PHILIPPINES: The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has launched a ₱2 billion loan fund for Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) who want to start businesses in the Philippines, a move officials say aims to help returning workers rebuild their income amid global uncertainties, GMA News Online reported.
The program, called the OFW Negosyo Fund, will begin accepting applications on March 12, 2026, according to the DTI.
Officials said the initiative is designed to support OFWs who may suddenly lose their jobs abroad due to international crises, including the ongoing tensions in parts of the Middle East.
Contents
Fund Aims to Help OFWs Start Businesses
DTI Secretary Cristina Roque said the program seeks to provide returning workers with access to capital so they can establish sustainable businesses at home.
“We are committed to opening doors for OFWs ready to come home and invest in their own country, especially when external crises force their hand,” Roque said in a statement.
She added that access to financing is often the biggest challenge for workers trying to transition from overseas employment to entrepreneurship.
Through the government’s financing arm, Small Business Corporation (SBCorp), the fund will provide loans to help OFWs build businesses, hire employees, and support their families after returning home.
Loan Terms Offer Flexible Options
Under the OFW Negosyo Fund, qualified applicants can borrow between ₱30,000 and ₱20 million, depending on their business needs.
The program also offers several features designed to make loans more accessible for returning workers.
These include:
-
Grace Period: No payments on principal or interest during the first year for qualified loan products
-
Repayment Terms: Up to five years with flexible payment arrangements
-
Collateral: Not required for loans up to ₱5 million
Officials said these provisions are meant to ease the financial pressure on OFWs who may be adjusting to life back in the Philippines.
Program Introduced Amid Global Uncertainty
The government said the fund is also intended to help the country strengthen its economic resilience during global disruptions.
Recent geopolitical tensions have affected overseas employment in several regions, prompting some OFWs to consider returning home earlier than planned.
Authorities said programs like the OFW Negosyo Fund can help workers transition from overseas employment into local entrepreneurship.
How OFWs Can Apply
OFWs may apply for the loan program through several channels.
Applications can be submitted using the DTI-SBCorp Money App, available on Google Play and Huawei AppGallery.
Applicants may also apply online through the web portal at app.sbcorp.ph or register through the SBCorp website.
For those who prefer in-person assistance, the DTI said applicants can visit any of the 1,431 Negosyo Centers nationwide for guidance on loan requirements and business planning.
Officials said the program aims to provide OFWs with a practical pathway to build long-term financial security after working abroad.