DMW Caraga livelihood aid helps 50 OFWs rebuild income, support families
By Nora L. Molde
BUTUAN CITY (PIA) — Returning overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Caraga are gaining opportunities to rebuild their income sources, support their families, and establish sustainable livelihoods in their communities through livelihood assistance from the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Caraga.
A total of 50 OFWs received P750,000 in livelihood assistance, with each beneficiary receiving P15,000 under the Enhanced Livelihood Program for Overseas Filipino Workers Reintegration (ELPOR) to start or strengthen livelihood ventures.
One of the beneficiaries, a mother, expressed gratitude for the assistance, saying the support gives her hope that the government has not abandoned them during difficult times. She said the assistance would help her pursue a livelihood that could provide income for her family while allowing her to continue working in her community.
Aligned with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s program on Unified Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food, and Transport (UPLIFT), the assistance supports the government’s continuing efforts to help returning OFWs transition from overseas employment to sustainable income-generating activities at home. It also complements the administration’s thrust to expand livelihood and employment opportunities, strengthen social protection, and support the economic reintegration of returning Filipino workers.
As part of the intervention, DMW Caraga conducted a Kumustahan Session with 27 ELPOR beneficiaries from Agusan del Norte. The activity provided an opportunity for beneficiaries to share their experiences, assess their current situation, and identify areas where they may need further support as they prepare to start or develop their livelihood ventures.
DMW Caraga Regional Director Ritchel M. Butao emphasized that livelihood assistance goes beyond financial support, as beneficiaries are also encouraged to prepare for entrepreneurship and income-generating activities that can provide more stable sources of income for their families.
Meanwhile, another DMW Caraga team travelled to various provinces and municipalities through the Serbisyo sa Tugkaran Initiative to bring livelihood assistance and other services closer to returning OFWs and their families.
By delivering programs directly to communities, the initiative makes government assistance more accessible to beneficiaries in areas far from the regional office, sparing them from travelling long distances to Butuan City.
The beneficiaries expressed their gratitude for the assistance, saying it would help them start or strengthen their livelihood ventures, generate income, and provide for their families.
Through ELPOR and Serbisyo sa Tugkaran, DMW Caraga continues to bring reintegration assistance closer to returning OFWs, helping them turn government support into sustainable livelihood opportunities and productive economic participation in their communities. (NCLM, PIA Agusan del Norte with a report from DMW Caraga)