The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) has a program for COVID-19 displaced Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in helping them start their own business.
During the recent Pakigsayod episode, DOST Davao del Norte Provincial Director, Engr. Donna Nueva Ecija, said that this program is called ‘Innovations for Filipinos Working Distantly from the Philippines’ (I FWD PH).
“Nag abri ug usa ka online training ang DOST kung gusto sila mag enroll. Tudlu-an sila kung unsaon pag sugod sa Negosyo (DOST has opened an online training where they [OFWs] can enroll. They will be taught how to start a business),” she revealed.
The training duration of I FWD PH is from 3-6 months as it teaches the beneficiaries on the early stages of starting a business to the end.
“Ang training gikan sa pag soul searching kung unsa ilang gusto nga Negosyo, tapos sa pag apply sa ilang business permits, sa mga requirements, mga records pag han-ay, unsay resources nga available sa ilaha. Unya sa values pud (The training starts from teaching them to soul search on what business they want to start, then how to apply for their business permits, the requirements, in organizing records, what resources are available to them, and also, they are taught business values),” she explained.
After completing the entirety of the training duration (3-6 months), the beneficiaries can borrow capital from DOST to start their business.
DOST also offers free consultancy on top of the capital borrowing for those who choose to go into businesses. For example, if one chooses to go into the food business, they will be trained how to ensure safe and clean food products.
“Ang DOST, dili mi regulatory agency, we bridge the gap. So dili sila angay mahadlok kung muduol sila sa amoa unya naa mi’y makita nga sukwahi sa ilang proseso kay tabangan namo sila (In DOST, we are not a regulatory agency, we bridge the gap. Our beneficiaries don’t have to be afraid if we see concerns in their processes, we will help them),” she assured.
Currently, the I-FWD PH program is on its second batch as the first batch started and finished last year, 2020.
Furthermore, DOST regularly partners with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) when it comes to Micro, Small, Medium, Entrepreneurs (MSMEs). For the beneficiaries who need help in business registration or marketing, DOST refers them to DTI.
With this, displaced OFWs who wish to enroll in I FWD PH may reach out to DOST in the following:
For telephone, call (084) 216-2415; For cellphone, 093-772-1344. Or they may go to the Facebook Page “DOST-PSTC Davao del Norte”. (Jan Vincent Leuterio/PIA-XI)
