CFO, ABS-CBN join hands to serve Pinoys abroad

MANILA, Philippines – The Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) is partnering with ABS-CBN to find ways to serve Filipinos abroad.

“One thing we want to focus on is understand each of the stakeholders of the CFO, know also what we can do to help overseas Filipino workers. So, not just the consumers, but also business leaders, the political leaders, the people that are movers for overseas Filipino workers, and help them create products for their market,” said Cris Concepcion, head of ABS-CBN Product Development and New Media.

The contract will be signed after the event, “Diaspora to Development: The Global Summit of Filipinos in the Diaspora.”

US-based Filipino organizations, including the National Alliance of Filipino American Associations and the US Pinoys for Good Governance, attended the 3-day summit where they raised issues affecting Filipinos around the world.

The groups hope the partnership can become a factor when it comes to informing and gathering support on certain issues involving Filipinos globally.

“Most of us that are here should not limit the knowledge to ourselves when talking to each other. We should spread the word,” said Greg Macabenta of the National Alliance of Filipino American Associations.

Among the hot topics discussed at the summit that advocates want addressed include human trafficking and the use of US Medicare by retirees living in the Philippines.

With elections coming in 2013, OFW advocates hope overseas voting issues can be addressed.

“We are fighting for the right to vote in the Philippines. Make it more universal. We asked that they take away the provision that demands after you vote, come back to the Philippines three years later, yan yata ang disconnect,” said Loida Nicholas Lewis of the US Pinoys for Good Governance.

Concepcion said some of the changes and new services will be launching early next year with the goal to bring more services and power to Filipino communities around the world.

Advocates not only hope that the partnership between the CFO and TFC gets OFWs involved in issues. They also hope it can be a voice to share the stories of the ups and downs of Filipinos living overseas. Steve Angeles, ABS-CBN News, abs-cbnNEWS.com