“OWWA will not leave iKalinga OFWs behind” — agency assures continued support, livelihood aid

“The OWWA assures po sa inyong mga manggagawang Pilipino dito sa Kalinga na patuloy ang suporta at tulong... we're trying to reach out to the OFWs and their families.” – OWWA Director IV Nestor Burayeg

TABUK CITY, Kalinga — The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) has assured Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and their families in Kalinga of continued government support as the agency strengthens programs aimed at providing livelihood opportunities and assistance to Filipino workers.

OWWA Director IV Nestor Burayeg, who heads the overall operations of the agency’s overseas and regional offices, gave the assurance during the awarding of financial assistance to organized OFW groups on September 4, 2026, at the New Conference Hall in Bulanao.

“The OWWA assures po sa inyong mga manggagawang Pilipino dito sa Kalinga na patuloy na suporta at makakatulong sa mga manggagawang Pilipino... we're trying to reach out to the OFWs and their families sa iba't-ibang regions dito sa Pilipinas,” Burayeg said.

His statement came as OWWA-Cordillera Administrative Region (OWWA-CAR) awarded financial assistance to OFW organizations in Kalinga under the Tulong Pangkabuhayan sa Pag-unlad ng Samahang OFWs, or Tulong Puso Program.

P2.5 million livelihood assistance

The current batch of beneficiaries was approved for a combined ₱2.5 million grant, with each organization receiving ₱500,000.

The organizations had earlier received their first tranche of ₱100,000 each during Migrants Day.

During the September 4 awarding, they received their second tranche of ₱250,000 each, while the remaining ₱150,000 each will be released as the third tranche once the organizations properly liquidate their second tranche.

The beneficiary organizations identified during the activity were the CAL-OWAN Balikbayan Organization, Nambaran Balik OFW Association, Ammacian Taggay Sacpil Overseas Filipino Worker Association, and Cawagayan Overseas Filipino Workers Association (COFWA).

Bringing OWWA closer to OFWs

Burayeg also conveyed the OWWA Administrator’s gratitude to Governor James S. Edduba for welcoming the agency to Kalinga and expressed hope that OWWA’s engagement with the province would continue.

“Our Administrator conveys his gratitude to our governor for welcoming us dito in Kalinga. We just hope that this won't be the first and the last,” he said.

For Burayeg, bringing OWWA programs closer to communities is part of the agency’s effort to ensure that OFWs and their families can access government assistance regardless of where they are located.

He emphasized that OWWA continues to expand its programs across the country, including initiatives that provide livelihood opportunities and other forms of support beyond overseas employment.

The assistance provided to Kalinga OFW organizations forms part of OWWA’s continuing efforts to help OFWs and their families establish sustainable sources of income and strengthen their organizations.