BAGUIO CITY – More than six million non-resident Filipinos (NRFs) continue to contribute to the country’s economic growth through remittances, investments, and humanitarian assistance, Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) Secretary Dante “Klink” Ang II said on Thursday.
Ang said many NRFs are professionals whose higher incomes enable them to send more financial support to their families in the Philippines.
“Sa tingin ko mas malaki napapadala ng NRF dahil sila ‘yung nakakakita ng incremental increase sa salaries at habang lumalaki ang kita ng mga kababayan natin, mas lumalaki rin ang pinapadala nila (I think NRFs send bigger remittances because they receive incremental salary increases. As their income grows, they are able to send more money home),” he said on the sidelines of the inauguration of the CFO’s new Baguio office.
Ang said NRFs also contribute by investing in businesses and properties and by extending assistance to communities affected by natural disasters.
He said the CFO’s mandate is to strengthen ties of non-resident Filipinos and the Philippines through economic, cultural and civic engagement, including overseas voting.
“We connect NRFs to the Philippines through political, economic and cultural engagement so they remain connected to the country and their children continue to know their Filipino heritage,” he said.
Ang added that government programs also encourage NRFs to improve their economic opportunities abroad so they can continue supporting their families and create jobs through investments in the Philippines.
“Some say our professionals left the country, but they never did. They improved their lives while continuing to help their families and fellow Filipinos, especially during calamities,” he said.
The CFO’s new Baguio office provides larger space to serve clients from Baguio City and other provinces in northern Luzon. **Liza Agoot
