Dear Aileen, I am planning going back to my home country (Philippines) for good. Are there government programs that would be able to help me with my livelihood there? - Jennifer, Tsuen Wan

Dear Jennifer,

Yes! There quite a few opportunities for returning OFWs. Make sure you are up-to-date with your Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) membership payments so you can be eligible for the livelihood loans that they grant to members. 

Here are a few schemes you can look into:

1. Balik Pinas! Balik Hanapbuhay! Program

A package of livelihood support/assistance intended to provide immediate relief to returning member-OFWs (distressed/displaced) amounting to a maximum Php 20,000.00 as start-up or additional capital for the livelihood project.

Requirements:

a)    Application Form (with Undertaking that the cash assistance will be used solely for self-employment or for starting or expansion of livelihood project or business)

b)    Certificate of Entrepreneurial Development Training

c)    Business Plan/Proposal approved by RWO Director indicating sustainability/feasibility of the chosen livelihood undertaking

d)    Proof of repatriation or return to the Philippines (passport or travel documents, airline ticket)

2. OFW - Enterprise Development and Loan Program (OFW-EDLP)

Formerly known as OFW-Reintegration Program (ORP), is an enterprise development intervention and loan facility of OWWA, in partnership with Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) and the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP), intended to support enterprise development among OFWs and their families.

·       Interest Rate: 7.5% per annum for the entire duration of the loan

·       Loan Purpose: Working Capital and Fixed Asset Acquisition

·       Project Cost-Sharing: Borrower’s Equity: minimum of 20% of the Total Project Cost (TPC)

·       Loan Amount: The loan amount shall depend on project needs and amount of equity participation of the borrower

Qualifications:

·       OWWA member, active or non-active

·       Has completed Enhanced Entrepreneurial Development Training (EEDT)

·       OFWs working abroad, or about to leave may be represented by the following: If OFW is married, by the legal spouse
If OFW is single, widow, widower, or separated-in-fact: Parents not more than sixty (60) years old or Children who are at least eighteen (18) years old

3. Tulong Pangkabuhayan sa Pag-unlad ng Samahang OFWs (Tulong PUSO)

A one-time grant assistance in the form of raw materials, equipment, tools and jigs. and other support services, that aim to support the formation, enhancement, or restoration of livelihood projects/undertakings of OFW organisations. The amount of grant shall be based on the project requirement up to a maximum of P 1 million for OFW organisations with more than 51 members.

Requirements:

a. Application Form

b. Certificate of Entrepreneurial Development Training (for start-up/formation)

c. Copy of DOLE/SEC/CDA Registration

d. Certification from the Regional Welfare Office (RWO) Director that the OFC-applicant is a bonafide OFW group recognised by OWWA

e. Beneficiary Prole

f. Business Permit

g. Business Plan/Proposal (indication/showing that the proponent has an equity equivalent to at least 20% of the total project cost)

h. Board Resolution designating a Business Manage who is authorised to file/apply on behalf of the group/organisation

Check out the OWWA program for reintegration here: 

https://www.owwa.gov.ph/index.php/programs-services/reintegration