The Philippine Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is looking into the possibility of increasing the Ph10,000 available as individual start-up fund for returning distressed overseas Filipinos.
This, according to Overseas Workers Welfare Administrator Hans Leo J. Cacdac, who also disclosed during a recent visit in Abu Dhabi that there are some 100 projects qualified OFs may select from in obtaining the fund through the “Balik Pilipinas Balik Hanapbuhay Program.”
“Nagsimula na ang proceso. Nagkakaroon na ng consultation. Aside from pagkakaroon ng Ph 2 billion loan facility. Meron ding mga specific reintegration programs catered to specific types of OFWs,” said Cacdac.
He said the Balik Pilipinas Balik Hanapbuhay Program is for distressed OFs, specifically, returning household service workers (HSWs) for them to open a start-up business.
“Merong Ph 10,000 starter kit. Merong 100 proyektong pagpipilian. Kailangan lang repasuhin yung seed fund na Ph10, 000 at meron naring directive si (DOLE) Sec. Silvestre H. Bello III na pag-aralan ito at kailangang na rin taasan dahil medyo maliit yung Php 10,000,” Cacdac said.
Another program, he said, is the “Sa Pinas, Ikaw ang Ma’am/Sir Project” for teachers. “Ayon sa Department of Educatrion, lumawak na rin ito dahil hindi kailangan maging certified or professional ka na nakapasa sa board,” Cacdac said, explaining that slots are open for administrative staff in the elementary and high school level provided the applicant has a degree in education
Still another start-up program is a livelihood initiative for relatives of deceased OFs. “Recently, dun sa mga nasa death row, tinutulungan natin yun pamilya lalo na yung mga bata, kaya may mga livelihood and scholarship na program din na pumapasok so ganun,” Cacdac said.
He urged those interested to visit DOLE’s and OWWA’s websites at https://www.dole.gov.ph/
and www.owwa.gov.ph/ for further details about the requirements. (Jojo Dass)
