THE DEPARTMENT of Education has launched a comprehensive initiative to reintegrate overseas Filipino worker (OFW) teachers and their families who were forced to return home due to the ongoing crisis in the Middle East.

Education Secretary Sonny Angara underscored DepEd’s commitment to providing immediate employment pathways and educational support for repatriated teachers and their children.

At the heart of this effort is the “Sa Pinas, Ikaw ang Ma’am at Sir (SPIMS) Program.” Since its inception in 2014, SPIMS has successfully helped 11,056 licensed teachers transition from overseas employment back into classrooms across the Philippines.

“Sa ilalim ng pamumuno ni Pangulong Bongbong Marcos, hindi namin kayo hahayaang mag-isang harapin ang mga hamong ito habang sinisikap naming gawing mas simple, mas mabilis, at mas madaling maabot ang proseso ng SPIMS,” Angara said, emphasizing government support for returning educators.

According to the Department of Migrant Workers, SPIMS’ comprehensive approach—including employment financial assistance for 8,047 teachers and online refresher courses for 521 others—has positioned the program as the government’s most effective reintegration initiative for OFWs.