Antique: The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) released over PHP1 million in grants and financial assistance to overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Antique province on Wednesday. The assistance benefited two OFW organizations and 34 distressed and displaced OFWs.

According to Philippines News Agency, two OFW organizations in San Remigio and Culasi are recipients of a PHP1 million grant each under the Balik Pinas, Balik Hanapbuhay program, as stated by Lea Aguirre, OWWA Regional Office 6 officer-in-charge of the Programs and Services Division. Aguirre detailed that the grant is released in three tranches, with the San Remigio OFW Association having already received the second tranche of PHP500,000 and the first tranche amounting to PHP200,000.

The Sagip OFW Association of Culasi has received PHP200,000, representing the first tranche of the assistance. Aguirre explained that the San Remigio OFW Association is engaged in a poultry project, utilizing the first tranche to establish the facility and the second tranche for procuring chicken layers. Meanwhile, the Sagip OFW Association focuses on rice trading, purchasing the harvest of its members who have returned to the province and are now farming.

In addition, 34 displaced or distressed OFWs received financial assistance ranging from PHP5,000 to PHP10,000 each, or for their scholarships. Aguirre mentioned that the province of Antique has approximately 500,000 OFWs, both retired and active. Retired OFWs are those who have returned home permanently, while active ones continue to work abroad.

Furthermore, Aguirre noted plans to visit the OFW associations in Tibiao and Libertad on Thursday to assist them in developing their business improvement plans to qualify for the grants.