Vice President Sara Duterte lauded Go Negosyo's "Balik-Bayan" Program for empowering overseas Filipino workers who often face the uncertainty of financial stability and employment once they return to the country.

"We applaud Go Negoyo's "Balik-Bayan" Program for introducing, developing, and reinforcing the entrepreneurial acumen in our OFWs," Duterte said in her speech.

"This could be one of the best options that would convince OFWs to stay in the country — instead of returning overseas to work away from their families longer than we could imagine," she added.

According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, around 1.96 million Filipinos worked overseas from April to September 2022.

The data showed the increasing number of Filipinos seeking employment abroad.

The PSA said there were 1.83 million Filipino workers overseas from April to September 2021.

The same PSA data showed that of the estimated 1.96 million OFWs in 2022, 1.13 million or 57.8 percent were females.

In 2021, 1.10 million or 60.2 percent of the 1.83 million OFWs were women.

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, meanwhile, reported that the total remittance of the 1.96 million OFWs in 2022 reached P197 billion.

"As a nation, we have cultivated a consciousness that venerates OFWs — and this is truly well-deserved, knowing how the sector's remittances have stabilized the country's economy over the years," Duterte said.

Duterte said Go Negosyo's intervention serves as a new road and a new life for our OFWs.

"The best part of this is that — while they are taught to fortify their economic security, they are doing it along with their families," she said.

Duterte also encouraged other OFWs to explore this platform, discover diverse business models, network with industry experts, and connect with fellow OFWs who have successfully transitioned into entrepreneurship.

"Your diverse achievements across various sectors serve as an inspiration to all OFWs. You are more than the remittances you send home, and we want you to transform your ideas into thriving businesses," she said.