06 September 2016 — The Embassy of the Philippines in Damascus successfully held Planuhin!, the first of three modules of the Wais sa Krisis Financial Literacy Workshop on September 04 at the Alberto G. Romulo Activity Center of the Philippine chancery.

In his inspirational talk, Chargé d’Affaires Crescente R. Relacion urged the attendees to take stock of the lessons in the financial literacy workshop so they may use this to establish a sustainable livelihood in the Philippines.

The event, which was attended by close to 50 overseas Filipinos (OFs), was conducted with the aim of helping participants to be financially literate and providing them ideas on how they can achieve financial freedom. For the Planuhin! module, they were given a crash course on financial planning through a lecture, group activities, and individual worksheets by Vice Consul Siegfred T. Masangkay. The attendees were also informed that they can go to the Embassy to get coaching on formulating their own financial plans.

Two other modules, Tipirin! and Palaguin!, will be held from September to October 2016. After the financially literacy workshop, the Embassy intends to give OFs in Syria a crash course on micro entrepreneurship, to prepare them for their reintegration to Philippine society.

The event was held in cooperation with the Filipino Community in Syria (FCS), the umbrella organization for OFs in Syria. END