PH Embassy in Berne Holds “TNK: Trabaho, Negosyo, Konsyumer” Session in Switzerland

Minister and Consul General Josephine Reynante delivers her remarks at the opening of the TNK Session in Zürich which was participated in by the Filipino Community in Switzerland. (Berne PE photo)

BERNE 16 February 2019 – The Philippine Embassy in Berne and the Philippine Trade and Investment Center (PTIC) in Geneva, in collaboration with the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) in Geneva, held a “TNK: Trabaho, Negosyo, Konsyumer” session with members of the Filipino Community in Switzerland.

In her opening remarks, Minister and Consul General Josephine Reynante emphasized that the Philippine government has set its sights on achieving a more inclusive growth for the benefit of all Filipinos, and that the Philippine Development Plan 2017-2022 is the blueprint of the government, which lays down the foundation for inclusive growth and a global competitive economy to achieve a “matatag, maginhawa, at panatag na buhay”.

Consul General Reynante also noted that the Plan is also geared towards strengthening the engagements of overseas Filipinos who, in Switzerland, have breached the 12,000 mark and have contributed significantly to the growth of both the Philippines and Switzerland as their host country.

Discussed in the session are programs of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in line with the AmBisyon 2020, which is a picture of the future, and a set of goals of the Filipino people for the country, as well as business opportunities in the Philippines, and the mandate and assistance that the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) can extend to its members in need.

In her presentation, Trade Attaché Magnolia Uy also shared that DTI, in support of an “Inclusive, Innovation-led Growth” for a strong ASEAN Economic Community, is encouraging every Filipino to become entrepreneurs themselves through setting up small and medium enterprises, and, in the process, contribute to the economic growth of the Philippines while becoming financially stable themselves.

To realize this, DTI adopts a seven-point strategy or 7Ms namely Mindset, Mastery of the subject, Mentoring, access to Markets, Money access, access to Machines, and Models of Business.

Labor Attaché Delmer Cruz discussed the history and mandate of OWWA, and the benefits OWWA can extend to its members such as scholarship programs for qualified dependents, welfare assistance, and repatriation assistance. He also encouraged qualified participants to register and become a member of OWWA in order to be covered and be extended appropriate assistance should they need it.

Mr. Arnel Talisayon of the Philippine Permanent Mission to the United Nations in Geneva also made a presentation on financial literacy highlighting the need to plan one’s future, save to achieve it, and act or invest on the said plan to achieve financial freedom.

He advised the participants to study their intended investments carefully and to be cautious in accepting offers of investments, emphasizing that there are always “high risks with high gains” and “low risk with low gains”.

TNK is a program by the government, the private sector, academe, and civil society organizations whereby they to partner towards increasing incomes by generating more jobs, and promoting entrepreneurship. END

Trade Attaché Magnolia Uy presents the AmBisyon 2040 and the business opportunities in the Philippines including on e-commerce, start-ups, and franchising. (Berne PE photo)

Labor Attaché Delmer Cruz presents the mandate of OWWA, as well as its programs and assistance it provides to its members. (Berne PE photo)

Mr. Arnel Talisayon shows the right formula for savings during his presentation on financial literacy. (Berne PE photo)

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