Seafarers enjoined to participate in DOLE business plan competition

Seafarers enjoined to participate in DOLE business plan competition
Analou De Vera May 26, 2019 https://news.mb.com.ph/2019/05/26/seafarers-enjoined-to-participate-in-d...

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is encouraging seafarers and their families to participate in the agency’s business plan competition.

The annual competition, which is now on its fifth year, aims to provide seafarers and their families the help to set up their own business.

“As they say, the first step is always the hardest. Crafting your business proposals seem intimidating at first, but the government is here to help,” said DOLE- National Reintegration Center for OFWs (NRCO) Officer-in-Charge Director Roel Martin.

The DOLE said that the competition is open to active and inactive Filipino seafarers aged 25 years old and above.

“Inactive seafarers may join, provided that they have been in the Philippines for not more than five years. Interested seafarers may submit proposals as solo, duo, or by group consisting of three to five members,” the DOLE said.

“Those who wish to join the competition, but are currently on duty, must have at least one official representative (immediate family member) who will handle all the tasks and activities required by the competition,” it added.

The labor department said that the grand winner will receive P500,000 cash prize; while the first runner up and eight other finalists will receive P100,000 and P50,000, respectively.

For those who are interested to join may submit their entries until September 6. The entry form and business plan format can be downloaded at the NRCO website, accessible at www.nrco.dole.gov.ph.