DOST launches 'Tulong Kababayan' for Libya OFWs

The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) has just launched the Tulong Kababayan program for Filipino Overseas Workers (OFWs) who were displaced and voluntarily repatriated from Libya. The program will provide free livelihood training and micro financing assistance for those workers who seek alternative means of livelihood in the Philippines. “This is our way of helping our displaced OFWs to quickly get back on track to being productive anew," said DOST Secretary Mario Montejo. “We want to show to our people that they can start again through DOST’s technology training courses that will enable them to venture into entrepreneurship and business," Montejo added. The affected OFWs and their families can avail of various hands-on livelihood trainings such as production of flavored and fortified juice, layers (table egg) production, manufacture of fashion accessories, herbal bath soap, perfumes and colognes, and more easy-to-learn livelihood technology. There will also be trainings on business operations, event planning and management, setting up a domestic ticketing and shipping companies, bakery management, among others. The trainings will be provided by DOST’s corporate arm, the Technology Resource Center, which, at the time of the announcement of the program was commemorating its 34th anniversary. TRC is a government owned and controlled corporation (GOCC) under the administrative supervision of DOST that offers technology-based products trainings and services for livelihood and enterprise development of Filipinos. TRC Director General Dennis Cunanan said the Tulong Kababayan program and other programs under the agency are all parts of the government overall campaign to strengthen the economy and solve the pressing problems of the country. Cunanan added that the agency is now into joint venture projects with public and private institutions for a wider range of training that TRC can provide and share best practices and strategies that will turn ideas into practice and profits for driven and innovation-seeking Filipino entrepreneurs. Interested OFWs may visit or contact DOST-TRC’s office at 103 J. Abad Santos, Little Baguio, San Juan City or at telephone number 727-6205 and look for Rene Oxina. OFWs going home to the provinces may contact DOST’s regional offices or through the office of DOST’ Usec. for Regional Operations Carol Yorebe at telephone number 837-2944. Available training this March 2011 can be viewed at http://www.trc.dost.gov.ph. — TJD, GMA News