๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ โ The Department of Labor and Employment Regional Office VIII (DOLE-RO8) extended a multi-layered package of assistance to repatriated Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) during the Bayanihan Para sa Balikbayang Manggagawa spearheaded by the Department of Migrant Workers on April 15, 2026 at the Leyte National High School Gymnasium.
Graced by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., the event served as a large-scale reintegration initiative aimed at supporting returning OFWs through employment facilitation, livelihood opportunities, and social protection services.
Under the leadership of Regional Director Atty. Dax B. Villaruel, DOLE-RO8 facilitated the conduct of a job fair offering 664 local jobs from eight private establishments. 1,904 overseas job orders were also made available by the DMW through the participation of five recruitment agencies. A total of 76 applicants registered, with five (5) of them โHired-on-the-Spotโ (HOTS).
Among the successful applicants was 40-year-old Edna Tuscano, a former baker in Kuwait, who became the first HOTS of the day after landing a position as an English as Second Language (ESL) Teacher. Tuscano expressed her gratitude, noting that the opportunity allows her to remain in the country and be with her family.
“Nagpapasalamat po ako sa opportunity na ito, lalo na sa DOLE at DMW. Dahil dito nagkaroon ako ng trabaho at hindi ko na kailangang bumalik sa ibang bansaโฆ makakasama ko pa ang mga anak ko,” she shared.
DOLE-RO8 ensured that returning OFWs who were not readily placed in jobs still received meaningful support. A total of 54 repatriated OFWs were profiled as beneficiaries of the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged Workers (TUPAD) program, providing short-term emergency employment.
In addition, 12 OFWs were identified as potential beneficiaries of the DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program (DILP), through which they will receive livelihood start-up capital to establish sustainable income-generating activities within their communities.
The one-day activity brought together key government agencies in a unified โone-stop-shopโ platform delivering welfare, and economic services for returning OFWs especially those affected by the Middle East crisis.