OFW from Region 10 receives DOST iFWD Ph assistance
Carlo A. Ramos, an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) from Opol, Misamis Oriental, is the first recipient of assistance under the Innovations for Filipinos Working Distantly from the Philippines (iFWD PH) program from the Department of Science and Technology Regional Office X (DOST-X). The ceremonial online turnover of the project fund was held on 21 January 2022, together with nine beneficiaries in the region that were provided assistance under the Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP), another flagship program of the DOST.
Ramos’ company, the Ramos Fabrication and Steel Works Services, specializes in the production of window casement, trusses and roofing, window grills and standee, railings, and gates.
The assistance from DOST iFWD Ph helps businesses cater to new and existing product demands through the acquisition of new equipment such as cut-off machine with bar cutter and angle grinder, buffing machine with inverter welding machine and drill, inverter mig welding machine with steel bar bender rebar, cigweld cutting outfit with lazer, miter saw with gravity type spray gun, air compressor, straight grinder, and circular saw with bench grinder. With these automated tools and machines, small to medium sized enterprises are able to improve their production and increase their competitiveness.
DOST iFWD Ph helps the firm in serving their customers with fabricated metal products more efficiently and quickly, thereby providing additional income and generating employment in the locality.
Overall, the DOST iFWD Ph is a DOST program that includes capacity building and financial assistance for OFWs and its beneficiaries who have been repatriated or have come back to the Philippines and decided to stay in the country for good. The program aims to provide support and wide-range opportunities for OFWs and their immediate families to establish technology-based enterprises in their own provinces, allowing them to finally choose to stay in the country instead of being far away from their families.
The Department of Science and Technology Region X (DOST-X) envisions to be an effective and competent catalyst of inclusive development by providing world class and innovative Science & Technology services in Region X. For more information of their projects and programs, kindly email: stpromotions@region10.dost.gov.ph or mobile number: 0915-582-4600. (Rafael Paulo Zosa, DOST-Misamis Oriental)
