Philippines – Thirty-seven Filipino workers who came home from overseas jobs walked away with fresh capital for their small businesses last week. On July 28, 2026, the Department of Migrant Workers Regional Office VII (DMW RO-VII) released ₱555,000 in livelihood assistance to qualified returning OFWs from Cebu City, Mandaue City, and Lapu-Lapu City through the Enhanced Livelihood Program for OFW Reintegration (ELPOR).
According to a statement from the DMW Regional Office VII, the grants aim to help returnees establish steady sources of income and rebuild their lives alongside their families and communities.
Where the Money Went
Each of the 37 beneficiaries received ₱15,000 to either start a new venture or strengthen an existing one. The total amount was split across two programs:
- ₱375,000 to 25 OFW returnees under the Enhanced Balik Pinay, Balik Hanapbuhay Program
- ₱180,000 to 12 beneficiaries through the Expanded Livelihood Development Assistance Program
The seed money gives these returning workers a practical head start, whether they’re setting up a sari-sari store, a food stall, or another livelihood that keeps income close to home.
More Than Just Cash
Before the awarding, beneficiaries sat through a Pre-Migration Orientation Seminar led by the DMW RO-VII Welfare and Reintegration Services Division. Ms. Luchel S. Taniza, Supervising Labor and Employment Officer, facilitated the session.
The seminar covered ground that matters to anyone with family or friends still planning to work abroad. Topics included:
- Practical guidance on safe migration
- An orientation on Anti-Illegal Recruitment and Trafficking in Persons
- Available employment opportunities
- Government services returnees can tap into
Participants were encouraged to pass this information along to relatives and friends who might soon take the leap into overseas work. That way, the knowledge travels further than just the room it was shared in.
Why the Learning Sessions Matter
DMW RO-VII Regional Director Jhoaden G. Lucero, MM, EnP, CESO IV explained that the orientations were built into the program on purpose. Pairing the financial assistance with education, he said, strengthens the overall impact and helps beneficiaries make informed decisions about their money and their futures.
The livelihood grants and orientations form part of DMW RO-VII’s wider reintegration services for returning OFWs. For workers who spent years abroad, the combination of capital and guidance offers a steadier footing as they settle back home and plan their next chapter.