Empowering Reintegration Program for OFWs: A Path to Success Back Home

 

OFWs are often called modern-day heroes for a reason. Their sacrifices go beyond just being away from their families—they take on immense risks and challenges to provide their loved ones with a comfortable and stable life. Despite the emotional burden of being apart for long periods, they endure hardships to secure better opportunities that can uplift their family’s financial situation. However, when the time comes to return home, many OFWs struggle with the transition, which is why a strong reintegration program is essential in helping them rebuild their lives in the Philippines.

Beyond supporting their own households, OFWs also play a crucial role in the country’s economic growth. The remittances they send contribute significantly to the nation’s economy, helping sustain various industries and improving the overall financial landscape of the Philippines. But returning home after years abroad can be overwhelming, especially for those without financial security or stable job opportunities. This is where reintegration programs come in—providing financial aid, livelihood assistance, and job opportunities to help OFWs transition smoothly back into their communities.

Many OFWs work tirelessly, sometimes in jobs unrelated to their profession back home, simply to ensure their families have enough for their monthly expenses. The struggle of adjusting to a different work environment, culture, and lifestyle can be overwhelming, but they persevere because they know their sacrifices are worth it. However, proper reintegration support can make a significant difference in ensuring their return is not filled with financial difficulties. By taking advantage of reintegration programs, OFWs can secure better opportunities, start businesses, or gain new skills to support their long-term financial stability in the Philippines.

Minutes to Read: 8 minutes

Age Bracket: 21 – 40 years old

 

With these being said, once our OFWs decide to come home for good, they deserve support and assistance that will help them come back home and start a new life through various reintegration programs. Government institutions usually offer this reintegration program. It may not be known to everyone, but here’s a guide to educate yourself about the program.

 

What is an OFW Reintegration Program?

 

There are millions of Overseas Filipino Workers in the Philippines, and it is not shocking to see that a lot decided to go home when the pandemic started. During the research done in 2020 by the Philippine Statistics Authority, there were approximately 1.77 million Overseas Filipino Workers during the period of April to September 2020. The number hasn’t been updated until now, but we can imagine how fast the number has risen given the desperation and need of Filipinos to have a source of income.

 

 

However, the Statista Research Department’s research shows that about 2.24 million Overseas Filipino Workers went home due to the Covid-19 outbreak. This information is backed up by the IOM UN Migration Report, showing that half of the OFW returnees are due to Covid-19 reseasons.

 

Other than this, there are various reasons workers abroad decide to come home. It can be conflict or harassment at their current job, political conflict, or policy reform changes in their host country, or they are victims of illegal recruitment and human trafficking. Any of these reasons can be distressing to a worker who’s been far from home for a long time and deserves proper care and assistance once they reach home. In cases like these, OFWs should avail the reintegration program that is available to them.

 

 

 

An OFW reintegration program is a service created specifically for Overseas Filipino Worker Returnees to develop and help them to become productive after returning home to the country and allowing them to access various projects and services that will enable them to recover from the sudden loss of employment and social cost of migration due to various unexpected events.

 

 

Landbank Reintegration Program

 

With Landbank’s understanding of OFW’s financial difficulties during the pandemic, partnered with the Overseas Worker Welfare Administration (OWWA), Landbank offers business loans to provide business opportunities to Overseas Filipino Workers that affected overseas deployment. Using the loan provided, OFWs can use it as business capital or a Fixed Asset Acquisition to run their own business that acts as an alternative to their former employment abroad. The qualified project for this loan would be any project with a confirmed market or purchase order that can come up with a net monthly income of at least ₱10,000.

 

Loan Features

 

• Loanable Amount: Minimum of ₱100,000
  • For Single proprietorship: ₱2 million
  • For a group of OFWs (partnership, corporation, or cooperative): ₱5 million
• Loan Term:
  • Short term: Maximum of one (1) year
  • Term Loan: Maximum of seven (7) years; inclusive of two (2) years grace period
• Interest Rate: a fixed rate of 7.5% per annum during the duration of the loan
• Collateral:
  • Object of Financing
  • Collaterals or securities acceptable to the bank

 

Qualifications

 

• OFWs certified by OWWA on membership and capacity-building programs attended eligible projects.
• Viable projects belonging but not limited to, the following fields: franchising, Agri and non-Agri production and marketing, construction, rental, service, trading, transportation
• Contract tie – up with the top 1,000 corporations

 

Requirements

 

• OWWA certification that borrower is a bonafide overseas worker has completed Enterprise
• Development Training
• A business plan on the specific project that will generate income for OFW and his/her family
• With contract growing agreement, purchase order, or service contract, if applicable.
• Certificate of Registration with DTI
• Bio-data of applicant
• Mayor’s Permit
• Income Tax Return (last three years), if applicable
• Financial Statements (last three years, BIR-filed), if applicable
• Latest Interim Financial Statement, if applicable
• Statement of Assets and Liabilities

 

 

OWWA Reintegration Program

The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) is dedicated to supporting returning OFWs by helping them rebuild their lives after facing distressing situations in their previous employment. Through the reintegration program, OWWA ensures that returning OFWs can transition smoothly into productive and financially stable lives in the Philippines. This initiative provides essential resources and opportunities that empower OFWs to regain their footing and secure sustainable livelihoods.

As part of the reintegration program, returning OFWs can access free training sessions covering Financial Literacy, Value Formation, Techno Skills, Capacity Building, and Entrepreneurial Development. These programs equip them with the necessary skills to make informed financial decisions, manage resources effectively, and explore new career or business opportunities. By prioritizing financial education and skill-building, OFWs can enhance their capabilities and establish a strong foundation for their reintegration journey.

Additionally, to further support self-employment and financial independence, OWWA provides Livelihood Assistance, Service Packages, and an Education Program for OFW dependents. These reintegration efforts not only assist returning OFWs in rebuilding their lives but also ensure that their families receive the support they need for a stable and secure future. Through comprehensive reintegration programs, OWWA empowers OFWs to successfully transition back into society, fostering long-term economic growth and personal development.

 

 

On-Site Reintegration

 

To know more about the free trainings that are provided on the reintegration program, I have listed some information to help you have an insight on what they can learn in every training they will attend.

 

1.      Financial Literacy Training

 

This training is provided by both Overseas Worker Welfare Administration (OWWA) and National Reintegration Center for OFWs (NRCO). The training is mainly focused on financial literacy, which will allow them to develop their financial skills, financial management and learn to budget and invest, which is the main factor in rebuilding their lives.

 

2.     Value Formation Training

 

This training will allow OFW returnees to develop and improve their attitude and behavior to understand the importance of one’s life.

 

3.     Techno Skill

 

Since the country has now adopted modern-day technology, developing one’s techno skills is a must to be more efficient and capable of performing technology-related tasks in any workplace.

 

1. Capacity Building

 

Developing one’s knowledge, abilities, strength, equipment, and other resources that must be trained is essential to make them utterly reliable for any given task and stay relevant to the rapid changes in the environment.

 

2. Entrepreneurial Development Training

 

Educating them on how to manage their own business properly and successfully—helping them turn their business ideas into business plans. With the help of Financial Literacy Training, they will also be prepared for other roles they have to take care of, such as business planning, business management, and entrepreneurial role.

 

 

In-Country Reintegration

 

1.      Community Organizing

 

After a distressing experience before returning home, it is essential to improve all the OFW returnees’ social health and well-being to become well-rounded and socially active people in their respective local areas.

 

2.     Business Counseling

 

Since OWWA also focuses on providing them with a business that can act up as their source of income, business counseling or business development service will be incredibly beneficial for them to mentor and support them by giving them advice, allowing them to have access to business consultation, assisting them to become productive, and giving them a business network that can support to sustain and to expand their business further.

 

1. Job Referrals

 

Suppose the returning OFW does not wish to start a business and prefers to work back in the country. In that case, job referrals will be given for them to have better opportunities and a greater probability of getting hired and getting the job they desire.

 

2. Skills and Entrepreneurship Program (OFW-RISE)

 

Partnered with Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Coca-Cola Philippines, Philippine Trade Trading Center (PTTC), and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), this program aims to provide access to new business and livelihood opportunities. Overall, TESDA will manage and facilitate the said program by providing a management team that will supervise the program’s overall implementation and processes the application to the OWWA Livelihood programs.

 

 

Livelihood Assistance Services

 

1.      Balik Pinas, Balik Hanap Buhay Program

 

The program provides a non-cash livelihood package to OFW returnees and/or non-active OWWA members that can finance and accommodate them and give them immediate relief due to the horrible experiences and stress from the host country they are working in. The program is solely for OFWs who are planning to stay in the country for good.

 

Eligibility Requirement

 

• Must be an OFW returnee or an active or inactive OWWA member that experienced:
  • Loss of job due to political reasons or war in their host country
  • Victims of illegal recruitment, any type of abuse, and human trafficking.
  • A distressed OFW who’s under the care of a Migrant Worker and Overseas Filipino Resource Centers while they are waiting for their repatriation.
  • A laid-off OFW due to employer’s financial difficulties.

 

2.     Balik Pinay, Balik Hanap Buhay Program

 

This program is intended for women OFW returnees to train them and distribute starter kits to provide them with the livelihood skills they need to empower and allow themselves to put up a small business or livelihood on their own. Priority will be given to women OFWs that are victims of illegal recruitment, human trafficking, unkindness, harassment, and other distressful situations.

 

 

3.     Education and Livelihood Assistance Program

In cases of death of the OFW who are an active member of OWWA, the dependent or the child will be granted financial assistance. ₱5,000 for elementary, ₱8,000 for high school, and ₱10,000 for college. Additionally, ₱15,000 livelihood cash assistance will be given to the spouse; if the OFW is single, the cash assistance will be given to the parents.

 

Eligibility Requirement

 

• Application Form (the cash assistance given is only allowed to be used for self-employment or for putting up or expanding livelihood projects)
• Certificate of Entrepreneurial Development Training
• Business Proposal approved by RWO Director indicating sustainability and feasibility of chosen livelihood.
• Proof of repatriation to the Philippines (may it be passport, airline ticket, or travel documents)

 

 

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

 

Under the Tulong PUSO program, assistance will be given to OFWs to form, enhance, and restore livelihood projects of OFWs. A one-time grant will be given to them in the form of equipment, tools, raw materials, jigs, and other support services, which amount will be based on the project requirement with a maximum of ₱1 million for OFW organizations with more than 51 members.

 

Requirements

 

• Application Form
• Certificate of Entrepreneurial Development Training (Start-Up)
• Certification from the Regional Welfare Office Director that the OFC – applicant is a genuine OFW group that OWWA recognizes
• Copy of SEC/DOLE/CDA Registration
• Business Permit
• Beneficiary Pole
• Board resolution that will designate a Business Manager who is responsible and has the authority to file and apply on behalf of the organization
• Business Proposal that indicates that the adherent has an equity equivalent to at least 20% of the TPC

 

 

DOLE Reintegration Program

 

The service or package offered by DOLE is a set of mechanisms or interventions that facilitate the safe and productive return of the OFW returnees. The program will allow the OFW and their families to access a wide variety of services that will help them cover the social cost and impact of the sudden loss of employment due to unexpected events. Besides assisting them to cope with the loss and horrible experience, the program also provides employment and re-employment to OFWs who wish to continue working.  If they decide to open up a business of their own, a business or enterprise development facilitation will be given.

 

Services Offered

 

1.      Psycho-Social Component

 

This program consists of psycho-social counseling to reduce stress and learn values formation and financial literary, and capacity building through assistance in organizing community and maintaining OFW Family Circles (OFCs)

 

2.     Livelihood Assitance Service

 

Under this program, they offer the same services provided by OWWA, such as:

 

• Balik-Pinas, Balik-HanapBuhay Program
• Balik-Pinay, Balik-HanapBuhay Program
• Financial Awareness Seminar (FAS) and Small Business Management Training (SBMT)
• Livelihood Development Assistance Program (LDAP)
• Education and Livelihood Assistance Program (ELAP)

 

 

 

Final Thoughts

Understanding the reintegration program is crucial for OFWs who decide to return home due to unforeseen circumstances or challenges abroad. By being aware of the reintegration benefits available, OFWs can maximize their government-assisted programs and ensure they receive the financial support and assistance they rightfully deserve. These programs are designed to help returning workers rebuild their lives, start businesses, or find new career opportunities, allowing them to transition smoothly back into society.

Despite the numerous benefits offered, many OFWs remain unaware of the reintegration program and how it can significantly ease their return. Access to financial aid, livelihood assistance, and skills training can be life-changing for OFWs looking to establish a stable future in the Philippines. Spreading awareness about these opportunities is essential so that more OFWs can take advantage of the resources available to them.

Reading this article is a great starting point for understanding the reintegration program and the various services it provides. By learning more about these opportunities, OFWs can make informed decisions about their future and share this valuable knowledge with fellow OFWs who may also need guidance. With the right reintegration support, returning OFWs can turn challenges into opportunities and build a brighter, more secure future at home.

 

 

MUST-READ AND SHARE!

2023 Your Practical Wedding Guide

Your Ultimate Access to Kuwait Directories in this COVID-19 Crisis

Investments and Finance Ultimate Guide

OFW FINANCE – Money News Update that you need to read (Table of Contents)

A Devotional for having a Grateful Heart

Stock Investment A Beginner’s Guide

How To Save Money Amidst Inflation

Philippines Best Banks with High-Yield Savings Return

Savings Dos and Don’ts

Essentials Before Applying For a Credit Card

Pag-IBIG Fund Guide

SSS PESO Fund – A Guide

Credit Card Starter Guide for Beginners

 

If you like this article please share and love my page DIARYNIGRACIA PAGE Questions, suggestions send me at diarynigracia @ gmail (dot) com

You may also follow my Instagram account featuring microliterature #microlit. For more of my artworks, visit DIARYNIGRACIA INSTAGRAM