CFO's 'BaLinkbayan' gives Pinoys abroad opportunity to help build PH communities

The Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) on Wednesday gathered stakeholders both from the government and private sector for a two-day event in Muntinlupa aimed at boosting partnerships regarding its "BaLinkBayan" project.

The project is CFO's way of connecting Filipinos abroad to social and economic initiatives offered in the Philippines to encourage them to become development partners in building communities in the country.

"It's an imaginary pagbalik mo sa Pilipinas… Di mo na kailangan bumalik to link (with the country). It is in your hands," CFO Secretary Romulo Arugay said in his opening remarks during the BaLinkBayan Stakeholders Conferences held at Crimson Hotel Alabang.

(It's your imaginary return to the Philippines… You do not need to physically return to link with the country. It is in your hands.)

According to the CFO, BaLinkBayan links overseas Filipinos to development-oriented diaspora initiatives including investment opportunities in the Philippines through the national portal. 

It also provides options for business and investment opportunities in select partner local governments including automated transactional processes at the local level. 

"Serving as a one-stop online portal for diaspora engagement, [BaLinkBayan] provides an array of options for overseas Filipinos to partner with national and local governments in starting a business, opportunities for donation and volunteer service, and accessing online government services," the CFO said on its website.

2-day conference

Through the conference, the CFO aims to strengthen their partnerships with several partners to further develop initiatives. The event was attended by government representatives and Filipino associations abroad to discuss several topics involving the state of overseas Filipinos.

"Kasi 'yung pag-alis ng mga kababayan ninyo, mga magulang niyo, anak, kapatid, puwedeng maputol ang koneksyon ng mga yan [sa bansa] at ayaw na bumalik sa Pilipinas, but, you know, there's an office that will strengthen your ties with your Motherland," Arugay said.

(Because when your countrymen, your parents, children, siblings leave, it is possible that their connection to the country will be severed and they will no longer want to return to the country, but, you know, there’s an office that will strengthen your ties with your Motherland)

The program will continue on Thursday, August 29, with discussions on governance, cybersecurity and migration for overseas Filipinos by representatives from concerned government Agencies.

There will also be a talk on Freedom of Information (FOI) and Gender and Development (GAD) by Ugnayan sa Pasig/FOI head Ma. Rowena Dimanlig and GAD Office Head Jose Rey Espina, as well as a discussion on Media and Information Literacy by Howie Severino of GMA Integrated News.

"Sama-sama tayong magkapit-bisig tungo sa ikabubuti ng overseas Filipinos… Basta makakatulong sa kapwa Pilipino regardless of the status in their life, status of their visa… do it without hesitation," Arugay said.

(Let us all work together towards the betterment of overseas Filipinos… As long as it will help our fellow Filipino regardless of the status in life, status of their visa… do it without hesitation.)

"Inaanyayahan namin kayo na makiisa sa aming layunin," he added.

(We are urging you to join us in our goals) —KBK, GMA Integrated News