MANILA — For many overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), the hardest part of working abroad is deciding when to go home and what comes next. A bill approved by the Senate could make that transition easier.
The Senate has passed Senate Bill No. 2423, or the proposed Bagong Balikbayang Manggagawa Act, on third reading. The vote was 17 in favor, none against, and no abstentions, according to the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW). The House of Representatives had already approved its version on third and final reading.
A Fresh Start, Not an Ending
The bill would set up an organized, long-term reintegration system for returning OFWs and their families. It treats coming home as the start of new opportunities for a more stable future, not the end of a worker’s journey.
For OFWs who worry about income, jobs, or adjusting to family life after years apart, the measure aims to offer support in several areas:
- Guidance and care: Psychosocial support for OFWs and their families as they settle back home.
- Skills support: Education and skills development programs to prepare workers for new roles.
- Jobs: Employment facilitation to help returning workers find local work.
- Livelihood: Entrepreneurship programs for those who want to start or grow a business.
Details on eligibility and how to apply have not been released yet.
DMW: Support Should Continue Until OFWs Return
“The passage of the Bagong Balikbayang Manggagawa Act is an important step to ensure that our service to OFWs continues until their return,” DMW Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac said. He added that this support would come through care, knowledge, livelihood, jobs, and opportunities for OFWs and their families.
The DMW also thanked President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. for certifying the bill as an urgent priority measure.
Is It a Law Yet?
No, not yet. Although both chambers have approved the bill, these steps remain:
- Bicameral review: Lawmakers will reconcile any differences between the Senate and House versions. Both chambers will then ratify the final text.
- Presidential action: The bill becomes law once the President signs it, or if he does not act on it within 30 days of receiving it.
- Implementing rules: Agencies will then draft rules on how OFWs can access the programs.
OFWs planning their return can follow official DMW channels for updates as the measure moves forward.
