VP Sara encourages OFWs to pursue entrepreneurship

Vice President Sara Duterte on Saturday encouraged overseas Filipino workers to turn their ideas into thriving businesses.

“We celebrate the cause of the Balikbayan Program of Go Negosyo, a cause that introduces a change in the lives of the OFWs and their families. This is a demonstration of the power of entrepreneurship to transform lives and build dreams,” Duterte said in a message at the Go Negosyo Balikbayan 2023 Summit in Pasay City.

Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority showed that total remittances of over 1.96 million OFWs in 2022, of which 1.13 million, or 57.8%, were female, reached P197 billion.

Duterte said that while these remittances have stabilized the Philippine economy, the OFWs are also sacrificing time away from their families. 

“Go Negosyo is paving the way to empower the members of a sector who often face the uncertainty of financial stability and employment once they return to the country. We applaud Go Negosyo's Balikbayan program for introducing, developing, and reinforcing entrepreneurial acumen in our OFWs,” Duterte said.

“The best part of this is that while they are taught to fortify their economic security, they are doing it along with their families,” she added.

Unable to attend due to illness and bed rest, the Vice President expressed her message through her representative, Department of Education Undersecretary Michael Poa. —VBL, GMA Integrated News