Kaunlad Pinoy seeks to end OFW cycle

For Kuya Choi, Kaunlad Pinoy’s first nominee, the recent call for a “zero remittance week” by overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) as a protest for the release of former President Rodrigo Duterte is a stark reminder of a deeper issue — Filipinos continue to leave their families behind to earn a living.

“This is not a new problem,” Kuya Choi said. “Most of our countrymen who seek work abroad do so because they want a better life for their families. They save, they sacrifice and when they finally have enough, they dream of coming home.”

But returning home, he pointed out, is only possible if economic opportunities exist within the country.

“We hear inspiring stories of OFWs who manage to build businesses here after years of hard work abroad,” he added. “They don’t leave because they want to. They leave because they have no other choice.”

Kaunlad Pinoy believes that Filipinos shouldn’t have to leave their loved ones behind just to achieve financial stability. The partylist is spearheading initiatives like “NegoNation,” a program designed to create a culture of entrepreneurship in the Philippines.

“The capital they work so hard to save abroad — what if they could access it here instead?” Choi asked. “We want to break the cycle where families are separated for the sake of financial security. If we equip Filipinos with the tools and funding they need, they can start businesses here at home.”

A shift from remittances to exports

The Philippines has long relied on remittances as a major economic driver. But for Kaunlad Pinoy, the future is not about sending people abroad — it’s about sending Philippine-made products overseas instead.

“If we’re serious about ending the need for our people to seek jobs abroad, we need to create ways for dollars to flow into our country through business, not just labor,” Choi explained. “We have the talent, the resources, and the ingenuity. Instead of our people leaving, why not make our products go global?”

While foreign investors continue to find opportunities in the Philippines, Kaunlad Pinoy wants to ensure that Filipinos themselves have the first chance to build and expand businesses.

“We’re open to investments from other countries, of course,” Choi said. “But our primary mission is to uplift Filipino families. The more we support local businesses, the more we create sustainable jobs and keep families together.”