Philippines to open up more technology-driven jobs for calamity-hit areas

The Philippine government will open up more technology-driven jobs for communities hit by disasters as well as for returned or displaced overseas Filipino workers and their families, a senior government official said Friday. Department of Science and Technology Secretary Mario Montejo said he and Department of Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz recently signed a memorandum of agreement for the nationwide livelihood program that will be technology-driven, resource-based and sustainable. "We not only aim to rebuild communities but also to enhance the resilience of our communities with the aid of technology," he said. The program, also in collaboration with trade and agriculture departments, will have several components, including the establishment of community-based enterprises, business incubators, business and technology centers, innovation and knowledge centers, and promotion of climate change mitigation to increase community disaster resiliency, Montejo said. Business and technology incubators will provide a package of support services to start-up enterprises while business and technology centers will serve as alternative sites and technology terminals to create new or revive enterprises, he said. Innovation and knowledge centers, meanwhile, will provide relevant information on science, technology and innovation, he added. Within the next 30 days, regional offices of the two departments will conduct consultations with possible beneficiaries and come up with a detailed action plan, he said.