Inaul, a fabric from Maguindanao, has become one of the Philippines’ emerging exports. Its production has increased to meet growing demand, partly thanks to former OFWs who have returned home for good and joined a cooperative that makes it.
In Aklan, a group of returning OFWs are now producing barongs and export-quality products like placemats made from nito fibers, which they sell internationally.
These are just a few examples of ex-OFWs who have found new livelihoods through the Department of Migrant Workers’ Reintegration Program, according to Francis Ron de Guzman, the DMW’s Assistant Secretary for Reintegration Services.
The program offers financial literacy and business development training. “After completing the two-day training and selecting the business you want to pursue, we provide P10,000 to help you get started. It’s a small amount, but it’s a big help,” he explained.
De Guzman shared this in a recent orientation for OFWs at the City University of Hong Kong. He explained how the Maguindanao OFWs got involved in weaving inaul after being introduced to a cooperative that has been making it for decades. With government assistance and increased production, these weavers have found buyers abroad.
“In Aklan, the Public Employment Service Office (PESO) connected us with barong makers and producers of nito fiber products. They are beneficiaries of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) export engagement program. We helped train these ex-OFWs and helped them join the export business as suppliers,” De Guzman added.
Ex-OFWs proudly show the checks they received as starting capital after completing their training.
The DMW’s reintegration program has evolved over the years to support OFWs even before they leave for work abroad. The program starts with a pre-departure orientation seminar, which now includes financial literacy to help OFWs manage their finances and save for their return home.
The DMW is also collaborating with various government agencies to offer more programs for returning OFWs. For example, in Tarlac and Nueva Ecija, they are piloting backyard gardening programs with the Department of Agriculture (DA) to help improve the productivity of small plots of land.
In Nueva Ecija, the DMW has partnered with the Department of Tourism to create “Kulinaria,” a program that trains OFWs in cooking, food safety, and basic food handling. Participants receive small capital to start a home canteen business. One of the graduates even started selling food in the DMW office. After realizing she already had a small canteen, the DMW encouraged her to register with the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS), which allows her to bid as a supplier for government events.
Catering for government functions can be a big business. “For example, catering for a major event at DMW can cost P400,000 to P500,000. If you can meet that demand, you’ll have an edge over commercial caterers because you’re an OFW catering at a DMW event,” De Guzman added.
Starting next year, reintegration programs will extend to OFW families, through local government units in all provinces, with the support of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG). DMW and DILG signed an agreement for the project last June.
De Guzman also encouraged OFWs with products to reach out to DOST for help in improving their products. “If you’re an OFW with a product, contact us. We will connect you with DOST, which offers free training, product design, and packaging assistance. They will even help you with your initial packaging.”