GOVPH

PH Consulate General seminar seeks heightened financial literacy among Filipino diaspora in East China

Shanghai – As a public service, the Philippine Consulate General staged a hybrid in-person/digital Financial Literacy Seminar on 12 March for Filipinos within its area of jurisdiction, featuring registered Financial Planning coach Herbie A. Recato.

Helmed by the Consulate General’s Gender and Development (GAD) Focal Points and its Economic Section, the activity was a follow-up to the Mission’s commemoration of International Women’s Day and National Women’s Month.

Commenting on the gap in overseas Filipinos’ awareness of financial literacy concepts and the challenges prompted by COVID-19’s “new normal”, Coach Recato focused on managing household finances. His engaging presentation trained the spotlight on key concepts on savings and investment and achieving informed financial stewardship. He offered useful practical advice on mindful budgeting, financial prioritization, and delineating household roles, among others.

An animated Q&A followed, as Coach Recato fielded questions from participants present at the Consulate General and from online attendees. The queries spanned the gamut of OF concerns such as post-retirement investments, practical investment tips for young people and entrepreneurs; understanding investment vehicles; avoiding scams, and even properly handling money decisions such as lending to kin in need.

Consul General Josel F. Ignacio stressed the Mission’s resolve to help instill financial acumen and create a ripple effect within the OF community in Shanghai, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Hubei and Anhui. “Nais nating makapagdagdág-kaalaman sa kababayan, laló’t higít sa kababaihan, na maitaguyod ang pamumuhay sa pamamagitan ng wastóng pananalapî tungo sa maginhawang kinábukásan. Hangarin natin, ‘sana all!’”

According to the Bangko Sentral, OFWs remitted some USD 29.9 billion in 2020. However, only few OFW families save and invest. In Q2 2021, 33.0% of OFW households allotted part of remittances to savings, while only 6.1% allocated part to investments^[1]. The BSP found only a “marginal understanding” of compounding interest, inflation’s effect on household purchasing power, and investing.

The 2022 NWMC marks the culmination of a six-year campaign that began in 2017 on the theme “WE Make CHANGE work for Women”. This year’s sub-theme is “Agenda ng Kababaihan, Tungo sa Kaunlaran”, in furtherance of the drive to have women’s concerns reflected in the government’s development agenda. END

PH Consulate General marks International Women’s Day

Supports PH Natl Campaign to “MAKE CHANGE WORK FOR WOMEN”

Shanghai – Personnel of the Philippine Consulate General, Philippine Trade and Investment Center (PTIC) and the Philippine Department of Tourism Office (PDOT) gathered on 08 March for brief rites in honor of International Women’s Day (IWD) and the 2022 National Women’s Month Celebration (NWMC) in the Philippines.

Opening the event was a video of the national anthem specially prepared by the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) for gender and development (GAD)-related activities by government agencies.

Consul General Josel F. Ignacio delivered brief remarks tracing the history of IWD and surveying the Philippines’ gains and remaining challenges in narrowing the gender gap based the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) annual scorecard. He underscored the importance of consistently advancing GAD objectives in the work of the Mission.

A screening of a short video on the life and legacy of patriot and World War II martyr Josefa Llanes-Escoda (1898-1945), advocate of Filipino women’s empowerment and rights, followed.

The short ceremony concluded with fellowship over afternoon tea tendered by the Consulate General in honor of the women serving in the Mission.

The activity was helmed by the Consulate General’s GAD Team in the person of GAD Focal Point Ms. Jeannie F. Petrola and Alternate GAD Focal Point Mr. Joel D. Mariñas.

The 2022 NWMC marks the culmination of a six-year campaign that began in 2017 on the theme “WE Make CHANGE work for Women”, under the auspices of the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW).

This year’s sub-theme is “Agenda ng Kababaihan, Tungo sa Kaunlaran”, in furtherance of the drive to have women’s concerns reflected in the government’s development agenda. END

Leading internet-of-things tech company HikVision discusses footprint expansion plans in PH with PCG, PTIC

Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province -- HikVision Digital Technology Co., Ltd., a company specializing in the manufacture and supply of video surveillance equipment, hosted Consulate General Economic Officer Consul Conrado Demdem, Jr. and Philippine Trade and Investment Center (PTIC) Chief Mario Tani to a meeting and a tour of AI Town HQ in Hangzhou on March 01.

HikVision, which opened its Manila (Pasig City) office in 2017, briefed PCG and PTIC on its plans to level up its presence and participation in Philippine projects. Of particular interest to the company are opportunities in country’s ongoing modernization of its transport, security and smart city infrastructure. Aside from supply and sales opportunities, PTIC urged HikVision to consider a Philippine production facility, availing itself of the country’s attractive incentives.

Representing HikVision were Asia Business Unit (ABU) President Mme. WANG Yan, HikVision PH General Manager Mr. WU Tianlong, and Project Sales Manager Mr. GUO Kai. Southeast Asia is among the top markets for HikVision products.

A state-owned Chinese company founded in 2001, HikVision specializes in data-integrated solutions, and is particularly known for its surveillance equipment products. END