OWWA, Facebook expand digital literacy program for Pinoys working abroad

OWWA, Facebook expand digital literacy program for Pinoys working abroad
By ANNA FELICIA BAJO, GMA News
The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) and social media giant Facebook on Wednesday announced the expansion of their digital literacy program to reach Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in Hong Kong, Singapore, as well as the Middle East.
On June 5, Facebook and OWWA celebrated the first anniversary of their partnership program which aims to equip Filipinos working abroad with skills on how to think critically online and given them marketing workshops for their future businesses.
"Kung susumahin 'yun, tinuturuan natin ang ating OFWs, lalo na 'yung mga baguhan, ng tamang paggamit ng Facebook. Lalo na 'yung pagkilatis at pagspot ng fake news para hindi sila malinlang," OWWA administrator Hans Leo Cacdac told reporters.
According to Beth Ann Lim, Facebook's head of community affairs for Asia Pacific Region, the two agencies are also aiming to protect OFWs from misinformation.
"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," Lim said.
Facebook said enhanced digital literacy modules which cover digital discourse, online privacy, safety and information literacy would be launched this year.
When it comes to measuring the effectivity of the program, Cacdac said the two agencies are monitoring the OFWs who have undergone the training.
"Minomonitor naman, kung sino man 'yung 140,000 na nabigyan ng seminar, monitored naman lahat sila. Kamusta nila, paggamit nila ng Facebook... ang Facebook magaling naman 'yang magmonitor eh," Cacdac said.
On its first year, the program trained more than 140,000 OFWs in the realm of improving their digital skills while over 600 others were given training about online business skills. — MDM, GMA News

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