MANILA, Philippines — Three Filipino seafarers were awarded a combined 1 million pesos in seed capital after pitching winning business plans designed to transition their careers from international waters to local entrepreneurship.
The winners were recognized Thursday night at the Department of Migrant Workers headquarters in Makati City during the culmination of the 2026 LIKHAng Marino Business Plan Competition. Sixteen regional champions from across the country competed in the final round, agency officials said Friday.
Nathaniel Lutang Baugbo Jr., 28, of the Island Garden City of Samal in Davao del Norte, took first place and a 500,000-peso cash prize for “Nalfre Perfume and Perfume Bar,” a fragrance concept inspired by his hometown.
Second place went to Christopher Roeve Tubilag Aquino, 35, of Zamboanga City, who received 300,000 pesos for “Trade Bites,” a proposed school-campus snack kiosk serving moringa-infused pancakes. Johnson Jugueta Lagos, 54, of Cavite, placed third and received 200,000 pesos for a budget-friendly commercial laundry venture.
Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said the initiative aims to provide sustainable alternatives for maritime workers seeking to return home permanently.
“LIKHAng Marino is not simply about choosing the best business plans. It is about opening new possibilities for our seafarers to build enterprises, create jobs, stay closer to their families, and shape a more secure future,” Cacdac said.
The competition was organized alongside the National Reintegration Center for OFWs, which noted that the startup capital will assist the awardees in turning their initial concepts into operating enterprises.
Rep. Irene Labadlabad of Zamboanga del Norte, vice chair of the House Committee on Appropriations, urged the awardees to leverage the discipline and experience gained overseas into commercial success at home.
“To all our awardees, I hope that when you look back on this day, you remember that we believe in the business you are building, the skills you bring home, and the life you hope to share with your family,” Labadlabad said.
Following the maritime competition, the reintegration center announced an expansion of the program, dubbed LIKHAng Global, which will extend mentoring, training, and seed funding opportunities to land-based overseas Filipino workers.
