The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) – National Registration Center for OFWs (NRCO) in partnership with the Integrated Seafarers of the Philippines (ISP) is now accepting entries for this year’s Business Plan Competition.

The contest, aimed at encouraging seafarers to engage in business, will grant a start-up capital of P500,000 as the grand prize.

NRCO-ISP Business Plan Competition 2017 is open to active seafarers and inactive seafarers who have been in the Philippines for not more than five (5) years who are into venturing in entrepreneurship.

Participants must be Filipino aging 25 years old or older and may join the competition in solo, by pairs or by groups (minimum of three members).

Seafarers who wants to joint but are on duty overseas must have at least one official representative preferably an immediate family member who will be assigned to handle all the tasks and activities required in the competition.

Deadline for submission of entries will be on September 8, 2017.

Business plan entries will be narrowed down to 10 finalists, who will be undergoing screening and mentoring activities. The awarding ceremony for the contest will be on November 2017.

Entries will be judged according to the content, its impact on the seafarer’s community, and its financial viability.

The winner will receive the P500,000 in three trenches and the assistance of local government units in business registration and other services.

Entry forms can be downloaded at NRCO website: www.nrco.dole.gov.ph. Interested participants may send their entries at DOLE XI Office 4^th Floor, AMQ Building, Dacudao Avenue, Agdao, Davao City or send it directly at:

The 2017 Business Plan Competition Secretariat

National Reintegration Center for OFW’s (NRCO)

G/F Blas Ople Development Center, Solana cor.

Victoria Streets, Intramuros, Manila

Kriztja Marae G. Labrador/DOLE XI LCO