The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) provides assurance to all Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) that when they go back home, whether it’s by their own choice or by other circumstances beyond anyone’s control, they can still get back on their feet and start a new life back in the Philippines. One of the programs that the OWWA provides is the Balik Pinay! Balik Hanapbuhay! Program.
The Balik Pinay! Balik Hanapbuhay! Program was created last 2011 and it is designed especially for women OFWs. It gives livelihood assistance worth Php 10,000 that includes skills training and starter kit for them to start working or to start a new business.

Objectives
The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) created a set of objectives for Balik Pinay! Balik Hanapbuhay! Program.
- To become multi-skilled by having access to training services/assistance with the help of the training institutions such as Technical Education and Skills Development Authority *TESDA), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and Agricultural Training Institute (ATI);
- To be able to plan, set-up, start, and operate a livelihood project by giving beneficiaries with the ready-to-go roll out self-employment package inclusion of services consisting of pieces of training, business counseling, technical and marketing assistance services, and start-up kits;
- To increase the chances of finding better job opportunities by providing displaced women with the proper skills deemed highly in-demand in the local labor market.
Benefits
The Balik Pinay! Balik Hanapbuhay! Program grants beneficiaries Php 10,000 which consist of the following:
- Php 2,500 Training Cost (includes but not limited to honoraria, supplies and materials, and a demo kit)
- Php 7,500 Starter Kit Cost (includes but not limited to equipment, tools and jigs, raw material, and small start-up capital)
Qualifications
To apply for Balik Pinay! Balik Hanapbuhay! Program, a woman OFW must be:
- Distressed women workers sheltered by Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) at the Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipino Resource Center (MWOFRC);
- Displaced women workers by the hostilities and conflicts in their host country;
- Women workers who are victims of illegal recruitment
- trafficking exploited (unpaid and underpaid)
- sexually and physically abused
- whose contract was pre-terminated;
- And other distressed and displaced women workers.
Requirements
Before you apply for Balik Pinay! Balik Hanapbuhay! Program, you must first secure these following documents:
- Passport (copy of the fist page)
- Arrival Stamp (must show the date of the last arrival in the Philippines)
- National Reintegration Center for OFWs (NRCO) form
- Business plan
Priority Hanap-buhay Projects
The Balik Pinay! Balik Hanapbuhay! Program has a list of projects that they want to prioritize. They focus on health and wellness that can easily be done at home so, when applying for this program, make sure to check the list below and choose from it.
- Reflexology
- Massage
- Home Spa
- Foot Spa
- Cosmetology
- Hair Cutting
- Beauty Care
- Manicure and Pedicure
- Dress Making
- Food Processing
- Baking
- Snack preparation
- Skin and Health Care Production (soap, scented oils, herbal medicine)
- Repairs and Maintenance for Personal Accessories
- Bag repairs
- Phone repairs
- Handicrafts
- Souvenir Items
- Fashion Jewelry
- Native Slippers
- Bags
- Accessories
- Flower Arrangements
Applying for Balik Pinay! Balik Hanapbuhay! Program
If you were sheltered by the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) at the Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipino Resource Center (MWOFRC), the officer in charge in POLO will prepare your reintegration into the society once you are back in the Philippines. If you are qualified and have all the documents, then you may follow this guideline on how to apply for the Balik Pinay! Balik Hanapbuhay! Program.
Step 1: Secure all the documents needed and choose the livelihood training you are interested in.
Step 2: The POLO office will help you to secure and go through training on the basics of Business Entrepreneurship and help you in creating your Business Plan.
Step 3: Once you are done with the training, you will receive a certificate of completion. This certificate is needed when applying for a livelihood assistance grant.
Step 4: Wait for a notification from OWWA about your application from Balik Pinay! Balik Hanapbuhay! Program. It usually takes several days to receive a notification as this program involves three (3) agencies (DOLE, NRCO, OWWA) to process your application.
Step 5: When you receive a notification, one of the staff in POLO will assign the livelihood course available for you.
Step 6: You will undergo livelihood training. Once your training is complete, you will be endorse to the National Reintegration Center for OFWs (NRCO).
Step 7: The National Reintegration Center for OFWs (NRCO) will conduct an assessment and evaluation before processing your Livelihood Starter Kit.
Step 8: The NRCO will endorse you to DOLE Regional Offices or OWWA Regional Welfare Offices.
Step 9: The OWWA Regional Welfare Offices will then send the Starter Kit to your permanent home address.
Video: Livelihood Development Assistance Program & Balik Pinay! Balik Hanapbuhay
Watch this testimonial from a Filipina who worked in Singapore and was forced to go back home. Luckily, she was given a chance to get back on her feet with the help of the Balik Pinay! Balik Hanapbuhay! Program.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between the Balik Pinay! Balik Hanapbuhay! and Balik Pinas! Balik Hanapbuhay! Program?
The Balik Pinay! Balik Hanapbuhay! Program focuses solely on displaced Filipino women who work abroad. The Balik Pinas! Balik Hanapbuhay! Program is available for both men and women.
Can I still apply to Balik Pinay! Balik Hanapbuhay! Program after receiving benefits from Balik Pinas! Balik Hanapbuhay! Program?
No. You can only choose one program to apply for and avail for.
Do I have to pay the money I received from Balik Pinay! Balik Hanapbuhay! Program?
No. The Balik Pinay! Balik Hanapbuhay! Program is not a loan.
Summary:
The Balik Pinay! Balik Hanapbuhay! Program aims to help Filipina who are distressed to get back on their feet. This program doesn’t only give a livelihood program but also gives hope and encouragement to all Filipina who feel defeated and are full of worry as to what will happen to their family once they are back in the Philippines.