A national reintegration fair became the backdrop for honoring three former overseas Filipino workers who successfully transitioned into the classroom through a joint government program designed to bring migrant workers back into the teaching force.
The Department of Education recognized Bryll B. Borgoños, Veronica Dungog, and Aylene M. Lara at the Bayanihan para sa mga Balik Manggagawa National Reintegration Network and Job Fair held April 6, 2026.
All three are beneficiaries of Sa ‘Pinas Ikaw ang Ma’am at Sir (SPIMS), a program run jointly by the Department of Migrant Workers and the Department of Education that helps former OFWs pursue teaching careers upon returning to the Philippines.
Ahead of the awarding ceremony, the three spoke about the difficulties they faced working abroad and the path that eventually led them back to their families and into a profession they had long aspired to enter.
Dungog, who previously worked in the United Arab Emirates before joining the program in 2021, credited both agencies for sustaining support through difficult periods.
“Salamat po sa DMW at sa DepEd sa ibinigay ninyong suporta, lalo na sa pangangailangang pinansyal at sa trabaho. Kahit noong panahon ng pandemya, hindi ninyo kami pinabayaan. Hanggang sa aking pagbalik sa bansa, patuloy pa rin ang suporta ng pamahalaan,” Dungog said.
SPIMS has so far extended opportunities to an estimated 11,000 former overseas workers. The program was strengthened under a directive from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. aimed at improving conditions for OFWs and expanding employment options available to them within the country.
