PHILIPPINES — The Department of Migrant Workers will launch its "Buy Lokal, By OFWs" Holiday Catalog this week, featuring products made by overseas Filipino workers who have established their own businesses. The initiative aims to expand market reach for OFW entrepreneurs and support their livelihoods back home.
A Marketplace for Returning Workers
The catalog forms part of the DMW's reintegration push through its KKK program: Kalinga, Kaalaman, at Kabuhayan. This framework provides returning OFWs with opportunities to start and grow their own enterprises in the Philippines. The holiday catalog represents a practical tool for connecting OFW-made products with a wider consumer base.
Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac reaffirmed the agency's commitment to reintegration. "Patuloy nating ipinapatupad ang KKK – Kalinga, Kaalaman, at Kabuhayan, bilang pangunahing programa ng ahensya para sa reintegration ng ating mga OFW," he said. The catalog embodies this promise by giving OFW entrepreneurs a platform to showcase their goods during the holiday season.
A Vision for a Philippines Worth Coming Home To
The initiative was highlighted during the DMW flag-raising ceremony on October 12, 2026, where Miss Philippines Charm 2026 Apriel D. Smith served as guest of honor. Smith emphasized the need for Filipinos to have opportunities to build their futures in their own country.
"The goal should not only be to send Filipinos abroad to build better lives. The goal should also be to build a Philippines that Filipinos can proudly come home to," she said. Her words resonated with the DMW's mission to create sustainable pathways for returning workers. A country where they can contribute, dream, grow, prosper, and build their families.
Supporting Livelihoods Beyond Deployment
The DMW's reintegration strategy recognizes that successful migration does not end with a worker's return. It requires deliberate support systems that help retirees transition into productive local entrepreneurs. The KKK program offers care, knowledge, and livelihood assistance to facilitate this journey.
By promoting OFW-made products, the government helps these small businesses gain visibility and compete in the broader market. The holiday catalog provides a timely boost during the gift-giving season. Consumers can support fellow Filipinos while purchasing quality local products.
How the Public Can Participate
The DMW encourages the public to patronize products featured in the catalog. It will be released on Friday, October 16, 2026, through the DMW official website at www.dmw.gov.ph. The catalog will indicate where these products can be found and purchased.
This digital release ensures accessibility for buyers across the country and overseas. OFWs abroad can also order products from fellow workers as gifts for loved ones back home. The initiative strengthens the connection between the diaspora and local enterprises.
A Broader Push for Economic Independence
The catalog launch reflects the DMW's broader goal of transforming OFW remittances into sustainable local investments. By supporting businesses owned by returning workers, the government reduces dependence on overseas employment. It creates a cycle where migration becomes a stepping stone rather than a permanent necessity.
Smith's message captured this aspiration: Filipinos should have the choice to stay or return home without sacrificing their dreams. The "Buy Lokal, By OFWs" Holiday Catalog is a concrete step toward that vision. It reminds the public that every purchase supports a fellow Filipino's journey to self-reliance.
