Press Releases

Directory for OFW, SME families launched at PTTC expo
10/19/06

A first-of-its kind directory for the overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and small and medium entrepreneurs (SMEs) as well as their families was launched at the closing ceremonies recently of the 3rd Filipino Seafarers Family Expo & Forum and 2nd Pamilyang OFWs-SMEs Housing & Home Essentials Trade Fair at the Philippine Trade Training Center (PTTC) in Pasay City.

Entitled “Philippine Overseas Employment and Small and Medium Enterprise Industries Directory (2007-2008 Edition),” the directory will contain the listing of government agencies and institutions concerned with the two industries as well as private corporations and non-government organizations (NGOs) concerned with the OFW and SME families.

To be published by the Pamilyang OFW-SME Network Foundation, Inc. (POFW-SMENFI), the directory will be initially distributed during the Pamaskong Handog sa Pamilyang OFWs at SMEs 2006 which will be held also at the PTTC on Dec. 2-3.

POFW-SMENFI President George A. Arriola said the directory will also feature the supporters, presentors, sponsors and exhibitors of the Pamaskong Handog which will showcase the Banks, Financing and Remittance Services Expo 2006; Clothing and Shelter Exposition 2006; Food and Beverage Trade Show 2006; Job and Livelihood Options 2006; and Transport and Travel Fair 2006.

The POFW-SMENFI (tel. no. 912-58-03) said the target readers of the directory are the future, present and former OFWs and SMEs as well as their families, officials and employees of government agencies concerned with the two industries, leaders and members of NGOs and associations concerned with OFW and SME families, and officers and employees of overseas employment (land-based and sea-based) providers.

Arriola said the government has continuously lauded the more than 8 million OFWs, who contributed $10.7 billion last year through their remittances to their families here, for their invaluable contribution to our country's economic growth and sustainable development. On the other hand, the more than 475,000 SMEs continue to provide jobs and create wealth.

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Pamaskong Handog sa Pamilyang OFWs at SMEs launched at PTTC expo

An exposition that will ensure the transformation and success of a majority of the overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and their families to become community entrepreneurs was launched at the closing ceremonies recently of the 3rd Filipino Seafarers Family Expo & Forum and 2nd Pamilyang OFWs-SMEs Housing & Home Essentials Trade Fair at the Philippine Trade Training Center (PTTC) in Pasay City.

Organized by the Pamilyang OFW-Small and Medium Entrepreneurs Network Foundation, Inc. (POFW-SMENFI), the event entitled Pamaskong Handog sa Pamilyang OFWs at SMEs 2006 will be held also at the PTTC on Dec. 2-3.

POFW-SMENFI President George A. Arriola said yesterday that the Pamaskong Handog will showcase the Banks, Financing and Remittance Services Expo 2006; Clothing and Shelter Exposition 2006; Food and Beverage Trade Show 2006; Job and Livelihood Options 2006; and Transport and Travel Fair 2006.

With the expo's theme “Trabaho, Kabuhayan at Negosyo, Alay sa Pamilyang OFWs!” , the main objective of the event is to make the country's more than 8 million OFWs and their families, the 475,000 plus SME families as well as those involved in the overseas employment and small and medium enterprise industries aware of the various job, livelihood, investment and business opportunities being offered by the private, government, and non-government organization sectors.

Arriola said the event is in line with ex-Pres. Corazon C. Aquino's Proclamation No. 2786 declaring December of every year as “Month of OFWs” and in support of the 7th International Migrants Day which is observed every 18th of December by the United Nations.

He said the OFWs are not just “modern-day heroes” but also “great investors” whose remittances help keep the Philippine economy and corporate earnings afloat. The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) reported that last year, the OFWs remitted back to the Philippines about $10.7 billion through the banking system. The BSP is expecting that the OFW remittances would likely hit $11.18 billion or 10 percent higher than last year's remittances.

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