The first financial literacy webinar organized and aired by the Philippine Embassy in Ankara on Sunday, 11 October 2020, drew a good number of the live participation of nearly 200 Filipinos from Turkey, Azerbaijan, Georgia and North Cyprus. It was also watched by close to 2,000 Facebook viewers since the end of the live program.

The webinar entitled Talakayan Ukol sa Prankisa, Pamumuhunan at Pagnenegosyo, Kabayan! gathered a lot of interest from OFWs to the extent that the Embassy had to upgrade its digital platform to accommodate as many participants as possible. 

The excitement was brought about by the quality of speakers, each of them highly-regarded in their respective fields. Mr. Chris Lim of the Philippine Franchise Association is a known voice in the Philippine franchise world, while Ms. Salve Duplito is a charismatic and sought-after public speaker who travels extensively to bring her financial literacy advocacy to Filipinos overseas. Mr. Jerome Bunyi, Director of the Philippine Agricultural Office in Brussels, is a knowledgable resource speaker on the Department of Agriculture’s agri-enterpreneurship program who can help OFWs who are interested in venturing into micro, small and medium agribusinesses.

OFWs interested in franchising were happy to learn that they stood to inherit a tried-and-tested business model with a success rate of 90% and the affordable options available to them with capital costs starting for as low as PHP 128,000. 

OFWs were also encouraged to start achieving their financial goals by getting out of debt, saving wisely and investing intelligently. Discussions on where to invest during the COVID-19 pandemic allowed overseas Filipinos to consider a wide range of investments in the stock market, mutual funds and other financial instruments. 

OFWs in the Embassy’s jurisdictions will also now be able to share insights with their families in the Philippines on the businesses they can start in their own homes from planting crops to animal husbandry, as well as the Department of Agriculture’s programs for learning courses and financial support for OFWs venturing to the agricultural sector.

The interactive open session at the end of the webinar and the rapport among the speakers and moderators with their casual moments and humorous exchanges made the meeting livelier and participative. 

The webinar was moderated by Vice Consul Marc Benigno, the Economic Officer of the Embassy, and Commerical Attaché Froilan Pamintuan of the Philippine Trade and Investment Center based in Paris. 

In his opening message to Kababayans, H.E. Ambassador Raul S. Hernandez, Ambassador of the Philippines to Turkey, said that the webinar is part of the financial literacy and reintegration program of the Philippine government’s flagship projects for Overseas Filipino Workers. Ambassador Hernandez underscored the Embassy’s commitment to provide basic financial education and entrepreneurship development to help Filipinos save, invest and start a business to achieve financial goals. The Ambassador also highlighted the importance of providing awareness and guidance to help OFWs avoid financial traps and fall victim to financial scams or fraud. The Ambassador also expressed his gratitude to the excellent Speakers and Embassy’s personnel who organized the webinar with the Philippine Trade and Investment Center in Paris.

The recorded webinar can be viewed through:

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=478727333084327

End.

H.E. Raul S. Hernandez, Ambassador of the Republic of the Philippines delivers his opening message to the OFWs in Turkey, Azerbaijan and Georgia. 

H.E. Raul S. Hernandez, Ambassador of the Republic of the Philippines, shares a light moment with the speakers and moderators