OWWA and Facebook Launch Global Digital Literacy Program for OFWs in Singapore

(Seated from left) Volunteer trainers for the Digital Tayo Program, Messrs. Christopher John Sandro, Rex Holgado, and Jack Corpus, together with Facebook Philippines Public Policy and Programs Manager Christopher Kuzhuppilly (seated leftmost), are presented with Certificates of Appreciation. Witnessing the presentation are (standing, from left) Assistant Labor Attaché Macy Monique A. Maglanque, Welfare Officer Aniceta G. Cataran, Labor Attaché Saul T. De Vries, Philippine Embassy in Singapore Consul General Adrian Bernie C. Candolada, Ambassador to Singapore Joseph Del Mar Yap, Facebook Philippines Head of Public Policy Clare Amador, Facebook Director of Public Policy for Southeast Asia Rahimah Abdulrahim, and Facebook Community Affairs Manager for Asia Pacific (APAC) Shanti Alexander. (Facebook Philippines photo)

SINGAPORE 28 August 2019 – With more than 200 Filipinos in attendance, the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO), in collaboration with Facebook, successfully launched the Digital Tayo for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) on 04 August 2019 at the Philippine Embassy in Singapore Chancery.

A digital literacy and citizenship program, Digital Tayo is a collaboration between the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) and Facebook Philippines. It 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, engaging in respectful digital discourse, and being aware and responsible of digital footprint.  

OWWA and Facebook Philippines hope to expand the program later this year to other areas hosting a huge population of OFWs, including Hong Kong and the Middle East.

“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 Facebook Director of Public Policy - Southeast Asia Rahimah Abdulrahim.

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

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 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.

Over 140,000 departing OFWs have already participated in digital literacy workshops in Manila since last 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. END

More than 200 Filipinos gathered at the Philippine Embassy in Singapore’s Consular Section to witness the launch of the Digital Tayo program. (Photo courtesy of Facebook Philippines)

For more information, visit https://www.singaporepe.dfa.gov.ph,  https://www.philippine-embassy.org.sg   or https://www.facebook.com/PHinSingapore.