Summit to help make OFWs financially-smart

The yearly summit that became the go-to event for trainings and discussions designed to address the needs of the overseas Filipino workers and their dependents will be having its eighth edition this month.

Sen. Cynthia Villar, in her capacity as director of the Villar Social Institute for Poverty Alleviation and Governance (Villar SIPAG), announced that the 8th OFW and Family Summit will be held at the World Trade Center in Pasay City on Nov. 21.

The one-day summit with the theme “OFW: Perang Pinaghirapan, Palaguin,” will be focusing on topics that will guide OFWs and their families how to make their money grow.

“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.

“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.

Villar also encouraged government agencies as well as private organizations to “make it their mission to increase financial literacy among our people.”

The summit is open for all OFWs or their beneficiaries such as spouse, children, parents or siblings. 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 certificate or birth certificate. Online registration can also be done through http://ofwsummit2017.villarsipag.org.

The activity will open with the welcome remarks of Camille Villar, President of All Home. Sen. Cynthia Villar will give the closing remarks.

Experts were invited to speak on different subjects such as financial literacy, business start-ups, franchising and career development program.

Representatives from the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, Department of Foreign Affairs and the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration were invited to speak on different issues concerning OFWs. Toots Ople of the Ople Center will speak on human trafficking and illegal recruitment.

An open forum will also be held with government officials, including Atty. Emmeline Aglipay-Villar, undersecretary of the Department of Justice, as one of the panelists.

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

Attendees will have the chance to win a House and Lot from Camella, a motorcycle from Star 8 Green Technology Corp., Pangkabuhayan Showcase from All Day Supermarket, and Appliance Showcase from All Home.