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2015 NRCO YEAR-END REPORT

Program Highlights

LIVELIHOOD PROGRAMS

Livelihood Development Assistant Program (LDAP). The LDAP (formerly 10K Program), a livelihood program

intended to improve the socio-economic well-being of returning undocumented overseas Filipino workers (OFWs),

fared good in its implementation in 2015. Almost all regions accomplished more than 100% of their targets. Caraga

tops among the high performing regions with 408% (49 as against 12 target), followed by Region X (217%) and

NCR with 200%. Ingenuity, innovativeness and tapping of alternative means are among the major factors contrib-

uting to the high level of performance in the regions.

0%

100%

200%

300%

400%

500%

200%

100%150%

83%

192%

72%0%

175%118%100%109%139%

217%

100%100%

408%

LDAP % of Accomplishments

An LDAP beneficiary in

Region 7 poses beside

his hollow-block

products. Behind him are his workers and bar-

rio folks. In the left side

are Sr. LEO Eliza Lu-cido (in white) and RC

Dexter F. Paro.

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Balik Pinay! Balik Hanapbuhay! (BPBH). The program designed to provide training cum production skills for

distressed women OFW-returnees reached more beneficiaries than expected. Almost all (15 out of 16) of the

regions hit their targets and seven (7) of them accomplished more than 100% reflecting an overall regional rating

of 129% at the end of the year. This means, more distressed women OFWs (who were victims of human trafficking

and abuse by their employers) were provided with training and production skills to help them rebuild their lives as

they reintegrate back to their families and communities in the Philippines.

Balik Pinay! Balik Han-

apbuhay! starter kits for

turn-over to OFWs at Oza-

mis City Hall, Ozamis City.

0%50%

100%150%200%250%300%

133%100%

250%

100%107%

287%

176%

104%100%108%100%100%100%100%100%92%

12%

BPBH % of Accomplishment - end of 2015

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Small Business Management Training/ Financial Awareness Seminar (SBMT/FAS). The training component

of both programs (LDAP and BPBH) aimed at strengthening the values of savings and investment and providing

with skills on small business management training drew much interest among the immediate families of the OFW

returnees reaching out not just the OFWs but to their families as well. The year culminated with an astounding

184% (4,601 as against the target of 2,500) accomplishment. The training component is pre-requisite to the actual

awarding of starting kits in the form of tools and consumer goods.

LOCAL EMPLOYMENT

“Sa Pinas, Ikaw ang Ma’am/Sir” (SPIMS) Program. The program that provides local employment for our OFWs

who passed the licensure examinations for teachers (LET), the “Sa Pinas, Ikaw ang Ma’am/Sir”, attained 628 or

125.6% as against the target of 500 OFW application forms preliminarily evaluated and endorsed to DepEd, 365

of which were profiled & endorsed to PNU to be enrolled in the online refresher course. A total of 150 position

items were granted by DBM, 136 of which were accepted by OFWs complying DepEd requirements, fifty-eight

(58) teachers have started teaching. The OFW-teachers who were granted Teacher 1 positions will also receive

teaching kits worth PhP 10,000.00. Immediate evaluation of the OFW LET passer applicants’ profile and close

coordination between DOLE-NRCO and DepEd were significant factors to this accomplishment.

OFW-returnees from NCR-Ma-

nila acknowledge receipt of

starter kits granted by DOLE-

NRCO under the Balik-Pinay!

Balik-Hanapbuhay program

last May 2015. Tools and jigs

to be used to start a micro-busi-

ness enterprise were given after they underwent social prepara-

tion and skills training. Micro-

business range from health and

wellness services, food pro-

cessing, handicrafts, etc.

Meanwhile, under the LDAP or

Livelihood Development As-

sistance Program, OFW-re-

turnees also venture into micro-

business as rice retail, plant

seedling, school uniform tailor-

ing/dressmaking, mini-school

supplies store, etc.

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REINTEGRATION ADVOCACIES

Social Entrepreneurship. NRCO launched in June the Business Plan Competition for Seafarers dubbed as

“From Seafarers to Entrepreneurs: The 2015 NRCO-ISP Business Plan Competition (Harnessing Seafarers’

Capacities for Business Enterprises Development)”. The project aims to encourage and handhold seafarers

to venture into social entrepreneurship and support job growth in their hometowns. The Center partnered with

Integrated Seafarers of the Philippines (ISP), a non-stock and non-profit organization formed and established for

the welfare of Filipino seafarers and their families. Forty (40) entries were received and screened to come up with

the top ten entrants who underwent mentoring/coaching rounds to enhance and improve their business plans held

at OWWA Auditorium, Intramuros, Manila.

Gertrudes D. Baliclic of Region 1

was among the first 10 OFW-LET

passers who were given plantilla

position by DepEd. Ma’am Bali-

clic is now assigned as Teacher 1

in Barangay San Antonio

Elementary School, Pidlig, Ilocos

Norte.

The Final Round and Awarding Ceremony of the 2015 NRCO-ISP Business Plan Competition was attended by Department of Labor and Employ-ment (DOLE) Acting Secretary Ciriaco A. La-

gunzad III, Undersecretary Nicon F. Fameronag and other heads of agencies from the DOLE Family. Representatives from the Bureau of Workers with Special Concerns (BWSC), Labor Communications Office (LCO), International Labor Affairs Bureau (ILAB), DOLE-National Capital Region, Philippine Overseas Employ-ment Administration (POEA) and Overseas

Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) were

also in attendance.

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The final eight (8) proponents were Mr. William Gaspay (from NCR, Seaweeds Farming); Mark Antonio Mable/

Margaret Mable (RO III, GreenFood Aquaponics); Manuel Bernardo (RO, IV-A, Quail Farming); Edison Batalla (RO

VI, Dragon Fruit Farming); Jerome Yao (NCR, Healthy Foods); Agustin Bedia (RO VI, Shoes and Sandals Manu-

facturing); Jaime Forlales, Jr. (RO III, Sinangagan Food Business); and Mr. John L. Togonon (RO VI, organic

Fertilizer). The business plan entry of Mr. Gaspay won the grand prize of PhP 500,000.00, while the rest got the

consolation prizes of PhP 50,000 to PhP 10,000.00 each.

Grand prize winner, Mr. William Gaspay (center) receives ceremonial check of Php500,000 as grand prize winner for his business proposal, Seaweeds Farming. Captain Gaudencio “Jess” Morales of ISP, Integrated Seafarers of the Philippines sponsored the award for the grandprize winner.

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Round-table discussions. A round-table discussion on the establishment of reintegration network was conducted

in May at AMOSUP Convention Hall, Intramuros, Manila. It was participated by heads or representatives of agen-

cies, both from the government and private sectors, which have stake on providing reintegration services to the

OFW returnees and their families. The activity also gave opportunity for the stakeholders to market their services

available to the OFWs, especially to the returning ones. PhilHealth and Development Bank of the Philippines were

given the opportunity to discuss the benefits of their programs to the OFWs.

The RTD likewise served as venue for tackling issues and concerns that hinder reintegration services from reach-

ing to the OFWs. The heads of offices expressed support to the establishment or strengthening of reintegration

networks to make the delivery of services expedient and improve the referral system to provide the OFWs easy

and multiple access to all reintegration services.

Director Chona Mantilla, Director of NRCO (standing) with participants

during the RTD at AMOSUP. In the

group is Usec. Reydeluz Conferido,

who welcomed the participants for the

activity, Mr. Luther Calderon of

KAMPI, Ms. Chona S. Yap of Philhealth

Foreign Operations and Mr. Bansan C.

Choa, Housing Developers Assoc. Inc.

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The activity was replicated by at least seven (7) regions (CAR, III, V, VI, XI, XII and Caraga). In regional RTDs, the

partner agencies presented their services and were packaged by NRCO to be disseminated to the returning OFWs.

Island-wide consultation. One (1) island-wide consultation was conducted in Visayas-Mindanao areas where

NRCO and all stakeholders convened together to come up with more comprehensive inputs on savings, invest-

ment and other livelihood opportunities based on regional context. The activity is a follow through of the RTDs and

would pave the way for the conduct of the national reintegration summit which will be conducted the following

year.

The participants of the Island-wide Consultation include Visayas and Mindanao Regional Directors, Assistant

Regional Directors and Coordinators of DOLE, OWWA, TESDA and POEA; stakeholders from the International

Organization for Migration, KAAGAPAY OFW Resource Center Inc.,, PhilHealth, Social Security System, Com-mission On Filipinos Overseas, Unlad Kabayan, League of Municipal Planning and Development, representatives

from the local government units of General Santos City and Koronadal City, and the host region’s Reintegration

Coordinating Committee (RCC).

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TV and Radio Guestings. The NRCO engaged with media partners to intensify promotion of the Center’s rein-

tegration programs. In the past quarter, Director Chona M. Mantilla, Director IV of NRCO had guested in several

prominent TV and radio stations in the country. In her guestings at ABS-CBN, PTV4, ANC and radio station DZAS,

Director Mantilla highlighted what and how the returning OFWs, particularly the undocumented and distressed,

can avail of the Center’s (NRCO) reintegration services.

Mr. Edric Mendoza, ANC anchor (above) interviews Dir. Chona

Mantilla, Director IV of NRCO, promoting savings and invest-

ments to OFWs. (Left) NRCO promotes reintegration services

over DZAS at FEBC Radio through “Serbisyong OFW” with hosts Atty. Carlos Cao, Pastor Jo Biasong; and “Entrepinoy”

with Mr. Lemuel Reunir.

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Good news stories. In 2015, the Center has published in the website and posted on its Facebook Page 51 (more

than its target of 36) good news stories telling successful experiences of OFW-entrepreneurs, partnerships with

other reintegration services providers and provision of starter kits and trainings.

Overseas Reintegration Advocacy. NRCO has made initial efforts to extend info campaign overseas through

the POLOs. Thus far, three (3) POLOs successfully conducted orientation programs and info campaigns particu-

larly on SPIMS. There are plans, starting next year, to double the efforts of reintegration advocacy overseas

through collaboration with our partners in both the DOLE (POLOs) and non-DOLE (NGO, etc.).

Production of Investment Menu for Returning OFWs. The menu is a package of in-demand and viable products

and services which the would-be OFW-entrepreneur can choose from. NRCO has drafted a menu of franchising

opportunities for returning OFWs looking for productive investments after completing their overseas employment.

NRCO has established partnership with Association of Filipino Franchisers, Incorporated to come with menu of

options for entrepreneurs.

Byaheng Agri-preneur. Byaheng AGRI-

preneur” is a learning journey program for

OFW entrepreneurs or would-be entrepre-

neurs and their (OFW) families which pro-

vides opportunities for exposure visits and

experiential learning specifically in agricul-

tural business.

At least two (2) learning journeys were con-

ducted by NCR and Region IV-A partici-

pated by at least 50 OFWs and their fami-

lies. Seventy percent (70%) of them are

women. The participants visited Prime Bas-

ket Bio Integrated Farm in Tagaytay, where

they were oriented with the various ways of

Reintegration Seminar on ”Sa Pinas, Ikaw Ang Ma'am/ Sir” (SPIMS) program sponsored by Phil.

Embassy ,POLO and OWWA at Radisson Blu Hotel, Salwa, State of Kuwait on December 18, 2015.

Thirty (30) OFWs and families coming from Quezon,

Batangas, Laguna, Rizal and Cavite join the first learning

journey to Prime Basket Farm in Tagaytay on May 22, 2015.

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farm land cultivation, production of compost, suitable distribution of planting crops, raising farm animals and effec-

tive microorganism (EM1) as substitute for using chemical fertilizer.

Flyers for “Sa Pinas Ikaw ang Ma’am/ Sir”. NRCO was

able to print at least 10,000 copies of the flyer, which is

hoped to widen the reach of the information campaign and

help encourage the OFW-LET passers pursue their

dreams to become teachers and be the “Ma’am/Sir” in their

country, the Philippines. The same was also published on

social media.

BEST PRACTICES

The support of the media sector, local and overseas, and the POLOs in promoting the “Sa Pinas, Ikaw ang Ma’am/

Sir” Program, made the program prominent among OFWs especially those who passed the licensure exam for

teachers (LET), not just in Hong Kong but to the other parts of the globe. This positively influenced the influx of

applicants and for NRCO to meet the target. With regard to livelihood programs, the innovativeness of the Regional

Offices enabled them to produce outputs despite the long wait for downloading of livelihood funds pending the

approval of LDAP guidelines. Strengthened partnership with NGOs, PESOs, OWWA, OFC leaders, DSWD, PIA,

DA, LGUs, collaboration with suppliers (on provision of free skills training to OFWs) and ultimately, strong conver-

gence of DOLE-RCC are effective in ensuring high degree of success in program implementation. Despite all

these, there is still much room for improvement in terms of policy and program implementation, coordination and

linkaging with partners as well as fastracking approval of funds for downloading to the regional operations.

OTHER SUPPORT ACTIVITIES

Additional capability building activities for Regional Coordinators (RCs) were continually conducted. Selected RCs

attended trainings on video documentation sometime in March. The training aimed to equip the RCs with the basic

video documentation concepts and skills. The Center intends to replicate same training to the rest of the RCs in

the succeeding year. In partnership with ATIKHA, the Center (NRCO) held a trainors’ training on Financial Literacy

participated by the Reintegration Coordinators (RCs) last November in Tagaytay City. The RCs are expected to

develop a standard module on financial literacy contextualized on their respective region’s conditions and other

factors affecting adaptability of the modules.

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Policy Issuances. NRCO issued a guidelines on the implementation of Livelihood Assistance Development Pro-

gram (LDAP) in March. The guidelines lays down the streamlined process of the livelihood start-up assistance

program, cutting short the process cycle

time to ensure expeditious delivery of assis-

tance to OFW-clientele.

In May, NRCO was also able to fa-

cilitate the issuance of DO 142-15, other-

wise known as “Strengthening the Opera-

tions of the National Reintegration Center

for Overseas Filipino Workers (NRCO).

The Department Order emphasizes the role

of the Center (NRCO) along its collabora-

tion with partner agencies. It (DO 142-15)

likewise defines NRCO’s target clientele as

well as its functions and basic services un-

der the enhanced reintegration framework,

among which is to develop, tailor, and

evolve reintegration programs, services and

initiatives specific to the needs of returning

OFWs that will harness their financial capi-

tal with a view to contribute to the economic and social development of their families and communities. On the

pipeline is the “Balik Pinay! Balik Hanapbuhay!” proposed amended guidelines which will be submitted to the Sec-

retary of Labor for consideration.

Prepared by:

MR. REYNALDO SOLIVERES Sr.LEO, PPDD, NRCO-DOLE

Noted:

CHONA M. MANTILLA Director 1V, NRCO-DOLE