Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Director General, Secretary Joel Villanueva, calls on the families of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) to enrol in TESDA’s entrepreneurship programs to augment the dollar remittances they receive regularly from family members working overseas.
The TESDA Chief says dollar earnings are not enough for a family these days. The high prices of commodities combined with the cost of sending children to school require tight budgeting. “We have to admit, funds from salaries are often no longer enough, even if it is in dollar denomination. That is why TESDA is pushing for entrepreneurship – to strengthen the family’s purchasing power amidst rising costs of goods and services,” explains Villanueva.
According to Villanueva, TESDA is going beyond its mandate of providing technical skills by also encouraging Filipinos to be creative by using their skills to earn more, and to be more financially secure. “We cannot afford to just rely on remittances. I have talked to many families of OFW and they complain about having difficulties in making ends meet because of inflation. I always advise them to invest their remittances into business and become entrepreneurs instead of just waiting for their monthly remittance. I encourage them to enrol in TESDA” says the Secretary.
Villanueva added OFW dollar remittance continue to be the strength of the country. The country will benefit more from it if we are able to invest it in more productive endeavors. This can help create domestic employment and additional income forthe families of our OFWs. It can help boost the economy further.
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