MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) has teamed up with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) to launch an innovative program aimed at empowering returning overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) through science and technology-driven business development, officials announced Wednesday.
The initiative, developed in partnership with Entrepinoy Volunteers Inc. (EVFI), a non-profit dedicated to fostering globally competitive Filipino entrepreneurs, offers OFWs and their families access to business development resources, innovation guidance, and funding support. The program integrates DOST’s Innovations for Filipinos Working Distantly from the Philippines (iFWD PH) with DMW’s existing reintegration efforts to create a comprehensive framework for sustainable enterprise development.
The program’s first phase was launched Tuesday at the DMW office in Makati City, where implementers and focal persons gathered to introduce returning OFWs to the opportunities available. These include access to technologies tailored to specific business needs, developed by DOST’s research and development institutions, targeting sectors such as food processing, beverage manufacturing, crop and animal production, fabricated metal products, information and communication, science and technology consultancy, furniture manufacturing, and other priority industries identified by the Regional Development Council.
DMW’s National Reintegration Center for OFWs Director Andrea Luisa Anolin emphasized that the initiative aligns with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to bolster support for returning OFWs, ensuring a smooth and productive transition back to life in the Philippines.
“We really want them to come home and feel that we care for them, that we value them, and that there is hope for them and their families when they return to the Philippines,” Anolin said. “By guiding our beneficiaries to business ideation grounded in science, technology, and innovation, we help lay the foundation for resilient, competitive, sustainable, and future-ready enterprises.”
DOST-National Capital Region Regional Director Romelen Tresvalles highlighted the collaborative effort’s potential to provide holistic support. “We are working with DMW because we see that when we connect the different programs we have, we are able to give holistic assistance to our OFW fellowmen,” she said.
The program aims to equip returning OFWs with the tools and knowledge to build businesses that are not only viable but also competitive on a global scale, leveraging volunteer expertise from EVFI and cutting-edge technologies from DOST. As the Philippines continues to support its millions of overseas workers, this initiative marks a significant step toward ensuring their successful reintegration through innovation and entrepreneurship.
