3 former OFWs in Kalinga granted DOST assistance

Tabuk City, Kalinga – Three former OFWs in Kalinga received assistance from the Department of Science and Technology through its Innovations for Filipinos Working Distantly from the Philippines (iFWD PH) program.

With the department’s iFWD PH, Vivian B. Siwagon, Vanessa B. Malaggay and Marston Russel P. Malabanan gained support in establishing technology-based enterprises, allowing them to stay in the province and be with their families instead of working abroad.

Siwagon now ventures in food chips, Malaggay in baked products, and Malabanan in fruit wine/juice, chili, and coffee.

Provincial Science and Technology Center – Kalinga disclosed the beneficiaries pitched their business models on Thursday, June 30.

The presentation, according to the center, is part of the culminating activity of the iFWD’s Phase I component, which includes capacity building.

After Phase I graduation, the former OFW-recipients will proceed to the innovation funding under Phase II.

In addition, the department will provide free entrepreneurship and technical training; product development and market testing; operational consultancy services; initial laboratory testing; packaging and labeling design and execution for market testing; and equipment acquisition for the establishment of an enterprise.

With the pandemic, many overseas workers lost jobs or were forced to go back home. Some intended to go back, while others decided to try their luck by staying.

It is expected that the program will prepare the three entrepreneurs to succeed in their business endeavors.

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