19 February 2024, Seoul - The Philippine Embassy in Seoul together with the team of Promoting Entrepreneurship and Agribusiness to Overseas Filipinos in Korea (or PEAK-Pinoy) held its first reintegration preparedness seminar for the year entitled "Usapang PangKinabukasan feat: Pag-IBIG Fund and OFBank" on 29 January 2024 via online.

The seminar discussed financial literacy topics that are essential to reintegration preparedness as well as promotion of welfare of overseas Filipinos in South Korea.

In her opening message, Ambassador Ma. Theresa B. Dizon ? De Vega cited the importance of PEAK Pinoy as a vehicle for economic empowerment of Filipinos in South Korea. "During the Philippines' recent participation in the Global Forum on Migration and Development or GFMD in Geneva, we highlighted the recurring message that migrants are important drivers of innovation, growth, and dynamism in both receiving and origin countries, and that governments have important role to play by arming them with timely and relevant information through the various stages of migration" the Ambassador said.

The Ambassador also expressed appreciation for the enduring partnership with Filipino community organizations, namely Pinoy Investors in Korea (PINK) and the Kapit Bisig Organization of Daegu (KBO) which has enabled the Embassy to reach out and expand its advocacy on reintegration preparedness among many more kababayans in South Korea.

During the seminar, Pag-Ibig Member Services Officer James Lumantas discussed the home savings, loan and MP2 program of Pag-Ibig Fund, while Overseas Remittance Officer Leover A. Loyola introduced the Overseas Filipino Bank programs and its digital banking services for Filipinos who are living and working overseas. Vice Consul Jilliane Joyce D. Cornista presented the ways to prevent and deal with the financial scams which are equally important dimensions to financial literacy and security of overseas Filipinos. Welfare Officer Cornelia DG Chanco urged the participants to be active OWWA members and avail of its various programs for OFWs and their families. Labor Attache Ma. Celeste Valderrama and Commercial Counselor Jose Maria Dinsay co-moderated the seminar.

PEAK-Pinoy is the Embassy's flagship project in support of the Philippine National Reintegration Program, which is jointly implemented by the PTIC, Migrant Workers Office (MWO) ? OWWA, Philippine Agriculture Office (PAO), Philippine Department of Tourism (PDOT), and Pag-IBIG Fund.

This PEAK Pinoy seminar is the 15th activity held since the project was launched in March 2021. Overseas Filipinos in South Korea are invited to join the next PEAK Pinoy webinar scheduled in May 2024. -END-