FACEBOOK RENEWS PARTNERSHIP WITH OWWA FOR OFW DIGITAL LITERACY PROGRAM
The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), together with Facebook, aims to teach Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) the importance of online privacy and responsible use of social media through the Digital Literacy Program. This year, the program will expand to OFWs working in Hong Kong, the Middle East, and Singapore.
OWWA, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), and Facebook announced the expansion of their digital literacy program during the Migrant Workers Day celebration on June 7. Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III, OWWA Administrator Hans Leo Cacdac, and Facebook’s Head of Community Affairs for Asia-Pacific Beth Ann Lim led the launch at Palacio de Maynila.
Cacdac emphasized OWWA’s efforts to keep up with technology and deliver their digital services and programs to OFWs around the world.
“We are glad to be expanding our digital literacy program with Facebook for OFWs based in Hong Kong, Singapore, and the Middle East. Our shared vision is an empowered OFW community that would have the critical skills to vet information they find online, and consistently use privacy and safety tools available to them,” said Cacdac.
FACEBOOK TO CONTINUE PROVIDING SUPPORT TO OFWS
The digital literacy program is one of the activities offered by Facebook Philippines to open economic opportunities and encourage innovation in the country. They also provide other programs to other parts of the Philippines intending to develop a safe and informed community. Lim assured the continued support of Facebook towards OFWs and their families.
“We recognize that Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) depend on our platforms to stay connected to their families and everything important to them back home. Facebook will continue supporting OFWs and their families, to ensure they have a positive, safe and authentic experience on our platforms, wherever they are in the world,” said Lim.
OWWA forged their partnership with Facebook last year to empower OFWs and their families through digital literacy. During the first year, OWWA trained 140,000 OFWs to develop a habit of identifying credible content online and the observance of respectful discourse in online communities. The government agency taught 600 returning OFWs with different online business skills to help them identify alternative sources of income.