Forty-one former overseas workers from Pangasinan have graduated from the pilot run of the three-day “Balik Bayani sa Turismo” community-based culinary training.

The project of the Department of Tourism (DOT) Ilocos Region, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and the provincial government of Pangasinan on Aug. 6 to 9 is part of the government’s reintegration program for returning overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

“We would like to give them an opportunity to work or do business within the tourism industry,” DOT Assistant Secretary Maria Rica Bueno said in an interview Friday.

DMW Assistant Secretary Vencenio Legaspi said the participants were taught basic business knowledge, proper and hygienic way of food preparation, and community relations.

“Aside from the training, each participant received PHP10,000 as seed capital,” he said.

The program aims to provide alternative sources of livelihood for former OFWs and their immediate family members by engaging them in tourism-related activities or businesses.

The participants registered online along with the survey on the training they wanted to undergo. Culinary was the top choice in Pangasinan.

Arlene Sison, who returned home in 2022 after working as a domestic helper in Hong Kong for 12 years, was grateful for the training since it will be useful for her eatery business.

“This is a big help for my business especially now that I am staying in the country for good,” she said in an interview.

Florlyn Fernandez, also a domestic helper in Hongkong for 20 years, said she has found work as an administrative aide but would still want to open a food business.

“I tried doing food business since I got home four years ago but it did not succeed. I am grateful for this training and seed capital, which I can use again to continue my love for cooking,” she said. (PNA)