The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), in a steadfast commitment to the welfare of our modern-day heroes, successfully collaborated with the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and various government agencies for the “Bayanihan Para sa Balikbayang Manggagawa” National Reintegration Network (NRN) and Job Fair.
The initiative serves as a unified, whole-of-government response to provide immediate and long-term assistance to Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) displaced by escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.
Designed as a comprehensive “one-stop shop,” the event addressed the multifaceted needs of returning workers. By streamlining access to government resources, the NRN ensured that OFWs did not have to navigate complex bureaucracies during an already challenging transition.
Key services provided at the hub included:
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Job Matching & Employment: Connecting workers with local opportunities suited to their international experience.
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Livelihood Assistance: Providing the foundational support needed to start small businesses.
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Skills Training & Upksilling: Enhancing technical capabilities through specialized workshops.
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Psychosocial Services: Offering essential mental health and emotional support for returnees and their families.
A central feature of the event was the introduction of the NRN’s Harmonized Menu of Services. This framework integrates the programs of different agencies into a single, cohesive directory, ensuring that every returning manggagawa can find a tailored pathway toward economic recovery.
“Our goal is to transform the challenge of displacement into an opportunity for domestic growth,” DTI Sec. Cristina Roque noted. “By championing entrepreneurship, we are not just helping OFWs find a job; we are helping them become job creators within their own communities.”
The DTI remains dedicated to ensuring that reintegration is not merely a temporary fix but a sustainable journey. Through continued partnership with the NRN, the Department will focus on fostering sustainable livelihood pathways and ensuring that national reintegration initiatives remain responsive to the evolving needs of the global Filipino workforce.
