The aroma of freshly baked pastries mingles with the sweet scent of traditional kakanin and crispy banana chips emanating from the booths set up at the lobby of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) regional office building in Cebu City, creating an inviting atmosphere for visitors.
Behind each booth stood a proud Cebuana entrepreneur with one thing in common – they were once Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs).
This vibrant display wrapped up the 1st Kabayan Mini-Trade Fair, an initiative of the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) in Central Visayas to mark the observation of National Women’s Month.
The event featured the entrepreneurial journeys of former OFWs who have successfully reintegrated into their communities as business owners.
It also embodies the “Buy Lokal, Buy OFW” program of the DMW, a campaign aimed at supporting locally-made products, particularly those created by former OFWs.
Lisa Rollon, 53, a single mother of four children from Labangon, Cebu City, stood confidently behind her display of food business, Lisa’s Special Kakanin.
“Happy kaayo ko kay syempre gitagaan ko og opportunity nga mo display ari kaysa maghuwat ra ko didto og na’y order sa balay,” said Rollon, her face glowing with pride as customers savor her delicacies.
(I’m so happy to be given this opportunity to display my products here rather than just waiting for orders at home)
“Bisag five days lang, okay na,” she added.
(Even though it’s just five days, it’s been wonderful.)
Nearby, Rhona Mae Quijan arranged her products for Zhenrique’s Banana Chips, a local favorite from Carcar City, Cebu. In another booth, Yuri Jordan Cañete carefully displayed assorted baked goods from her business, Yuri’s Pastries, based in Quiot Pardo, Cebu City.
For the participating entrepreneurs, the fair represented more than just a chance to sell their products—it was a validation of their decision to return home and build something lasting. Each product told a story of resilience, innovation, and hope.
These entrepreneurs represent just a few of the success stories emerging from the DMW’s Livelihood Program for Overseas Filipino Workers Reintegration (LPOR), which provides financial support to returning OFWs wishing to establish their own businesses.
DMW and DOLE continue to strengthen their partnership in supporting OFWs and enhancing their reintegration process.
“We will help these OFWs, especially those in need. They will be made priority in availing our livelihood assistance,” said DOLE regional director Roy L. Buenafe.
“We are extremely thankful to all our partners, like the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration and the DOLE, to name a few, that are with us in this advocacy of supporting our OFWs so that their reintegration into the society will not only be effective but also transformative and meaningful,” added DMW OIC-Regional Director Maria Eloida O. Cantona.
Encouraged by the success of this event, the DMW-7, through its Welfare Reintegration Services Division (WRSD), has committed to provide additional livelihood assistance to the entrepreneurs and connect them with other partner agencies.
The Kabayan Mini-Trade Fair may have been the first of its kind in Central Visayas, but its success paves the way for more initiatives that support local entrepreneurs and empower returning OFWs. (MSH/PIA Cebu with report from DMW-7)
