Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) are Filipino citizens who work abroad to provide for their families and contribute to the economy through remittances. They often face challenges such as exploitation, emergencies, or difficulties reintegrating into Philippine society, which is why they need dedicated assistance programs.
These OFW assistance programs are crucial as they offer social and financial support in times of crisis, help them transition back home, and empower them with skills and opportunities for a better future. Understanding these programs is essential, as it highlights the value of OFWs to the country and underscores the importance of ensuring their welfare.
Types of Assistance Offered to OFWs
The Philippine government offers a range of assistance programs for Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) to support their welfare, reintegration, and development. These programs are generally categorized as follows:
- Welfare and Emergency Assistance: Provides financial aid and support to OFWs and their families during emergencies, including sickness, disability, and other crises.
- Livelihood and Reintegration Support: Offers financial grants, training, and resources to help OFWs start businesses and smoothly reintegrate into the Philippine economy.
- Education and Skills Development: Delivers free skills training and educational support to OFWs and their dependents to enhance employment and livelihood opportunities.
- Housing Assistance: Provides affordable housing loans to OFWs for purchasing or constructing residential properties in the Philippines.
- Recognition and Incentives: Honors and rewards OFWs for their contributions, particularly those reaching significant life milestones like becoming centenarians.
- Special Programs for Specific Groups: Offers tailored support to specific groups of OFWs, such as women and professionals, offering targeted assistance based on their unique needs.
These programs reflect the Philippine government’s commitment to supporting OFWs and their families through various stages of their work and life abroad and upon their return home.
For a more detailed information on the OFW assistance programs available in the Philippines, please see this list below:
Lingkod sa Kapwa Pilipino (LINKAPIL)
Launched in 1989, LINKAPIL is a program by the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) designed to facilitate diaspora philanthropy by channeling resources from Filipinos overseas into small-scale, high-impact projects in the Philippines. The program supports initiatives in education, livelihood, infrastructure, and healthcare to address the country’s social and economic needs.
Purpose: To leverage the contributions of overseas Filipinos for national development and community resilience.
Benefits and Other Terms:
- Educational support through scholarships, materials, and classroom construction.
- Livelihood opportunities for marginalized sectors.
- Funding for small infrastructure projects like water wells and latrines.
- Health initiatives such as feeding programs and medical missions.
- Over Php 3.4 billion in donations aiding around 16 million beneficiaries.
OWWA Social Benefits
This program offers financial assistance to Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) members in cases of emergencies such as sickness, disability, or death while working abroad. It includes various types of support tailored to different situations.
Purpose: To provide financial relief to OFWs and their families during unforeseen hardships.
Benefits and Other Terms:
- Disability and Dismemberment: Up to Php 50,000 for partial disability and Php 100,000 for total disability.
- MEDplus: Up to Php 50,000 for serious illness hospitalization.
- Death and Burial: Php 100,000 for natural death, Php 200,000 for accidental death, and Php 20,000 for funeral expenses.
- Welfare Assistance Program (WAP): Cash relief ranging from Php 500 to Php 20,000 for calamities, bereavement, medical, disability, and relief assistance.
Balik Pinas! Balik Hanapbuhay! Program
Also another OWWA program, the Balik Pinas! Balik Hanapbuhay! Program provides livelihood assistance to distressed or displaced OFWs to help them start their own businesses upon returning to the Philippines.
Purpose: To support the reintegration of OFWs through livelihood opportunities.
Benefits and Other Terms:
- Cash grants up to Php 20,000 depending on OWWA membership status.
- Entrepreneurship training, marketing linkages, and job referrals.
Balik Pinay, Balik Hanapbuhay Program
The Balik Pinay, Balik Hanapbuhay Program is an OWWA program specifically designed for returning women OFWs who have encountered distressing situations, this program offers livelihood skills training and starter kits to help them start businesses or secure employment.
Purpose: To empower distressed women OFWs through skills development and business opportunities.
Benefits and Other Terms:
- Livelihood skills training and starter kits aligned with beneficiaries’ preferences.
Tulong Pangkabuhayan sa Pag-unlad ng Samahang OFWs (Tulong PUSO)
A collaboration between Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), OWWA, Cooperative Development Authority (CDA), and Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), this program provides financial grants and resources to OFW groups for starting or expanding businesses.
Purpose: To support livelihood projects for repatriated and displaced OFWs through financial assistance.
Benefits and Other Terms:
- Grants range from Php 150,000 to Php 1,000,000 depending on group size.
- Additional support for business materials and equipment.
DOLE-OWWA Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP) for OFWs
A COVID-19 assistance program offering a one-time cash aid to displaced OFWs, aimed at helping them meet their basic needs during the pandemic.
Purpose: To provide financial support to OFWs affected by the COVID-19 crisis.
Benefits and Other Terms:
- One-time cash aid of US$200 (Php 10,000).
- Funds disbursed directly to beneficiaries’ bank accounts.
OWWA Rebate Program
This program allows long-term OWWA members, who have contributed for ten years or more without availing of benefits, to receive a portion of their contributions back.
Purpose: To reward long-term OWWA members by providing financial rebates.
Benefits and Other Terms:
- Rebates range from PHP 941 to PHP 13,000 based on contribution history.
- Can be used for educational support or to renew OWWA membership.
Overseas Filipino Centenarian Awards and Incentives
Just like its local version, this program by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) honors Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), who reach 100 years of age with a one-time cash gift, a congratulatory letter from the President, and some other additional local incentives.
Purpose: To recognize the longevity and contributions of Filipino centenarians.
Benefits and Other Terms:
- Centenarians: Php 100,000 cash gift, a letter from the President, and local incentives.
- Seniors aged 80-95: Php 10,000 cash incentive at ages 80, 85, 90, and 95 (under the 2023 amendment).
Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS)
The DSWD AICS offers immediate support to individuals, families, and communities in crisis, providing financial assistance, food, medical aid, and other necessities.
Purpose: To help people overcome emergencies and severe hardships through financial and material assistance.
Benefits and Other Terms:
- Medical Assistance: Coverage for hospital bills, medications, and procedures.
- Funeral Assistance: Financial aid for funeral expenses.
- Educational Assistance: Financial support for education.
- Transportation Assistance: Coverage for travel costs.
- Food Assistance: Provision of essential food items.
- Cash Relief Assistance: For emergencies such as fire victims, locally stranded individuals, and others.
Direct Housing Loan Facility for OFWs
This program offered by the Social Security System (SSS) offers housing loans to OFWs for purchasing or constructing residential properties in the Philippines, with flexible terms tailored to their financial capacity.
Purpose: To help OFWs secure residential properties in the Philippines.
Benefits and Other Terms:
- Loanable Amount: Up to Php 2,000,000, based on the appraised value of the collateral and borrower’s capacity to pay.
- Socialized Housing Loan: Up to Php 450,000.
- Interest Rates: Ranges from 8% to 11% per annum based on loan amount.
- Loan Term: Up to 15 years, subject to borrower’s age and property life.
TESDA Abot Lahat ang OFW
This program offered by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) promises free skills training and scholarships to OFWs and their dependents, aimed at helping them acquire competencies for livelihood projects or gainful employment.
Purpose: To enhance the skills of OFWs and their dependents for livelihood opportunities.
Benefits and Other Terms:
- Cost-free skills training and scholarships.
- Online registration through TESDA’s mobile app.
OFW Re-integration Through Skills and Entrepreneurship (OFW RISE)
This TESDA web-based program provides training in entrepreneurship for OFWs, equipping them with knowledge to establish sustainable livelihoods.
Purpose: To empower OFWs with entrepreneurship skills for economic reintegration.
Benefits and Other Terms:
- Web-based training on entrepreneurship and livelihood establishment.
Agri Negosyo (ANYO) Para sa OFW
This is a program offered by the Department of Agriculture (DA) in an effort to assist returning OFWs who wish to start agri-fishery businesses by providing financial assistance, training, and investment opportunities.
Purpose: To support OFWs in establishing agribusiness ventures upon returning to the Philippines.
Benefits and Other Terms:
- Financial assistance and training for agribusiness.
- Access to investment opportunities.
Helping the Economy Recover through OFW Enterprise Start-ups (HEROES Program)
This program is offered by the Small Business Corporation (SBCorp.) provides interest-free loans to displaced, repatriated, or returning OFWs to help them establish start-up businesses.
Purpose: To support OFWs in creating sustainable start-ups through financial assistance.
Benefits and Other Terms:
- Interest-free loans for start-up businesses.
Sa Pinas, Ikaw ang Ma’am, Sir (SPIMS)
A Department of Education (DepEd)-initiated reintegration program for OFWs who passed the Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET), this program offers teaching kits and job positions upon their return to the Philippines.
Purpose: To help LET-passers among OFWs reintegrate as teachers in the Philippines.
Benefits and Other Terms:
- Php 20,000 worth of teaching kits.
- Online refresher courses and retraining.
Assist WELL Program
The Assist WELL program is a Department of Migrant Worker (DMW) initiative offering welfare, employment, livelihood, and legal services to OFWs who have returned home after losing their jobs due to critical situations.
Purpose: To provide comprehensive assistance to returning OFWs for their reintegration.
Benefits and Other Terms:
- Welfare, employment, livelihood, and legal services.
Livelihood Development Assistance Program (LDAP)
Just like the Assist WELL Program, the LDAP is a DMW initiative that offers start-up kits valued at Php 10,000 to eligible OFWs, providing them with the materials and equipment necessary to start small businesses.
Purpose: To support OFWs in establishing small-scale business ventures.
Benefits and Other Terms:
- Business enterprise start-up kits worth Php 10,000.
Video: DMW to Give Higher Assistance to Distressed OFWs
Just recently, the DMW has announced that the agency has increased cash assistance (up to PHP 100,000) given to distressed OFWs in need of help. To learn about the particulars, watch this news clip from PTV:
Summary
Understanding that there are various financial assistance programs available to OFWs is a necessary part of empowering them to overcome challenges and improve their lives both abroad and at home. By learning more about these initiatives, you,as an individual can better support the OFWs in your family and community and advocate for their rights and welfare.
Take a closer look at these OFW financial assistance programs above to discover how you or someone you know can benefit, and take the necessary steps to access the support available.