The regional offices of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) on Wednesday relaunched their Innovations for Filipinos Working Distantly (iFWD PH) program, offering science-based livelihood opportunities for returning overseas workers.

Now on its sixth batch, the program provides business training, mentoring, and technology interventions through partnerships with the Department of Trade and Industry and the Department of Migrant Workers.

“We initially endorsed 12 OFWs (overseas Filipino workers) for this batch, but the number will increase as the program remains open,” OWWA 13 (Caraga) officer in charge Rodel Deligero said in an interview Thursday.

DOST-13 Director Noel Ajoc noted that the initiative began during the Covid-19 pandemic to help repatriated workers.

The program has since evolved from crisis response to sustainable opportunity creation through science and technology.

“Our OFWs will undergo comprehensive training, mentoring, and coaching,” Deligero added, explaining that the two- to three-month program includes weekly expert-led modules to develop business skills. (PNA)