Biz grant for COVID-displaced OFWS to roll out by 3rd week of September

Overseas Workers Welfare Administrations' small business grant for repatriated OFWs due to COVID-19 will likely be rolled out by the third week of September, OWWA Administrator Hans Leo Cadac said Saturday. In an interview on Dobol B sa News TV, Cacdac said that "during the first two weeks of September, OWWA will announce the details of the rollout. Ia-announce po natin sa ating website sa owwa.gov.ph. ang details ng application. Most probably third week of September magro-roll out na ito." He also clarified that not all applicants for the grant will be accommodated. "Since ito ay grant, libre po ito ... hindi utang na babayaran later... kasi hindi ho ito battle of entitlement o karapatan. Ang tinitingnan talaga natin dito yung sino talaga yung organisado na grupo, mayroong plano na pulido para sila ay magtagumpay," he said. According to him, OWWA needs to evaluate if the business application and plan would most likely succeed. Earlier, the OWWA and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) announced the approval of the “Tulong Puso Group Livelihood Program” to help OFWs. Under the program, P100k to P1M will be given as grant to qualified groups of OFWs starting own business. Each group of applicants must have at least five members, 80% of whom are OFWs. The amount of money that each group will receive is dependent on the business they wish to launch. “Dapat well-organized ‘yung business. Sa application, makita natin na ‘yung organization ay maganda ang pagka-set up,” Cacdac said. “‘Yung business plan is thorough and is complete and of course will show na merong risk management and ‘yung probability of success,” he added. Cacdac also discouraged OFWs from starting businesses that are not allowed under the prevailing quarantine restrictions such as spas. OWWA will also work with the Trade and Agriculture Departments to release a list of suggested businesses per region. “Maghanap kayo ng natural business partners ninyo… para kayo’y mag-form ng business kasi unahin muna natin itong group kasi dito natin nakikitang mas may likelihood ng success,” Cacdac advised. The application guidelines will be released in the following days. —LBG, GMA News

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