Summit aims to make OFWs financially smart

Senator Cynthia Villar on Friday called on overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) to join the 8th OFW and Family Summit this month as it will focus on topics that will guide them and their families on making their money grow.

Sen. Villar, director of the Villar Social Institute for Poverty Alleviation and Governance (Villar SIPAG), said the 8th OFW and Family Summit will be held on November 21 at the World Trade Center in Pasay City.

“We all know a story about an OFW who, after years of toiling abroad, comes home with little or no savings. We want these tragic stories to end and want happier endings for all our OFWs,” Villar said.

With the theme, "OFW: Perang Pinaghirapan, Palaguin," the summit will center on ways to address the needs of the OFWs and their dependents. It will be open to all OFWs and their beneficiaries such as spouse, children, parents, or siblings.

“This summit will provide the tools that will make our OFWs financially smart. We have lined up experts to teach financial literacy and to share pointers on investment and starting a business. Lack of financial literacy is one of the reasons why Filipinos, including many OFW households, cannot escape poverty. We want to help address this problem,” she added.

Registration is free upon presentation of a photocopy of passport, proof of remittance, sea man's book, job contract, and proof of kinship to OFW such as marriage and birth certificate.

Administrator Hans Leo Cacdac of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration will also be invited to speak on the National Reintegration Programs for OFWs, and Toots Ople of the Ople Center will speak on human trafficking and illegal recruitment.

An open forum will be held with Administrator Bernard Olalia of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration; Roel Martin, officer-in-charge of the National Re-integration Center for OFWs; and Justice UndersecretaryEmmelineAglipay-Villar, as panelists.

Successful entrepreneurs were also invited to share their experiences and inspire OFWS to wisely spend their hard-earned money.