A new reintegration project for women who are returning overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) was recently launched by the Labor Department. The new project will give women who are former OFWs skills training intervention programs with the end goal of improving their socio-economic status.

The new project called Balik-Pinay! Balik Hanapbuhay was established through the DOLE Administrative Order No. 77 Series of 2011. It was created specifically for returning women OFWs who have lost employment because of the conflicts and hostilities in Middle Eastern countries such as Libya. It also aims to help distressed and displaced women household service workers.

Beneficiaries of this project can avail of training services/assistance by institutions like the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Department of Trade and Industry, Technology Resource Center, and the Agricultural Training Institute.

During the launching Baldoz said, “With the Balik Pinay! Balik Hanapbuhay! Project, we aim to enable displaced women OFWs to plan, set-up, start, and operate a livelihood undertaking by providing them with ready-to-go roll-out self-employment package of services, consisting of short-gestation training, start-up kits, business counseling, and technical and marketing assistance services.”

As part of the National Reintegration Program for OFWs, Php24 million budget was allotted for this. Each beneficiary is entitled to in livelihood package with a maximum amount of Php10,000.

The following are the priority businesses of the Balik Pinay! Balik Hanapbuhay!Project:

Health and wellness business undertakings, such as reflexology, massage, home spa, cosmetology and production of bath soap, scented oils, herbal medicine, skin/health care products; house repairs, such as plumbing, welding, electrical servicing, appliance repair; food processing, such as native snack preparation and other food and beverage preparation; personal accessories repairs and maintenance, such as cellular phone and bag repairs; and handicraft, such as souvenir items, fashion jewelry, native slippers, bags and accessories production.

These are the benefits that one can avail under the program:

• Short-period training on production skills with entrepreneurship and business management
• Provision of continuing marketing linkage and networking services, business advisory, and consultancy service
• Access to existing social protection services (SSS, PhilHealth
• Job referral system covering local labor markets

To know how to avail this benefit, visit www.DOLE.gov.ph