutionizing support for Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in Navotas and their families by providing a unified pathway for reintegration and livelihood support.
“Alam naman po natin na dito sa ating lungsod, napakarami rin pong OFWs na hindi lang tumutulong sa kani-kanilang pamilya kundi sa ating ekonomiya,” said Navotas City Mayor John Rey Tiangco during the ceremonial signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on Monday, February 23.
(As we are aware, our city is home to many OFWs who contribute significantly—not just to their respective families, but also to our local economy.)
This collaborative effort among the local government unit, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) bridges the gap between overseas employment and sustainable local livelihood.
By aligning their programs, these agencies ensure that returning Navoteño OFWs are not only welcomed home but are also equipped with the skills and resources necessary to build a secure future for their families without the need for further migration.
Beyond local reintegration, this synergy also guarantees that OFWs receive comprehensive welfare support: from legal, financial, to social services, while abroad.
“The partnership reflects a strengthened whole-of-government approach aimed at delivering more accessible, responsive, and integrated services for Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and their families,” the DMW – National Capital Region highlighted in a statement.
The integrated services of the DMW for OFWs are categorized into three (3) pillars, namely Kalinga, Kaalaman, at Kabuhayan. Key programs under ‘Kalinga’ include mental health support paired with community-based activities aimed at ensuring the sustainable transition for OFWs as they reunite with their families and rejoin society.
‘Kaalaman’ pillar, on the other hand, consists of programs that are geared toward equipping OFWs with the practical tools and essential knowledge needed for a secure future, including training on financial management, investment security, fraud prevention, and entrepreneurial development.
Meanwhile, core programs under the ‘Kabuhayan’ pillar are available to provide immediate and long-term economic relief to returning Filipinos. By providing a combination of financial assistance, seed capital for micro-enterprises, and direct employment facilitation, this initiative ensures that OFWs do not just return home, but return to a stable and productive life.
Among the flagship offerings is a P10,000 livelihood grant under the Livelihood Development Assistance Program (LDAP), specifically designed to provide seed capital for undocumented OFWs.
For women OFWs intending to return to the Philippines for good, the “Balik Pinay, Balik Hanapbuhay” (BPBH) program offers a specialized “training-cum-production” intervention to help them establish and manage their own micro-enterprises.
Meanwhile, the “Sa Pinas Ikaw Ang MA’AM/SIR” (SPIMS) initiative provides direct employment facilitation for OFWs who are LET (Licensure Examination for Teachers) passers, allowing them to practice their profession in their home country.
Broadening the scope of these economic interventions is LIKHA, which introduces a competitive platform for start-ups and original business plans to foster innovation and entrepreneurship among the OFW community.
OWWA’s extensive portfolio of services complements these initiatives, ensuring that OFWs have access to a wide range of social and economic protections.
Furthermore, DOLE’s support strengthens OFW protection through enhanced referral systems and information-sharing protocols. This synergy ensures rapid response to distress cases, intensified anti-illegal recruitment campaigns, and seamless access to local reintegration services.
TESDA, for its part, remains committed to the global recognition of Filipino talent through the Overseas Assessment Program, expansion of dedicated assessment centers, and the newly launched TESDA Skills Passport. (JMP/PIA-NCR)
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