PAYBACK PROGRAM FOR THE EXPATRIATE FILIPINO WORKERS

WHEREAS, in these trying times for the expatriate Filipino worker, the government should not sit idly and do nothing;

WHEREAS, it is now payback time for the government;

WHEREAS, the heroic efforts of the expatriate Filipino workers should not go unreciprocated;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GLORIA M. ARROYO, President of the Philippines, by the powers vested in me by law, do hereby order:

SECTION 1. A program of full reciprocity for the heroic efforts
of the expatriate Filipino workers shall be carried out to help those
who might return home from their host countries that are now being buffeted by an economic crisis whose depth and scope is still unraveling.

SECTION 2. The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the
Overseas Workers’ Welfare Administration (OWWA) shall take the lead
in carrying out the government’s payback program for the expatriate
Filipino workers.

SECTION 3. The first component of this reciprocity program shall
be the setting up of a Filipino Expatriate Livelihood Support Fund in
the amount of P250 million to be financed by OWWA and supported by
government lending institutions. Displaced expatriate workers can access
the Fund to help capitalize startup businesses, finance further studies and training, or serve as seed money for any appropriate
economic undertaking.

SECTION 4. DOLE to draft the implementing guidelines immediately.

SECTION 4. The rules and mechanics of accessing this money shall
be simple and hassle-free. Returning expatriate workers shall not be
subjected to irrational rules and red tape.

SECTION 5. The DOLE and the OWWA shall coordinate with the
government’s economic and investment agencies to identify start-up
businesses that the returning expatriates can engage in.

SECTION 6. The second component of the reciprocity program shall
be the full government support in helping the returning expatriate
Filipino workers find remunerative jobs.

SECTION 7. Help desks that would match the skills, training and
experiences of the returning expatriate Filipino workers with local jobs
available shall be set up by the DOLE/OWWA in all provinces to make
the services easily accessible.

SECTION 8. A steady stream of online information about domestic
job vacancies also be made available to the returning expatriate workers
for free.

SECTION 9. For returning expatriate Filipino workers who want to
cross over to other countries that are in need of their skill and
talent, the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration shall carry
out a marketing blitz to expand the market for expatriate Filipino
workers.

Adopted: 04 Dec. 2008

(SGD.) GLORIA M. ARROYO
President of the Philippines  

BY THE PRESIDENT:

(SGD.) EDUARDO R. ERMITA
Executive Secretary