Guide to Balik Pinas, Balik Hanapbuhay (BPBH) Program

Oftentimes, OFWs worry about financial concerns, especially when they return home “for good,” or if circumstances lead them to go back to the country without a job or source of income. Fortunately, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) offers reintegration programs to repatriated or returning OFWs.

Once such program is Balik Pinas, Balik Hanapbuhay (BPBH), which grants cash assistance, entrepreneurship development training, and other services. This program goes in line with Republic Act No. 8042 or the “Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995,” which mandates government agencies to provide reintegration services for OFWs.

Benefits

The BPBH program provides the following benefits to qualified returning OFWs who are OWWA members:

• Financial assistance as start-up or additional capital for a livelihood project: (a) PHP 5,000 for non-active member-OFWs with one contribution; (b) PHP 10,000 for non-active member-OFWs with more than one contribution; and (c) PHP 20,000 for active member-OFWs;
• Entrepreneurship development training; and
• Marketing linkages, referrals, and other services.

Eligibility

To be eligible for the program, an applicant must:

• Be at least 18 years old;
• Be a Filipino citizen and a bonafide OFW;
• Be an active OWWA member at the time of repatriation or application;
• Be a repatriated OFW due to: (a) completion or termination of job contract; (b) distressed situations such as abuse, maltreatment, or exploitation by employer; (c) displacement due to pandemic, natural disaster, economic crisis, war, or conflict; (d) medical repatriation due to illness or injury sustained abroad; or (e) other involuntary repatriation causes.

NOTE: The eligibility of applicants is evaluated on a case-to-case basis by OWWA welfare officers. Notably, distressed OFWs who are victims of illegal recruitment, human trafficking, or human rights violations receive priority, in line with Republic Act No. 9208 or the “Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003.”

Requirements

Applicants need to prepare the following documents:

• OWWA membership records;
• Application Form with Personal Undertaking that the financial assistance will be used solely for the OFW’s livelihood activities;
• Proof of repatriation or return to the Philippines (e.g. passport or travel document, airline ticket, boarding pass);
• Proof of displacement (e.g. request for repatriation, termination letter, Single Entry Approach (SEnA) or complaint, referral letter/certification from Philippine Embassy or Migrant Workers Office, etc.);
• Certificate of Attendance to Entrepreneurial Development Training (EDT);
• Proof of residency (e.g. Barangay Certificate/Clearance); and
• Other supporting documents.

How to Sign Up

Here is a step-by-step guide to applying for the BPBH program:

1. Present and submit requirements to the OWWA Regional Office.
2. Attend the scheduled EDT session at the OWWA Regional Office.
3. Submit the application forms and other documents, including the Certificate of Attendance to the EDT and the Business Plan.
4. Prepare for the Business Site Inspection by the OWWA Regional Office.
5. Claim the financial assistance once the application has been approved.

NOTE: The processing time for applications usually take seven (7) working days, although this may vary depending on the circumstances, especially in cases of distressed or displaced OFWs.

For more details about the BPBH program, interested applicants are encouraged to visit the OWWA official website.

Reintegration can be hard for OFWs in distress, or those who have been displaced due to factors/situations that are out of their hands. It’s a good thing that OWWA implements programs like the BPBH, to help them start anew.

Other than the BPBH program, OWWA offers other types of financial and livelihood assistance to repatriated OFWs. Visit this link for more details about these services.