Manila: The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), in collaboration with other relevant government agencies, has allocated PHP13.76 million in livelihood assistance to support returning overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) under the National Reintegration Network (NRN).
According to Philippines News Agency, the DMW announced in a news release on Wednesday evening that, as of June 8, approximately 5,769 former and repatriated OFWs have benefited from this initiative. Out of these, 5,013 were former OFWs, and 756 were recently repatriated.
Following the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., the DMW, together with agencies under the NRN, continues to provide substantial support for employment, livelihood, and welfare for OFWs who wish to settle and start anew in the Philippines.
The livelihood aid aims to assist returning and repatriated OFWs in establishing their own businesses in the country. This initiative is part of a broader reintegration program designed to aid migrant workers in rebuilding their lives and livelihoods back home.
Beneficiaries of the livelihood grants are encouraged to venture into small businesses, enabling them to create sustainable enterprises after their overseas employment. The NRN, spearheaded by the DMW, is a comprehensive initiative offering livelihood, employment, skills training, and welfare programs to returning OFWs.
In addition to financial aid, former OFWs and their families are offered entrepreneurship training to equip them with the skills necessary to start their businesses. Assistance is also extended to those seeking local employment and those planning to work abroad again.
To date, the DMW has provided 28,361 services, which include job matching and referrals, distribution of training vouchers and scholarships, and psychosocial and welfare support. Approximately 2,467 individuals have benefited from job-matching activities, with 226 local companies and 104 private recruitment and local manning agencies involved.
Psychosocial and welfare support was provided to 690 recently repatriated OFWs through the Kalinga: Post-Repatriation Orientation Seminars. As of May 31, 837 training vouchers and scholarships have been distributed to 1,605 domestic workers, who were profiled and endorsed for skills training in coordination with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority.
The DMW also coordinated local job referrals with partner government offices, resulting in 1,805 referrals through the Department of Labor and Employment, 656 through the Department of Tourism, 383 through the Department of Health, 151 through the Department of Public Works and Highways, and 18 through the Department of Education.
