OWWA-CAR boosts 4 livelihood groups: P2.5-M financial aid awarded to iKalinga OFWs

TABUK CITY, Kalinga — Four iKalinga Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) organizations received a combined ₱2.5 million in financial assistance from the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration–Cordillera Administrative Region (OWWA-CAR) during an awarding ceremony on September 4, 2026, at the New Conference Hall in Bulanao.

The assistance was granted under OWWA’s Tulong Pangkabuhayan sa Pag-unlad ng Samahang OFWs (Tulong Puso) Program, which supports organized OFW groups seeking to establish or strengthen livelihood ventures.

The activity brought together officials from the OWWA Central and Regional Offices, the Provincial Government of Kalinga, and representatives of OFW organizations from different parts of the province.

Among the OWWA officials present were Nestor Burayeg, Director IV and head of overall operations for OWWA overseas and regional offices; Marne Halanes, OWWO IV and coordinator for regional operations; Dina C. Ponciano, OWWA-CAR Regional Director; and Lourdes Estocapio, OWWO III and OIC of the Programs and Services Division.

Burayeg conveyed the OWWA Administrator’s appreciation to Governor James S. Edduba for welcoming the agency to Kalinga.

₱2.5-M assistance for four groups

According to Estocapio, four Kalinga OFW organizations were included in the current batch of Tulong Puso beneficiaries, with each approved for a ₱500,000 grant.

The four beneficiaries are the CAL-OWAN Balikbayan Organization, Nambaran Balik OFW Association, Ammacian Taggay Sacpil Overseas Filipino Worker Association, and Cawagayan Overseas Filipino Workers Association (COFWA).

Estocapio said the four organizations are start-up groups with different proposed livelihood activities.

The beneficiaries had already received their first tranche of ₱100,000 each during Migrants Day. The September 4 activity marked the release of the second tranche of ₱250,000 each, while the remaining ₱150,000 each will be released as the third tranche after the organizations liquidate the second tranche.

The grants are intended to help the organizations establish livelihood ventures that can generate income for their members and strengthen their respective groups.

Kalinga brings OWWA services closer to OFWs

Representing Governor Edduba, Provincial Legal Officer John Paul Baguiwan welcomed OWWA-CAR Regional Director Dina C. Ponciano and officials from the OWWA national and regional offices.

Baguiwan expressed the provincial government’s appreciation for bringing OWWA programs and services closer to OFWs and their families in Kalinga.

“May your stay in Kalinga be a beautiful one. We are very much thankful for your presence and for conducting these activities, especially for our beneficiaries. We are very glad that OWWA is very much true to its mandate, which is evidenced by our activity for today,” he said.

Baguiwan also highlighted the presence of officials from both the national and regional OWWA offices, saying their participation demonstrates their commitment to delivering services to beneficiaries at the local level.

The awarding underscores OWWA-CAR’s continuing efforts to provide livelihood and economic support to organized OFW groups, while helping OFW organizations develop sustainable income-generating activities that can benefit their members, families and communities.