TARLAC CITY (PIA) — The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Tarlac is ramping up efforts to empower overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and their families by opening more business opportunities, through product development and consultancy services to help them attain long-term financial stability.
DTI Acting Provincial Director Florencia Balilo underscored the agency’s proactive approach in assisting returning and visiting OFWs, noting that many OFW clients who seek out DTI services already have a strong interest in starting their own businesses.
The agency provides immediate business consultancy services, including personalized assessments to match clients with suitable business opportunities, ensuring that support is tailored to their specific needs.
It also extends assistance to OFWs who already have existing products through its product development program which helps improve product quality, competitiveness, as well as packaging and labeling in collaboration with local designers.
Beyond product development, DTI Tarlac plays a crucial role in market linkage by providing platforms to showcase their goods through local trade fairs.
“Mayroon ring pagkakataon na naipapadala natin sila sa mga international trade fairs (There are also opportunities for us to send them to international trade fairs),” Balilo added.
To ensure accessibility, Negosyo Centers have been established across all municipalities in the province and are staffed with trained business counselors who provide guidance on product development, making services more reachable for OFWs and aspiring entrepreneurs alike.
Balilo emphasized that DTI’s assistance is inclusive, catering to anyone who seeks help regardless of background.
“Basta bumisita dito, himingi ng assistance, siyempre inaassess natin kung ano iyong kailangan niya. Kung gusto niyang umasok sa pagnenegosyo, titignan natin kung ano yung mga trainings na akma para sa kaniya (Anyone who comes here and asks for assistance is assessed based on what they need. If they want to venture into business, we determine which trainings are appropriate for them),” she explained.
With these expanded services, DTI Tarlac continues to position entrepreneurship as a practical and sustainable option for OFWs looking to reintegrate into the local economy.
For more information, the public is encouraged to visit DTI Tarlac’s official Facebook page or inquire at the nearest Negosyo Center in the province. (CLJD/AJRR, PIA Region 3-Tarlac)
