Fifty former overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Negros Occidental, including this highly urbanized capital, received a total of P1 million in cash assistance on Monday to help them transition back into the local economy.
Each beneficiary was granted P20,000 as start-up or additional capital for their respective livelihood projects. The distribution was part of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration’s (OWWA) Balik-Pinas! Balik-Hanapbuhay! Program, aimed at providing immediate relief to returning member-OFWs.
The ceremonial turnover took place at the SM City Bacolod Activity Center during the celebration of the 2026 Migrant Workers Day.
The distribution was led by Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Western Visayas and Negros Island Region Concurrent Regional Director Glenda Aligonza, OWWA-Western Visayas Officer-in-Charge James Mendiola, and Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson.
In her address, Aligonza reaffirmed the DMW’s dedication to supporting the country’s economic heroes as they reintegrate into society.
“We work hand-in-hand with the OWWA to ensure that the rights of OFWs are protected, their welfare is prioritized, and their dreams are realized,” Aligonza said.
Governor Lacson reiterated the provincial government’s solidarity with national agencies, noting that local mechanisms are actively working to protect migrant workers under Republic Act 8042, or the Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995.
“Through our theme, ‘Bayan, Bayani, Bayanihan,’ we recognize the important role of our OFWs as modern-day heroes,” Lacson said.
He added that the Provincial Committee on Migration and Development continues to provide parallel financial assistance to distressed OFWs, alongside reintegration training programs and educational scholarships for the children of Negrense migrant workers.
Among those who received the assistance was a 34-year-old Bacolod City resident who returned to the Philippines last year after working as a domestic helper in Saudi Arabia.
“I will use the cash assistance for my sari-sari store business, which serves as a source of income for my family,” she said, though she noted that she is still keeping her options open regarding overseas deployment. “I’m also thinking of working abroad again in the future.”
The Balik-Pinas! Balik-Hanapbuhay! package goes beyond immediate monetary aid to ensure the long-term sustainability of the beneficiaries’ businesses.
According to OWWA, the comprehensive package includes entrepreneurship development training conducted by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). Furthermore, target beneficiaries will receive ongoing support services to help manage their self-employment setups, including the provision of vital marketing linkages and job referrals.
