OFW-Owned Enterprises Proceed to Phase 2 of the iFWD PH Program, DOST-NCR Green-Lights Innovation Fund Support

Two enterprises owned and managed by Overseas Filipino Workers recently joined the roster of DOST-NCR-assisted firms through the Innovations for Filipinos Working Distantly from the Philippines (iFWD PH) Program.

The DOST-NCR evaluated and approved the innovation funding support for Chef Mechanic Lami Chicharon, which is co-owned by Mr. Richard Bajador, an OFW working as an aircraft mechanic in Dubai.

The DOST-NCR approved of the innovation-enabling fund (iFund) for equipment acquisition, nutritional analysis, shelf-life testing, and packaging development assistance for the enterprise. Food experts from DOST-NCR also conducted a series of technical consultancy sessions and sensory evaluation for the company's salted egg, plain, and spicy flavored chicharon products.

On the other hand, the DOST-NCR also approved the iFund support for Oweavers Mill Woven Fabrics Manufacturing owned by Ms. Ronalin Adolfo, a marketing specialist also from Dubai.

Together with her sister who co-owns the company, their vision is to utilize Philippine indigenous materials for the sustainable manufacture of fabric. The iFund from the DOST iFWD PH Program will be used to acquire four units of the handloom weaving machine developed by the Philippine Textile Research Institute.

At the moment, a total of four OFWs were provided with iFund support under the DOST iFWD PH Program in the National Capital Region. Earlier this year, DOST-NCR also green lit the funding support for Bermudez Software Labs and Reign Retail Specialized Store.