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MANILA -- More than 200 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) have acquired additional knowledge about the digital world after participating in the training workshop in Singapore on Aug. 4 this year.
Facebook facilitated the launching of the workshop in partnership with the Philippine Embassy, Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO), and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA).
Rahimah Abdulrahim, Facebook Director of Public Policy-Southeast Asia, Filipinos working in the host country will not only develop their digital skills but also to become better informed digital citizens.
“OFWs are among the most engaged and active communities online. Together with OWWA and our partners, we want to help OFWs develop digital skills, including the ability to think critically about what they see online, so they can become better informed digital citizens and continue to have a positive and authentic experience online,” he said in statement.
The learning modules cover topics include safeguarding online privacy, safety, and security; how to engage in respectful digital discourse; and, being aware and responsible of digital footprint.
The event is part of Digital Tayo, a digital literacy and citizenship program that aims to reach a million Filipinos by the end of 2020.
“We are glad to be working with Facebook in empowering OFWs with knowledge and tools to help them connect with their families back home, and contribute to their communities,” Philippine Ambassador to Singapore Joseph Del Mar Yap.
“Digital literacy is an invaluable asset to our modern day Filipino heroes. We look forward to supporting OFW organizations who will be conducting these trainings in the coming months in Singapore,” he added.
The Digital Tayo’s training modules will be incorporated in partner OFW organizations’ regular trainings and community events in Singapore.
Those interested in participating in the trainings may get in touch with the Philippine Embassy and the POLO or partner OFW organizations including the Filipino Overseas Workers in Singapore (FOWS), Pinoy Worldwide Initiative for Investment Savings and Entrepreneurship (Pinoy WISE), Financially Literate Philippines (FLPH), Center for Domestic Employees (CDE), Filipino Community (FilCom), Leadership and Social Entrepreneurship (LSE), and Aidha.
For who would like take an interactive digital literacy course, they can visit www.digitaltayo.fb.com or find out more about Facebook's partnership with OWWA: www.owwa.gov.ph.
More than 140,000 departing OFWs have already participated in digital literacy workshops in Manila since last year.
On the other hand, the organizers are looking to bring these workshops to other OFWs employed in the Middle East and Hong Kong later this year. (PNA)
