On August 26, 2025, Engr. Ruel Vincent C. Banal represented DOST-10 in a coordination meeting organized by OWWA on the establishment of the Seafarers Hub in Cagayan de Oro City.
The Seafarers’ Hub will be a physical one-stop center where sea-based OFWs and their families can access services while waiting for deployment, training, or documents. Patterned after the first hub in Manila, it will be open 24/7 and offer rest areas, free Wi- Fi, charging stations, food and drinks, legal aid, and basic health services like check- ups. It will also host training and skills programs to protect seafarers’ rights and support their development. The hub, proposed to be built in Cagayan de Oro City proper, will extend these benefits to seafarers in Northern Mindanao.
In support of this initiative, DOST highlighted its program specifically designed for OFWs.The IFWD PH Program is one of the reintegration pathways for seafarers and their families, providing training, consultancy, and innovation funding to help them establish sustainable livelihoods. At present, there are returning OFWs in Northern Mindanao that were assisted under this program.
