PH Consulate General Introduces Reintegration Planning to OFWs in HK

Philippine Deputy Consul General in Hong Kong Roderico C. Atienza (1st row, seated, middle), Welfare Officer Lorna Obedoza (1^st row seated,  3^rd from left), Welfare Officer  Virsie Tamayao ( 1^st row, seated, 2^nd from left), BPI’s Vice President for Overseas Customer Segment and Field Sales Division Mr. Ritche Fariñas (1^st row, seated, 1^st from left),Atikha’s Deputy Executive Director Aileen Constantino-Penas, Chairperson of Panay Island Cacao Development Engr. Herminigildo Alipat (1^st row, seated, 1^st from right) and some of the speakers and coordinators pose for a group photo at the conclusion of  PinoyWISE seminar on 27 May 2018 at the Consulate Chancery. (Hong Kong PCG photo)

HONG KONG 10 July 2018 – The Philippine Consulate General in Hong Kong hosted a three-part seminar for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) of PinoyWISE Hong Kong on Reintegration Planning and Counseling, Investment Forum, and Gender-Sensitive Reintegration for household service workers and their families in the Philippines on 27 May 2018.

The interactive event, which included a workshop and small-group sharing in addition to the regular lectures, were held at the Consulate’s conference room, in partnership with Overseas Workers Welfare Administration in Hong Kong, Atikha Overseas Workers and Communities Inc., and BPI Foundation.

PinoyWISE Co-coordinator Wilma Padura explained the concept of reintegration, informing the more than 60 OFWs attendees that the group’s objective is to reach the migrant workers and their families in the provinces to educate on proper income management.

In the second part, Atikha Deputy Executive Director Aileen Constantino-Penas led the investment forum by talking about the Ekolife OFW Marketing Cooperative, the first marketing cooperative owned and operated by the OFWs and their families. The cooperative is engaged in establishing coffee and souvenir shops in provinces with high tourist arrivals.

Panay Island Cacao Development Chairperson Herminigildo Alipat outlined the advantages of investing in the booming cacao industry. Meanwhile, BPI Vice President for Overseas Customer Segment and Field Sales Division of Bank of the Philippine Island Ritche Fariñas discussed the importance of saving money while abroad.

The event concluded with a project launching proposed by PinoyWISE HK, Atikha Inc. and BPI Foundation entitled “Gender-Sensitive Reintegration Program for Domestic Workers in Hong Kong and Families in the Philippines.” END

Consul Paulo V. Saret delivers the opening remarks to the participants of PinoyWise seminar hosted by the Philippine Consulate General in Hong Kong, in cooperation with PinoyWISE HK, Atikha Inc., BPI Foundation and OWWA Hong Kong at the Consulate Chancery. (Hong Kong PCG photo)

Participants share their plans for reintegration during the ‘small group sharing’ of PinoyWISE seminar held at the Philippine Consulate General in Hong Kong, in cooperation with PinoyWISE HK, Atikha Inc., BPI Foundation and OWWA Hong Kong at the Consulate Chancery. (Hong Kong PCG photo)

For more information, visit www.hongkongpcg.dfa.gov.ph or https://www.facebook.com/PHLinHK/