The Groceria project of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration has benefited a total of 14 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) organizations in CARAGA Region since its launching last year.

As part of the OFW Reintegration Program, the Groceria Project aims to improve the socio-economic condition of the OFWs and their families by providing livelihood and self-employment opportunities through the establishment of 1,000 grocery stores nationwide.

Qualified OFW circle (OFC) beneficiary nationwide will receive the OWWA assistance package including an internet-free loan in the form of merchandise goods worth Php. 50,000. Each beneficiary will also receive continuing skills training courses to enhance the entrepreneurial and technical skills of the family circles.

Surveys say that most of returning OFWs suffer from financial difficulty and are not ready to face the consequences of not having a steady income and just relying on their savings.

Businesses started by OFW returnees are often at the losing end due to lack of technical knowledge. Savings are often used to meet the needs of the family leaving nothing for business or leading to the loss of the business.

The Local Government Units (LGUs) can help promote this project by identifying OFW returnees and displaced OFWs in their respective areas and assist them organize into family circles. Representatives of OWWA in the region can help LGUs in this program.

Among the 14 OFW circle that have been granted with OWWA Groceria are Caraga United Overseas Filipino Workers, Lower Tiniwisan Overseas Family Circle, Baan Overseas Workers and Basag OCWs and Beneficiaries Association in Butuan City; Nasipit Overseas Workers and Dependents Association, Cabadbaran Overseas Workers and Dependents Association, and Brgy. 3 Dependents Overseas Filipino Workers in Agusan Del Norte; Surigao Overseas Contract Workers Association, Wives of Filipino Overseas Workers and Surigao Agusan Caraga Overseas Workers Association in Surigao City; Overseas Filipino Workers and Dependents Association, Bislig City OFW Family Circles and Carascal Overseas Family Circles in Surigao del Sur and Bayugan OFWs Association in Agusan del Sur.

Aside from that, there are three more stand to gain from the said project.