KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato (PIA) -- The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) has provided P26 million in livelihood grants to 71 Overseas Filipino Workers family circles (OFC) under its Tulong Pangkabuhayan sa Pag-Unlad ng Samahang OFWs, or Tulong PUSO program.

Ginalyn Milla, a former overseas worker and president of the Namnama OFW Association in Koronadal City, whose business is focused on rice retail, said she was glad that their association became a beneficiary of the Tulong PUSO program of the OWWA.

“Dahil po sa aming livelihood na ito nagkakaroon kami ng income P10,000 to P14,000 a month at dahil po dyan natutulungan po namin ang aming mga distressed OFWs para po magkaroon din sila ng sarili o dagdag income para sa kanilang daily needs [Because of our livelihood, we have an income of P10,000 to P14,000 a month that enables us to help our distressed OFWs to have their own or extra income to spend for their daily needs],” she told the Philippine Information Agency.

The Tulong PUSO program is a one-time livelihood grant that aims to provide assistance for the formation, enhancement, or restoration of livelihood undertakings of OFW organizations in the form of raw materials, equipment, tools, and jigs, including other support services.

“Lubos po kami nagpapasalamat lalong lalo na sa ating Pangulong Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. sa pagkakataong binigay nya sa amin at sa tiwalang ibinigay nya [We are very grateful, especially to President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. for the opportunity and the trust he gave us],” Milla conveyed.

Under the program, qualified OFW groups are eligible to receive a grant of P150,000 to P1 million as start-up capital for their chosen business. 

Other projects under Tulong PUSO include agribusiness, health and wellness, eco-tourism, manufacturing, and wholesale and retail trade.

Meanwhile, OWWA has also equipped at least 52 beneficiaries of the program with “valuable business skills” to empower them to attain sustainable success in their entrepreneurial ventures.

OWWA Regional Director Christelyn Caceres said the beneficiaries, who were members of OFCs, have recently received specialized training on simple bookkeeping and inventory management to upgrade their skills on what to do about their respective businesses.

“By providing targeted training, OWWA aims to empower individuals with the knowledge and tools necessary to navigate the complexities of business ownership successfully,” she explained.

Caceres rationalized that by equipping OFW organizations with necessary business skills, they will be able to ensure the long-term viability of their livelihood projects, resulting in more successful OFW entrepreneurs in the Soccsksargen region.

The official also thanked the Department of Trade and Industry for its assistance in providing the necessary training intervention and social preparation for the activity.

The learning package also included training on effective marketing strategies designed to increase the capability of the beneficiaries as well as the business profitability.

The Tulong PUSO program is open to organized OFWs who are either recognized by the Cooperative Development Authority, the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the Department of Labor and Employment. (ORVR – PIA Region 12)