Servant Leadership and Volunteerism: The FILCOM Group of Jeddah

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One of the community groups in Jeddah that is very visible when it comes to servant leadership and volunteerism, is the FILCOM Group. In fact, we at PATNUBAY always share on our Facebook Page about the servanthood activities of this group.

FILCOM’s main desire is to share knowledge in various fields of skills by conducting training courses, workshops and seminars with OFWs in Jeddah, who want to increase their knowledge and skills that they can use when they return home for good in the Philippines. Aside from teaching, the FILCOM Group is also active in charitable assistance to distressed OFWs in Jeddah.

We were given the opportunity to talk to Ka Romy Capili, who is one of the founders of FILCOM Group. Here are his answers to our questions.

Why did you choose FILCOM as the name of your organization?

The organization is officially using the tag FILCOM (Filipino Computer & Literacy Program) in our logo to collectively bring more awareness that we are into helping our fellow Filipino migrant workers which could be well served primarily by teaching computer-related trainings and other skills training, as per the demand of the times, during our stay as migrant workers hoping to be of useful in the advancement of professional skills in the workplace as well as preparation during the migrant workers reintegration back in the motherland.

What was your main goal when this group was formed?

The aim is to fill the gap where the Philippine government’s program for OFWs should be in place but is limited due to the restriction of the host country, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Sharing the same outlook to provide OFWs avenue to an on-going technical education and occupational skills training and education required for their respective work competencies, JEF’s administration (Jeddah Children Educational Foundation School, Makaronah-Palestine Street, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia) provided the place for the training. Though, due to the increasing numbers of enrollees, FILCOM moved into a better place and more accessible vicinity.

How did the FILCOM group start?

The group started with three (3) founders who as well served as trainers with three (3) members. The first training started with thirty (30) trainees on December 13, 2013. Thus, in some instances the tag JEF-FILCOM can be seen as the name of the group such to describe the early and humble initiative of both parties where it all began.

What are the qualifications of your trainers?

FILCOM Trainers are all professionals in their field of work and knowledgeable in sharing their expertise in the training/subjects they are handling. Most of the trainers have their TESDA NC II and certificates from NIIT.

Other than sharing knowledge, what else has FILCOM accomplished?

FILCOM has been actively involved in various events of Filipino communities and organizations in Jeddah notwithstanding its own initiative in charity works.

In May 2017, TESDA National Office conducted an onsite assessment and FILCOM participated in the assessment of its Massage Therapy trainees whom all twenty-nine (29) passed the national certification. Thereafter TESDA continuously serves the OFW’s wherein the last onsite assessment was done last May 2019, which FILCOM designated as the venue center during the 3rd onsite assessment for Massage Therapy NC II.

FILCOM Training is in collaboration with Philippine Consulate General in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia under the Philippine Overseas Labor Office-Overseas Workers Welfare Office (POLO-OWWA).

We have our TESDA Accredited Partners in the Philippines with National Institute of Information Technology (NIIT), in Baguio City and Recoletos Industrial and Technological Training Center (RITTC) of the University of San Jose Recoletos, Cebu City.

FILCOM skills training is modular and practical in approach.