Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) are often victims of violence and mistreatment, especially household service workers Filipina women. Some OFWs don’t receive their salary or don’t finish their contracts due to other reasons, causing them to return to the Philippines. To help them reintegrate into the country, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) offers women OFWs the Balik Pinay Balik Hanapbuhay Program, providing livelihood assistance for self-employment.
Like the Balik Pinas Program, the Balik Pinay Program provides financial assistance for the livelihood projects of OFWs returning to the Philippines. The only difference is the Balik Pinay Program focuses on helping displaced and distressed women OFWs, enabling them to launch their businesses and continue generating income.
To learn more about this livelihood assistance, read on as we share what OWWA Balik Pinay Balik Hanapbuhay Program is and its requirements and application procedure.
What is OWWA Balik Pinay Balik Hanapbuhay Program?
The Balik Pinay Balik Hanapbuhay Program is one of the reintegration pathways of OWWA, an employment and training project. It aims to boost the employment and economic opportunities of displaced and distressed Filipina women who have been abused or mistreated abroad and are returning to the Philippines. This program prioritizes household service workers who failed abroad, providing them livelihood assistance worth P10,000 to keep them productive as they return to the country.
In 2011, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) launched and implemented the program, providing women OFWs with the essential livelihood skills to reduce socio-economic vulnerability and enhance their well-being. The National Reintegration Center for OFWs (NRCO) manages this program and consists of starter kits. In 2013, Filipina OFWs sheltered by Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Resource Centers (MWOFRC) of the Philippine Overseas Labor Offices (POLOs) were in the program.
Objectives
Since the Balik Pinay Balik Hanapbuhay Program is a reintegration project from OWWA, it assists women OFWs to be multi-skilled. This program offers training services from the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI), and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). It also aims to help women OFWs launch livelihood projects thru self-employment packages, including start-up kits, business counseling, training, and assistance services. Lastly, it increases job opportunities by equipping displaced women OFWs with vital skills.
Priority Hanapbuhay Projects
DOLE-OWWA prioritizes livelihood projects related to health and wellness and other home-based occupations. So if you wish to apply for this program, here are the following livelihood projects you should consider:
- Beauty Care
- Cosmetology
- Dress Making
- Foot Spa
- Hair Cutting
- Home Spa
- Manicure and Pedicure
- Massage
- Reflexology
- Repairs and Maintenance
- Food Processing
- Handicrafts
- Production of skin and healthcare products
Benefits
The Balik Pinay Balik Hanapbuhay Program-eligible beneficiaries will receive a livelihood grant worth P10,000, which consists of the following:
- Training Cost- P2,500
- Starter Kit Cost- P7,500
The training may include a demo kit, supplies, materials, and honoraria. On the other hand, the livelihood starter kit consists of raw materials, tools, jigs, equipment, and start-up capital.
Qualifications
To avail of the Balik Pinay Balik Hanapbuhay Program, you should meet any of the following qualifications:
- Returning women OFWs
- Displaced women OFWs due to conflicts and hostilities in their host country
- Women OFWs who are victims of illegal recruitmentand trafficking
- Other displaced/distressed women household service workers
- Distressed women OFWs from POLO’s Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Resource Centers (MWOFRC)
Requirements
For eligible beneficiaries of the Balik Pinay Balik Hanapbuhay Program, here are the following documentary requirements you should prepare for the application:
- Copy of valid passport (showing data page)
- Arrival Stamp (showing date of last arrival in the Philippines)
- Duly-accomplished form from the National Reintegration Center for OFWs (NRCO)
- Proposed Business Plan
Procedure to Apply in OWWA Balik Pinay! Program
If you wish to apply for the Balik Pinay Balik Hanapbuhay Program, you may follow the general procedures below:
Via POLO Office
- POLO shelters displaced/distressed women OFWs to prepare for reintegration.
- The applicant and POLO will obtain the documentary requirements and undergo training based on the selected livelihood project.
- Also, the applicant will receive training assistance from POLO on the Basics of Entrepreneurship and Business Planning.
- After finishing the training, the applicant will receive a certificate.
- Next, POLO will assign the available livelihood course to the applicant.
- POLO will then endorse the applicant to NRCO to receive livelihood training.
- NRCO will process the funding for the livelihood starter kit.
- Simultaneously, NRCO will endorse the applicant to OWWA Regional Welfare Office (RWO) or DOLE Regional Offices.
- Then, the concerned office will deliver the livelihood starter kit to the beneficiary’s permanent home address.
Distressed women OFWs and household service workers (HSWs) sheltered by POLO get priority to access the Balik Pinay Balik Hanapbuhay Program. Thus, apply for livelihood assistance before returning to the Philippines.
Via OWWA, DOLE, or NRCO Office
For distressed/displaced women OFWs already in the Philippines, follow the steps below:
- Prepare the complete documentary requirements.
- Head to the OWWA, DOLE, or NRCO office near your chosen business location. Also, contact the concerned offices before visiting if an appointment is necessary.
- Wait to be assisted or queue for your return.
- Next, submit your documentary requirements for evaluation.
- Then, wait for a call confirming if you qualify for the program.
Remember, the application won’t be complete within a day since the concerned agencies will conduct internal processing to inspect the applicants. So you have to wait a few days to receive a call regarding the result of your application for the livelihood grant.
Reminders for OWWA Balik Pinay Balik Hanapbuhay Program
Before applying for the Balik Pinay Balik Hanapbuhay Program, please take note of the following reminder:
- The Balik Pinay Program is livelihood assistance for distressed/displaced women OFWs reintegrating into the country.
- Displaced/distressed women OFWs sheltered by POLO are also eligible for this program.
- Under this program, the agencies prioritize displaced women OFWs who are victims of illegal recruitment and trafficking, affected by the hostilities and conflicts in their host country, and other household services workers.
- The livelihood grant in this program is in the form of training and starter kits.
- This OWWA program is a livelihood grant and not a loan. Thus, eligible beneficiaries of the program don’t have to pay back the P10,000 livelihood assistance.
- The training and starter kits given to the beneficiaries depend on their chosen livelihood project.
- Interested applicants may contact POLO, OWWA, DOLE, or NRCO offices for assistance and inquiries.
Video: Livelihood Development Assistance Program & Balik Pinay Balik Hanapbuhay
For more information on OWWA Balik Pinay Balik Hanapbuhay Program, please watch the video below:
As discussed in the video, NRCO encourages OFWs to start their business as a reintegration program, helping them prosper when they return to the Philippines. NRCO provides skills and entrepreneurial training to OFWs returning to the country. It aims to hone their acquired skills abroad or learn new skills to prepare them to launch their businesses. Moreover, NRCO provides starter kits to eligible OFWs to kick-start the chosen livelihood project.
DOLE-NRCO will assist OFWs who were unsuccessful abroad can partake in skills training, such as pastry and bread making and massage therapy under the Balik Pinay Balik Hanapbuhay Program. The agency will also provide starter kits and small business capital, helping the beneficiaries launch their business. Thus, the training and starter kits will benefit women OFWs who are unfortunate abroad or planning to return to the Philippines for good with their families.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who qualifies for OWWA Balik Pinay Balik Hanapbuhay Program?
The OWWA Balik Pinay Balik Hanapbuhay Program is for women OFWs reintegrating into the Philippines. This program is for Filipina workers who wish to return to the country for good and start their livelihood projects. Meanwhile, Filipina OFWs are a priority if they are victims of illegal recruitment and trafficking, affected by conflicts and hostilities in their host country, and other displaced/distressed women household service workers. Also, Filipina OFWs sheltered by POLO may apply for this program.
How much is the financial assistance for OWWA Balik Pinay Balik Hanapbuhay Program?
Eligible beneficiaries of the OWWA Balik Pinay Balik Hanapbuhay Program will receive a P10,000 livelihood grant, which consists of training and starter kits to launch their chosen business.
Summary
Through the OWWA Balik Pinay Balik Hanapbuhay Program, Filipina OFWs can prepare for their return to the Philippines, allowing them to still earn by starting their businesses. This program can also increase the chances of women OFWs finding better job opportunities as they return to the country by providing them with necessary skills training. Eligible beneficiaries of the program will also receive starter kits and small business capital to kick-start their livelihood project.
To access the livelihood grant under the Balik Pinay Balik Hanapbuhay Program, displaced and distressed women OFWs who plan to return to the Philippines may contact POLO, OWWA, DOLE, or NRCO. This program can help you generate an income as you start your life if returning to the Philippines to be with your family. So whether launching a business or finding job opportunities, the OWWA Balik Pinay Balik Hanapbuhay Program can help with your needs.
Contact Details
OWWA Central Office
Address: OWWA Center Building, F.B. Harrison St, Pasay, Metro Manila
Hotline: 1348
NCR Hotline: 09666250016
Reintegration Unit: 8834-0719
Website: https://owwa.gov.ph/
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/OWWAofficial
Email: owwacares@owwa.gov.ph
Department of Labor and Employment – National Capital Region
Address: DOLE-NCR Building, 967 Maligaya St., Malate 1004 Manila, Philippines
24/7 Hotline: 1349
Website: https://www.dole.gov.ph/
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/ncrdole/
Email: ncr@dole.gov.ph
National Reintegration Center for OFWs (NRCO)
Address: Ground Floor, BFO Development Center, Victoria cor. Solana Sts., Intramuros, Manila, Manila, Philippines
Hotline: 285262392
Website: https://dmw.gov.ph/
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/NRCOCentral
Email: nrco@dmw.gov.ph