Facebook and OWWA hold first digital literacy training for OFWs in Singapore

Singapore — Facebook in partnership with the Philippine Embassy, Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO), and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) in Singapore kicked off its first digital literacy training workshop for OFWs today. The event gathered over 200 OFWs who participated in a digital literacy workshop spearheaded by volunteer OFW community leaders in Singapore.

The event gathered over 200 OFWs who participated in a digital literacy workshop spearheaded by volunteer OFW community leaders in Singapore

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. Digital Tayo’s learning modules cover topics such as safeguarding online privacy, safety, and security; how to engage in respectful digital discourse; and being aware and responsible of digital footprint.

Rahimah Abdulrahim, Facebook Director of Public Policy, Southeast Asia, welcomed OFWs who attended the Digital Tayo workshop at the Philippine Embassy

“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,” said Rahimah Abdulrahim, Facebook Director of Public Policy, Southeast Asia.

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 Philippine Overseas Labor Office (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.

Philippine Ambassador to Singapore His Excellency Joseph del Mar Yap

“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. 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,” said Philippine Ambassador to Singapore Joseph Del Mar Yap.

**Top L-R:** Assistant Labor Attache Macy Maglanque, Welfare Officer Aniceta Cataran, Labor Attache Saul de Vries, Consul General Adrian Bernie Candolada, Philippine Ambassador to Singapore His Excellency Joseph del Mar Yap; Clare Amador, Head of Public Policy – Philippines , Facebook; Rahimah Abdulrahim, Facebook Director of Public Policy, Southeast Asia; Shanti Alexander, Community Affairs Manager, APAC. **Bottom L-R:** Christopher Sandro, Ateneo Leadership and Social Entrepreneurship; Rex Holgado, Pinoy WISE (Worldwide Initiative for Investment Savings and Entrepreneurship); Jack Corpuz; Christopher Kuzhuppilly, Public Policy Manager – Philippines, Facebook

Over 140,000 departing OFWs have already participated in digital literacy workshops in Manila since last year. Facebook and OWWA aim to bring these workshops closer to OFWs deployed to countries in the Middle East and Hong Kong later this year.

To take an interactive digital literacy course visit: www.digitaltayo.fb.com or find out more about Facebook’s partnership with OWWA: www.owwa.gov.ph.