The Balik Pinas! Balik Hanapbuhay! Program (BPBH) is just one of the many grants offered by the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) in an effort to provide immediate relief to repatriated or displaced OFWs upon their return to the country. The program offers livelihood support in the form of a one-time cash grant to be used as a start-up or as additional capital for a business project as the OFW grantee reintegrated into society.
Also read: Complete List of OWWA Programs, Benefits, and Services
The Balik Pinas! Balik Hanapbuhay! Program (BPBH) is also kind of special as it offers livelihood support to both active and inactive OWWA member OFWs. With such lax qualifying criteria, there really is no reason not to avail of the benefits offered by the program if you qualify for it. This guide will help you learn more about the conditions and application procedures for the OWWA Balik Pinas! Balik Hanapbuhay! Program (BPBH).
What is BPBH
The Balik Pinas! Balik Hanapbuhay! Program (BPBH) is livelihood support assistance offered by OWWA to help distressed or displaced member OFWs, regardless of membership status. Under the BPBH, active or inactive OWWA members can receive cash assistance, training, and support services to help them start a business venture that will enable them to have a decent income after getting repatriated and reintegrating into the society.
The project is implemented by the OWWA Regional Welfare Offices (RWO) from Mondays through Fridays, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, making it more accessible to repatriated OFWs no matter where they are in the country.
OWWA Balik Pinas! Balik Hanapbuhay! Program (BPBH) Benefits
This OWWA program offers support for OWWA member OFWs’ smooth reintegration into society in the following form:
- Cash Assistance – The program offers a livelihood support package and assistance benefit in the form of a cash grant meant to help the repatriated OFWs start a business venture. Though the program is available to both active and inactive members, the amount of the grant will vary depending on their membership status.
- Active OWWA members can get up to Php 20,000.00 in cash for their livelihood project.
- Inactive OWWA Members with more than one (1) contribution can get up to Php 10,000.00
- Inactive OWWA members who only had one (1) contribution can get a maximum of Php 5,000.00
- Enhanced Entrepreneurship Development Training (EEDT)
- Other services related to starting or managing a business project include marketing linkages and job referrals.
Qualifications for the OWWA Balik Pinas! Balik Hanapbuhay! Program (BPBH)
Other than being a repatriated OWWA member, availing the BPBH program requires an OFW to satisfy any one of the following conditions:
- Must be displaced due to political chaos, war, or economic problems
- Must be victimized by illegal recruiters or human traffickers
- Must have suffered from maltreatment or verbal or sexual abuses
- Must be repatriated due to employer’s personal financial problems
- Must be in distress and are now being cared for by the Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Resource Centers (MWOFRC) or Centers.
Documentary Requirements for BPBH
Here’s the list of documents required for BPBH Program application:
For Active Members
- Any of the following proof of OWWA Membership:
- OWWA Membership Records
- OFW Verification Sheet issued by OWWA
- Duly accomplished Application Form with Personal Undertaking (Sariling Salaysay) that the cash assistance will be used solely for livelihood activities of OFW
- Any of the following proof of repatriation or return to the Philippines:
- First page of the passport showing the last departure and arrival in the Philippines and a visa stamp of the country abroad
- Airline ticket
- Boarding pass
- Travel documents)
- Any of the following Proof of displacement:
- Termination letter from employer,
- Referral letter/certification from POLO or Philippine Embassy
- SENA Complaint
- Request for repatriation
- Medical Records (if OFW is medically displaced / repatriated)
- Proof of Residency (Barangay Certificate/Clearance)
For Inactive Members
- Any of the following proof of OWWA Membership:
- OWWA Membership Records
- OFW Verification Sheet issued by OWWA
- Any of the following proof of repatriation or return to the Philippines:
- First page of passport showing the last departure and arrival in the Philippines and a visa stamp of the country abroad
- Airline ticket
- Boarding pass
- Travel documents)
- Any of the following proof of displacement:
- Termination letter from employer,
- Referral letter/certification from POLO or Philippine Embassy
- SENA Complaint
- Request for repatriation
- Medical Records (if OFW is medically displaced / repatriated)
- Proof of Residency (Barangay Certificate/Clearance)
For Undocumented OFWs
- At least two (2) valid government IDs including the passport
- Any of the following proof of repatriation or return to the Philippines:
- First page of passport showing the last departure and arrival in the Philippines and a visa stamp of the country abroad
- Airline ticket
- Boarding pass
- Travel documents)
- Any of the following proof of displacement:
- Termination letter from employer,
- Referral letter/certification from POLO or Philippine Embassy
- SENA Complaint
- Request for repatriation
- Medical Records (if OFW is medically displaced / repatriated)
- Proof of Residency (Barangay Certificate/Clearance)
Other requirements
- One (1) 2×2 ID picture
- Duly filled-up Simple Business Plan
- Sketch of home and business site
- Certificate of Training Attended
- Entrepreneurial Development Training
- Skills Training
Application Procedures for OWWA Balik Pinas! Balik Hanapbuhay! Program
When availing the program benefits of BPBH, here are the steps to follow:
- Set up an appointment to visit the nearest OWWA Regional Welfare Office (RWO) either via the website link: appointment.owwa.gov.ph or via the OWWA mobile app.
- Choose the OWWA RWO closest to your permanent address along with the program you are visiting them for.
- Choose your preferred appointment date.
- Input your Personal Information.
- Wait for the Appointment Confirmation.
- Visit the OWWA Regional Welfare Office (RWO) on your confirmed appointment date.
- Get a number or queue in the line and wait for your turn.
- Present the OFW ID to the Reintegration Unit Staff.
- Attend the scheduled Enhanced Enterprise Development Training (EEDT) session at the OWWA RWO.
- Wait for the EEDT completion certificate and submit it along with the application forms and the rest of the requirements.
- Wait for the Business Site Inspection to be completed and wait for the notification of approval and cash release date for claiming.
- For approved applications, visit the RWO on the designated claim date and receive the livelihood assistance.
Reminders
If you are interested in availing the Php 20,000.00 livelihood assistance offered by the OWWA via the BPBH Program, here are a few things to remember:
- OFW applicants must be repatriated, distressed, displaced, or staying at the MWOFRC for any reason before they can be eligible to apply for the program.
- Applicants who complete their contract, even if they have returned to the country, are not eligible to apply for the BPBH Program.
- The applicants must complete the Enhance Enterprise Development Training (EEDT) qnd secure a completion certificate.
- The grantees of the BPBH livelihood assistance program must only use the funds for livelihood and cannot be used for any other purposes.
- Securing a confirmed appointment is a must before visiting the OWWA office for the BPBH application
- To ensure that you will receive the confirmation receipt of your application and all other communication about the status of your application via email, a valid and active email address is required.
Video: OWWA Balik Pinas! Balik Hanapbuhay! Program (BPBH)
To learn more about the particulars of the BPBH program—including the cash assistance livelihood programs, documentary requirements, application procedures, and OWWA appointment setting procedures—you may watch this video posted by RICROD PH on Youtube:
Frequently Asked Questions
For more information, here are some of the most common questions and answers about the Balik Pinas! Balik Hanapbuhay! Program:
1. What does the Balik Pinas! Balik Hanapbuhay! (BPBH) Livelihood Assistance Program offer?
Eligible Balik Pinas! Balik Hanapbuhay! (BPBH) Program grantees are entitled to receive cash assistance ranging from Php 5,000.00 to Php 20,000.00, along with techno-skills or entrepreneurial training, starter kits and goods and services that can help the beneficiaries start a livelihood project.
2. Is it possible to avail the benefits of the Balik Pinas! Balik Hanapbuhay! Program more than once?
No. Like other OWWA programs, OWWA members may only avail of the BPBH Livelihood Assistance Program once to give way for other members to enjoy the same benefit.
3. Is the approval of applications for the Balik Pinas! Balik Hanapbuhay! Program guaranteed?
No. Just like other OWWA programs, the approval for the Balik Pinas! Balik Hanapbuhay! Program is subject to review and approval and is not automatically guaranteed.
4. Until when can I apply for the Balik Pinas! Balik Hanapbuhay! Program?
If you are a repatriated OWWA member OFW, you may only apply for the BPBH benefits within one (1) yea after you return to the country. Beyond that, you are no longer eligible for the program.
5. Are all OWWA member OFWs eligible for the BPBH Livelihood Assistance Program?
No. Not every OWWA member OFWs are eligible for the program. OFWs who finished their employment contracts are not eligible for the benefits of the Balik Pinas! Balik Hanapbuhay! (BPBH) Program. The program is exclusively designed for repatriated, distressed, or displaced OFWs who were unable to complete their contracts due to uncontrollable reasons.
6. Is it necessary to set an appointment when applying for the BPBH Program?
Yes. It’s always best to set an appointment before visiting any OWWA Regional Welfare Office (RWO) to avoid being denied entry and having to make multiple trips to submit an application.
7. How do I set an appointment at the OWWA RWO for the BPBH application?
There are two ways to arrange for an appointment: via the OWWA website appointment scheduler or via the OWWA mobile App.
To use the scheduler on the OWWA website, simply visit appointment.owwa.gov.ph, choose the office and the type of program you are visiting them for, and key in all the required information.
If you prefer to use the OWWA mobile app, make sure you have installed the app on your device and you have a registered account. Once you do, log into your account, open the e-services tab, click Overseas Filipino Workers – Enterprise Development and inquire. Then choose the OWWA office and wait for an email notification of your confirmed appointment to be sent to you.
8. When do I need to pay the cash amount from the Balik Pinas! Balik Hanapbuhay! (BPBH) Livelihood Assistance Program?
There is no need to pay it back. The one-time cash grant from the OWWA Balik Pinas! Balik Hanapbuhay! (BPBH) are not given as a loan so there is no need to pay it back.
Summary
The OWWA Balik Pinas! Balik Hanapbuhay! (BPBH) is not the only OWWA program that offers livelihood assistance to OWWA member OFWs. It is, however, a program that is exclusively designed to help reintegrate OFWs who were repatriated, distressed, displaced, or staying at the MWOFRC, regardless of their OWWA membership status. The program is particularly useful in helping OFWs build a strong entrepreneurial foundation via the completion of the mandatory Enhanced Enterprise Development Program (EEDT). The program also ensures that the OFW gets basic training on business management and entrepreneurial development, relevant certificates, and enough capital to start living normally again back in their hometowns.
Contact Information
For inquiries or concerns regarding the OWWA Balik Pinas! Balik Hanapbuhay! Program (BPBH), you may also reach out to OWWA through the following:
Overseas Workers Welfare Association (OWWA)
Office Address: F.B. Harrison St, Pasay, Metro Manila
Tel. No.: 8891-7601 to 24
OWWA hotline number: 1348, (02) 1348 (Regional), (+632) 1348 (International)
OWWA Email Address: owwacares@owwa.gov.ph
OWWA Facebook page: https://web.facebook.com/OWWAofficial
OWWA website: https://owwa.gov.ph/
You may also reach out to OWWA 24/7 Operations Center through the following contact information:
OWWA 24/7 Operations Center
Landline: (+632)833-OWWA or (+632)833-6992
Globe Hotline: 2917 (Press “3” for OWWA)
Mobile/SMS text messaging: (0917)TXT-OWWA or (0917)898-6992
Facsimile: +63-2-8040638
Email address: opcenter@owwa.gov.ph/ owwa_opcenter@yahoo.com