ILOILO City – Thirty-three former overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who were licensed professional teachers have returned home for a chance to nurture young minds in Iloilo’s classrooms.
Under the Department of Migrant Workers’ (DMW) “Sa ‘Pinas, Ikaw ang Ma’am at Sir” (SPIMS) program, these passers of the Licensure Examination for Teachers are now permanent educators in the local public school system.
In a ceremony at the historic Casa Real, each teacher received P20,000 in financial aid to support their professional transition.
The program, conducted in partnership with the Public Employment Services Office (PESO) of the Iloilo provincial government, is part of a broader reintegration strategy to empower returning OFWs who seek to permanently serve their communities.
DMW Western Visayas director Glenda Aligonza and Provincial Administrator Raul Banias led the turnover.
According to PESO officer-in-charge Dr. Cynthia Dario, the teachers were prioritized for the program and are starting their local careers as Master Teacher I.
Returning home is not an easy decision, especially when weighed against the opportunities and comforts abroad, said Dario.
But these teachers have shown commitment to their communities, choosing to serve the next generation of Ilonggos, she said.
Aside from honoring the contributions of migrant workers, the SPIMS program also ensures that their expertise enriches local communities./PN
