Fifty former overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Negros Occidental, including this highly urbanized city, received a total of PHP1 million in cash assistance under the Balik-Pinas! Balik-Hanapbuhay! Program of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) on Monday.

Each beneficiary was granted PHP20,000 as start-up or additional capital for a livelihood project as part of the package intended to provide immediate relief to returning member-OFW, during the 2026 Migrant Workers Day program held at SM City Bacolod Activity Center.

The turnover of assistance was led by concurrent Regional Director Glenda Aligonza of the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW)-Western Visayas and Negros Island Region, OWWA-Western Visayas Officer-in-Charge James Mendiola and Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson.

In her message, Aligonza reaffirmed the DMW’s commitment to support the Filipino migrant workers.

“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,” she said.

Reiterating the province’s solidarity with the OWWA, Lacson said the Provincial Committee on Migration and Development continues to provide financial assistance to distressed OFWS and training programs for reintegration, and scholarship programs for children of Negrense migrant workers.

“You can be assured that we will continue to protect your rights 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,” he added.

One of the beneficiaries from Bacolod City is a 34-year-old former domestic helper in Saudi Arabia, who returned home to the Philippines last year.

“I will use the cash assistance for my sari-sari store business, which serves as a source of income for my family. I’m also thinking of working abroad again in the future,” she added.

The Balik-Pinas! Balik-Hanapbuhay! package of livelihood support or assistance also includes entrepreneurship development training provided by the Department of Trade and Industry, as well as other services that will enable the target beneficiaries to start/manage a livelihood undertaking through self-employment, such as the provision of marketing linkages and job referral. (PNA)