Department of Labor and Employment
National Reintegration Center for OFWs
Towards a more productive and sustainable, economic and community reintegration of OFWs
What is the National Reintegration Program for OFWs?
The National Reintegration Program promotes the productive and sustainable personal, economic, and community reintegration of OFWs.
How will this program be implemented?
This program will be implemented through the National Reintegration Center for OFWs (NRCO) – an attached agency under the Department of Labor and Employment established on 12 March 2007 pursuant to Department Order 79-07 issued on 16 February 2007 to effectively implement programs and services that will enable OFWs and their families to productively rejoin the mainstream of the Philippine society through education, capability enhancement, and linkaging and networking with stakeholders and service providers.
What are the legal bases for the creation of the NRCO?
The concept of a reintegration center for OFWs started in 1995 when RA 8042 of the Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act was enacted, which prescribes the establishment of a Re-placement and Monitoring Center for OFWs. Then in 1999, with the institutionalization of the Public Employment Service Offices (PESOs), the Philippine government mandated the provision of reintegration services for returning Filipino migrant workers at the local government units (LGUs).
Ten years after RA 8042 was passed, Executive Order No. 446 was signed on 12 July 2005, authorizing the Secretary of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to oversee and coordinate the implementation of various initiatives for the welfare of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs). Thus, by virtue of the Department Order NO. 79-07 issued by the DOLE the NRCO was created, primarily to develop, implement, and evolve progressive reintegration programs for OFWs and their families.
What is the main function of the NRCO?
Pursuant to the Department Order No. 79-07 the NRCO shall be a “One-Stop-Center” of reintegration services for OFWs and their families. It shall also be a “Service Networking Hub” to coordinate and facilitate the delivery of services by cooperating stakeholders/service providers to address the multifaceted reintegration needs of OFWs and their families, including the development of their communities.
Who are the main beneficiaries of the National Reintegration Program?
- Filipinos who intend to and/or leave the country to work abroad;
- Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and other Filipinos overseas;
- Returning OFWs; and
- Families of OFWs
What are the strategies to effectively implement the National Reintegration Program?
These strategies are implemented through a program framework that seeks to educate and enhance the capability of OFWs and link them to programs and services of cooperating stakeholders and other service providers that can address their reintegration needs.
OFW Education
To increase the level of awareness among OFWs and their families about the importance of preparing for the latter’s eventual return and provide them adequate information about the government’s on-going reintegration programs and services for OFWs and their families.
This shall be accomplished through the following:
- Pre-departure orientation seminars (PDOS)
- Pre-employment orientation seminars (PEOS)
- On-site education and training through Philippine Overseas Labor Offices (POLOs)
- NRCO information caravans/showroom
- NRCO assitance desk
- Educational campaign among OFW Family Circles, through Regional Focal Persons, LGUs, and PESOs.
OFW Capability Enhancement
To build the capabilities of OFWs and their families to engage in productive endeavors that will facilitate their personal, economic, and community reintegration. At the same time, through the following services, OFWs will be assisted in making informed decisions on where to invest their hard-earned money or savings abroad.
- Financial literacy orientations or counseling on savings or financial management
- Values formation seminars for OFWs and their families
- Business counseling and guidance for using remittances for productive investments
OFW Networking and Linkaging
Develop networks and linkages with other agencies, financial institutions and other entities to secure their effective cooperation for the identification or development of entrepreneurial opportunities or investment portfolios that will encourage OFWs and their families to engage in economic activities that will lead to their increase earnings and improved well-being. In line with this strategy the NRCO shall pursue the following activities
- Explore partnerships with specific institutions that could provide programs and services on the following areas: business formation, credit or financing, product marketing, as well as training, skills upgrading, and re-tooling;
- Development of OFW returnee’s database and directory of service providers/stakeholders in order to facilitate the matching of specific needs of OFWs vis-a-vis the actual services/programs of stakeholders; and service providers, and
- Migrant volunteerism projects which seek to encourage OFWs and other Filipinos who are still abroad to contribute and share their expertise, skills, and investible funds for the development of their communities; and
- Development and maintenance of the NRCO website with links to the different stakeholders and service providers.
Department of Labor and Employment
National Reintegration Center for OFWs (NRCO)
G/F Blas Ople Development Center for OFWs
Solana cor. Victoria Sts., Intramuros, Manila
Tel. (+632) 5280848
Email: nrcodole@yahoo.com
Website: www.nrco.dole.gov.ph
GHTime Code(s): 2d8bf
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