CEBU CITY, Philippines — Returning overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Central Visayas may soon find it easier to access government reintegration services as the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Region 7 and the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Region 7 strengthen their partnership through a new One Window Bayanihan Assistance Program (OWBAP) Referral and Tracking System.
The two agencies signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) on August 12, 2026, at the DTI Region 7 office in Cebu City, bringing DTI into an inter-agency system designed to make referrals for returning OFWs more coordinated and easier to track.
One digital entry instead of repeated referrals
Under the planned system, an OFW’s personal information and supporting documents can be submitted through a single-entry process. The request can then be digitally referred to the government agency responsible for the specific assistance needed.
The platform is also intended to allow agencies and case officers to monitor referrals and updates, reducing the need for workers to repeatedly provide the same information to different offices.
Importantly, the “one-window” approach refers to the integrated referral and tracking system, rather than the creation of one physical government office where every service is handled.
For returning OFWs and their families, the goal is to make the government assistance process more connected—from identifying their needs to directing them toward livelihood, employment, training, welfare and other reintegration programs.
DTI to connect returning OFWs to business opportunities
The partnership gives DTI a larger role in helping returning migrant workers explore entrepreneurship as part of their reintegration.
Through the agency’s Negosyo Centers, returning OFWs can be connected to business advisory services, training, market information and other entrepreneurship programs.
One program highlighted under the partnership is Kapatid Mentor ME (KMME), which provides mentoring and practical business guidance to aspiring and existing entrepreneurs.
This comes as the government expands efforts to help OFWs transform their overseas experience, savings and skills into sustainable livelihood opportunities at home.
Billions in financing also available for OFW entrepreneurs
The partnership also comes amid the rollout of the OFW Negosyo Fund, a DTI program implemented through the Small Business Corporation (SBCorp).
SBCorp says the fund was launched in March 2026 with ₱2 billion allocated to help OFWs start, sustain or expand businesses.
DTI-7 previously reported that the program offers loans ranging from ₱30,000 to ₱20 million, with financing intended for OFWs and their families seeking to establish or expand businesses. PIA reported that the program is a loan, not a grant, and applications are processed digitally through the SBCorp Money platform.
The financing initiative is part of a broader government push to support OFW reintegration, particularly amid disruptions that have forced some Filipino workers to return home.
Anti-illegal recruitment campaign gets another boost
The DTI-DMW partnership is not limited to livelihood assistance.
The agencies also plan to strengthen information campaigns on anti-illegal recruitment and trafficking in persons, with relevant awareness modules to be incorporated into DTI activities such as business forums, consumer networks and Negosyo Center engagements.
The move is significant because returning workers and prospective overseas workers may encounter both employment and reintegration challenges, making access to reliable government information increasingly important.
DMW’s referral network already covers multiple agencies
The new DTI partnership builds on an existing referral network established by DMW-7 earlier in 2026.
According to PIA, DMW-7 previously entered into agreements involving the provincial governments of Cebu, Bohol and Siquijor, the cities of Cebu, Mandaue and Lapu-Lapu, as well as regional offices of agencies including OWWA, DSWD, DOLE, TESDA and DOH.
The system is also being developed with Cebu Technological University (CTU). CTU confirmed that its College of Computer, Information and Communications Technology is providing technical expertise, research and development support for the OWBAP referral and tracking system.
What happens next?
The DTI and DMW have 30 days from the signing of the agreement to organize a technical working group that will prepare and finalize the OWBAP work plan for Region 7 and monitor implementation.
DTI-7 Acting Regional Director Esperanza T. L. Melgar said the partnership is intended to bring government services closer to OFWs and their families, particularly those returning home and looking for ways to rebuild their livelihoods.
The bigger objective is clear: instead of making returning OFWs navigate disconnected government programs on their own, agencies are working toward a more coordinated system where one referral can open the door to multiple forms of assistance.
For thousands of Filipino workers coming home from overseas, that could mean less time figuring out which government office to approach—and more time focusing on what comes next.
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