The Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) and The Filipino Channel (TFC) renewed their ties at formal ceremonies yesterday at the Eugenio Lopez Jr. Communications Center in Quezon City, Philippines to address the information and welfare needs of the estimated 10.5 million Filipinos all over the world.
CFO Secretary Imelda Nicolas said: “This is a synergistic partnership which I described last year as a ‘love affair’ and I am happy to say that it continues to be a ‘love fest’ for both our companies as shown by today’s events. Last year and this year, CFO and TFC have looked at several major programs and events for possible communications and collaboration ranging from Education to Advocacy, from Return and Reintegration to Diaspora Philanthropy.” Nicolas added “With this MOA, ABS-CBN Global, TFC, and CFO once again join forces in our shared desire to reach out significantly and dramatically to the Filipino people, wherever they may be.”
Under CFO’s Education program, TFC has been supporting CFO’s frontline services such as the pre-departure orientation seminar (PDOS), 1343 Action Line against Human Trafficking, the Guidance and Counseling Program for spouses and other partners of foreign nationals and financial literacy campaigns.
In line with CFO’s advocacies, TFC has supported the Media and Migration Advocacy (MAM) Awards by providing extensive coverage of winning entries from media that have furthered the cause of overseas Filipinos. On the other hand, CFO participated in the overseas voting campaign of TFC in coordination with the Department of Foreign Affairs’ Overseas Voting Secretariat (DFA – OVS) and the Commission on Elections (COMELEC).
Under CFO’s Return and Reintegration program, covered the “Return and Reintegration Conference” held in November of 2013 at the Ateneo de Davao University in Mindanao.
In 2012, TFC also partnered with CFO for the 2nd Global Summit of Filipinos in Diaspora in Manila City, which aimed to revisit the past diasporas and identify solutions within CFO’s key programs.
According to Ailene Averion, managing director for Asia Pacific of ABS-CBN Global Ltd., “It has become second nature for TFC to support CFO’s programs since their efforts are aligned with our mission to be part of the lives of OFs and be a catalyst for the improvement of their lives through products, services and experiences crafted especially for them and their loved ones, wherever they are in the world.”
ABS-CBN Global Ltd.’s Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) Jojo Ines added, “This year, as we celebrate the 20th anniversary of TFC, we are delighted to be able to expand our partnership with CFO. Together, we look forward to continue to be part of the journey of the migrant Filipinos, as we bring our mission further and showcase the galing or the best of the Filipinos worldwide.”
Ines ended his speech saying “As part of our anniversary celebration, we shall be highlighting the many significant contributions of migrant Filipinos worldwide. We are honored to be able to support CFO’s various new programs as part of this worldwide celebration.”