Senator Cynthia Villar announced the holding of the 9th OFW and Family Summit on November 12 at the World Trade Center in Pasay City.
In a press conference held at the Tramway Bayview Buffet in Pasay City, Villar said she expects thousands of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and their beneficiaries to fill up Hall D of the World Trade Center just like the previous years.
“My family and many OFWs always look forward to this event because it has evolved into an occasion where OFWs and their families gather and interact with private and government institutions for concerns ranging from access to financial services, social benefits, legal assistance, among others,” the veteran legislator said.
This year, the 1-day summit’s theme is “Kabuhayan sa Sariling Bayan.” The summit hopes to inculcate financial literacy among OFWs, which will equip them with the necessary tools to grow their money in their homeland.
The seasoned lawmaker, who is also director of the Villar Social Institute for Poverty Alleviation and Governance (Villar SIPAG) was also joined by Susan “Toots” Ople of the Ople Training Center during the press conference.
“It is equally important to educate OFWs how to protect their hard-earned money.”
“Aside from teaching our OFWs how to wisely invest their savings and grow their income, it is equally important to educate them how to protect their hard-earned money and how not to fall victims of human trafficking, illegal recruitment and investment scams,” the lady senator added.
Among the personalities who will grace the occasion are former Senate President Manny Villar, Las Piñas Rep. Camille Villar, DPWH Sec. Mark Villar, Pasay City Mayor Imelda Calixto-Rubiano, Department of Trade and Industry Sec. Ramon Lopez.
On the topic of growing one’s earnings, the speakers will be Burn Gutierrez, CEO of English Learning Camp and author of Philippines’ first finance-influenced comic book “The Adventures of Pepot Kuripot and Dora Gastadora”; Eric Atanacio, Terra Verde Ecofarm owner; Rienzie Biolena, president and chief financial planner of Wealth Arki Consultancy, Inc.
On the topic of Business Landscape and Trends for Start-ups, panelists will be Emma Tolentino, Eco Natural Integrated Farm owner; Ace Vergel dela Cruz, acquisition executive of Grab Ph; and Capt. Danny Ricohermoso, executive vice president of Integrated Seafarers of the Philippines, Inc.
OFWs turned successful entrepreneurs will also have its own segment with Gene Gutierrez, owner of Big Ben’s Gourmet and Big Ben’s Kitchen; Bianca Tolentino, owner of Cofficina Café + Co-work; and Princess San Diego, founder of What’s Your Flan.
Dialogue with government agencies will also happen with Atty. Sarah Lou Arriola, undersecretary Department of Foreign Affairs- Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs (DFA- OUMWA); Atty. Hans Leo Cacdac, administrator of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA); Atty. Bernard Olalia, administrator of the Philippine Overseas Employment Agency (POEA); Atty. Emmeline Aglipay-Villar, undersecretary Department of Justice- Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (DOJ-IACAT); and Roel Martin, OIC Director, National Reintegration Center for OFWs (NRCO).
To register, visit http://ofwsummit2019.villarsipag.org, or visit the OFW and Family Summit Desk at any of the Vista Mall and Starmall branches nationwide; or onsite registration as early as 6 a.m. on the day of the summit. Submit one of the following documents: copy of the OFW’s passport, proof of remittances, seaman’s book, job contract, copy of documents establishing the relationship with OFWs such as marriage certificate or birth certificate and a valid ID.
Participants will also have a chance to take home a house and lot from Lessandra by Camella, two motorcycles from Isuzu Cavite, a pangkabuhayan showcase from All Day Supermarket, appliance showcase from All Home, Xtreme Appliance and other prizes.
Participants will have a chance to take home a house and lot, 2 motorcycles, a pangkabuhayan showcase, appliance showcase, Xtreme Appliance and other prizes.
This year’s OFW and Family Summit is held in partnership with the DFA, DOJ-IACAT, DOLE, OWWA, POEA, Department of Science and Technology, Department of Social Welfare and Development, DTI, PhilHealth, Social Security System, PAGIBIG, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, NRCO, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Agricultural Training Institute, Philippine Carabao Center and Blas Ople Policy Center and Training Institute.
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