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ILOILO City – Returning overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Western Visayas are being encouraged to avail themselves of the livelihood program “Balik Pinas! Balik Hanapbuhay” (BPBH).
This livelihood assistance from the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) targets OFWs who have returned under “distress conditions”, said James Mendiola, officer-in-charge of OWWA Region 6.
They are specifically those who are active or non-active OWWA members displaced by hostilities or wars / political conflicts, policy reforms or changes by host governments, victims of illegal recruitment or human trafficking, or other distressful situations.BPBH also covers distressed wards at the Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Resource Centers who are due for repatriation; and OWWA-members with foreign employers beset with financial difficulties due to economic conditions such as the construction and maintenance companies in Saudi Arabia.
Mendiola also said the package of livelihood assistance has been converted to cash instead of a starter kit.
The package was increased from P10,000 to P20,000.
“Instead of starter kits, we can give out the cash directly so that the OFW can start a micro-business immediately,” said Mendiola.
Since July this year, OWWA already assisted around 100 returning OFWs in Western Visayas.
Aside from the cash aid, OWWA also provides entrepreneurship development training to jumpstart the returning OFWS’ business ventures.
OWWA also offers additional assistance to its member-beneficiaries by referring potential marketing linkages, and partnering with other government institutions such as the Department of Trade and Industry and the Department of Agriculture, among others. (PNA)
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