How to Apply OWWA Reintegration Program
“The Reintegration Program, a collaborative effort between the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), aims to assist Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in their transition back to the Philippines after their overseas employment concludes.
This initiative, developed and implemented by the government and its agencies, aims to empower OFWs and enable them to regain productivity and self-sufficiency in their home country.How to Apply OWWA Reintegration Program The Reintegration Program offers access to livelihood projects and services for OFWs and their families, with the objective of minimizing the social and economic challenges associated with migration and the unexpected repatriation of OFWs. Through this program, returning OFW OWWA members receive training and support to help them prepare for and rebuild their lives in the Philippines.”
Here are some of the programs made available to support returning OFWs:
1. Preparedness-Building (On-Site)
“The government has implemented this program with the aim of assisting returning OFWs in not only restoring their financial stability but also in providing them with education in financial literacy, value formation, Techno-skills, entrepreneurial development, and capacity building.”
2. Reintegration Efforts
The government is currently engaged in extensive efforts to improve programs within their Reintegration System. These endeavors are aimed at benefiting every Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW), as anticipated. All relevant agencies are dedicating significant resources and exerting maximum effort, particularly in light of the ongoing pandemic, which has led to a significant influx of returning OFWs to the country.
3. Financial Awareness Seminar (FAS) and Small Business Management Training (SBMT)
Qualifications:
- NRCO Livelihood Beneficiaries
Benefits:
These activities are designed to motivate beneficiaries to cultivate, safeguard, and support their business ventures with the aim of expanding them into larger enterprises. By doing so, these endeavors can generate more employment opportunities and provide assistance to small entrepreneurs. This modest initiative plays a vital role in contributing to the economic growth and advancement of the nation.
4. Education and Livelihood Assistance Program (ELAP)
Qualifications:
- Dependents of OFWs who were active OWWA members at the time of death
Benefits:
it seems that there is a scholarship grant available for only one child. The specific amount of the scholarship grant is not mentioned. However, there are different allowances specified for different educational levels:
- Elementary Allowance: P5,000
- High School Allowance: P8,000
- College Allowance: P10,000
In addition to the scholarship grant, there is also a provision for livelihood assistance. If the overseas Filipino worker (OFW) is married, the surviving spouse will receive livelihood assistance amounting to P15,000. If the OFW was single, the mother or father will receive the livelihood assistance of P15,000.
It’s important to note that the information provided is incomplete, and further details may be required to fully understand the context or eligibility criteria for the scholarship grant or livelihood assistance.
5. Livelihood Development Assistance Program (LDAP)
Qualifications:
- Undocumented Returning OFWs who
- Acquired their passports through fraud
- Do not have travel documents
- Have employment contracts but not processed by POEA
- Possess expired visas or permits
- Valid but inappropriate visa
Benefits:
- Business start-up kit worth P10,000 (this will consist of materials based on your proposed business)
6. Balik-Pinay, Balik-Hanapbuhay
Qualifications:
- This program is for OFW women who were displaced due to conflicts and hostilities in their host country.
- OFW women who are victims of abuse, illegal recruitment, trafficking, pre-terminated, and exploited by their employers.
Benefits:
All eligible beneficiaries will be given P10,000 worth of:
- P7,500 (Starter Kit Cost)
- P2,500 (Training Cost)
7. Balik-Pinas, Balik-Hanapbuhay
Qualifications:
- OFW OWWA member who was forced to stop from working because the company or employer is experiencing a financial crisis, OFW who was displaced.
- OFW who was victimized by human trafficking, illegal recruitment, maltreatment, sexual abuse, and other tragic situations abroad, distressed
- OFW is currently waiting to be sent home to the Philippines.
Benefits:
- Active OWWA Members will get a maximum benefit of P20,000
- Inactive OWWA Members with more than one-month contribution will get a maximum of P10,000
- Inactive OWWA Members with only a one-month contribution will get a maximum benefit of P5,000
- Tulong Pangkabuhayan sa Pag-unlad ng Samahang OFWs (Tulong Puso)
Qualifications:
Both OWWA and Non-OWWA members are qualified for this program. You need to have a group with a minimum of 5 members to avail of this Tulong Puso Program. At least eighty percent (80%) of the members of the OFW group must be OWWA members and/or their families.
Benefits:
- Micro-sized OFW groups of 5 to 10 members may avail of up to a maximum of Php 150,000.00 grant
- Small-sized OFW groups of 11 to 15 members are eligible for a grant of up to Php 250,000.00.
- Medium-sized OFW groups with 16 to 30 members may apply for a grant of up to Php500,000.00.
- Large-sized OFW groups with 31 or more members are eligible for a grant of up to Php 1,000,000.00.
8. Enterprise Development and Loan Program (EDLP)
Qualifications:
- OFWs who are certified OWWA Members (Both Active and Non-Active)
- Must have completed EEDT or Enhance Entrepreneurial Development Training
For OFWs who are still abroad, you may be represented by:
- Legal spouse (if married)
- Parents not older than 60 years old (if single, widow, widower, separated)
- Children who are at least 18 years old (if widow, widower, separated)
Benefits:
- For sole proprietors, the minimum loan amount is P100,000, and the maximum loan amount is P2,000,000.
- The minimum loan amount for Partnerships, Corporations, and Cooperatives: is P100,000 Maximum loan amount: is P5,000,000
OFW RISE Program
The OFW-RISE Program aims to support returning Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) by offering them an online course accessible through the TESDA Online Program (TOP). This course will enable OFWs to transform their business ideas into concrete business plans.
Due to the restrictions on face-to-face training in many areas of the country, TESDA has expanded its online services to cater to its clients. As part of this effort, the government agency will collaborate with the OWWA (Overseas Workers Welfare Administration) and PTTC (Philippine Trade Training Center) websites to facilitate the hosting of the OFW-RISE Program. Additionally, TESDA will issue electronic certificates of completion to participants.
In the overall implementation of the program, OWWA will play a crucial role by co-leading the management team. OWWA will be responsible for overseeing the program and assisting in the application process for OFWs who have completed the course and developed business canvas outputs. These outputs will serve as the foundation for their participation in OWWA livelihood programs.
Overall, the OFW-RISE Program seeks to empower returning OFWs by equipping them with the necessary skills and knowledge to create viable business plans. The collaboration between TESDA, OWWA, and PTTC aims to provide comprehensive support to OFWs in their entrepreneurial endeavors.
OFW Guide to OWWA Reintegration Project
which features information about the OWWA reintegration program for your reference:
Good news for displaced OFWs due to the Pandemic!
The signing of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), the Overseas Workers’ Welfare Administration (OWWA), the Philippine Trade Training Center (PTTC), and Coca-Cola Philippines has paved the way for new business and livelihood opportunities for Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The initiative, known as the OFW Reintegration through Skills and Entrepreneurship (OFW-RISE), aims to support returning OFWs in rebuilding their lives in the Philippines.
The TESDA Online Program has been recognized by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte as a valuable tool to assist people, particularly OFWs, in becoming productive during these challenging times. The involved agencies are actively developing ways to aid returning OFWs in response to the President’s directive to provide special programs that help them reintegrate into society and rebuild their lives in the country.
The OFW-RISE program will focus on equipping returning OFWs with skills and entrepreneurial training, enabling them to start their own businesses or find employment opportunities in the local market. This initiative acknowledges the valuable experiences and expertise gained by OFWs abroad and seeks to channel their knowledge into sustainable livelihoods within the Philippines.
By partnering with Coca-Cola Philippines, the program aims to tap into the company’s extensive network and resources to provide additional support for OFWs in their journey towards entrepreneurship and reintegration. Coca-Cola’s involvement signifies a collaborative effort to empower OFWs and leverage their potential for economic growth and development.
Overall, the OFW-RISE program demonstrates the commitment of the Philippine government and relevant agencies to address the challenges faced by returning OFWs, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. It recognizes the importance of providing comprehensive support, including skills training and entrepreneurship opportunities, to enable OFWs to successfully reintegrate into their communities and contribute to the country’s economic recovery.
