CEBU CITY, Philippines — To prepare the families of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) from worst-case scenarios like a global financial crisis and policy changes from employers abroad, an official from the Region 7 Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) is discouraging them from being remittance-dependent and instead urged them to venture into something that will help augment their income.

OWWA 7 Director Wilfreda Misterio said family members of OFWs here in the country should think something productive like putting up small businesses which will help them earn extra money.

“The global financial crisis a few years ago has affected a number of Filipinos working abroad. While some were able to save enough money to start their own business, others were displaced and became penniless,” she said.

Misterio said the OWWA has been offering various livelihood programs to assist the families of OFWs here for them to have extra incomes. She said there are several instances when employment abroad becomes unstable due to conflicts and changes in national policies among others.

She pointed out that while OFWs are working hard in other countries to feed their love ones here, their families should also do their part in saving the money or invest it into something productive.

Misterio invited those OFWs or their families who are planning to put up their own businesses to visit their office as they will be providing technical assistance and evaluation on the possible outcome of the enterprise while the agency also offers loan programs.