MAKATI CITY — For many Overseas Filipino Workers, the end of a contract abroad often means the end of a steady income. Coming home can mean starting over, often without the financial safety net they had grown to rely on. To bridge this gap, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and the country’s leading finance super app, GCash, have launched the "Buy Lokal, By OFWs" initiative. This program is designed to turn the overseas experience of returning Filipinos into the foundation of a sustainable local business, effectively transforming remittance earners into entrepreneurs.
A Digital-First Reintegration Program
The partnership was formalized in a signing ceremony led by DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac and GCash Head of Public Sector Cleo Celeste Santos. The initiative is a key component of the government’s reintegration push, providing returning OFWs with digital tools and market access through GCash’s GHub platform. “We want them to be financially prepared with sustainable income, and have more time with their families here in the Philippines,” said GCash International Head of Product Julie Ann Abalos.
The program offers a comprehensive four-part support system. It provides digital business tools for efficient operations, marketplace integration on GHub to showcase products online, financial literacy training for long-term planning, and co-branding marketing support to boost visibility. It also facilitates access to vital government services from the SSS, Pag-IBIG, and PhilHealth to ensure long-term security for returning workers.
Real Stories of Transition and Success
Early adopters of the program show how the right tools can lead to stable outcomes. Mirasol Bituin, founder of Mhira Natural Soap and Cosmetics, prepared for her return from Taiwan by saving and studying. As her business grew, she integrated GCash’s SoundPay device to streamline transactions. Kaiselle Cao Atun’s cacao-based enterprise, Farm Ridge by Desmond Farm, not only focused on organic farming but also invited fellow OFWs to invest, requiring efficient digital systems.
Marilou Sioson, a former seafarer, turned a small food venture into the specialty sauce brand “Sauce On Food House.” She credits the program for helping her refine products and secure certifications, allowing her to move beyond a singular focus on overseas work. “We wanted to have something after this journey,” she shared. Christian Facun, who returned from Italy, used the initiative to scale his organic farming business, Tingtano Enterprises. He noted that the program addresses a critical hurdle for returning workers: “where you will sell.”
Building Stability, One Transaction at a Time
The "Buy Lokal, By OFWs" program is strategically hosted in Makati, the nation’s financial capital. By launching the initiative here, the DMW ensures OFW entrepreneurs have direct access to the country’s top financial and digital infrastructure. As these businesses scale, digital payment tools like GCash reduce reliance on cash, building trust and enabling entrepreneurs to manage increasing demand effectively. Through this initiative, returning OFWs are not just opening businesses; they are creating stable, income-generating assets that keep their families together and strengthen the Philippine economy from the ground up.
