After working for so many years abroad, Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) may have difficulties adjusting to life in the Philippines. OFWs planning to return to the country or are displaced due to distressful situations will require assistance to reintegrate as productive individuals. With that said, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) offers the Reintegration Program for OFWs to help them prepare mentally and financially to start their lives back in the country.
With the Reintegration Program of OWWA and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), OFWs will receive training and seminars to help them rebuild their lives and return to their families. The services under this program can assist returning OFWs in developing financial and entrepreneurial skills and obtaining job referrals and loans to start an enterprise. So if you’re wondering what services you can avail of this program, keep reading to learn more about Reintegration Program for OFWs.
What is Reintegration Program for OFWs?
The Reintegration Program consists of varying services made possible with the partnership of OWWA and DOLE’s Reintegration Center for OFWs (NRCO). This program reintroduced OFWs to the conventional Filipino society through social patterns and interventions to help them return productively to the community and their families.
In addition, it provides services and projects to OFWs and their families that can assist them in managing migration social costs, protecting them from forced repatriation impact. It also aims to help OFWs take advantage of their earnings from abroad thru developing businesses or being employed locally. Currently, the Reintegration Program consists of psycho-social and livelihood components.
Psycho-social Component
The psycho-social component involves capacity-building services that assist communities in coordinating and preserving OFW Family Circles (OFCs). Under this component, OFWs and their families can access services, such as family counseling, psycho-social counseling, stress debriefing, financial literacy, values formation, and capacity-building training.
Livelihood Component
On the contrary, the livelihood component consists of programs to socially prepare OFWs through livelihood or community projects intended to generate profit. The livelihood programs under this component can be accessed whether or not the OFW is still abroad and not an OWWA member, as per Director Roel Martin and the NRCO officer. It also covers lending business capital and skills training.
Reintegration Program Projects for OFWs
Here is the list of Reintegration Program projects OWWA and DOLE offer to OFWs and their families:
Psycho-social Services
Reintegration Preparedness On-site
- Entrepreneurial Development Training- intends to assist OFWs in turning their business ideas into reality. Under this training, OFWs will learn how to start and manage a successful business. Also, OWWA and NRCO will offer OFWs free training to prepare them individually and financially as they venture into business. It will take 1 to 3 days to complete, tackling business management, business planning, and the roles of entrepreneurs.
- Financial Literacy Training- isadministered for free to OFWs by OWWA and NRCO, educating them to be financially literate by helping them develop essential financial skills, such as budgeting, investing, and financial management. This training aims to assist returning OFWs in restoring and stabilizing their lives in the Philippines.
- Techno-Skills and Capacity Building- is essential training to assist returning OFWs in developing techno-skills required in the workplace. Capacity Building assists returning OFWs in enhancing and strengthening their abilities, skills, and knowledge to perform jobs efficiently and remain competitive. The training will take 1 to 3 days to complete.
- Value Formation Training- administered to returning OFWs to assist them in developing and enhancing their attitude and behavior and educate them on its importance.
Reintegration In-Country
- Business Counseling- is offered free to OFWs who require mentoring and assistance to develop a business. This service involves business consultation and guidance on productivity and OFWs with network support to maintain and broaden their business.
- Community Organizing- aims to enhance the well-being and social health of OFWs. It also aims to improve their function and become well-rounded individuals in their community.
- Job Referrals- are also given to OFWs returning to the Philippines for good and wishing to return to the workforce. This service assists returning OFWs with better employment opportunities or even getting employed in their chosen job.
- Skills and Entrepreneurship (OFW-RISE) Program- is another reintegration project for OFWs that open new livelihood and business opportunities. This program is made possible with the partnership of OWWA, the Philippine Trade Training Center (PTTC), the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), and Coca-Cola Philippines.
Livelihood Services
Balik-Pinas, Balik-Hanapbuhay Program
The Balik-Pinas, Balik-Hanapbuhay Program is a livelihood assistance that aims to provide instant aid to returning OFWs, whether active or inactive OWWA members. This non-cash support is for OFWs displaced due to illegal recruitment, human trafficking, war/political conflicts, or policy reforms in the host country.
Balik-Pinay, Balik-Hanapbuhay Program
The Balik-Pinay, Balik-Hanapbuhay Program is a livelihood project for returning women OFWs. Through this program, they will receive livelihood skills training and starter kits to help them launch a business. Moreover, it prioritizes women OFWs distressed or displaced due to illegal recruitment, human trafficking, war/political conflicts, or policy reforms in the host country.
Financial Awareness Seminar (FAS) and Small Business Management Training (SBMT)
The Financial Awareness Seminar (FAS) and Small Business Management Training (SBMT) are beneficial programs for returning OFWs, which aim to educate them on financial literacy regarding overseas employment. Additionally, it encourages returning OFWs to put up a small business to be self-employed.
Livelihood Development Assistance Program (LDAP)
Apart from seminars, OWWA and DOLE also provide the Livelihood Development Assistance Program (LDAP) to help undocumented returning OFWs. It is livelihood assistance provided to undocumented OFWs returning to the country for good thru livelihood starter kits.
Education and Livelihood Assistance Program (ELAP)
For OFWs with dependents who are still studying, the Education and Livelihood Assistance Program (ELAP) is insurance for your family. It’s a scholarship grant for qualified dependents of OFWs with active OWWA membership during their death. This program entitles one child of an OFW member (usually the 1st child) to a scholarship grant amounting to P5,000 for elementary, P8,000 for high school, and P10,000 for college. Furthermore, surviving legal spouses or parents of single OFWs will receive P15,000 livelihood assistance.
Tulong Pangkabuhayan sa Pag-unlad ng Samahang OFWs (Tulong PUSO)
The Tulong Pangkabuhayan sa Pag-unlad ng Samahang OFWs (Tulong PUSO) is a one-time grant that helps start, expand, and restore OFW organizations’ livelihood projects. It consists of raw materials, tools, equipment, and support services. Under Tulong PUSO, OFW organizations with over 51 members will receive assistance up to P1,000,000. But note that the amount may vary depending on the project requirement.
Enterprise Development and Loan Program (OFW-EDLP)
Previously known as OFW-Reintegration Program (ORP), the Overseas Filipino Workers – Enterprise Development and Loan Program (OFW-EDLP) is a partnership livelihood project between OWWA, the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP), and the Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP). This program enables OFWs and their families to develop business opportunities. Eligible borrowers can get referrals for business loans from P100,000 to P5,000,000, payable in five years with a 7.5% annual interest rate.
Eligible Borrowers
- OFWs who are OWWA certified on membership and finished the capacity-building training.
Eligible Projects
- Feasible projects belonging but not limited to the following fields: agri and non-agri production and marketing, construction, franchising, rental, service, trading, transportation
- Contract tie-up with the top 1,000 corporations
- For OFWs and their families- project proposals generating at least P10,000 net income
Loan Purpose
- Fixed Asset Acquisition
- Working Capital
Project Cost Sharing
- Borrower’s Equity- minimum of 20% of the Total Project Cost (TPC)
- Loan- maximum of 80% of TPC
Loan Amount
The minimum loan amount is P100,000 with the following loan ceilings:
- For single proprietorship- P2,000,000
- For partnership, cooperative, or corporation- P5,000,000 for a group of OFWs
Loan Repayment
- Short Term- one (1) year maximum
- Term Loan- depends on cash flow but not exceeding seven (7) years (inclusive of two years maximum grace period on principal)
Qualifications
- Active or inactive OWWA member
- Attended the Enhance Entrepreneurial Development Training
Also, the family members of OFWs still working overseas or planning to return to the country can present them. If married, the legal spouse can apply for the loan, while children at least 18 years old and parents who are not over 60 years old can represent single OFWs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Reintegration Project?
The Reintegration Program is a project of OWWA and DOLE with the primary goal of helping returning OFWs rebuild their lives in the Philippines. It includes varying programs and services that benefit OFWs and their families, from livelihood, loan, and scholarship grants. Thus, displaced OFWs and those planning to return from the Philippines for good can rebuild their lives with assistance.
What is the purpose of the Reintegration Program?
The Reintegration Program of OWWA and DOLE aims to help OFWs return to their families and communities as productive individuals after years of working abroad.
Summary
Overall, the services, training, and projects of OWWA and DOLE Reintegration Program for OFWs will benefit them and their families. These programs are essential for OFWs rebuilding their lives, helping them cope mentally and financially. The Reintegration Program also consists of livelihood projects that can help stabilize the lives of OFWs and their families. Aside from that, surviving dependents of OFWs will receive a scholarship grant from elementary to college. So if any of these programs may benefit you or someone you know, contact OWWA or NRCO for further assistance.
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
National Reintegration Center for OFWs
Address: Ground Floor, Blas F. Ople Development Center (Former OWWA Building) Corner Solana and Victoria Streets Intramuros, Manila
Hotline: 527-6184, 526-2633, 526-2392
Email: nrcoreintegration@gmail.com
