Are you a repatriated OFW and wondering how to apply for OWWA HEROES Loan Program? If yes, stop the search, as we got your back. The HEROES program is a loan project by OWWA that allows an OFW to get up to PHP 100,000 as loan amount for business purposes.
OFWs returning to the Philippines after being laid off from their job due to the Covid-19 pandemic will require financial assistance to kickstart their lives. Fortunately, OWWA partnered with other institutions to assist repatriated OFWs who plan to launch a new business.
With the OWWA HEROES Loan Program, OFWs returning to the country or repatriated can apply for financial assistance to start and maintain business activities. Thus, OFWs returning to the Philippines can have a good start in rebuilding their life.
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What is the OWWA HEROES Loan Program
The OWWA HEROES Loan Program is for returning Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) repatriated from their job site due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The Philippine government offers this loan, which stands for Helping the Economy Recover thru OFW Enterprise Start-ups (HEROES).
It was launched last July 2020 through the collaboration of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). The Small Business Corporation (SB Corporation) is also part of this program, a government-financial institute that assists Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
The HEROES Loan Program also falls under the Pondo sa Pagbabago at Pag-asenso (P3) fund from DTI, with allocated funds worth P100 million. In addition, the Philippine government launched this program to repay OFWs by funding their new businesses and helping rebuild their lives.
Most of all, the HEROES Loan Program doesn’t have interest and doesn’t require collateral. Apart from the financial assistance, this program includes related services and training to help aspiring entrepreneurs set up, operate, and develop the necessary skills for business operations.
With that said, OFWs who have lost their job due to the Covid-19 pandemic can venture into the world of business with proper skills, knowledge, and financial assistance. So for retrenched OFWs affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, avail of the OWWA HEROES Loan Program to start your own business.
Benefits
But how does the OWWA HEROES Loan Program differ from other lending programs? To find out, here are some benefits repatriated OFWs can enjoy by availing of the HEROES project:
- Zero-interest rate
- No collateral loan
- Borrowing limits range from P10,000 minimum and P100,000 maximum
- For loans payable in 24 months, a 6% service fee applies.
- For loans payable in 36 months, an 8% service fee applies (inclusive of 12 months grace period).
- Automatic 12 months grace period
- Includes business mentoring and training
Requirements
For OFWs who wish to avail of the HEROES Loan Program, secure the following requirements to enjoy this privilege from OWWA:
- Scanned copy of your passport
- One (1) valid government-issued ID with a photo
- Duly accomplished HEROES Loan Application Form
- Certification from OWWA confirming the OFW applicant repatriation
- DTI Registration
- Audio-Visual Presentation (AVP) Business Plan
- An online training session Certificate of Completion (COC) from the Philippine Trade and Training Center (PTTC) for start-ups
Apart from that, OFWs have to submit the following additional requirements based on the amount of the loan:
Loan Amount of P10,000 to P50,000
- DTI Registration
- Video Business Pitch
Loan Amount of P50,000 up to P100,000
- DTI Registration
- SEC Registration
- Municipal/Mayor’s Business Permit
- Video Business Pitch
- Business Model Canvas
Qualifications
Applying for the OWWA HEROES Loan program has qualifications like other lending programs. So if you’re an OFW wanting to rebuild your life in the Philippines for good, here are the following criteria to avail of the HEROES project:
- Land-based OFWs returning to the Philippines after being laid off due to the Covid-19 pandemic
- Non-professional OFWs returning to the Philippines after being laid off due to the Covid-19 pandemic
- Returning and repatriated OFWs, both land-based and sea-based, who want to launch their own business
Procedure: How to Apply for HEROES Loan Program
If you wish to apply for the OWWA HEROES Loan program, follow the steps below:
- Fill out the Pre-Registration Form for OWWA HEROES Loan Program by visiting this link.
- Ensure to provide the complete and correct details required for the registration, including:
- Applicant’s Full Name
- Address
- Mobile Number
- Email Address
- Gender
- Age
- Education
- Occupation as OFW (Land-Based, Sea-Based, Other)
- Date of return to the Philippines
- Passport Number
- Area of Responsibility (Operation/Production, Finance, Management/Administrative, Marketing, Other)
- If available, specify Existing Business.
- Select Business Interest and submit the form.
- Complete the FREE 3-day online training program from the Philippine Trade and Training Center (PTTC).
- After completing the training, secure the following requirements for the loan program:
- Scanned copy of your passport
- Business Model Canvas
- Audio Visual Presentation (AVP) Business Plan, including the following:
- Nature of the Business
- Product Knowledge
- Management Capability
- Financial Understanding
- Market Opportunity
- Competitive Advantage
- Business Continuity
- Visit this link to continue with the loan application.
- During the loan application, submit the following requirements:
- One (1) valid government-issued ID with a photo
- OWWA certification confirming OFW application repatriation
- Audio Visual Presentation (AVP) Business Plan
- DTI registration
- Certificate of Completion (COC) from the PTTC for the online training session for start-ups
- Then, submit additional requirements or information requested by SB Corporation.
Also, note that OFW applicants can get instructions on creating the AVP Business Plan during the online training from PTTC.
Sample Business Proposal for OWWA HEROES Loan Program
Here are the following details the business proposal should contain to discuss how you will use the HEROES loan:
- Operating costs breakdown
- Sales projection
- Inventory requirements
- Product design and development
Reminders on OWWA HEROES Loan Program
But before you consider applying for the OWWA HEROES Loan Program, here are some reminders you should keep in mind:
- The first step for the loan application starts with the Philippine Trade Training Center pre-registration form and a free online training session.
- The purpose of the HEROES project is to fund business ventures. So loans under this program should be solely used as start-up capital and to maintain business operations.
- While the HEROES project is a no-collateral loan, DTI reminds prospective and current borrowers to repay their loans on time and based on the amortization plan. It ensures that more repatriated OFWs can access the loan program to launch and continue micro and small businesses.
- SB Corporation will proceed with legal action for borrowers who fail to repay their loans.
- Not paying the loan on time will also result in a negative credit record.
- Each borrower who wishes to avail of the HEROES project can loan up to P100,000.
- The HEROES project is the only reintegration program for livelihood loans offered by the government with no interest rate and collateral required.
- SB Corporation doesn’t require collateral and profit records for an ongoing business.
- All OFW applicants should complete the free entrepreneurship training from PTTC.
- Applicants applying for the HEROES project are required to present an AVP Business Plan.
- All OFW applicants will have a scheduled one-on-one mentoring session with an entrepreneur.
- The HEROES Loan Program is payable for 24 months with an automatic grace period of 12 months.
- The 13th month of the 36th-month loan tenor is the beginning of the loan repayment.
Video: 10K – 100K OFW LOAN, NO INTEREST AT NO COLLATERAL (HEROES PROGRAM NG DTI)
To learn more about the OWWA HEROES Loan program, please watch the video below:
As discussed in the video, repatriated OFWs who need business capital can apply for the OWWA HEROES Loan Program. This loan program doesn’t have an interest and doesn’t require any collateral. It aims to help repatriated OFWs through financial assistance for start-ups ranging from P10,000 to P100,000.
It involves a free online training session from PTTC. Repatriated OFWs who want to apply for this loan program should also prepare a video presentation regarding the business they plan to launch.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I borrow money from OWWA?
Yes, you can borrow money from OWWA. However, the agency doesn’t offer loans for personal use. You may borrow money from OWWA for business purposes, which is what the HEROES Loan Program is.
Who are qualified for OWWA HEROES Loan?
OFWs are qualified for HEROES Loan Program if they’re an active member of OWWA. The HEROES Loan is also for returning and repatriated OFWs since this program is for those affected by the Covid-19 pandemic and its economic effect.
Moreover, you are qualified for the HEROES Loan Program if you’re a land-based or non-professional OFW who got laid off from your job due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
How to apply for OWWA HEROES Loan?
You should complete the documentary requirements and online training session from PTTC if you plan to apply for OWWA HEROES Loan. Also, you should submit a video presentation and other relevant details about the business you want to launch for the loan application.
How much can I loan from OWWA HEROES Loan?
You can borrow a minimum of P10,000 and a maximum of P100,000 under the OWWA HEROES Loan Program.
Summary
The OWWA HEROES Loan Program is a great project offered by the Philippine government to assist returning OFWs staying in the country for good. This program is accessible to OWWA members who have been repatriated or lost their job due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Furthermore, this loan includes business-related training and services to equip soon-to-be entrepreneurs. Thus, OFWs returning to the Philippines are encouraged to apply for the OWWA HEROES Loan Program to start their business and improve their livelihood.
For more details regarding HEROES Loan Program, visit OWWA’s official website.