20 November 2014 – This year’s Pinoy WISE OFW Market Place Event was held at Awsaj Academy Auditorium, Qatar Foundation on November 14 with the theme: “ Mamuhunan at Mag-Agri-Negosyo, Serbisyong tungo sa Pag-unlad ng Pamilya at Bayan Ko.” A total of 186 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) participated in the event.
The event started with a message from Philippine Ambassador Crescente Relacion, emphasizing that “Pinoy WISE is a worthy endeavor that every Filipino migrant should seriously consider to be WISE in managing their funds and in effect, ensure a successful reintegration with their family and be able to look after their long-term security”.
Since last year, the financial education campaign for OFWs namely Pinoy WISE or the Worldwide Initiative for Savings, Investment & Entrepreneurship, has brought life-changing financial management training and seminar organized and initiated by Atikha Overseas Workers and Communities Initiative, Inc. and Pinoy WISE International Qatar. A training was held for the trainors on August 16 to 17 and 23, 2013 on Financial Literacy and Social Cost of Migration. The first training workshop was held on October 03, followed by a Counseling and Reintegration Seminar in June 2014.
Atikha Executive Director and Pinoy WISE Movement Convenor Ms. Estrella Dizon Anonuevo as one of the organizers of the campaign pointed out to the participants that “despite of high income, 70% of the OFWs are not able to save and achieve a long term goal for migration, which is to give a better future for themselves and their families, as this is the reason why many of us are unable to return and reintegrate and be with our family for good”.
Fourteen (14) resource speakers on the developments and investment opportunities in the Philippines spoke on their fields of expertise. The first speaker was Hon. Rico Geron, Party List Congressman of AGAP with his message: “Mobilizing Migrant Resources towards Agriculture Development”. Regional Director of National Economic Development Authority, Mr. Luis Banua shared the topic to the participants: “The Link between Migration and Development”.
Investment in real estates was discussed by Ms. Eda Tambologan, Vistaland International Marketing Head, while Mr. Bon Ian dela Roca, Senior Manager of Soro Soro Ibaba Development Cooperative (SIDC), discussed the investment opportunities in Agri-based Cooperatives.
The Agri Business Opportunities in the Philippines were discussed by Tarlac Goat and Sheep Producers Association President Marissa Abad Santos, Ms. Sheryl Loyola of the Cavite Provincial Cooperative, Livelihood and Entrepreneurial Development Office, Laguna Provincial Cooperative Department Head Erwin Serano Bautista, Batangas Provincial Tourism Office Assistant Department Head Sarah Marie Adolfo, and by Tarlac City Agriculture Technologist Norma Tonggol.
The establishment of a one-stop migration resource center in Batangas was discussed by provincial Social Welfare and Development Office Department Head Jocelyn Montalbo. The School based Program for Children of Migrants was discussed by Batangas division Department of Education Program Supervisor Dr. Marian Lontok-Arias. A discussion on Financial Education on Reaching Out to families left behind was held by Laguna Public Employment and Services Office Provincial Manager Mary Jane Corcuera. The Creating of Local Ordinance for Overseas Filipinos was done by Batangas board member Mabel Virtouso.
The aims of the Market Place Event were to provide fora for interactive discussion with the speakers and share solutions to the financial challenges that OFWs are facing today. END