REINTEGRATION PROGRAMS IN THE PANDEMIC: ITS EFFECT AND CHALLENGES TO REPATRIATED OFWs IN GENERAL SANTOS CITY

The unprecedented pandemic brought a further challenge to Philippine migration, and during its earliest month, DOLE has documented a record-breaking number of repatriated, returning, and distressed OFWs. The study sought to understand the role of concerned agencies such as OWWA, DOLE, and NRCO in their reintegration mechanism, as this is a highly understudied aspect of migration. In connection to the primary agencies tasked for reintegration, it ventured on the significant role of the LGU - General Santos. The paper further assessed the effect and challenges of those programs on their livelihood, health, education, and psychosocial status, whether it was efficient, effective, sustainable, or convenient. This study utilized guide interviews for the Key Informant Interview (KII) and In- depth Interview through a qualitative research design. The mode of gathering the data is through snowball non-probability sampling. Data were interpreted and analyzed through thematic and content analysis. Findings show that government agencies have established programs and services for OFWs even before the pandemic. However, the pandemic restricts not only the budget but also the mechanism of implementing these programs. The LGU of General Santos has been helping in assessing, evaluating, and assisting distressed/repatriated OFWs in partnership with other agencies. But there is no intensified or comprehensive coordination among offices in implementing the program. Cash assistance provided became a band-aid solution rather than a sustainable one for repatriated OFWS. Despite the existence of a City Ordinance No. 29 series of 2018, its enforcement was not systematized by the executive and the implementing agencies. This is due to lack of data and profiling and coordination among LGU offices.