As the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Region 2 widens its reach in providing technical assistance to promote entrepreneurship regionwide, a meeting with the officers of Overseas Workers Welfare Administration Regional Welfare Office 2 led by officer-in-charge (OIC) Regional Director (RD) Juvilyn Gumabay was conducted on 1 March 2022.

Officers of DTI R2 – Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) Development Division, led by Division Chief, Ramil Garcia, Assistant Division Chief, Michael Paggabao, and Special Projects and Planning Officer, Carla Natividad, shared the agency’s commitment to mutually develop enterprises started by returning OFWs.

Aside from its usual participation in the review of “Tulong Puso” proposals, DTI R2 will provide technical experts in the proposal writeshops of Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) to properly guide the beneficiaries in their business plans. DTI R2 will also assist in the “Enhanced Entrepreneurial Development Training” (EEDT) and in the conduct of Training of Trainers (TOT) for welfare officers.

Equally important is the commitment of OWWA R2 to adopt the Buy Local Advocacy and institutionalize the prioritization of local MSME products and services in the procurement activities of the office. While the agency is already practicing this, with the guidance of DTI R2, the agency will aim to make it a conscious effort among all its staff. ♦

Date of Release: 29 March 2022