Gov’t loans set for Benguet, Baguio, Ifugao OFWs, kin

By Lito Dar

BAGUIO CITY – The Overseas Worker Welfare Administration’s National Livelihood Support Fund (NLSF) is now available for Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in Baguio, Benguet and Ifugao.

According to OWWA-Cordillera Director Evelyn Laranang, the NLSF is a national loan program with a P100 million fund which aims to support OFWs, active or returnees, who want to augment their source of income by engaging in business or expand their existing business.

“This livelihood loan program aims to support OFWs who want to go into business or expand their existing business. OFWs, active or returnees, in Baguio City, Benguet and Ifugao could now avail,” Laranang said.

Laranang said OFWs could now get their application from OWWA-NLSF conduit partner banks.

Applicants will only need a certificate of eligibility from OWWA and afterwards they will be given orientation and social preparation training.

Immediate dependents of active OFWs can also avail of the said livelihood loan project if they can get an authorization from the next of kin OFW.

Under the collateralized loan, OWWA-NLSF livelihood loan offers a maximum of P200,000.00 which may be granted to bonafide OFWs or their dependents to start , revive or expand their existing business.

Cooperative Bank of Benguet, the newly accredited conduit partner for the implementation of the livelihood loan, will only cater to OFWs and / or their dependents from Baguio City and adjacent municipalities of Benguet.

In Ifugao, the accredited conduit partners in implementing said program are the Piwong Multi Purpose Cooperative in Hingyon, and the Lamut Grassroots and Savings Development Cooperative in Lamut.

Accreditation for other conduit partners for other provinces is still in process.

For more information, call or text Ms. Loreta B. Vergara, of OWWA-Cordillera at mobile number 09205913658 or at the OWWA land line numbers (074) 445-2260 or (074)300-3658.