26 April 2026, Seoul, Republic of Korea. – The Philippine Embassy in Seoul, through the Migrant Workers Office (MWO) and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) – South Korea in partnership with Philippine Trade and Investment Center - Seoul, successfully conducted a Business Planning Seminar for Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and Overseas Filipinos (OFs) on 26 April 2026 at the 2nd Floor, Sentro Rizal Hall, Philippine Embassy.

The seminar gathered a total of 50 participants, reflecting the growing commitment of the Filipino community in South Korea to pursue financial stability, entrepreneurship, and long-term reintegration.

In her welcome remarks, Labor Attaché Rosermarie G. Duquez underscored the importance of turning sacrifices abroad into meaningful opportunities:

“Every journey abroad begins with sacrifice—but it can also lead to opportunity… This initiative aims to empower our OFWs and OFs not only as workers abroad but as future entrepreneurs who can transform their hard-earned income into meaningful investments… We hope that this seminar will guide you in transforming your savings, skills, and experiences gained overseas into sustainable ventures for the future.”

Her Excellency Ambassador Bernadette Therese C. Fernandez graced the event and delivered an inspiring message, underscoring the importance of continuous learning, careful planning, and discipline in pursuing business ventures. She encouraged participants to stay grounded in reality, safeguard their hard-earned resources, and approach entrepreneurship with patience, prudence, and diligence.

Ambassador Fernandez also reaffirmed the Philippine government’s strong commitment to supporting Filipinos abroad in their journey toward reintegration and entrepreneurship. She emphasized the importance of exploring business opportunities that contribute to national development, particularly in agriculture, food processing, and other value-adding industries.

“As representatives of the Philippine government, we share our knowledge and resources for the benefit of our kababayans… One thing is sure—basta maayos ang inyong hangarin at legit ang inyong negosyo, we at the Embassy are behind you,” she affirmed, encouraging participants to remain steadfast, purposeful, and guided by both wisdom and faith in building a better future.

A key highlight of the seminar was the comprehensive and interactive lecture delivered by Commercial Attaché Charmaine Mignon Yalong from the Philippine Trade and Investment Center (PTIC) – Seoul. Her session provided an in-depth and practical discussion on business planning fundamentals, including opportunity identification, market research, financial projections, and risk management.

She emphasized the importance of starting with a clear and realistic business concept, understanding the target market, and aligning business ideas with available resources and local conditions in the Philippines. Participants were guided on how to develop structured business plans, assess feasibility, and avoid common pitfalls such as mismanagement, lack of planning, and falling victim to fraudulent schemes.

Moreover, Ms. Yalong highlighted the importance of value-adding industries, particularly in agriculture, food processing, and small and medium enterprises (SMEs), encouraging participants to explore ventures that not only generate income but also contribute to local community development. She also shared insights on available government support, trade opportunities, and investment pathways, reinforcing the role of innovation, adaptability, and continuous learning in sustaining a business.

The activity aligns with the OWWA Reintegration Program, a core mandate of OWWA that prepares OFWs for their eventual return to the Philippines by equipping them with entrepreneurial skills, financial literacy, and access to business development opportunities. Through reintegration initiatives, OFWs are empowered to transition from overseas employment to sustainable livelihoods and become active contributors to national development.

The seminar concluded with closing remarks from Welfare Officer Cornelia DG. Chanco, who encouraged participants to apply the knowledge gained and remain proactive in building their future. She also expressed her appreciation for the active participation of attendees and reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to supporting their growth and well-being beyond the seminar.

The seminar was facilitated by OWWA Administrative Staff Jaylord M. Caronan as emcee, with the support of Mr. Kim Kyung Soo and Ms. Joey Fiedacan as technical staff, ensuring the smooth and successful conduct of the activity.

Through initiatives such as this, the Philippine Embassy in Seoul, MWO, and OWWA reaffirm their unwavering commitment to empowering Filipinos in South Korea, transforming overseas work into pathways for entrepreneurship, reintegration, and long-term prosperity. END