Philippines and DOT Launch New Investment Program to Empower Returning OFWs in Tourism Sector

Published on December 3, 2025

A new partnership between the Department of Tourism (DOT) ad the Department of Migrant Works (DMW) began on November 27 2025 . The DOT and DMW will attempt to provide assistance to the returned Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) by offering them an Investment in Philippine Opportunities for The Nation’s Tourism (IPON Tourism) program. The new program will build off of the previous program, the Balik Bayani sa Turismo in which the Department of Tourism initiated in January 2024. The aim of the new program is to assist the OFWs in the investment and ownership of tourism oriented businesses and properties and assist them in the sustainable and meaningful economic reintegration.

A Strategic Partnership for Sustainable Reintegration

The signing ceremony, held at the DOT Multipurpose Hall in Makati City, was a significant milestone in the government’s efforts to create pathways for OFWs to return to their home country not just as workers, but as entrepreneurs, business owners, and investors. Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco highlighted the dual importance of this initiative, explaining how it not only supports the reintegration of OFWs but also positions the tourism industry as a powerful driver of economic growth.

In her speech, Secretary Frasco emphasized, “Our workers abroad sustain families and local communities, while tourism generates jobs, supports enterprises, and drives regional growth. This signing brings these two pillars of our economy together so that returning OFWs can reintegrate into a sector that is expanding and full of opportunity and hope.”

Connecting OFWs to Expanding Tourism Sectors

The IPON Tourism program opens the door to investment in a wide variety of tourism-related activities and sectors, including accommodation, transportation, retail, and logistics. The program is designed to allow returning OFWs to become active participants in the expanding tourism industry through partnerships with key players like Duty Free Philippines, Hotel 101 Global, Archipelago Philippine Ferries Corporation (FastCat), DOON Transport Technologies Inc., and 2GO Express, Inc. These partnerships present an exciting opportunity for OFWs to reinvest their hard-earned money into businesses that have strong growth potential, while simultaneously contributing to the flourishing Philippine tourism sector.

Fostering Job Creation and Regional Development

By engaging OFWs as investors and business partners, the program aims to further stimulate job creation, particularly in rural and underserved areas. Tourism is one of the most important industries in the Philippines, and with OFWs at the heart of this initiative, the IPON Tourism program promises to boost both local economies and the overall tourism infrastructure.

The project also highlights the growing role of tourism-related businesses in job creation. As more OFWs transition from their roles as workers abroad to business owners and investors at home, they will be instrumental in creating a more diverse and dynamic tourism industry that encompasses not only traditional sectors like hotels and tour operators but also emerging sectors such as farm tourism, homestays, and culinary tourism.

Expanding the Balik Bayani sa Turismo Program

The BBST program now features several components designed to provide OFWs with comprehensive support. This expanded initiative offers training and livelihood opportunities alongside the financial pathways created by the IPON Tourism program. Through Tourism Livelihood Training, returning OFWs are equipped with vital industry knowledge and practical skills, enabling them to thrive in the tourism sector.

The first pilot training, conducted in Pangasinan in August 2024, successfully trained 41 OFWs in various tourism-related fields, such as homestay management, culinary arts, and tour-guiding. This initiative has since expanded to Isabela, Cebu, and Davao, where more OFWs are expected to benefit from the specialized training. The skills acquired through these programs provide returning workers with the tools they need to pursue long-term careers in tourism, thus creating a more resilient and diversified workforce.

The Teach-it-Forward Program: Sharing OFW Expertise

Another key component of the BBST program is the Teach-it-Forward Program, which honors the vast experience of OFWs by allowing them to become mentors in the tourism industry. This program gives returning workers the opportunity to share their knowledge as resource speakers and assessors, helping to elevate the quality of tourism-related services in the Philippines.

Creating a Sustainable Future for Filipino Workers and Tourists Alike

The collaboration between the DOT and DMW also demonstrates the growing recognition of the role tourism can play in uplifting OFW communities. By directly connecting OFWs to tourism-related opportunities, the program supports the creation of more jobs, enhances personal connections, and strengthens local economies. This is especially important for rural areas, where tourism can often serve as a catalyst for broader economic development.

Moreover, the success of this program may encourage tourism growth in emerging destinations across the Philippines, allowing both local communities and tourists to experience a more vibrant and diverse tourism offering. The increase in investment and business activity within the tourism sector will not only benefit OFWs but also attract international and local tourists seeking new and enriching travel experiences.

Building a Bridge Between Migrant Workers and Economic Opportunities

In his statement, DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac underscored the critical relevance of tourism to OFWs, highlighting that the industry provides more than just employment opportunities—it enables OFWs to build meaningful connections, create sustainable livelihoods, and contribute to the nation’s economy in a lasting way. “Tourism is an opportunity to further the OFW experience, to create livelihood and employment, and to strengthen, of course, our national economy,” Cacdac said.

Under the new MOU, the DOT is tasked with providing tourism-related opportunities, while the DMW will endorse qualified OFWs for tourism investment and livelihood programs. Meanwhile, private sector entities will present a wide range of opportunities for OFWs, including investment partnerships, business ownership, and entrepreneurial ventures.

A Vision for a Brighter Future

This partnership represents more than just a policy agreement—it’s a vision for the future of Philippine tourism, one that integrates the valuable contributions of OFWs with the growing demand for tourism services. As OFWs return home with new opportunities to invest in tourism, they are not only helping to shape the future of the industry—they are helping to transform the Philippine tourism landscape, making it more inclusive, diverse, and resilient.

By bringing together two of the country’s most vital sectors—remittances and tourism—the IPON Tourism program ensures that both returning workers and local communities benefit from the expanding tourism industry. This collaboration is a powerful reminder of the potential for the tourism sector to drive sustainable growth, foster innovation, and build stronger connections between Filipino workers abroad and their home country.

The Path Ahead: Empowering OFWs and Enriching Philippine Tourism

IPON Tourism is focused on sustainable reintegration, investment in training, and entrepreneurial opportunities. Joints efforts made by DOT and DMW are designed to cultivate and sustain a stronger and more inclusive Tourism Industry. Future Tourism Employment will no longer be limited to Overseas Contract Workers. Empowered Entrepreneurs will also transform the Tourism Sector and the Economy, one Venture at a time.