Quezon City: The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) on Saturday strengthened its partnership with 15 other government agencies to ensure more responsive reintegration efforts for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).
According to Philippines News Agency, a new National Reintegration Network (NRN) for OFWs was formed following the signing of a Joint Memorandum Circular (JMC) during the 30th anniversary celebration of the Migrant Workers' Day at the Occupational Safety and Health Center compound in Quezon City. Signatories of the JMC include DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac, Trade Secretary Ma. Cristina Roque, Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Officer-in-Charge Undersecretary Benjo Benavidez, and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Administrator Patricia Yvonne Caunan.
Other partner agencies involved are the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Agriculture, Department of Science and Technology, Department of Tourism, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, Social Security System, PhilHealth, Pag-IBIG Fund, Small Business Corp., Overseas Filipino Bank, National Cooperative Marketing Federation, and PhilPharma.
The NRN will be co-chaired by the DMW and DOLE, with OWWA as vice chair. Its establishment is based on the Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act 11641 (DMW Act), which aims to 'strengthen societal stakeholders' coordination in the delivery of reintegration services, including but not limited to livelihood, microenterprise and employment assistance and referrals to returning OFWs.'
Cacdac stated that the JMC aligns with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s directive for stronger inter-agency collaboration to ensure quick and efficient delivery of reintegration services for OFWs. Partner agencies will provide various services, including livelihood opportunities, employment facilitation, OFW Help Desks, health services, Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation, capacity building, training and upskilling, as well as the availability of PHP20 per kilo of rice and cheaper medicines.
With the establishment of the NRN, Cacdac is hopeful for a potential 200-percent increase in the DMW and OWWA's reintegration fund.
