Overseas Filipinos to be Tapped to Activate CFO Intervention Programs


The vast population of Overseas Filipinos (OFs) will be tapped to put into action 10 intervention programs being instituted by the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) through the 2nd Global Summit of Filipinos in the Diaspora on February 25-27, 2013 in Manila.

After almost four decades of sustained and large‐scale migration, the Philippines has emerged as one of the major migrant‐sending countries in the world.

The CFO 2011 Stock Estimate of Overseas Filipinos reports that about 10.46 million Filipinos residing in 210 countries comprise the estimated 214 million international migrants all over the world (based on recent a recent report from the 2010 International Organization for Migration).

Dissected further, 47 percent, or 4.86 million are the OFs.

These Overseas Filipinos will be tapped to spearhead implementation of the CFO programs.

To actively engage OFs in the socio-cultural and economic development of the country, the CFO has adopted Diaspora to Development (D2D) as its flagship program that will institutionalize and maximize their involvement in the country’s development through 10 major areas of interventions, namely: Alay Dunong or transfer of skills and technology; Arts and Culture Exchange; Balik-Turo or educational exchange; Business Advisory Circle or business linkaging and mentoring; Diaspora Investments; Global Legal Assistance; Lingkod sa Kapwa Filipino or Diaspora Philanthropy; Medical Mission Coordination; Tourism Initiatives; and Return and Reintegration.

For this year’s summit, the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) has adopted the theme “Two Years Thereafter: The Best of the Philippine Diaspora,” in line with its intent to track the progress and highlight best practices of diaspora engagement since the launch of the D2D initiatives during the First Global Summit held in September 2011.

Activities lined up for the three-day event include: Pre-Summit activities on February 25, 2013 that includes participation in the 27th Anniversary Celebration of the EDSA People Power Revolution at the People Power Monument in Epifanio De Los Santos Avenue (EDSA) and the Summit Proper which will be held in Dusit Thani Hotel and Resort in Makati City on February 26-27, 2013.

The Summit intends to serve as a venue for networking and exploring partnership among OFs and other development stakeholders. It also aims to highlight the progress of the D2D institutional projects; strengthen the synergy among Presidential Awardees; promote the networking of Overseas Filipinos especially in their respective regions; and accelerate the participation of the 2nd and 3rd generation Overseas Filipinos in the country’s development.

The event will be attended by members and regional partners of the Global Filipino Diaspora Council (GFDC); recipients of the Presidential Awardees for Filipino Individuals and Organizations Overseas under the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO); officers and members of US Pinoys for Good Governance (USP4GG) and other Filipino associations overseas; and local or Philippine-based participants, resource persons, speakers from the government, multi-lateral agencies, academe, and civil society.

Convenors for the 2nd Global Summit are the Global Filipino Diaspora Council, Youth Leaders in the Diaspora, Commission on Filipinos Overseas, and US Pinoys for Good Governance.

Major Sponsors are CBN Asia, Activasia, DDB Philippines, Department of Tourism, Radio High 105.9 FM, The Filipino Channel, The Medical City, and Vibal Publishing House, Inc. Media Partners are Summit Media, Filww.com, Radio Mindanao Network, Manila Bulletin, Mellow 94.7, Monster Radio RX 93.1, The Philippine Star, and Solar Entertainment Corporation. Minor Sponsors are Century Properties, Air Asia, Duty Free Philippines, One A Family KTV & Sports Bar, Pag-IBIG Fund, PhilHealth, Philippine Retirement Authority, and Teen Azkals. Presentor is SMART International.

For more information, visit D2D Global Summit or Commission on Filipinos Overseas. You may also contact Ms. Jo Rodriguez of CFO through telephone: (632) 552-4708 or (632) 552-4705, facsimile: (632) 561-8332, or email: jorodriguez.cfo@gmail.com.