Repatriated female overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) from conflict-torn Syria may now avail of the government’s free P10,000 worth of livelihood assistance package to start their own local businesses, the Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) said.
Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz urged repatriated Filipina OFWs to avail of DoLE’s Balik Pinay, Balik Hanapbuhay Program, which will provide them with higher income compared to what they earned in Syria.
In a statement, she said that applicants could use the capital to start their local businesses like dealership, neighborhood store, agri-business, food service, production and manufacturing instead of going back abroad.
“We encourage them to remain in the country because there are jobs and other non-wage employment opportunities that are waiting for them, where the pay or income is much greater than their salaries a domestic service workers in Syria,” Baldoz said.
She also added repatriated OFWs could also avail of the P2 billion OFW reintegration loan, which is being offered by the National Reintegration Center for OFWs if they are planning on starting a bigger business venture.
Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) administration Carmelita Dimzon also said that they will continue to hold “Operation Syria Libreng Tawag” by giving families the opportunity to contact their loved ones in Syria alert level 4 has been raised by the Department of Foreign Affairs.
Dimzon said that OFW families who have relatives in Syria may visit the OWWA Main Office located at F.B. Harrizon, corner 7th Street, Pasay City and avail of the OWWA’s “Operation Syria Libreng Tawag”.
Dimzon said that for further inquiries, they may e-mail or contact the following OWWA hotline/telephone numbers: OWWA MAIN – (632) 8917601-24; 24/7 OWWA Operation Center; 833 OWWA’ 8336992; 551 15 60; TEXT HOTLINE – 2917; Press 3 for OWWA; (63) 917-8986992. Or email us at: Opcenter7@owwa.gov.ph; Owwa_opcenter@yahoo.com.
She added that as of December 16, 2011, a total of 388 OFWs in Syria availed of the government mandatory repatriation.

Source: Manila Bulletin - December 28, 2011