209 distressed OFWs benefit from DOLE livelihood assistance program

Under its “Balik-Pinas, Balik-Hanapbuhay” (BPBH) program, the assistance was provided to 209 returning OFWs from the provinces of Pampanga with 107 beneficiaries, Bulacan (39), Bataan (21), Nueva Ecija (21), Tarlac (13), and Zambales (8). Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis- Baldoz of DOLE said the program aims to empower distressed migrant workers from the region.

Reyes said each recipient received P10,000 worth of livelihood assistance in the form of techno-skills, entrepreneurship trainings, starter kits/goods and other services that will enable beneficiaries to quickly start a livelihood undertaking through self or wage employment.  “This program is a non-cash livelihood support/assistance intended to provide immediate relief to our returning OFWs, who are OWWA-members, and were displaced from their jobs due to wars and political conflicts in host countries, or policy reforms, controls and changes by the host government; or were victims of illegal recruitment, human trafficking and other distressful situations”.

The program also aims to enable beneficiaries to be multi-skilled through access to training services by training institutions like Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and non-government organizations (NGOs).

 “It also equips our beneficiaries with skills that are highly in-demand in the local labor market and enables them to plan, set-up, start and operate a livelihood undertaking by providing them with ready-to-go rollout self-employment package of services, consisting of short-duration trainings, start-up kits/goods business counseling and technical and marketing assistance,” Reyes added.

Said livelihood assistance packages were distributed in various leading local super markets in the region namely: Garbes-Dizon Supermarket in San Fernando Pampanga; Vercon’s Discount Sale in Bataan; Super 8 Supermarket in Bulacan; NE Bodega in Nueva Ecija; RCS Supermarket in Tarlac; and Choa’s for Everything Supermarket in Zambales.