Amasa’s business offers Filipino snacks, such as kutchinta, puto cheese, leche flan, butchi, and tikoy. (Photo credits to DMW Region 7)
Social media platforms can be a tool for good and bad. But one Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) learned to use social media to her advantage.
Lisa Amasa, 53, single mother from Barangay Labangaon, Cebu City was once considered a “tago ng tago” or TNT, a term coined for OFWs who are in hiding from host government authorities either due to expired work visa, undocumented status, or overstaying in a country.
Amasa took the risk of working abroad in the United Arab Emirates regardless of having no legal documents. For years, she worked as a school cleaner until she became a teacher assistant.
However, COVID-19 pandemic struck, affecting her job on which her family back in the Philippines relies on. Recollecting the experience, Amasa said that it was the most difficult time for her and her family.
“Three months mi nga walay sweldo. Kung sweldohan man gani, gamay ra kaayo. Nagsalig ra mi sa mga hinabang nga moabot,” Amasa said.
(For three months, we did not receive any salary. When we did, it was only a small amount. We only relied on the relief assistance.)
Her situation turned to worse when she later learned that there are additional requirements or documents for her work in a school, which she could not provide due to her being a TNT.
As an undocumented OFW, she quickly realized she had no one to turn to for help unless she risked being deported.
She then decided to go back to the Philippines and to her four children.
Not long after returning home, to sustain the needs of her family, Amasa turned to social media to learn how to cook ‘kakanin’ by watching online videos. Kakanin refers to Filipino native sweet delicacies made from glutinous rice and coconut milk.
At first, Amasa sought financial support that could help her business grow. She came across the livelihood assistance of the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) from friends who introduced her to the Livelihood Development Assistance Program (LDAP).
This marked the beginning of Amasa’s ‘kakanin’ business, which would eventually earn her a monthly average income of P20,000.
Amasa started her business offering kuchinta, puto cheese, leche flan, butchi, tikoy, among others to her neighbors only. Now, she has expanded her customer base to interested online buyers.
DMW promotes her product as a way to help her business flourish.
Livelihood assistance for undocumented OFW
LDAP is one of the component programs of the Livelihood Program for Overseas Filipino Workers’ Reintegration (LPOR) of DMW.
DMW Welfare Reintegration Services Division supervising labor employment officer Luchel Taniza said this program is solely for the undocumented OFWs to be reintegrated in the community through livelihood assistance.
Undocumented OFWs who have an existing business like Amasa or planning to put up a business may apply for LDAP.
The program will give P10,000 financial livelihood assistance to qualified beneficiaries.
For Amasa’s case, she received her assistance on August 23, 2024 which has been a great help for her business as it was a period entering ‘ber months’, the season of family gatherings.
“Nindot kaayo kay she’s really able to sustain, although dili pirmi nga dagko siya’g kita peru mabawi-bawi for example kadtong miaging holidays, so daku-daku ang iyaha nakita adto,” Taniza said.
(It’s very nice because she’s really been able to sustain her business, although it’s not so often to have a big income but she can recover. For example, those last holidays, her income was a lot better at that time.)
Taniza also shared that Amasa is determined in sustaining her business because she has no plans to go back abroad especially that she is a single mother.
“Daku kaayo ug tabang ang livelihood assistance sa DMW diri naku. Ako ning gigamit puno sa akong puhunan. Tungod sa akong negosyo, naa na gyud mi magamit alang sa panggastos sa balay ug labaw na para sa among inadlaw-adlawng pagkaon,” Amasa said.
(The livelihood assistance I received was such a big help since I used it to augment my capital for my small business. This small business helped us get by each day, especially in making sure that there is food on the table.)
Taniza said qualified applicants are OFWs who have returned to the country within three years and should present proof to establish authenticity in order to avail of the program.
Sustainability efforts
Taniza said DMW is also in partnership with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) to help improve the businesses of their beneficiaries.
DOST currently has an iFWDPH program which can capacitate OFWs to manage their businesses anchored on science, technology, and innovation.
While DMW works on identifying potential participants to actively participate in the future orientations with DOST 7, Amasa has already been included in the list to join the league of attaining sustainable business.
Go through the process, be documented
DMW reminded Filipinos who are planning to work abroad to follow the law and undergo the process of being an OFW.
“Nindot man gud kanang documented ka, naa gyud ka sa database. Inkaso og duna’y mga contingencies, duna’y mga eventualities, then it’s not difficult for you to avail of the assistance,” Taniza said.
(It would be better if you’re documented, that you are in the database, so in case if there are contingencies, there are eventualities, then it’s not difficult for you to avail of the assistance.)
Other assistance
DMW is also offering other assistance that OFWs may avail of, such as the ‘Balik Pinay, Balik Hanapbuhay’ program for the distressed women OFWs, and the ‘Sa Pinas, Ikaw ang Ma’am at Sir’ (SPIMS) program for licensed teachers who ventured for work abroad.
With the department’s partnership with other government agencies, DMW also offers financial awareness seminars for OFWs. (JJT/PIA 7)
