The government on Wednesday, April 15, launched the nationwide expansion of a reintegration program designed to help overseas Filipino worker (OFW) teachers return to the country’s public school system. The initiative is part of broader efforts to support repatriated workers and provide sustainable employment opportunities at home.
President Bongbong Marcos and Education Secretary Sonny Angara led the rollout in Tacloban City, Leyte, under the Bayanihan para sa Balikbayang Manggagawa National Reintegration Network (NRN) Regional Fairs.
“Balik Turo” program brings teachers back to classrooms
A key feature of the initiative is “Balik Turo: A Hero’s Journey Home,” which focuses on reintegrating licensed Filipino teachers who previously worked abroad. The program is implemented through the “Sa ‘Pinas, Ikaw ang Ma’am at Sir” (SPIMS) initiative, which aims to place returning educators in public schools.
Angara said the program ensures stable employment for returning teachers so they no longer have to work overseas away from their families. He added that the initiative recognizes returning educators as modern-day heroes who deserve the opportunity to serve again in local classrooms.
The kickoff event was held at Leyte National High School, where teachers who previously worked abroad shared their experiences transitioning back into the Philippine education system.
Thousands of teachers already reintegrated through SPIMS
The Department of Education (DepEd) said the SPIMS program, in partnership with the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), has already helped 11,056 OFW teachers return to the public school system since 2014.
Returning teachers at the event expressed gratitude for the program, citing both career stability and the chance to be closer to family. DepEd also noted that regional reintegration fairs include services such as SPIMS assistance desks, accreditation and equivalency testing, Philippine Educational Placement Test (PEPT) access, scholarship support, board exam review assistance, and licensing guidance.
The expansion follows a pilot run held on April 4 in Quezon City, as the government continues efforts to support OFWs repatriated from various regions, including the Middle East.
