March 6, 2025 - Secretary Dante “Klink” Ang II of the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) participated in a virtual kamustahan and dialogue via Zoom with more than 40 Filipino Exchange Visitor Program (EVP) teacher participants based in Texas, USA. Filipinos rank among the highest in America’s search and recruitment of grade school and high school teachers though the EVP or J1 Visa Program, a training and cultural exchange program administered by the US government that allows international visitors to come to the US to teach, work, intern, train, counsel, and research.
The meeting provided an opportunity for the EVP participants to know more about the latest updates on the program implementation, including processes in the application for the “No Objection Statement” (waiver of the two-year home-residency requirement after training completion) and visa extension; as most of the participants are often offered employment by their host school or institution after the end of their training.
The Secretary affirmed his support to the participants saying “We (at the CFO) are here to help you,” and engaged in a live question-and-answer (Q&A) session with them. But he reiterated to the participants to fulfill their obligation after the completion of their training, which is to return to the Philippines and transfer to the home country, the skills and knowledge they have learned abroad, as this is the main goal of the program. After completing their two-year home residency requirement, EVP participants are free to pursue employment opportunities in the US or elsewhere. He also cited success stories of those who reintegrated back to the Philippines, some currently holding high position in the government. Moreover, the Secretary also shared that both CFO and the US Embassy in Manila, wanted to preserve the integrity of the program. Continued misuse of the J1 visa may lead to the closure of the program, which happened to other countries.
While some of the participants expressed concerns on the latest immigration policy of the Trump administration, reintegration, including available work opportunities for them when they return to the Philippines, the Secretary assured them that so far the US government is happy with the Philippine implementation of the program. He also said that he will meet with the officials of the Department of Education and the Civil Service Commission to see if a special work arrangement or program could be crafted especially for EVP returnees.
EVP participants also happily shared that they are treated well by their host schools/ institutions, compensation-wise and in terms of support to their well-being.
The Secretary congratulated and thanked the EVP participants for their dedication and hard work, participating in a program that promotes brain gain for Philippine development.
