NAGA CITY, July 8 (PIA) -- One of the sectors greatly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic are the Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs). Most of them decided to stay in the country out of lack of opportunities while others were either repatriated or their contracts were not renewed as other foreign countries also struggle to get their economies back on track after being heavily affected by the global COVID menace.
Looking at this plight, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) understands that this displacement indeed caused an unfortunate impact on the economic and emotional vulnerability of OFWs, who are mostly breadwinners of their respective families.
During the Philippine Information Agency (PIA)-Camarines Sur Provincial Office’s radio program dubbed “Kapihan sa PIA,” aired and livestreamed over 89.5 Radyo-Natin-Naga, DOST Camarines Sur Provincial Director Pat Felizmenio said that OFWs who suddenly found themselves unemployed due to the pandemic now have a chance to “bounce back” by establishing their own businesses here in the country.
“DOST offers iFWD PH. This is an acronym which stands for “Innovations for Filipinos Working Distantly from the Philippines”. Here in Camarines Sur, we are also accepting applicants. In fact, we are already assisting the 1st Batch of beneficiaries. Right now, we have one from Naga City and one from San Fernando, Camarines Sur,” Felizmenio stated.
iFWD PH is DOST’s program in partnership with the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Overseas Filipino Workers (OPA-OFW) and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA).
The said program, according to Felizmenio, endeavors to help and assist not only the OFWs but also their immediate families who wish to establish a business of their choice in the province.
“iFWH PH is open for OFWs who decided to stay permanently in their provinces and does not have existing contract overseas. But if the OFW has an existing contract, there must be a family member who will act as co-implementer who will continue the training, establishment and management of business once it is approved by DOST,” Felizmenio added.
OFWs who opted to stay, will be assisted by DOST in pursuing their desired business via 2 phases: Capacity building and Innovation Funding.
Under the capacity-building phase, the recipient will be provided with necessary skills and knowledge on how to manage their technology-based enterprise like food processing, furniture-making, gift ideas, housewares and decors, agriculture, marine and aquatic resources, metals or engineering, health and pharmaceuticals, ICT/Electronics and Science and Technology services.
Once approved and assessed, a capital fund will be provided under phase 2.
“Applicants will be evaluated first then appropriate training will be given to them. Since we are still under the pandemic, it will be an online training to ensure the safety of both the trainer and the trainee. As a start-up, DOST can give as high as P250,000.00 especially if the training needs labelling or packaging or similar trainings,” the DOST chief explained.
Felizmenio cleared though, that the P250,000.00 capital is not a dole out from the government. The OFW will have to return 30 % of the capital to the government, to be paid within 3 to 5 years.
Interested applicants may access the iFWD PH e-portal at https://ifwd.dost.gov.ph or they can email at pstc_cs@yahoo.com. They can also send their message to the DOST V and Provincial S&T Center-Camarines Sur Facebook page for more information.
Application period for the 2nd Batch will end on July 29. (LSM/PIA Bicol)
