The Bantayan North OFW Association (BANOA) is one of OWWA7’s success stories in OFW organizations that have established a business using a livelihood grant from the government under the “Tulong Puso” program. (Photo courtesy of OWWA-7)
CEBU CITY, Cebu (PIA) — An association in Bantayan, Cebu composed of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) has now become a success story for the government’s livelihood program for former OFWs.
Based in Bantayan Island, which is situated to the west of northern Cebu and around 145 kilometers away from Cebu City, the 39-member Bantayan North OFW Association (BANOA) started in 2021 selling rice and agricultural and veterinary products such as animal feed.
The group was formed after the OFWs in Bantayan were introduced to “Tulong Puso,” a livelihood assistance program implemented by the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA).
BANOA president Ligaya Batiancila said that when they organized the group, it was not easy, especially when some members were not fully convinced of the feasibility of their business.
“Ang Barangay North OFW Association nagsugod siya sa programa sa OWWA Tulong Puso Program nga gipasiugdahan sa OWWA… after sa meeting, nahibaw-an nga kinahanglan diay mag-recruit og mga members,” Batiancila said.
(The Barangay North OFW Association started as a beneficiary of the OWWA’s Tulong Puso Program. We learned after the meeting that we need to recruit members.)
In 2022, a year after they were formed, BANOA qualified for a P1 million financial grant under the “Tulong Puso” program.
The first tranche of financial aid amounting to P200,000 was released in 2022, while the second tranche amounting to P500,000 was released in 2024.
BANOA used the livelihood grant to buy rice and agricultural and veterinary products. The association chose these as their goods to sell given that they are located in Brgy. Atop-atop, which is around 11 kms away from the town proper. Inland communities in the island primarily rely on farming, livestock, and poultry.
“We decided first, unsa amo ipamaligya adto, mao to gahuna-huna mi siguro merchandise kay kasagaran diri, kay layo-layo man gud mi sa lungsod. So at least kay kung among baligya kay merchandise na, maka-cater mi sa mga needs sa mga tawo,” Batiancila said.
(We decided to sell merchandise, goods that people will need especially since we are located far from the town proper. So if we sell goods, we will be able to cater to people’s needs.)
This decision eventually paid off. The association is now earning over P28,000 in sales a day. Batiancilla said they could even reach over P1 million in sales a month.
BANOA did not also fail to dispense a dividend refund to their members, between P30,000 to P10,000 for each member based on the sales in the previous year.
According to OWWA-7 Overseas Workers Welfare Officer Christina Marie Vistal, based on BANOA’s financial statement, their total sales in 2024 reached P14 million.
Support program
Vistal explained that creating and supporting OFW organizations is their agency’s initiative under OWWA’s Family Development Support Program.
“Ang atoang mandate sa OWWA, we support OFWs but not just OFWs alone, ato pung suportahan ilang pamilya nga nabilin sa Pilipinas,” Vistal said.
(Our mandate at OWWA, we support OFWs but not just OFWs alone, we also support their families who are left behind in the Philippines.)
OWWA created the “Tulong Puso” program during the COVID-19 pandemic to help returning OFWs get back on their feet by providing livelihood assistance.
The financial grant can reach up to P1 million, depending on the proposal and the number of members in a group. The groups are required to have at least 15 members to be qualified and shall be composed by either an OFW or a family member of an OFW.
The groups should also be duly registered either by registering authorities as the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Cooperative Development Authority (CDA), or by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
The group will also be required to have a business proposal with either a 20 percent capital build-up (CBU) as a counterpart fund or a property.
In 2024, the “Tulong Puso” program released P9,920,000 to help establish 29 OFW organizations in Central Visayas.
Currently, there are a total of 198 OFW organizations in Central Visayas with 8,598 members in total. (JJT/PIA 7)
