MAKATI CITY — Sixteen Filipina entrepreneurs, many of whom are returning overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), received seed capital during the national awarding ceremony of the LIKHAng Kababaihan Business Plan Competition 2026 held in Makati City on a Thursday evening. Organized by the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), the event forms part of the agency’s reintegration initiatives aimed at helping returning OFWs establish sustainable livelihoods through entrepreneurship. The competition falls under the DMW’s broader LIKHA Award program, which supports OFWs and their families as they transition from overseas employment to local business ownership through training, mentorship, and startup funding.
Innovative Dessert Venture Wins 500,000 Peso Grand Prize
Kristel Joy De Guzman of Region I, a former OFW who previously worked in Macau, emerged as the grand winner and received 500,000 peso for her food business concept “Tartobongbong.” The product combines the traditional Filipino delicacy puto bumbong with the format of a sweet tart, creating a unique fusion dessert that stood out among the entries.
The first runner-up, Jessie Mambaguimbay Pascual of Region III, a former household service worker in Saudi Arabia, received 300,000 peso for an oyster farming business. Meanwhile, second runner-up Myra Deligencia Avenido of Region X, a former babysitter in Jeddah, was awarded 200,000 peso for her crayfish farming venture. In addition, all 16 regional finalists received 100,000 peso in seed capital to help launch or expand their businesses.
Reintegration Through Entrepreneurship
Hans Leo J. Cacdac, Secretary of the Department of Migrant Workers, led the awarding ceremony and emphasized the government’s commitment to supporting returning OFWs through entrepreneurship and livelihood opportunities. The LIKHAng Kababaihan competition is part of the DMW’s “Balik Pinay, Balik Hanapbuhay” program, which provides female OFW returnees with financial assistance, business mentoring, and technical training.
Prior to the awarding ceremony, the 16 winners joined a National Business Bootcamp held in Makati City on March 23–24, 2026. The bootcamp provided practical training on business registration, financial management, regulatory compliance, and digital innovation. The activity was organized in partnership with agencies and institutions including the Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Labor and Employment, Food and Drug Administration, and the International Labour Organization.
Expanding Global Opportunities for OFW Entrepreneurs
During the same event, the Department of Migrant Workers also launched the “Buy Lokal, By OFW” (BLBO) e-commerce platform in partnership with GCash and GHub. The platform is designed to help OFW entrepreneurs market and sell their products to customers in 145 countries worldwide.
The LIKHAng Kababaihan awardees are expected to become among the first entrepreneurs featured on the BLBO platform, giving them opportunities to expand their businesses beyond the Philippine market. Through the initiative, the government hopes to transform returning OFWs from job-seekers into job creators and community-based entrepreneurs.
Makati’s Growing Role in OFW Reintegration Programs
By hosting the national bootcamp, awarding ceremony, and BLBO platform launch in Makati, the Department of Migrant Workers further positioned the city as a key center for OFW reintegration and entrepreneurship initiatives. Makati’s accessibility, infrastructure, and concentration of government offices make it an ideal venue for nationwide training programs, networking opportunities, and business development activities.
For returning OFWs, the city serves as a strategic hub where they can connect with government services, financial institutions, and private sector partners that may help support and grow their enterprises. The LIKHAng Kababaihan program highlights how public-private collaboration can transform reintegration challenges into opportunities for economic growth and women’s empowerment.
