CEDAW/C/PHI/5-6 strengthened programs for generating alternative employment opportunities. Among the elements of the national strategy are: a. Making financing available for men and women in small and medium enterprises (SME), as well as those in micro and cottage enterprises, b. Entrepreneurship development and training in industry-focused skills for women in the micro, cottage and SME sectors, c. Technical assistance to improve the productivity and working conditions of small enterprises, with due attention to female-dominated ones like the garments and jewelry sectors, d. Promotion of rural employment through self-employment and entrepreneurship, and e. Facilitation of employment for domestic and overseas work through the Philjobnet (Internet employment service facilitation) as well as access to other government services like credit and training through Public Employment Services Offices (PESO) at the local levels. On information and support services to women overseas workers “The Committee strongly recommended that the Government establish a special national focal point to provide information and support services to women before departure to overseas work, as well as in the receiving countries in cases of need.” (Paragraph 25) 15. The implementation of the Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995 went into full gear during the period under review. In line with the law, the President appointed in mid-2001, a former woman migrant worker to the Governing Board of the Philippine Overseas Employment Authority (POEA), which is the official regulatory body for overseas employment. Other key measures that were put in place include additional welfare services for OFWs beginning 2002 under the program “International Social Welfare Services for Filipinos” of the social welfare department. As part of this program, the department deployed the first batch of social welfare officers to five Middle Eastern countries (Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Kuwait, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia) and three Asian destinations (Singapore, Hong Kong, and Taiwan); and fielded a social welfare attaché in Malaysia and social workers in Japan. They are expected to render direct services (transportation, shelter, and food assistance); case management, including referrals to other social services, counseling, group therapy, and filing of cases; jail and hospital visits; values enhancement and skills training; and advocacy and social mobilization. A year since their deployment, the social welfare officers have been able to assist 6,429 Filipinos in Malaysia, 3,820 Filipinos in Japan, 158 Filipinos in Hong Kong, and 2,451 Filipinos in other countries where said officers serve as technical assistants to the labor attaché. About 90 percent of the clients are women, aged 22 to 40 years; the rest are men and children. 17