During the 18th anniversary celebration of the Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship-Go Negosyo, VICE President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte expressed her appreciation for the organization’s efforts in empowering overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) through entrepreneurship. In her message, which was read by Education Undersecretary and Chief of Staff Michael Wesley Poa, Duterte highlighted the significance of providing opportunities for OFWs to stay in the country and be with their families.
Duterte emphasized that Go Negosyo’s “Balik Bayan” program plays a crucial role in instilling the culture of entrepreneurship among OFWs. By equipping them with the necessary skills and resources, the program encourages OFWs to consider starting their own businesses instead of returning overseas for work.
The Philippine Statistics Authority reported that from April to September 2022, 1.96 million Filipino workers were deployed overseas, a significant increase compared to the 1.83 million in the same period in 2021. Furthermore, the data revealed that nearly 58 percent of Filipinos seeking overseas employment were women.
Duterte acknowledged the immense contributions of OFWs to the country’s economy, with their remittances reaching P197 billion. She expressed gratitude for the sacrifices made by OFWs, who leave their families and take risks to provide a better life for their loved ones back home.
In her message, Duterte urged OFWs to take advantage of the “Balik-Bayan” platform offered by Go Negosyo, which provides business models and access to a network of industry experts. She also extended her gratitude to Go Negosyo founder and Private Sector Advisory Council lead for jobs, Jose Maria Concepcion 3rd, for his dedication to helping OFWs.
Concepcion, emphasizing the importance of learning from actual entrepreneurs, highlighted Go Negosyo’s advantage of having 1,000 entrepreneurs who are willing to assist aspiring business owners. He stressed the value of practical training and mentorship in entrepreneurship education.
Meanwhile, Education Undersecretary Michael Wesley Poa underscored the significance of the partnership between the Department of Education (DepEd) and Go Negosyo. Through this collaboration, DepEd and Go Negosyo will work together on various programs, including “Pampaaralang Taniman ng mga Agribida (PTA),” an agriculture-focused entrepreneurship program. Additionally, they will organize events such as “Youthpreneur,” a public entrepreneurship mentoring event, and “Mentoring the Mentors,” which will train teachers to teach basic entrepreneurship concepts in the classroom.
Poa highlighted the potential of utilizing school spaces, particularly in the provinces, to establish school gardens and develop an agriculture program, aligning with the Vice President’s vision.
Overall, Vice President Sara Duterte’s commendation of Go Negosyo’s efforts to empower OFWs through entrepreneurship reflects the government’s commitment to providing opportunities for Filipinos to thrive and succeed in their homeland. By nurturing a culture of entrepreneurship and fostering partnerships, the Philippines aims to create a conducive environment for economic growth and development.
Source: The Manila Times
