Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 27) — The government said it is projecting tens of thousands of returning overseas Filipino workers (OFW) to benefit from the livelihood program set for them by the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA).
On Tuesday, OWWA Administrator Hans Leo Cacdac said in the first round of the program, around 50,000 people are seen to benefit from it.
“Mga P700 million ang nakalaan na pera para sa reintegration program, Balik Pinas, Balik Hanapbuhay, and approximately aabot ng 50,000 ang unang round ng benepisyaryo diyan,” he said during a televised briefing.
[Translation: Around P700 million has been allotted for the reintegration program, Balik Pilipinas, Balik Hanapbuhay, and approximately 50,000 (people) will be beneficiaries during the first round.]
According to OWWA, the Balik Pinas, Balik Hanapbuhay program is a “package of livelihood support/assistance intended to provide immediate relief to returning member-OFWs…amounting to a maximum P20,000 as start-up or additional capital for the livelihood project.”
He added, “We just have to be mindful of the number of applicant-beneficiaries and whether we can further tap into the funds just to provide reintegration, para dun sa mga reintegration packages nung mga nanumbalik.”
[Translation: We just have to be mindful of the number of applicant-beneficiaries and whether we can further tap into the funds to provide reintegration packages for those who have returned.]
To date, Cacdac said 7,500 repatriated OFWs have gone back home to their provinces since President Rodrigo Duterte gave the order that all workers must be sent home.
“Umaasa po tayo na madagdagan ag bilang na ito. Day three na po tayo sa seven-day target or period na binigay sa atin ng ating Pangulo, and we’re looking forward sa pagdagdag ngayon ng mga buses at sea transport,” he said.
[Translation: We are hoping for this number to increase. We are on day three of the seven-day target period given to us by the Presudent, and we’re looking forward to having more buses and sea transport.]
He added, “Of course, nagkaroon na tayo ng [there were] five voyages last week, but since the Presidential directive, it’s the first time for the vessels — shipping vessels — to spring into action today and tonight ang biyahe (the trip is tonight), actually.”
