Senator Cynthia Villar on Wednesday announced the holding of the 9th OFW and Family Summit on Tuesday, Nov. 12 at the World Trade Center in Pasay City.
In a press conference at Tramway Bayview Buffet in Pasay, Villar said she expects thousands of overseas Filipino workers and their beneficiaries to troop to the World Trade Center just like the previous years.
“My family and many OFWs always look forward to this event because it has evolved into an occasion where OFWs and their families gather and interact with private and government institutions for concerns ranging from access to financial services, social benefits, legal assistance, among others,” Villar said.
This year, the one-day summit’s theme is “Kabuhayan sa Sariling Bayan.”
Villar said the summit hopes to teach financial literacy among OFWs, which will equip them with the necessary tools to grow their money in their homeland.
Villar, who also serves as the director of the Villar Social Institute for Poverty Alleviation and Governance (Villar SIPAG) was also joined by Susan “Toots” Ople of the Ople Training Center during the press conference.
“Aside from teaching our OFWs how to wisely invest their savings and grow their income, it is equally important to educate them how to protect their hard-earned money and how not to fall victims of human trafficking, illegal recruitment and investment scams,” Villar added.
Among the personalities who are expected to grace the occasion are former Senate President Manny Villar, Las Piñas Rep. Camille Villar, DPWH Secretay Mark Villar, Pasay City Mayor Imelda Calixto-Rubiano, Department of Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon Lopez.
To register, visit http://ofwsummit2019.villarsipag.org, or visit the OFW and Family Summit Desk at any of the Vista Mall and Starmall branches nationwide; or onsite registration as early as 6 a.m. on the day of the summit. Submit one of the following documents: copy of the OFW’s passport; proof of remittances; seaman’s book; job contract; copy of documents establishing the relationship with OFWs such as marriage certificate or birth certificate and valid ID.
Participants will also have a chance to take home a house and lot from Lessandra by Camella, 2 motorcycles from Isuzu Cavite, Pangkabuhayan Showcase from All Day Supermarket, Appliance Showcase from All Home, Xtreme Appliance and other prizes.
Dialogue with government agencies will also happen with Atty. Sarah Lou Arriola, undersecretary Department of Foreign Affairs- Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs (DFA- OUMWA); Atty. Hans Leo Cacdac, administrator of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA); Atty. Bernard Olalia, administrator of the Philippine Overseas Employment Agency (POEA); Atty. Emmeline Aglipay-Villar, undersecretary Department of Justice- Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (DOJ-IACAT); and Roel Martin, OIC Director, National Reintegration Center for OFWs (NRCO).