\KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato (PIA) — In a bid to empower female Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) has distributed P580,000 worth of financial assistance under the ‘Balik Pinay, Balik Hanapbuhay (BPBH)’ Program.
This distribution was part of a nationwide mass awarding held in celebration of the 2025 National Women’s Month.
The BPBH program, a reintegration effort, aims to provide distressed OFWs with the necessary resources to rebuild their lives in the Philippines.
According to DMW Acting Regional Director Samsudin T. Lintongan, the program offers financial support to qualified OFWs, enabling them to establish small businesses leading to economic independence.
“Ang layunin naman talaga ng programang ito is to encourage our OFWs to stay in the country permanently, ang DMW ay handang umalalay sa kanila, pag nagstart sila ng business, eventually pag napalago nila ito they don’t need to go back to foreign countries.” Lintongan stated.
(The goal of this program is truly to encourage our OFWs to stay in the country permanently. The DMW is ready to assist them; when they start a business and eventually grow it, they won’t need to return to foreign countries.)
Each of the 58 beneficiaries in SOCCSKSARGEN received P10,000, intended to serve as seed capital for their entrepreneurial ventures.
Julita Tennant, a former OFW, expressed her gratitude to the DMW for the timely assistance.
“Malaking tulong po ang naibigay ng DMW sa amin, sa mga OFW na di nakapagtapos ng kanilang mga kontrata ito na po yung hinihintay namin, salamat po na binigyan kami ng opportunity na makaumpisa kami sa aming negosyo” Tennant said.
(The DMW has provided us with great help, especially for OFWs who were unable to complete their contracts. This is what we have been waiting for. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to start our own business.)
The DMW also reported a nationwide distribution of P10,000,000 to OFWs through the BPBH program.
The DMW assured OFWs of its continued commitment to supporting and assisting OFWs from the region who have returned to the country, as well as those who plan to return and settle permanently. (SZT, PIA Region 12)
