Returning overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) now have a new pathway to rebuilding their lives back home, thanks to a partnership between the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).
Launched in collaboration with Entrepinoy Volunteers Inc. (EVFI), the joint program aims to support OFWs and their families through science and technology-driven business development. The initiative provides access to innovation tools, technical guidance, and funding opportunities tailored to aspiring entrepreneurs.
DMW’s Andrea Luisa Anolin, director of the National Reintegration Center for OFWs, said the program reflects President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to prioritize the welfare of returning migrant workers.
“Gusto nating iparamdam sa kanila na sila ay mahalaga, at may pag-asa silang magsimulang muli kasama ang kanilang pamilya,” Anolin said in a PNA report, emphasizing the importance of giving OFWs renewed confidence and opportunity after years of working abroad.
The program incorporates DOST’s “iFWD PH” framework—short for Innovations for Filipinos Working Distantly from the Philippines—into DMW’s broader reintegration efforts. This ensures a comprehensive approach, combining technology access with business ideation support.
Romelen Tresvalles, DOST-NCR Regional Director, stressed that synergy between the two agencies is key. “When we connect our programs, we provide more holistic assistance to our OFWs,” she noted.
The program’s pilot run took place on Tuesday at the DMW office in Makati City, bringing together key personnel and stakeholders to brief OFWs on new opportunities. Participants will have access to technologies developed by DOST’s R&D institutions, customized to meet various business needs.
Sectors set to benefit from this initiative include food and beverage production, agriculture, furniture making, ICT, and consultancy services—areas identified as priority industries by the Regional Development Council.
