Twenty one repatriated overseas Filipino workers received their livelihood starter kits under the Balik Pinas Balik Hanapbuhay program of Overseas Workers Welfare Administration on May 24 & 26, 2017, in Zamboanga City. The awarding of starter kits was facilitated by Mark Teody Bidad, AO-V/Accountant and assisted by Shedra S. Ayaz and Khalil Isser S. Lorena, both Family Welfare Officers and Fatima Jane Salihuddin, Labor Communication Officer of OWWWA RWO-IX, Zamboanga City.
Balik Pinas Balik Hanapbuhay! Program is a package of livelihood assistance/support intended to provide immediate relief to returning OWWA members, active or non-active who were: (1) displaced by hostilities or wars/political conflicts, policy reforms or changes by host governments; (2) victims of illegal recruitment or human trafficking or other distressful situations; (3) distressed wards at the Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Resource Centers who are due for repatriation; and (4) repatriated OWWA-members who were employed by foreign employers which are beset with financial difficulties due to economic conditions.
The livelihood kits starter kits vary from sewing machine, burger stand, and baking & carinderia kits depending on the choice of the recipient. The recipients must submit Business Plan for their desired business and attend the Financial Literacy Training. The training aims to: (1) Equip the participants with management skills in business and (2) Encourage participants to engage in self-employment in lieu of overseas work.
Recipient of burger stand kit.
Recipient of baking and carinderia kit.
Recipient of sewing machine kit.
Recipients are especially grateful to OWWA RWO-IX for the assistance. “This kit will really help me change my life”, said Jijang Aradi, a recipient of the Balik-Pinas Balik-Hanap Buhay Program.