The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) offers a variety of programs and services that Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and their families can enjoy. One of these is the Balik Pinas! Balik Hanapbuhay! Program (BPBH). In this program, active and inactive members of OWWA can apply and receive cash assistance, training, and support services that will help them get back on their feet.
The Balik Pinas! Balik Hanapbuhay! Program (BPBH) is offered to OFWs even if you are not a member of OWW, as long as you fit the qualifications such as:
- Displaced due to political chaos, war, or economic problems
- Victim of illegal recruiters and human traffickers
- Maltreated or verbally/sexually abused
- Repatriated due to employer’s financial problems
- Distressed and being cared for by the Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Resource Centers (MWOFRC)
Balik Pinas! Balik Hanapbuhay!: OFW PHP 20,000 Cash Assistance for Livelihood
The Balik Pinas! Balik Hanapbuhay! Program (BPBH) provides cash assistance for OFWs who want to start a business. This helps OFWs to get back on their feet when they decide to stay in the Philippines for good and still provide for their families. The money is intended for livelihood use only and OFWs can receive the following amount of money:
- Maximum of PHP20,000 for ACTIVE OWWA members
- Maximum of PHP10,000 for INACTIVE OWWA members that has more than 1 contribution.
- Maximum of PHP5,000 for INACTIVE OWWA members but only have 1 contribution.
Requirements
Just like any other programs and services, the Balik Pinas! Balik Hanapbuhay! Program (BPBH) also asks for documentary requirements to apply. Here’s the list of requirements that you need to have:
- One piece of 2×2 ID picture
- OFW Verification Sheet issued by OWWA
- Application form
- Personal undertaking that the cash assistance will only be used for livelihood purposes of an OFW
- Business Plan
- Sketch of home and business site
- Barangay Clearance/Certificate
- Passport (Original copy and photocopy)
- First page with passport details and photo
- Last departure in the Philippines
- Last Arrival in the Philippines
- Visa Stamp Page of Country Abroad
- Airline Ticket (Original copy and photocopy)
- Travel documents (Original copy and photocopy)
- Referral letter from the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) or the Philippine Embassy (Original copy and photocopy)
- Termination letter/Notice from employer (Original copy and photocopy)
- Medical records (for medically displaced OFWs) (Original copy and photocopy)
- Certificate of Training Attended (Original copy and photocopy)
- Entrepreneurial Development Training
- Skills Training
Application Form
If you want to apply for the Balik Pinas! Balik Hanapbuhay! Program, you need to fill out an application form. This form can only be distributed by the OWWA Regional Welfare Offices (RWO) for free. Make sure that you have already prepared a business plan before applying.
Application Process
If you are qualified to apply for the Balik Pinas! Balik Hanapbuhay! Program (BPBH) and if you have gathered all the requirements, then follow these simple steps to help you receive the benefits you need and deserve.
Step 1: Go to the OWWA Regional Office (RWO) near you and ask for the Application form. The application Form must be the same one in the photo we provided above.
Step 2: Prepare the requirements we listed above in this article.
Step 3: Secure a schedule for the Entrepreneurial Development Training Seminar
Step 4: Fill out the business plan and give your requirements to the OWWA Regional Welfare Offices (RWO)
Step 5: Prepare for the Business Site Inspection by the OWWA Regional Welfare Offices (RWO)
Step 6: Wait for Application Approval, then claim the financial assistance.
Video: Balik Pinas Balik Hanapbuhay (BPBH) Testimony
Want to hear from people who already received their Balik Pinas! Balik Hanapbuhay! Program (BPBH) Cash Assistance? Watch this video by OWWA Regional 02 Cagayan Valley – Official.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is qualified to get the Balik Pinas! Balik Hanapbuhay! Program (BPBH) Cash Assistance?
Qualified Overseas Filipino Workers are the following:
- Displaced due to political chaos, war, or economic problems
- Victim of illegal recruiters and human traffickers
- Maltreated or verbally/sexually abused
- Repatriated due to employer’s financial problems
- Distressed and being cared for by the Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Resource Centers (MWOFRC)
Where can I apply for the Balik Pinas! Balik Hanapbuhay! Program (BPBH)?
You can visit the OWWA Regional Welfare Office (RWO) near you to inquire and get the necessary documents and requirements.
What are the requirements to get Cash Assistance?
The basic requirements are the following:
- One piece of 2×2 ID picture
- OFW Verification Sheet issued by OWWA
- Application form
- Personal undertaking that the cash assistance will only be used for livelihood purposes of an OFW
- Business Plan
- Sketch of home and business site
- Barangay Clearance/Certificate
You may inquire in the OWWA Regional Welfare Office (RWO) for any additional requirements they need.
How much cash can I receive from the Balik Pinas! Balik Hanapbuhay! Program (BPBH)?
If you are an active member of OWWA, you can get as much as PHP20,000 and as low as PHP5,000 for inactive OWWA members.
Aside from the money, what else can I get from the Balik Pinas! Balik Hanapbuhay! Program (BPBH)?
The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) also provides Techno-Skills or Entrepreneurial Training, Starter Kits/Goods, and other services that can help Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) to start their business immediately.
Can I apply more than once if I already received the Balik Pinas! Balik Hanapbuhay! Program (BPBH) before?
No, you can’t. The Balik Pinas! Balik Hanapbuhay! Program (BPBH) can only assist an OFW once.
Can I still avail for the Balik Pinas! Balik Hanapbuhay! Program (BPBH) even if it is already been a year since I returned?
No, you can’t. The OWWA encourages the OFWs to avail the cash assistance from Balik Pinas! Balik Hanapbuhay! Program (BPBH) within one (1) year after you return to the Philippines.
Do I have to pay the cash assistance back from Balik Pinas! Balik Hanapbuhay! Program (BPBH)?
The Balik Pinas! Balik Hanapbuhay! Program (BPBH) Cash Assistance is not a loan. It is an initiative from the Philippine government to help OFWs in need.
Summary:
The OWW Balik Pinas! Balik Hanapbuhay! Program (BPBH) offers financial help for those Filipino migrants who were abused and dismissed. They offered not only financial assistance but also training and other services to make sure the OFWs would gain some skills in growing and maintaining their business. They give them a chance to get back on their feet and become responsible and functional members of society.