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Manila Bulletin devider Business devider Trade & Industry devider ₱2-billion fund launched to help OFWs start businesses

₱2-billion fund launched to help OFWs start businesses

Published Mar 5, 2026 03:23 pm
(Photo from Department of Migrant Workers Facebook page)
(Photo from Department of Migrant Workers Facebook page)
The Philippine government is ramping up financial protections for its overseas workforce as geopolitical volatility threatens labor stability in key markets.
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) on Thursday, March 5, announced the launch of a ₱2-billion fund dedicated to overseas Filipino workers (OFW), aiming to provide a capital cushion for those forced home by global conflicts.
The initiative, dubbed the OFW Negosyo Fund, will be managed by the DTI’s Small Business Corp. (SBCorp) and will become available for applications starting March 12, 2026.
The move comes as the government seeks to insulate its citizens from the unpredictable fallout of the ongoing Middle East conflict. By providing low-barrier credit, the government hopes to transform returning workers from remittance-dependent laborers into domestic entrepreneurs, thereby mitigating the economic shock of sudden displacement.
“We are committed to opening doors for OFWs ready to come home and invest in their own country, especially when external crises force their hand,” Trade Secretary Cristina Roque said in a statement. Roque noted that access to capital remains the primary hurdle for workers attempting to reintegrate into the local economy after years abroad.
The fund’s structure mirrors the flexible terms of the existing Women’s Enterprise Fund to ensure maximum uptake among returnees.
Under the program, qualified individuals can borrow between ₱30,000 and ₱20 million. To ease the initial burden of starting a business, the DTI is offering a one-year grace period on both principal and interest payments for eligible loan products.
Repayment schedules extend up to five years, and the agency is waiving collateral requirements for loans valued at ₱5 million or less.
In an effort to modernize the distribution of aid, the DTI is bypassing traditional red tape through a digital-first application process. Workers can apply via the SBCorp Money App or the agency's dedicated web portal.
For those requiring more personalized assistance, the department is leveraging its network of 1,431 Negosyo Centers in the country to provide business planning and navigation services.
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