The Manila Times
PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Wednesday led the rollout of the nationwide expansion of reintegration services to bring displaced overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) back into the local workforce. The president, accompanied by Education Secretary Sonny Angara and Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Cacdac, graced the “Bayanihan para sa Balikbayang Manggagawa National Reintegration Network (NRN) Regional Fair” at the Leyte National High School Gymnasium in Tacloban City. The reintegration program consolidates services from multiple government agencies to offer employment opportunities, livelihood assistance, and access to essential social services, providing comprehensive support to OFWs affected by the war in the Middle East. During the event, Marcos highlighted the “Balik Turo: A Hero’s Journey Home” initiative, a featured segment of the reintegration program held at Department of Education (DepEd) venues across the country. “Balik Turo” program featured teachers from the “Sa Pinas Ikaw ang Ma’am at Sir” (Spims) program who shared moving testimonials regarding their successful transition from overseas employment to positions in public schools. These educators highlighted how the streamlined Spims application process eased their anxieties and allowed them to continue their teaching vocation within their own communities. Since its inception in 2014, the Spims program, a collaborative effort with the Department of Migrant Workers, has integrated 11,056 OFW teachers into the DepEd system. The nationwide expansion of the NRN Fairs and Balik Turo program follows the successful pilot in Quezon City on April 4. Marcos has ordered government agencies to prioritize and ensure the safety and economic security of over 5,000 OFWs and their dependents recently repatriated from high-risk areas in the Middle East. DepEd is providing essential services, including a dedicated Spims Help Desk and on-site registration for Accreditation and Equivalency tests, during the weeklong NRN Regional Fairs. Families of OFWs can also access the Philippine Educational Placement Test registration and the Senior High School voucher program to ensure uninterrupted schooling for their children. The DepEd, through the Teacher Education Council, offers scholarships in priority programs and sponsorships for board exam review classes and professional licensing fees to support professional growth.
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