PHILIPPINES: Families of distressed Overseas Filipino Workers in Iloilo received P20,000 each in livelihood aid from the Department of Social Welfare and Development Western Visayas.
The assistance was given through the agency’s Sustainable Livelihood Program.
It is meant to help OFW families start small income sources while their loved ones abroad are facing hard situations.
According to the Philippine Information Agency, the grant was awarded to eligible dependents of distressed OFWs in Iloilo province.
The aid serves as seed capital, or starting money, for small businesses.
Small Stores to Help Cover Daily Needs
Among the beneficiaries were Maricel Chavez Miro of Barangay Palaciawan, Barotac Nuevo, and Ian Justin Animas of Barangay Dawis, Ajuy.
Miro plans to use the P20,000 grant to open a variety store.
Animas will use the money to start a sari-sari store.
Both said the aid would help their families earn extra income and cover daily needs.
For many OFW families, a sudden problem abroad can quickly affect food, school needs, bills, and other household expenses in the Philippines.
The grant gives them a way to earn while they wait for their family situation to improve.
‘Big Help’ for Families Facing Financial Pressure
Miro thanked DSWD for the livelihood assistance.
She said the grant would help ease their financial situation and support their other needs.
Animas also thanked the agency, saying the aid would allow him to start a business and support his child.
He said the grant would be a big help to his livelihood and would become an added source of income for his family.
The beneficiaries said the support came at the right time, especially as they work toward more stable family finances.
Aid Came Through OFW Serbisyo Caravan
The livelihood grants were linked to the OFW Serbisyo Caravan.
This is a multi-agency program that brings government services closer to OFWs and their families.
During the caravan, the Sustainable Livelihood Program National Program Management Office registered relatives and family members of distressed OFWs.
The list was then sent to DSWD Field Office 6 for assessment and verification.
This process was done to check if the applicants were qualified under existing rules.
