Date: 13 December 2007
Time: 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Venue: Makati Shangri-La Hotel, Makati City
The Global Pinoy for Global Competitiveness
The theme of this year’s Handog Ng Filipino Overseas Forum is “The Global Pinoy for National Competitiveness”. The objectives of the forum were:
- To encourage the private sector in incorporating research and development and following international market trends through business intelligence from the overseas Filipino community
- To revitalize the Science and Technology Advisory Council (STAC) as a mechanism that will harness the skills and networks of high level overseas Filipino professional communities for national development
- To inform overseas Filipinos of investment and financial literacy programs that can hasten national development
- To inform overseas Filipinos on global and regional initiatives regarding migration
The forum was moderated by Atty. Golda Roma of the Commission for Filipinos Overseas. The program commenced with the welcome remarks of Mr. Klaus Preschle, Country Representative of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation. Mr. Preschle commented on the importance of the issue of migration. He further added that the debate regarding the use or misuse of remittances has intensified both within the international and local community. Recognizing the role of migration in development, Mr. Preschle affirmed the support of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation for migration initiatives in the Philippines, including those of the AIM Policy Center.
The next presentation was by Ambassador Benito Valeriano of the Department of Foreign Affairs – ASEAN Affairs Unit. Amb. Valeriano outlined the different ASEAN initiatives with regard to migrants’ rights that will address both social and economic concerns. He stressed that the region’s efforts are ongoing, as evidenced by the Philippines hosting next year’s Second Global Forum on Migration and Development. The forum aims to gather support from various countries regarding migrants’ rights protection. He also elaborated on other initiatives such as the Hanoi Action plan which will carry a number of activities which will support a wide array of issues, among them labour affairs. Amb. Valeriano concluded his presentation, saying that the ASEAN region remains committed to the caring and sharing of the global community.
Minister Councilor Claro Cristobal of the Department of Foreign Affairs and also a Science and Technology Council member, then gave a presentation on the Science and Technology Council (STAC) – Japan Chapter. Min. Cristobal recounted that while many other STAC chapters proliferated in various parts of the world, most of them later on became dormant organizations and only the Japan chapter of STAC remains active to this day. He opined that the reason behind STAC Japan’s success may be owed to the composition of its members. Most of those who volunteered were, according to him, young graduate students dedicated to the cause of Philippine development. They were motivated to give overseas Filipinos in Japan a different image so they trained semi-skilled overseas Filipino workers in new areas. These semi-skilled Filipino workers, upon return to the country, worked as call-center agents or became entrepreneurs. Minister Cristobal concluded his talk saying that the revitalization of STAC must therefore be modeled upon the Japan chapter’s success.
Minister Cristobal’s talk was followed by a presentation of Mr. Dennis Posadas, a Technology Columnist for Business World and author of the book “Rice and Chips”. The presentation was about the commercialization of science and technology as exemplified by the US-based Silicon Valley model. He explained that the Silicon Valley model contains within a single area, a network of financial, technical and academic circles which helps stimulate an innovative environment thereby propelling economic growth. Mr. Posadas remarked that while some may argue that the model may not work in Asia owing to cultural and endemic differences, the model has in actually worked in Taiwan with their Hsinchu Science Park. Mr. Posadas recommended that the Philippines start with holding informal venues which can facilitate information exchange and networking and that the government can help pump up demand for innovative products and services to spur the interest of the business community.
The talk was followed by a speech by Senator Edgardo Angara who stressed the importance of the improvement of the educational system in the country’s pursuit of an innovative environment. Sen. Angara shared the experience of India which reached economic prosperity by investing in basic infrastructure, support of small and medium scale enterprises through technical assistance and supporting public institutions that drive a culture of innovation. He also recounted various examples of Filipinos who started from humble beginnings yet were able to attain success abroad but still decided to work and contribute their knowledge and skills to the Philippines. Sen. Angara stressed that overseas Filipinos should not just be remitters but also serve as conduits for knowledge transfer. He proposed the relaunch of the Science and Technology Advisory Council with the end goal of motivating overseas Filipinos to return and train fellow Filipinos.
Dr. Federico Macaranas, Executive Director of the AIM Policy Center, then gave a presentation on how migrants bring gifts, which are either tangible or intangible, to the Philippines. He commented on how the Science and Technology Advisory Council (STAC) is a good example of an intangible gift from overseas Filipinos. Dr. Macaranas gave a brief history of STAC, saying that the organization sprung from the migrants’ desire to contribute to Philippine development without severing ties with their host countries. To further stress the need for the collaboration with overseas Filipinos, he proceeded to give indicators from the 2007 World Competitiveness Yearbook which depicted the declining state of the Philippines in the area of knowledge and skills transfer vis-à-vis other countries. He provided examples of some of the projects that former STAC members are now involved in, which include, among others, studies in relation to energy and water. He also mentioned another initiative relating to transfer of knowledge and skills by migrants which is the UNDP’s Transfer Of KnowledgeThrough Expatriate Nationals Program. The program, which tapped expatriate nationals to knowledge transfer during the summer months was immediately successful after one year. He added that the program was even replicated in other countries such as Uganda while local initiatives such as the Philippine Quality Awards were borne out of the program. Dr. Macaranas also noted the Balik-Scientist Program of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), which aims to engage scientists to return home and contribute their experience and knowledge to local communities, and the campaign for Filipinnovation which hopes to address key issues that will facilitate current efforts in knowledge and skills transfer which will ultimately drive a culture of innovation. He also lauded the efforts of Sen. Angara for creating the Congressional Commission on Science, Engineering and Technology (CONSEPT), a commission that will review and assess science, engineering and technology initiatives as main drivers for national competitiveness. He however recommended engaging the business community, especially the taipans, in the said initiative so that it will be successful. Dr. Macaranas concluded his presentation saying that only science, technology and innovation can change the cycle of underdevelopment and through the efforts and goodwill of migrants, economic progress can be achieved.
Mr. Randell Tiongson, a member of the Registered Financial Planners of the Philippines, gave a talk regarding increasing financial literacy awareness. He started off by giving a profile of a typical overseas Filipino worker (OFW) household. He stated that 37% of OFWs are already at a retirement age however, they cannot afford to go back since they have to support a large extended family. He elaborated that one of the reasons that hinder OFWs and their dependents from increasing their savings and investments is because they are not aware how to do it since they do not possess sufficient financial literacy skills. He stressed that efforts should be made on educating them at a basic level of financial literacy. He ended his presentation by giving out recommendations for policy makers on increasing financial literacy. According to him, a culture of financial literacy must start at home and in schools and there must be emphasis on financial literacy not only for OFWs but also their dependents during the pre-departure orientation (PIDOS).
The final presentation was by Undersecretary Fortunato Dela Pena of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST). He discussed the different DOST programs such as Filipinnovation, which is a result of a collaboration between different sectors, after which he outlined the different strategies of the program. He also elaborated on other initiatives of the department such as the Balik-Scientist Program and the Accelerated Human Resource Development for Science and Technology Program. Usec. Dela Pena concluded that overseas Filipinos can help assist in Philippine development through technology foresight work, business intelligence and active involvement in business and industry.
During the open forum, the following issues were raised:
- The role of local government units (LGUs) in knowledge and skills transfer of migrants
- Building up demand in insurance or investment spending
- The establishment of a bond that can help local community development work
- The role of media in increasing financial literacy awareness
- Tapping foreign trained scholars already in the country
- The evaluation of the various programs sponsored by the international community
On the first issue, both Undersecretary Dela Pena and Minister Cristobal confirmed that the Department of Science and Technology and the Department of Foreign Affairs are involved in community development activities in different municipalities within the country.
Mr. Tiongson replied to the second issue saying that OFWs must first learn the basics before engaging them in more advanced mechanisms for investment. He emphasized the importance of financial institutions in the said issue.
The third and fourth issues were asked by Senator Angara to which Mr. Tiongson replied saying that there can be mutual funds invested in municipalities.
The fourth issue was answered by Minister Cristobal who affirmed the importance of tapping the said scholars.
The final issue was addressed by Usec. Dela Pena saying that there are existing mechanisms to evaluate the performance of program grantees and are monitored even beyond the post-grant stages.
The forum concluded with Dr. Fabio Baggio, Director of the Scalabrini Migration Center, underscoring the importance of reducing the costs of migration and increasing the benefits. He said that the many problems in the migration phenomenon, both social and economic in nature, must be readily addressed. He recommended the formulation of substantive policies and increased research on the issues to maximize the benefits. Dr. Baggio ended his speech saying that the forum was a great venue for the collaboration of ideas from various stakeholders on the issue.
ASEAN Initiatives on Migration Issues (.pdf)
Ambassador Benito Valeriano
Deputy Director-General, ASEAN Philippines
Adapting the University Science Park Model in the Philippine Setting (.pdf)
Mr. Dennis Posadas
Technology Columnist, Business World
Managing Philippine Migration for National Competitiveness (.pdf)
Dr. Federico Macaranas
Executive Director, AIM Policy Center
Financial Literacy Awareness (.pdf)
Mr. Randell Tiongson
Member, Registered Financial Planners of the Philippines
Harnessing Overseas Filipino Talent for Innovation (.pdf)
Hon. Fortunato De la Peña
Undersecretary, Department of Science and Technology