CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga – The Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) is expanding its programs to enhance support for permanent and long-term Filipino migrants through various programs.
These include new investment initiatives, financial literacy and reintegration efforts, and health cooperation with local and international partners.
CFO Chairperson Dante ‘Klink’ Ang II said the agency’s mandate focuses on Filipinos who have permanently settled abroad, as well as those who left through residency, marriage, or long-term migration, and not only on overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).
“Ang CFO ay ahensiya po under the Office of the President, na siyang nangangalaga sa mga interes ng permanent and long-term migrants. Kaiba po ito sa Department of Migrant Workers na siyang nangangalaga sa mga temporary migrants o OFW,” he explained.
To help returning Filipinos reinvest in the country, CFO has partnered with the Philippine Stock Exchange, Securities and Exchange Commission, and Go Negosyo to make investing in the Philippines more accessible.
“Nakipag-partner po kami sa Philippine Stock Exchange…gusto po sana na mangyari, magkaroon ng green lane ang overseas Filipinos na babalik dito at iuuwi ulit nila ‘yung kapital nila para dito sila magtatayo ng negosyo,” Ang said.
He added that the CFO’s Peso Sense Program continues to provide financial literacy and education for overseas Filipinos and their families to encourage saving and long-term investment.
Ang said that CFO is also exploring ways to help balikbayans and retirees access their health benefits earned abroad.
“We are working with the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) and Filipino organizations in the United States to advocate for the portability of Medicare and Medicaid benefits. This will allow qualified returnees to use their benefits in the Philippines,” he added.
The CFO chief noted that while portability of US pensions is already allowed, Medicare and Medicaid portability remains limited and will require further coordination between governments.
A few local hospitals such as The Medical City and St. Luke’s currently process such benefits, but more accredited facilities are needed to expand access.
Additionally, Ang reaffirmed that overseas Filipinos are key partners in nation-building not only through their remittances, but also through their contributions of knowledge, skills, and expertise.
“Habang pinapasalamatan natin ang mga OFW, dapat pasalamatan po natin lahat ng Pilipino na nasa ibang bans ana tumutulong sa atin,” he said, noting that many Filipino professionals abroad regularly conduct workshops and capacity-building programs in the Philippines.
He also encouraged overseas Filipinos and their families to connect with the CFO’s programs and digital platforms for investment and reintegration through www.cfo.gov.ph.
Ang assured that the CFO remains committed to strengthen ties between Filipinos overseas and their homeland.
“Habang sila ay nasa ibang bansa, ang layunin namin ay i-link sila sa Pilipinas politically, economically, and culturally, na parang hindi sila umalis sa ating bansa,” he stressed. (CLJD/MJSC, PIA Region 3-Pampanga)