OWWA Offers Livelihood Program for Returning OFWs

The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) has been introducing new and upgraded programs for OFWs lately. There’s the OWWA scholarship program, which caters to OFW dependents. And now, there’s also an enhanced livelihood program for OFW returnees.

The “Balik Pilipinas! Balik Hanapbuhay!” (BPBH) program is designed for OFWs who have come back to the Philippines and are planning to set up a business. The program includes business training, a “starter kit,” and cash assistance — all they need to become entrepreneurs.

OWWA is now offering an enhanced livelihood program for returning OFWs.

Upgraded Livelihood Program for OFW Returnees

Previously, the BPBH program included training and PHP 10,000 worth of goods to “jump start” their business. This time, they have upgraded the program and added PHP 20,000 to the package. Notably, this program is different from OWWA’s “reintegration loan program,” wherein qualified OFW returnees can loan up to PHP 2,000,000 that would be paid back within seven years.

The BPBH Assistance Package includes:

  • Business development training
  • PHP 20,000 package assistance
  • Market linkages though the Department of Agriculture (DA) and Department of Trade & Industry (DTI)
The program includes business training and PHP 20,000 package assistance.

The BPBH program is offered to OFWs who are / have:

  • Members of OWWA (may be active or inactive)
  • Returned to the Philippines “for good”
  • Victims of illegal recruitment
  • Victims of human trafficking
  • Worked for employers beset by financial problems
  • Been displaced by war or conflict in another country
  • Experienced situations deemed “distressing” by OWWA

NOTE: The OFW must avail of the program within one year of returning to the Philippines.

The program helps returning OFWs to “jumpstart” their own business.

OFWs: “Be Your Own Boss”
“The essence of BPBH is to teach OFWs to be their ‘own bosses,’ hence teach them the value of ‘self reliance’ and eventually, ‘self-esteem,’” stated Hans Leo Cacdac, OWWA Administrator. “Hopefully they are able to change their own transformation from being OFWs into entrepreneurs.”

The livelihood program enables returning OFWs to “start anew.”

The BPBH program offers a great opportunity for returning OFWs to “start anew” in the Philippines. For more information about the program, visit the official OWWA website. Meanwhile, to learn more about OWWA membership and other concerns, check out these services offered by the Philippine Consulate and Overseas Labor Office in Dubai.

.

Comments are closed.