The webinar aimed to educate overseas Filipinos in Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Georgia about various Philippine government financial and investment programs. These programs are designed to help OFWs make informed financial decisions, plan for the future, and effectively save and invest their money. Additionally, the webinar aimed to ensure that OFWs have access to financial services upon their return to the Philippines, aligning with the country's financial inclusion policy.

 

The event began with a presentation by Ms. Mina Alara Gurson from the Office of the Defense Attaché in Ankara. She discussed the profile of Filipinos in Türkiye, focusing on the experiences of migrant Filipina nannies. This was followed by presentations from three officials representing the Philippine Government: Mr. Leover A. Loyola, Relationship Officer and Senior Overseas Representative Officer of the Overseas Filipino Bank; Ms. Andrea Nichole Gatbonton, head of the Pag-IBIG Funds Virtual Offices for America and Europe; and Ms. Lydia Echem-Cabagnot, the SSS Foreign Representative Officer in London.

 

These officials explained the various programs and services offered by OF Bank, Pag-IBIG, and SSS, including savings, mobile/digital banking, OFW reintegration program, Bahay Para sa Bagong Bayani, loans, remittance services, investments, entrepreneurship, home financing, financial support, and technical training.

 

 

Approximately 40 participants attended the webinar, 95% of whom were women. The event was also live-streamed on the Embassy’s Facebook account, attracting 320 viewers from around the world. END