Comprehensive OFW Reintegration Program Launched in HK

Consul General Antonio A. Morales (standing) welcomes colleagues, participants and guests at the launch of the Comprehensive OFW Reintegration Program (CORP) designed and implemented by Overseas Workers’ Welfare Administration and the National Reintegration Center for OFWS (NRCO), and Go-Earn-Achieve-Return and Uplift Philippines (GEAR-UP) at the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO)-Hong Kong in Wan Chai on 14 October 2018. (Hong Kong PCG photo)

HONG KONG 31 December 2018 – The Philippine Consulate General in Hong Kong launched a comprehensive and sustainable program, in collaboration with Filipino civil society organizations, to help overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) prepare and ultimately make the decision to return home and fit back into Philippine society on 14 October 2018.

Consul General Antonio A. Morales led officials, notably Labor Attaché Leonida V. Romulo and the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) in Hong Kong and the Overseas Workers’ Welfare Administration (OWWA), as well as a hundred workers and visitors to launch the joint Comprehensive OFW Reintegration Program (CORP) and Go-Earn-Achieve-Return and Uplift Philippines (GEAR-UP) program.

CORP was designed and implemented by OWWA and the National Reintegration Center for OFWS (NRCO). Meanwhile, GEAR-UP is a similar program designed at the grassroots level by the ATIKHA non-government organization.

The launch was intended to boost public awareness and participation among the stakeholders of the OFW Organizations of the Reintegration Preparedness Program, which focuses on assisting migrant workers achieve a “soft landing” on their return home from many years overseas as far as economic well-being and family cohesion are concerned.

The twin efforts are intended to prepare the returning workers through a step-ladder program, with the aim of changing behavior of OFWs toward saving, investing and entrepreneurship, explained OWWA Director Andrelyn Gregorio.

Director Gregorio said CORP intends to attract potential returnees, but also to inform even those who have yet to make that decision to go home of the many options for saving and investment back home that would benefit their families.

The launch was attended by representatives of various OFW partner programs, like PinoyWISE, Ateneo Leadership and Social Entrepreneurship Program, National Organization of Professional Teachers, Balkatan sa Kaunlaran, and Diwat Kabayan Benlife Society, as well as Banco de Oro and Bank of the Philippine Islands, and the media. END

For more information, visit www.hongkongpcg.dfa.gov.ph or https://www.facebook.com/PHLinHK/

Consul General Antonio A. Morales (middle), Labor Attaché Leonida V. Romulo, Assistant Labor Attache Ma. Nena G. German, Overseas Workers’ Welfare Administration (OWWA) Director Andrelyn Gregorio, NRCO Exeuctive Director Roel Marint, ATIKHA Deputy Executive Director Aileen Constantino-Penas, stakeholders, mentors, Filipino community leaders and workers at the launch of the Comprehensive OFW Reintegration Program (CORP) designed and implemented by OWWA and the National Reintegration Center for OFWS (NRCO), and Go-Earn-Achieve-Return and Uplift Philippines (GEAR-UP) at the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO)-Hong Kong in Wan Chai on 14 October 2018. (Hong Kong PCG photo)