PIA Press Release
Friday, January 27, 2012

Technopreneur introduces a mobile application for OFWs

DAVAO CITY, Jan. 27 (PIA) -- A mobile Internet-based application designed to watch over Overseas Filipino Workers has been developed by a former OFW turned technopreneur.

Myrna Padilla, a former domestic helper in Hongkong who is now a successful owner of an information technology (IT) outsourcing company in Davao City, has developed the OFW Watch which is primarily catered to identify OFW at risks and deliver help when necessary.

Padilla said that OFW Watch uses mobile applications, social networking and website technology to be able to monitor the millions OFWs spread all over the world.

“It is a tool for OFWs to empower themselves and give them the capacity to help each other,” Padilla said during her guesting at the Club 888 media forum at Marco Polo Davao last January 25.

Padilla said that with the millions of OFWs scattered all over the world, government agencies are overwhelmed in connecting with all of them.

OFW Watch application can help put tracked distressed OFWs using back-end servers.

For example an OFW has been prevented from communicating with the outside world, the network can detect that the particular OFW has not logged in for a considerable amount of time hence a red flag would be raised to alert and mobilize potential help.

The application also has a directory of government agencies all over the world which the OFWs can find useful.

It also has a listing and rating system for the 3,400 recruitment agencies listed with the POEA (Philippine Overseas Employment Administration) and along with the listing is the rating for each agency given by the OFWs themselves.

The application also has online translator services to help OFWs in communicating with their superiors, particularly if the foreigners don’t or have little English language skills.

Padilla said that the services offered by the OFW watch is free and serves as her legacy. Padilla says that her sacrifices as an OFW has inspired her to create this tool. (PIA/RG Alama)