The next episode of OWWA at Your Service features an interview with an OWWA applicant for the Tulong PUSO livelihood grant. Uploaded on July 23, 2021, OWWA Deputy Administrator, Mocha Uson talked to Ruby Majaba, a former of who used to work as a domestic helper in the Sultanate of Oman. She currently has a wellness & therapy business in Marinduque.
Ruby is also an OWWA Marilag Awardee. In the previous videos, OWWA, together with DA Mocha and Bubsie has been interviewing beneficiaries and recipients of OWWA programs and benefits. This time, the project is about the OWWA Tulong PUSO which is a livelihood grant (not an OWWA loan) where a group of OFWs can apply for livelihood cash assistance for business.
Contents
- Ruby’s Success Story as a Former OFW in Oman, Now has a Massage Wellness Business
- What is the Tulong PUSO Program?
- Where can interested OFWs Apply for the Programs Of OWWA in Marinduque and Region 4-B?
- Tulong PUSO Applicants in OWWA Region 4-B
- Summary
- Video: OWWA Interviews Marilag Awardee and Entrepreneur
Image: screenshot from OWWA Official FB Page
Ruby’s Success Story as a Former OFW in Oman, Now has a Massage Wellness Business
In 2008, Ruby Majaba decided to work abroad as a domestic helper in Oman in the Middle East. Ruby came back to the Philippines even if her contract was not yet finished because of the difficulty of her work and she felt homesick.
When Ruby came home to the Philippines, she immediately studied wellness training like massage and reflexology. Because of those skills that she learned from the training, she was able to share something with the community. Ruby then offered free services to the community and to Marinduqueño. This is why Ruby was nominated as one of the awardees of Marilag Awards 2021.
According to Ruby, her business has been going on for five years, and she wants to expand it with the help of the Tulong PUSO Program of OWWA. And if given a chance, Ruby wants to continue having more training so that Marinduque will have more livelihood and source of income.
Ruby had 15 members in her livelihood business called Akurah House of Healing. After a while, she added more members because of the progress of her business. The increase in members show how
Image: screenshot from OWWA Official FB Page
What is the Tulong PUSO Program?
In this video, the Tulong Puso Program was emphasized. Here are the details of the said program.
“Tulong Pangkabuhayan sa Pag-Unlad ng Samahang OFWs” (Tulong PUSO) is intended to give the needed capital, raw materials, tools, equipment, support to qualified OFW groups who want to start, enhance, and restore livelihood projects or businesses.
Requirements
Based on OWWA Region IV-B Regional Director Jose Capa, these are the requirements if you want to apply for the Tulong Puso program.
- The group must have at least 5 members
- The group must be registered to SEC
- The group must undergo training and must have a business plan to submit to OWWA.
- After that, OWWA will help the group register with DOLE.
- Once all needed documents are submitted, they will be evaluated and determined by OWWA.
Under this program, the group can avail a minimum of PHP 150,000 depending on the number of members who can help to improve their livelihood.
Image: screenshot from OWWA Official FB Page
NO Collateral for Tulong PUSO
There will be no collateral if there is an existing business, like in the case of Ruby Majaba. It will be evaluated as start-up capital in building the OFW’s livelihood project.
Equity
According to OWWA Regional Director Jose Capa, they can use anything like, for example, they have a stall or a place where they can manage or locate their business. The location is a good asset as a part of the business, which will serve as the initial capital of the group.
Image: screenshot from OWWA Official FB Page
Where can interested OFWs Apply for the Programs Of OWWA in Marinduque and Region 4-B?
In Region IV-B, the office is located on the 9th floor, Marc 2002 Tower, 1973 San Andres Street, Malate, Manila.
OFWs can visit the office of DOLE at Santol, Boac in Marinduque. Just look for Venus G. Narvaez ( Family Welfare Officer) or Mary Joy Ronquillo (BPBH Focal Person).
Tulong PUSO Applicants in OWWA Region 4-B
As of today, there are 18 pending applications in Region IV-B and 3 scheduled for deliberation in Marinduque.
“Once it is approved by the regional committee, the program can start releasing the first trans.
The releasing is done trans by trans once they completed the documentation, like business permit, etc., and, of course, the business plan. They will receive 20% on the first trans, then 30% and then 50%.” RD Jose said.
Image: screenshot from OWWA Official FB Page
Summary
The Tulong PUSO program is not a debt, but rather a grant that a group of organized OFWs can avail of if they want to build a livelihood project in their place. OWWA will assist the group to undergo DOLE evaluation that has PHP 150,000 minimum grant.
Again, if you have a member of the family that works abroad or if you are an OFW, you can freely access and register to OWWA mobile application to become a member. And, you can also pay on behalf of your relatives. There are so many programs that can help you start a business here in the Philippines if you are struggling to work abroad. Because in OWWA, members are protected!
Video: OWWA Interviews Marilag Awardee and Entrepreneur
Kumusta Kabayan! Sa muling paglilibot ng OWWA AT YOUR SERVICE, nakapanayam namin ang dating OFW at ngayo’y isang business woman na si RUBY MAJABA, na isang OWWA Marilag Awardee at Tulong PUSO program applicant. Alamin natin ang kanyang waging kwento.
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Noong 2008, Na-isipan ni Ma’am Ruby Majaba na magtrabaho abroad bilang isang domestic worker sa bansang Oman sa gitnang silangan. Ngunit hindi pa nakakatapos ng kontrata, siya ay umuwi na ng Pinas dahil sa hirap ng kanyang naging trabaho abroad at sa pagiging homesick sa kanyang pamilya.
Pag-uwi niya ng pinas agad siyang nag-aral ng wellness training tulad ng massage at reflexology. Dahil sa kanyang nakuhang skills, ibinahagi niya din ito sa kanyang komunidad. Kung kaya’t isa siya sa naging awardeee nitong nakalipas na Marilag Awards 2021 dahil sa kanyang kontribusyon.
Mag-lilimang taon na ang business ni Ruby kung kaya’t naisipan niya na expand ito sa pamamagitan ng Tulong PUSO program ng OWWA.
Ayon kay RWO MIMAROPA Regional Director, may 3 grupo sa Marinduque ang nag-apply sa Tulong PUSO program tulad ni Ruby at 18 sa buong Region 4B.
Ang Tulong PUSO program ay hindi utang, kundi ito ay isang GRANT para sa mga grupo ng organisadong OFWs na balak magtayo ng livelihood program sa kanilang lugar. Ang OWWA ay handang mag-assist sa kanila para sa requirements hanggang sa DOLE evaluation na may minimum na PHP 150,000.00 na grant.
Para sa gustong mag-avail sa Region 4B ng Tulong PUSO o iba pang OWWA programs and services, mangyaring tumungo lang sa:
OWWA Region IV-B
9th Flor, Marc 2000 Tower,
1973 San Andres Street,
Malate Manila
1004 Metro Manila