Quezon City: The Department of Science and Technology - National Capital Region (DOST-NCR) is urging returning overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) to leverage its iFWDPH (Innovations for Filipino Workers and their Families) program to bring their business concepts to life.

According to Philippines News Agency, during the Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas event organized by the Philippine Information Agency in Quezon City, DOST-NCR Director Romelen Tresvalles highlighted that the program provides OFWs with business training, technical support, and funding assistance. Tresvalles expressed the program's aim for OFWs to establish technology-based businesses upon their return to the Philippines.

The program includes capacity-building activities where participants can explore business ideas and acquire essential competencies. It also offers guidance on the documentary requirements necessary for starting a business. Additionally, the DOST provides funding support of up to PHP500,000 at a zero interest rate for equipment purchases.

Since its inception in 2020, the program has trained approximately 810 OFWs nationwide, with 91 participants having received funding, resulting in the creation of 129 jobs. Tresvalles noted that the initiative, in coordination with the Department of Migrant Workers, supports business ventures across industries such as agriculture, food processing, manufacturing, and ICT services.

The iFWDPH Program is accessible to OFWs who have returned to the Philippines within the last two to three years. Interested OFWs can reach out via email at [email protected] for inquiries and applications.