OFWs become entrepreneurs

MANILA, Philippines - More overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) have returned and chosen to become entrepreneurs in the country, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said.

Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said the number of OFWs   availing of the government’s reintegration program have exceeded the  DOLE’s target beneficiaries.

“In 2013, a total of 3,397 OFWs who wanted to jumpstart their livelihood enterprises received P39 million in assistance under the government’s Livelihood and Enterprise Development Program,” she said.

The number is higher by 887 than the 2013 target of 2,510 OFWs.

Baldoz said assistance given is P10,000 for each OFW in the form of tools and kits, equipment and raw materials for their businesses.

Of the 3,397 OFW beneficiaries, 657 were forced to leave Saudi Arabia because of the crackdown against illegal migrants and new policies promoting the hiring of Saudi nationals, she added.

CALABARZON had the most number of beneficiaries with 788 OFWs receiving assistance amounting to P7.88 million, followed by the National Capital Region with 732 OFW beneficiaries, and Central Luzon with 624 OFW beneficiaries.

The Ilocos Region and Cagayan Valley, as well as Bicol, Central Visayas and the Cordillera Administrative Region,   also reported high number of beneficiaries.

Baldoz said the government is trying to help augment  the income of OFWs and their families through the Livelihood and Enterprise Development Program.

“After their training, the beneficiaries could immediately apply what they have learned and earn additional income. This is one way of mitigating the high social cost of migration,” she said.

OFW beneficiaries have ventured into diverse businesses, ranging from grains trading, general merchandise, dry goods, sari-sari and retail stores; hog and duck raising, fishpond and/or fish, and egg production; and other service businesses, Baldoz said.