DOST ROs Build Accomplishments of the iFWD PH Program

Since its launching in 2020, the DOST Regional Offices has sustained the implementation of the Innovations for Filipinos Working Distantly from the Philippines (iFWD PH) Program, helping repatriated OFWs nationwide.

In 2021, a total of 205 OFWs have completed the IFWD PH Program’s capacity building phase, where they were provided with technical training sessions to help them manage their own technology-based enterprises. Researchers and technology generators also presented commercial-ready technologies which may be used or adopted by the OFW entrepreneurs.

Twenty-one (21) OFWs were provided with innovation funding in support to the establishment of their technology-based enterprises; 10 of whom completed Phase 1 of the Program in 2020 while 11 completed the same phase in 2021.

Of these 21 OFWs, seven (7) are in the food processing sector; four (4) in the gifts, housewares and decors (GHD) sector; three (3) in the information technology systems development and provision of IT services; three (3) in steelworks and metal fabrication; two (2) in water supply through the adoption of the DOST Tubig Talino; one (1) in agriculture sector; and one (1) in the health and wellness sector.

The OFWs were also provided with technical consultancy services such as food safety, product labelling and packaging, shelf-life testing, and product development, to name a few.

About 35 collaborators joined the implementation of the Program nationwide. These include the Office of the Presidential Adviser on OFWs (OPA-OFW), Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), OWWA Regional Welfare Offices (RWOs), other government line agencies, non-governmental organizations, and state universities and colleges.

The DOST Regional Offices are now ready to accept applicants for the program for Batch 2022. The DOST-NCR serves as the Project Leader for the IFWD PH.

By: Bianca Claudette R. Canlas, SCCU