How to Avail of OWWA Reintegration Program
The OWWA Reintegration Program is a comprehensive package of assistance designed for returning Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) who wish to transition back to life in the Philippines. Anchored on Republic Act No. 10022, Republic Act No. 11641, and Executive Order No. 126, the program provides livelihood support, enterprise development loans, skills training, and financial literacy seminars to help OFWs and their families build sustainable businesses and achieve financial independence. The flagship initiative — the Balik Pinas! Balik Hanapbuhay! Program — equips returning OFWs with starter kits worth up to PHP 20,000 to jumpstart their chosen livelihood upon arrival in the Philippines.
Types of Reintegration Assistance
OWWA offers several reintegration assistance programs for returning and displaced OFWs. The type of support you can avail depends on your needs and eligibility:
- Balik Pinas! Balik Hanapbuhay! (BPBH) — Livelihood Support: A starter kit package worth up to PHP 20,000 containing tools, equipment, or materials for your chosen livelihood (e.g., food cart, sewing machine, agricultural supplies). This is a non-cash grant — you receive the actual livelihood kit, not money.
- Enterprise Development Loan Program (EDLP): A loan facility for OFWs or groups of OFWs who want to start or expand a business. Individual borrowers may avail of up to PHP 100,000, while cooperatives or organizations may borrow up to PHP 1,000,000. The loan comes with a low interest rate and flexible repayment terms.
- Skills Training: Free training programs conducted by OWWA in partnership with TESDA and other agencies. Courses include food processing, welding, dressmaking, automotive repair, computer literacy, and other technical-vocational skills to prepare OFWs for local employment or self-employment.
- Financial Literacy Seminars: Free seminars that teach OFWs and their families about money management, savings, investments, and business planning. These seminars are conducted at OWWA regional offices and during reintegration preparedness programs.
Who Can Avail of the Reintegration Program?
The OWWA Reintegration Program is open to the following qualified individuals:
- Returning OFWs with active OWWA membership or whose membership has not lapsed for more than the allowable period at the time of application
- Displaced OFWs who were terminated from employment abroad due to retrenchment, company closure, or other causes beyond their control
- Distressed OFWs who were repatriated due to abuse, maltreatment, underpayment, or other violations of their employment contract
- OFW families and dependents who wish to start a livelihood on behalf of the OFW member (for certain programs)
- OFWs who have completed the Reintegration Preparedness Program or its equivalent orientation seminar
Requirements
Required Documents
- Proof of OWWA membership (OFW e-Card, OWWA membership receipt, or OWWA ID)
- Valid government-issued ID (passport, PhilSys National ID, or other valid ID — original + photocopy)
- Business plan or livelihood proposal (required for Enterprise Development Loan applicants)
- Certificate of Attendance from the Reintegration Preparedness Program or National Reintegration Center for OFWs (NRCO) seminar
Additional Documents
- Certificate of Employment or Service Record from foreign employer (if available)
- Barangay Clearance or Certificate of Residency from your current barangay
- 2x2 ID photos (recent, white background — at least 2 copies)
- Special Power of Attorney (SPA) if the OFW is still abroad and a family member is applying on their behalf
- Co-maker or guarantor documents (for EDLP loan applicants)
Note: Requirements may vary depending on the specific reintegration program you are applying for and the OWWA regional office handling your application. The EDLP loan program requires additional financial documents. Always check with your nearest OWWA regional office for the complete and updated list of requirements before applying.
Step-by-Step Process
How to Avail of the OWWA Reintegration Program
Step 1: Attend the Reintegration Preparedness Program
• Contact your nearest OWWA regional office or the National Reintegration
Center for OFWs (NRCO) to schedule your attendance
• The program covers financial literacy, business planning, and available
government programs for returning OFWs
• Attendance is FREE and may be completed online or in person
Step 2: Choose your reintegration program
• Decide which program suits your needs: BPBH livelihood kit, EDLP loan,
skills training, or financial literacy seminar
• OWWA staff can help you assess which program is best for you
• You may avail of more than one program if you qualify
Step 3: Submit your application at the OWWA Regional Office
• Bring all required documents to your nearest OWWA regional office
• Fill out the application form for your chosen program
• Submit the form along with your supporting documents
• Office hours: Mon–Fri, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Step 4: Undergo assessment and evaluation
• OWWA staff will review your application and documents
• You may be interviewed about your livelihood or business plan
• For EDLP loans, a credit investigation and feasibility study may be conducted
Step 5: Attend skills training (if applicable)
• If you chose the skills training program, attend the assigned
TESDA or OWWA-accredited training center
• Training duration varies from a few days to several weeks
• Training is FREE for qualified OWWA members
Step 6: Receive your livelihood kit or loan proceeds
• For BPBH: Receive your livelihood starter kit (tools, equipment, or materials)
• For EDLP: Loan proceeds will be released upon approval of your application
• Sign the acknowledgment receipt and other required documents
Step 7: Start your livelihood or business
• Use the livelihood kit or loan to start your chosen enterprise
• OWWA may conduct monitoring visits to check on your progress
• Seek mentorship from OWWA business counselors if neededExample Explained
Step 1: Before you can apply for any reintegration assistance, you must first attend the Reintegration Preparedness Program. This program, conducted by OWWA in coordination with the National Reintegration Center for OFWs (NRCO), equips you with financial literacy skills, business planning knowledge, and information about available government assistance programs. The seminar is free and may be attended at any OWWA regional office or online. You will receive a Certificate of Attendance, which is a required document for your application.
Step 2: After completing the preparedness program, decide which reintegration assistance best fits your situation. If you want to start a small livelihood immediately, the Balik Pinas! Balik Hanapbuhay! (BPBH) starter kit is ideal — it provides tools and materials worth up to PHP 20,000 at no cost. If you have a bigger business plan and need capital, consider the Enterprise Development Loan Program (EDLP). If you need new skills first, enroll in a free skills training program.
Step 3: Visit your nearest OWWA regional office with all required documents. The staff will assist you in filling out the application form for your chosen program. Make sure to bring originals and photocopies of all documents. For EDLP loan applicants, a detailed business plan is required at this stage.
Step 4: OWWA staff will evaluate your application. For BPBH applicants, the assessment focuses on verifying your OWWA membership and OFW status. For EDLP loan applicants, a more thorough evaluation is conducted, including a credit investigation and feasibility assessment of your business plan. You may be called for an interview to discuss your livelihood or business proposal.
Step 5: If you opted for skills training, you will be assigned to a TESDA or OWWA-accredited training center. Training courses range from short-term programs (1–2 weeks) to longer technical courses (several weeks to months). All training is provided free of charge to qualified OWWA members. Upon completion, you will receive a certificate that can also help in future employment.
Step 6: Once your application is approved, you will receive your assistance. For BPBH beneficiaries, this means receiving your livelihood starter kit — the actual tools, equipment, or materials for your chosen trade (not cash). For EDLP borrowers, the loan proceeds will be released to your bank account or through a check. You must sign an acknowledgment receipt and agree to the terms of the program.
Step 7: With your livelihood kit or loan capital in hand, you can now start your business or livelihood activity. OWWA may conduct periodic monitoring visits to check on the progress of your enterprise and provide additional support or mentorship if needed. Take advantage of OWWA's business counseling services to help you grow your business.
Complete Example: Availing the Reintegration Program
Real-World Scenario
Scenario: Roberto is a 38-year-old OFW who worked as a warehouse
staff in Dubai for 6 years. His OWWA membership is active.
He has returned to the Philippines permanently and wants
to start a small sari-sari store in his hometown in Leyte.
What Roberto Prepares:
• OWWA e-Card (proof of active membership)
• Passport (valid government-issued ID)
• Certificate of Attendance from the Reintegration Preparedness Program
• Barangay Clearance from his hometown in Leyte
• 2 pcs. 2x2 ID photos (white background)
• Certificate of Employment from his Dubai employer
Roberto's Timeline:
Week 1 — Attends Reintegration Preparedness Program at OWWA Region 8
office (1-day seminar on financial literacy and business planning)
Receives Certificate of Attendance
Week 2, Day 1 — Visits OWWA Regional Office VIII in Tacloban
9:00 AM — Fills out BPBH application form
9:30 AM — Submits all required documents
10:00 AM — Undergoes interview with OWWA staff about his livelihood plan
10:30 AM — Told to wait for assessment results (5–10 working days)
Week 3 — Receives text notification that his application is approved
Week 4 — Returns to OWWA Regional Office to claim his livelihood kit
9:00 AM — Signs acknowledgment receipt
9:15 AM — Receives BPBH starter kit for sari-sari store
(includes: grocery items, shelving, weighing scale, and basic supplies)
Result: Roberto receives his livelihood starter kit!
He sets up his sari-sari store in his barangay:
• Uses the PHP 20,000 worth of starter kit to stock his store
• Applies lessons from the financial literacy seminar
• Plans to reinvest profits to grow the business
• OWWA staff visits after 3 months to check on his progress
Total Cost: FREE (BPBH livelihood kit is a non-cash grant)
Total Time: About 3–4 weeks from seminar to kit release
Kit Value: Up to PHP 20,000 worth of livelihood materialsReintegration Programs Comparison
| Program | Description | Amount / Value | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Balik Pinas! Balik Hanapbuhay! (BPBH) | Livelihood starter kit containing tools, equipment, and materials for a chosen trade or small business (e.g., food cart, sewing kit, agri supplies) | Up to PHP 20,000 | Non-cash grant (starter kit) |
| Enterprise Development Loan Program (EDLP) | Loan facility for individual OFWs or OFW cooperatives to start or expand a business, with low interest rates and flexible repayment terms | Up to PHP 100,000 (individual); up to PHP 1,000,000 (cooperative) | Loan (with interest) |
| Skills Training | Free technical-vocational training in partnership with TESDA covering food processing, welding, dressmaking, automotive repair, computer literacy, and more | FREE | Training program |
| Financial Literacy Seminar | Seminars on money management, savings, investments, budgeting, and business planning for OFWs and their families | FREE | Seminar / workshop |
Note: You may avail of multiple reintegration programs if you qualify. For example, you can attend skills training and financial literacy seminars before applying for the BPBH livelihood kit or EDLP loan. Contact your nearest OWWA regional office for guidance on which combination of programs best suits your needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I apply for the reintegration program immediately upon returning to the Philippines?
Yes, you can begin the process as soon as you return. However, you must first attend the Reintegration Preparedness Program (which can be completed in as little as one day) before submitting your application for livelihood assistance or loans. Some OFWs attend the preparedness program even before their final return to the Philippines. Contact OWWA or the NRCO to schedule your attendance as early as possible to avoid delays.
Q: What kind of businesses or livelihoods can I start with the BPBH starter kit?
The BPBH program supports a wide range of livelihood activities. Common choices include sari-sari store, food cart or karinderya, rice retailing, hog or poultry raising, dressmaking and tailoring, auto or motorcycle repair, beauty salon, laundry service, and agricultural farming. The specific items in your starter kit will depend on the livelihood you choose. OWWA staff will help you determine the best livelihood option based on your skills, experience, and local market conditions.
Q: What are the repayment terms for the EDLP loan?
The Enterprise Development Loan Program (EDLP) offers competitive interest rates that are lower than commercial bank rates. Individual borrowers can avail of up to PHP 100,000, while OFW cooperatives or organizations can borrow up to PHP 1,000,000. The loan typically has a repayment period of up to 3 years with a grace period on the principal. Interest rates and specific terms are set by OWWA and may be updated periodically. Contact your nearest OWWA regional office for the current rates and terms.
Q: Can my spouse or family member apply on my behalf if I am still abroad?
For certain programs, yes. Your spouse or an immediate family member may apply for livelihood assistance on your behalf, provided they present a notarized Special Power of Attorney (SPA) from you, a copy of your OWWA membership proof, and their own valid ID. However, the EDLP loan program generally requires the OFW applicant to be present for the application and interview. Check with your OWWA regional office for specific requirements on representative applications.
Q: What skills training programs are available?
OWWA, in partnership with TESDA and other training institutions, offers a variety of skills training programs. These include food processing and preservation, bread and pastry production, welding technology, dressmaking and tailoring, automotive servicing, computer hardware and software, beauty care and hairdressing, electrical installation and maintenance, plumbing, and agricultural technology. The available courses may vary by region. Training is free for qualified OWWA members and includes a National Certificate (NC) from TESDA upon successful completion of the assessment.
Q: What happens if my business fails after receiving the livelihood kit?
The BPBH livelihood kit is a non-cash grant, so you are not required to return the kit or pay anything back if your business does not succeed. However, OWWA encourages you to seek guidance from their business counselors and regional staff if you encounter difficulties. You may also attend additional financial literacy seminars and skills training to improve your business management capabilities. For EDLP loan borrowers, the loan must still be repaid according to the agreed terms, even if the business encounters challenges. Contact OWWA to discuss possible restructuring of repayment if needed.
Important Reminders
- You must have an active or recently lapsed OWWA membership to qualify for reintegration assistance — verify your membership status before applying
- The Balik Pinas! Balik Hanapbuhay! livelihood kit is a non-cash grant — you will receive actual tools, equipment, and materials, not money
- Attendance at the Reintegration Preparedness Program is mandatory before you can apply for livelihood assistance or loans
- For EDLP loans, prepare a detailed business plan — loan approval depends on the feasibility of your proposed enterprise
- EDLP loans must be repaid on schedule — failure to repay may affect your credit standing and eligibility for future OWWA programs
- Apply at the OWWA regional office nearest to your home address in the Philippines, not at the OWWA Central Office in Mandaluyong (unless directed otherwise)
- Always bring original documents plus photocopies when visiting the OWWA office — the office will keep the photocopies and return your originals
- For the latest program guidelines and updates, visit the official OWWA website at owwa.gov.ph or contact their hotline at 1348
Disclaimer
This guide is provided for general informational purposes only. The requirements, steps, fees, and procedures mentioned here may vary depending on the OWWA you visit. We recommend visiting your nearest OWWA first to confirm the specific requirements and process before preparing your documents.