By: Fr. Eugene Docoy, SVD

What is the Re-integration Program? The Re-integration Program aims at preparing migrant workers start a new life on their return to their home countries. The components of this program are Savings and Alternative Investments, Acquisition of Skills in the use of Computers, enabling them the use of different software like the Microsoft Office consisting of Word (a word processor), Excel (a spreadsheet), PowerPoint (for slide presentation), etc., also entrepreneurship (running business), auto mechanics and other livelihood programs.

This program that was launched at Galilea last September 2005, had solicited a good amount of interest from the Galilea community. This is the first group ever formed in Korea. A “savings group” was formed which agreed to contribute an amount that will be invested in the Philippines. The collection of the agreed amount is now ready for investment in the Philippines. This “savings group” has a set of officers headed by former Ansan Filipino Community (AFC) President, Manny Manongsong and is under my supervision.

The Re-integration Program was first launched in Hong-kong ten years ago and has since been adopted by many migrant groups in other countries like Taiwan, Indonesia, Japan, and Netherlands. This program was first introduced in Korea in 1998. Currently, there are a number of flourishing re-integration projects run and invested by migrant workers in the Philippines and Indonesia.

At the completion of the pioneering group of investors, another group of new investors shall be launched by the end of April or early May. All the investors and I, have high hopes in the success of this Re-integration Program. We have great confidence in its success. We are, therefore, inviting investors to join the future re-integration groups.