Computer-Literacy Course For Migrant Filipino Workers in Milan The Philippine Consulate General in Milan , Italy recently launched its Basic Computer Course at the Consulate’s Community Technology Learning Center for Filipinos in Milan and northern Italy . The Microsoft-sponsored program is being conducted by the Consulate in coordination with the DOLE-OWWA-Microsoft’s Tulay Project aimed at helping Filipinos overseas upgrade their skills. The Italian government-accredited Filipino NGO Balikatan is the Consulate’s Filipino community partner for this project.      The initial batch of thirty Filipino trainees started last week in two shifts. Three-hour training sessions are conducted every Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday. Many Filipinos have signed up for the computer course where they will undergo basic computer training with additional batches scheduled for September, October and November. The Consulate plans to conduct advanced computer courses and tapping graduates from the program to train future enrollees.      The Consulate’s thrust is to train and upgrade the skills of Filipino workers in Milan and northern Italy given the country’s labor-friendly environment. The program is also intended to bridge – through the use of the modern information highway – the communication gap between the Filipino migrant workers and their families back home. Through the wonders of computer technology, the costly expense of keeping in touch with families in the Philippines will be drastically reduced.      This computer learning project is being replicated in other Philippine embassies and consulates in countries where there are large concentrations of Filipino workers – Hong Kong , Saudi Arabia , Taiwan , and Rome , as well as in various OWWA regional centers in the Philippines .      Another developmental project of the Consulate is the Caregivers’ Course, which is currently on its second batch of trainees, and the Manipulative Massage Therapy Training, which will have its fourth batch of trainees on 13 September 2007. Over 30 Filipinos have graduated from the first training batch in the Caregivers’ Course while about 80 have finished the Massage Therapy Course. Many graduates of the courses are now practicing and earning from their new skills. (DFA) Free Medical Services For OFWs In Lebanon Charge d’Affaires of the Philippine Embassy in Lebanon Mariano A. Dumia reported to the Department that the Abou Merhi Medical Foundation in Saida (Sidon), which is owned and operated by the Abou Marhi Group of Companies, was inaugurated on 14 August 2007 with more than 2,000 guests including Acting Minister of Health Nayla Mouawad and other high-ranking Lebanese government officials.      Messrs. Merhi and Alaeddine announced that the Foundation will render FREE medical services to all OFWs in Lebanon. Mr. Alaeddine added that, should there be a crisis situation in Lebanon, the Abou Merhi Group of Companies is ready to assist the Philippine government in repatriating and evacuating Filipino workers free of charge. Both gentlemen also reiterated their desire to broaden and strengthen Philippine-Lebanon relations through the promotion of trade, tourism and culture. Mr. Merhi hosted a luncheon for the embassy officials.      The Philippine Embassy in Beirut continues to endorse sick Filipinos for immediate medical treatment to the Foundation. (DFA)