OWWA grants livelihood opportunities to OFWs

Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) families/organizations have now the opportunity to group together and earn through the “Groceria cum Botika” project of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA).

OWWA VI Family Welfare Officer Sarah Pasan said “Groceria cum Botika” project launched April last year is a livelihood program for OFWs and their dependents and at the same time an employment opportunity in support of the job generation thrust of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.  

Under this project, livelihood loans are granted to Overseas Family Circles (OFC) or OFW organizations with at least 15 members. The loan is in form of merchandise goods worth P50,000. This is interest and collateral free, payable in two years. The only counterpart of the beneficiaries for the project are the structure/building and manpower. An incentive of P25,000 worth of medicines will be given to a “Groceria project” once it has paid up 75% of its loan.

“The project does not only create income-generating opportunities to target beneficiaries but also develop their entrepreneural skills and innovative ideas to maintain the store”, said Pasan.

Pasan said any existing OFW organization could avail of the project and if there are potential OFCs interested they are always ready provide assistance in organizing them.

The project, she added, also serves as a venue where OFWs and their dependents could get related information on programs, projects or activities that benefit them.

To date there are 26 existing “Groceria projects” in the region - 13 are set up in Iloilo , 6 each in Aklan and Negros Occidental and 1 in Aklan.  (PIA)