First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, on behalf of her husband President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., honored the "most inspiring" overseas workers who were recipients of the "Kabayan Awards", and gifted P200,000 each to exemplify the unrelenting Filipino spirit.
"Pinapasabi ho ng asawa ko na meron siyang bonus sa mga awardee na tig-200,000 pesos each (My husband wanted to tell everybody that the winners will get a bonus of P200,000 each)," she said during the celebration of Go Negosyo's 17th anniversary on Saturday.
The event aims to recognize OFWs "who have successfully transitioned into entrepreneurship."
"Merry Christmas, everybody. Thank you to the awardees. Congratulations!" she added.
Meanwhile, Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual read the President's message.
In his message, the President encouraged Filipino migrant workers to engage in business to provide them with additional income.
Requirement: Open mind
"It is my hope that you will join the summit with an open mind, allowing yourselves to widen your options for income generation and explore opportunities in the Philippines as an alternative for employment," his speech read.
The President was hopeful that through entrepreneurship, OFWs will "have the option to come back home with the ultimate goal of making working abroad a choice rather than a necessity."
"We will continue to pursue initiatives that will ensure your well-being and develop anew the skills that the global workforce requires," the President's speech read.
"At the same time, we will open up more and better opportunities for you at home so that you can help us in writing a new and vibrant chapter for our great nation," his message read.
The Chief Executive also recognized the contribution of the OFWs to the Philippine economy and labor force.
"In our country's most trying times, you remained as a solid foundation of our economy, ensuring the generation of remittances to support your loved ones and keep our country afloat. For all this, I thank you."
The chairperson of Go Negosyo, also the lead for jobs of the Private Sector Advisory Council, Joey Concepcion aired his gratitude for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for his unwavering support to the micro, small and medium enterprises, as well as overseas Filipino workers.
"Over the 17 years that we promoted entrepreneurship in the Philippines, we found that many of the MSMEs we helped grow were ventures of OFWs who dream of a life of financial security for their families back home," Concepcion said.
"OFWs and MSMEs will be the ones helping guide our economy, and digitalization will be an advantage to many MSMEs in developing their businesses," he added.
The day-long entrepreneurship forum and mentoring event were specially organized by Go Negosyo for OFWs and their families, drawing a thousand participants.
Popular vlogger Small Laude joined content creators, and social media influencers including Macoy Dubs, Lovely Abella-Mabalo, Berto Berioso, Ana Coting and Christian Antolin.
