How to Instill Entrepreneurial Mindset in OFWs
MANILA – Filipino workers planning to come home for good can tap the National Reintegration Center for OFWs (NRCO) for livelihood and local employment assistance.
“We work as a promotion house of reintegration programs. We connect with other agencies both in the DOLE (Department of Labor and Employment) and outside the DOLE,” said NCRO Director, Chona Mantilla.
Mantilla, who was a guest on ANC’s “On The Money,” admitted that not so many OFWs know of the many programs and services being offered by the NCRO.
“The goal of the NRCO is to foster an entrepreneurial mindset in OFWs,” said Mantilla.
Mantilla said the NRCO has created a business plan competition for OFWs where winners will get direct mentorship from nongovernment organizations.
“We want to instill in OFWs to live and work with an entrepreneurial mindset, enhancing and creating a culture of OFWs who save and invest, while allowing them to enjoy the gains of their income, and most importantly, contribute to the country’s national development,” said Mantilla.
She said the NRCO’s enhanced reintegration framework has three threads: Financial Capital, Human Capital and Social Capital.
“We offer them a menu of services. Sometimes, they just want to know what services are available. There are livelihood assistance also in the form of starter kits. But we also offer livelihood assistance programs, access to financial assistance with banks and other financial institutions,” she said.
“However, those interested to avail of the programs and services have to undergo financial literacy seminars and small business management training programs carried out by a good number of active NGOs,” she said.
Mantilla said another program of the center is the “Sa Pinas, Ikaw ang Ma’a, at Sir” where they work with other government agencies to help returning OFWs find local employment within the realms of their specialty.
Aside from skills acquired while working abroad, Mantilla advised those who will come home for good to be empowered.
“They have the confidence that they are able to define themselves, being able to make the right choices especially in spending money, sharing their remittances to their families, making their families a part of the reintegration effort,” said Mantilla.