PRESS RELEASE
WDC-59-2025
02 September 2025
Embassy Press and Information Section
The Migrant Workers Office-Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (MWO-OWWA) of the Philippine Embassy in Washington, D.C. in partnership with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), held an investment webinar on 29 August 2025 for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).
Seventy-one (71) OFWs attended the webinar, which aimed to provide them with basic understanding on the fundamentals of investing and its importance in securing financial future. The OFWs were also oriented on the Personal Equity and Retirement Account (PERA), a government-initiated voluntary retirement saving program that supplements the retirement benefits of the Social Security System (SSS) and Government Service Insurance System (GSIS).
BSP’s Deputy Director Danielle Tonel highlighted the investment options, mechanics for investing, and tax credit benefits for PERA investors, among others. Bank Officer Jeniessa Espinosa, meanwhile, underscored the imperative of investing at an early age as it gives higher returns and greater financial security to investors when they reach retirement age.
Labor Attaché Saul De Vries said that the webinar is part of the MWO’s financial literacy program, which is in line with its mandate to empower OFWs. “We strive to enhance the knowledge and skills of our OFWs in many aspects of life. Financial or money management is one of those aspects in which we want them to succeed,” he noted in his opening remarks. Welfare Officer Mae Codilla, on the other hand, encouraged the OFWs to invest their earnings in preparation for their retirement.
The OFWs attendees came from the United States, Argentina, Panama, and Caribbean countries and territories including Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, St. Kitts and Nevis, and Trinidad and Tobago. The webinar was moderated by Ms. Freya Palad of OWWA.
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PHOTO RELEASE
WDC-248-2025
02 September 2025
