Facebook Philippines and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration announced a partnership aimed at empowering overseas Filipino workers through digital literacy programs and small business training.
Through different educational programs and workshops, the partnership will provide resources that can help OFWs gain knowledge on privacy and safety, critical thinking and empathy and spotting false news.
A one-hour digital literacy module will be provided for departing OFWs. Informational videos will also be played in OWWA offices and posted on their online platforms.
As part of the initiative, OFWs will have access to digital marketing workshops, which will be included in OWWA’s Entrepreneurship Development Training to help them start and grow businesses.
“OFWs work very hard for their families and communities. We want to make sure that we support them in the best way possible: by letting them gain the skills they need to contribute to their communities online and offline,” said OWWA administrator Hans Leo Cacdac during the celebration of Migrant Workers Day on June 7.
“We are very excited to have Facebook on-board as we continue to uplift the quality of lives of our modern-day heroes—both through digital literacy and small business training,” said Cacdac.
To drive community-based impact, digital literacy programs will also be extended to OFW family circles nationwide. OFCs are communities of OFW families that aim to promote the overall socio-economic welfare of migrant workers through skills development.
“OFWs use Facebook to connect with their friends and loved ones back home, while making tremendous impact worldwide,” said Clair Deevy, director of community affairs for Asia Pacific of Facebook.
“Together with OWWA, we want to help OFWs to have a positive and authentic experience online, and gain business skills that would help their families and communities,” said Deevy.
Beyond creating training and livelihood programs for OFWs and their families, Facebook will help OWWA better engage with their audience through social media training.