OFWs get experts' advice on business and investment at OFW and Family Summit

Overseas Filipino workers need to be armed with the necessary technical know-how and support so they can wisely investtheir hard-earned savings, Sen. Cynthia A. Villar stressed today at the the end of the 6th OFW and Family Summit held at the World Trade Center in Pasay City.

Villar, director of the Villar SIPAG which isbehind the project in partnership with Go Negosyo, noted the importance ofteaching OFWs the best business ventures to put their monies into.

"Our workers should be guided properly on how to spend their savings and what kind of businesses they can invest in to grow their income. Sayang naman ang mahabang panahon na sila ay nag-trabaho saibang bansa kung mapupunta lang sa wala ang kanilang ipon," Villar said in her closing remarks at the Summit.

She emphasized the important role that government plays in the future of OFWs and their families.

"Our government must never miss out on its duty to provide technical assistance to our overseas workers. We should bethere to guide them every step of the way. Aside from giving them business opportunities, we should also inform them of the risks, advantages and disadvantages of whatever enterprise they decide to engage in," Villar said.

Wise business investments in small and medium enterprises is the core of this year's Summit, which has as its theme 'OFWs at Pagnenegosyo, Partners for Change.'

Villar SIPAG and Go Negosyo partnered with Vista Land, Camella, KServico, All Day, All Home, RFM Corp., Kettle Korn and Saver's Appliance Depot to organize the annual event and provide OFWs a one-stop venuefor their concerns and needs.

The event was also attended by representatives from the Department of Labor and Employment, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, the National Reintegration Center for OFWs, the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration, the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Social Welfare and Development, the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Department of Trade and Industry, the Department of Science and Technology, Philhealth, Social Security System, Pag-Ibig, Blas Ople Policy Center and Training Institute, Association of Filipino Franchisers Inc., and the Philippine Franchise Association.

The government representatives held forums on various issues concerning OFWs, their works and plights abroad and their futures in the country upon their retirements.

A Go Negosyo angelpreneur gave a lecture on 'How to be an entrepreneur from being an employee', while wealth coach and motivational speaker Chinkee Tan taught participants the merits and technicalities of financial literacy.

Special lectures on OFW reintegration programs, illegal recruitment and trafficking and business investment scams were alsogiven by OWWA Administrator Atty. Hans Leo Cacdac, Blas F. Ople Policy Centerand Training Institute President Susan 'Toots' Ople and DTI Consumer Protection Group Usec. Victorio Mario Dimagiba.

Successful OFW entrepreneurs Steve Tamayo of Tamayo's Catering, Rebecca Bustamante of Chaire Associates, Ramilton James Alenton of Bigasanko.com, Van Villaraza of Samuelito Tacos, Quesadillas and Burritos, Chef Boy Logro of 7 Flavors and a number of successful agripreneurs likewise shared the birth pangs and victory roadmaps of their business investments.

The 6th OFW and Family Summit, with the theme 'OFWs at Pagnenegosyo, Partners for Change', opened with a welcome message from Go Negosyo's founding trustee and Presidential Adviser on Entrepreneurship Joey A. Concepcion, followed by inspirational remarks from former Senate President and Villar SIPAG founding chairman Manny Villar and a keynote speech from Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez. Sen. Cynthia Villar gave the closing remarks.

Aside from the lectures and forum, participants were also treated to an array of surprise raffles and gifts, such as a house and lot package from Camella Homes, a motorcycle, business karts from Kettle Korn, sari-sari store packages from All Day and appliance packages from Saver's Appliance Depot.

Media partners for the Summit are Magic 89.9,RMN, Bombo Radyo, Wanted sa Radyo 5, DWIZ, DZMM, DZRH, Radyo Natin, DZBB, 105.1 Crossover, Play FM 99.5, Wave 89.1, Jam 88.3, WOWOWIN GMA7, the Philippine Starand the Manila Bulletin.