Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) who are beneficiaries of the Innovations for Filipinos Working Distantly from the Philippines (iFWD PH) Program recently attended a three-day technology pitching session as part of the Phase 1 implementation of the program.
The iFWD PH of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) is a support program that aims to help repatriated or returning OFWs establish their own technology-based businesses so they will be encouraged to settle in the country for good.
DOST Secretary Fortunato dela Pena during his weekly report said that a total of 156 OFWs and representatives from DOST Regional Offices attended the pitching session entitled “TeknoLokal Para sa Makabagong Bayani”. The TeknoLokal Sessions featured the DOST-developed technologies through presentation of its applications, corresponding investment cost, and return of investment.
TeknoLokal Sessions started on August 24, showcasing technologies from Metals Industry Research and Development Center (MIRDC) and Industrial Technology Development Institute (ITDI).
Meanwhile, August 26, technologies showcased were from the Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI); and August 28, 2020 for Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD), Forest Products Research and Development Institute (FPRDI), Philippine Textile Research Institute (PTRI) and Advanced Science and Technology Institute (ASTI) technologies.
DOST said that the iFWD PH program will be implemented in two phases. Phase 1 is capability building for the development and management of technology-based enterprise and while Phase 2 is on innovation funding for technology-based enterprise.
Under Phase 1, interested OFWs will be provided with seminars on entrepreneurship, enterprise development and management; consultancy services and other technical assistance; advisory support; and marketing assistance through DOST’s e-commerce platform, the oneSTore.ph.
Those who completed Phase 1 of the program may avail themselves of Phase 2, where each OFW beneficiary/group may be entitled to a package of support. When it comes to financing, the secretary mentioned before that it’s not only for the purchase of equipment, but it will be including those that are involved for example in the product development phase, in the laboratory testing place, in getting for example whatever technology licenses are needed to be taken in.