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Overseas Filipinos urged to focus on entrepreneurship
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Posted on Jun 13 2000
Filipinos currently residing and working abroad who have plans of eventually settling back in the Philippines should focus their attention on the possibility of putting up their own business instead of worrying about the potentials of being able to land another job.
Philippines Senator Raul S. Roco said the total effort of development in the country should shift from being able to give overseas Filipinos jobs back in the country to allowing them put their entrepreneurial spirits into practice.
“The focus should change. Employment in the Philippines should not be a major consideration by OFWs but their ability to start up even a small business,” Mr. Roco told Filipino reporters in a press briefing after the ceremonial raising of the Philippine flag at the Consulate grounds yesterday.
“Filipinos abroad should not look at the potentials of getting employed back in the Philippines but at being able to get the value of their experience while they are out of the country, and that is one thing overseas Filipinos learn to optimize,” he added.
Mr. Roco mentioned that works are now underway to encourage overseas Filipino workers into starting up a business like government efforts to provide them easy access to credit and loan packages for star-up capital.
“Filipino workers must create value when they come home to the Philippines. In terms of capital, credit is much encouraged now in the country. For those who are coming home, credit is available from several sources,” he added.
Mr. Roco also said Filipinos will always enjoy the freedom of movement although the Philippine government has started instituting efforts at helping returning overseas workers make it through back home.
“There is nothing wrong with being a Filipino abroad. Overseas Filipinos can be a catalyzer for change, a seed for growth with their dollar remittances accounting for a big slice of the country’s reserves,” he pointed out.
