These programs are the Self-Employment Assistance Para sa Kaunlaran (SEA-K) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Makati Tulong Pangkabuhayan (MTP) of the Makati Social Welfare Department (MSWD).

Mayor Jejomar Binay said at least six OFWs from Lebanon who are city residents have already availed themselves of the SEA-K program, receiving R5,000 each in loans to be used for their individual business pursuits.

At least a thousand Filipino workers abroad were displaced after war broke out between Lebanon and Israel last year.

SEA-K is a community-based credit assistance program that seeks to help individuals and groups in establishing small and medium-scale enterprises.

The MTP program, according to MSWD chief Marjorie de Veyra, is the city’s own capital loan assistance program, targeting organized groups of five to 10 members who are granted R10,000 loan each to help them become successful business entrepreneurs.

De Veyra said the program also offers OFWs returnees in the city the opportunity rebuild their lives for a better future.

The latest OFW beneficiaries of the SEA-K program were Rosale Dable and Rosalie Agboya of Barangay San Antonio; Erjilyn Gorospe and Genilyn Hemogino of Barangay Pembo; Amelia Bugahud of Barangay Rizal; and Ma. Teresa de Guzman of Barangay Sta. Cruz. They were among 26 OFW returnees registered with the MSWD.

A guardian of one of the victims during the "Wowowee" stampede last February was also a recipient of the program. Reynaldo Estigoy of Barangay Rizal was given R5,000 loan assistance for SEA-K.

"We are finalizing the guidelines for the city’s own capital assistance program, called the Makati ‘Tulong Pangkabuhayan’ program. It will target organized groups of five to 10 members, and may grant a maximum loan of R10,000 for each member to help them become successful entrepreneurs," De Veyra said.

Binay said the beneficiaries, along with other OFW returnees, underwent free skills and livelihood training provided by the Makati Training Placement and Livelihood Consortia to enhance their entrepreneurial skills.

"I am glad that through the intervention of the Makati Social Welfare Department, these OFW returnees were able to obtain much-needed funding with which to start their own business, without interest and collateral," Binay said.

"This has given them the opportunity to start their lives anew, without having to risk another dubious stint abroad," Binay said.