In partnership with Microsoft Philippines, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and OWWA has launched Tulay or Bridge Education Program, which provides OFWs IT training and access to technology that will enable them and thei families to communicate through the internet.
The Tulay or Bridge Education Program is a part of Microsoft’s Unlimited Potential (UP), a global initiative aimed at providing technology and skills for underserved individuals. OFWs and their families learn the basics of computer applications such as MS Word, Powerpoint, Excel as well as internet and e-mail use at the Community Technology Learning Centers (CTLC).
Through Tulay, the OWWA expects OFWs to gain IT skills that will enhance their work, thus increasing their value in the workplace. These new IT skills can further help them become more competitive in pursuing a career in the country upon their return.
The project also aims to address the primary issue of family disintegration. It is hoped that through the project, problems arising form OFWs’ prolonged separation from their families will be greatly minimized and as it mitigates the social impact of being away from home because of the accessibility and ease of using technology to connect and communicate to loved ones at home.
The CTLCs being maintained and operated by DOLE-OWWA are located at the OWWA Central Office, OWWA Satellite Office in POEA, OWWA Regional Welfare Offices as well as OWWA overseas posts in Riyadh (KSA), Hong Kong, Taichung (Taiwan).