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By Kendrick Go, Special to The Manila Times
The Association of Filipino Franchisers
Incorporated (AFFI) has unveiled its new program of advocacy, called
Kabuhayan Pinoy Muna, to promote franchising and entrepreneurship
among Filipinos, especially the overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).
AFFI is composed of over 80 Filipino-owned
business franchisers who own small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
The program aims to promote entrepreneurship
among Filipinos by educating them on the advantages of putting up
homegrown Filipino business on a micro, small and medium scale.
It also represents the group’s effort to
assist in the reintegration of returning OFWs in the country by
encouraging them to make use of their entrepreneurial ideas and
initiatives.
Rommel T. Juan, president of Binalot Fiesta
Foods, Inc. and the new AFFI president, said developing the Pinoy
entrepreneurial spirit will result in a deep and wide base of
Filipino SMEs all over the country.
These SMEs are key to alleviating poverty and
attaining long-term, sustainable economic growth, said Juan.
“More than just promoting business
specifically, however, our Kabuhayang Pinoy Muna advocacy also aims
to help make Filipino businessmen believe in themselves once more.
AFFI is convinced that Filipinos are just as imaginative, creative
and sharp in business as the best in the world,” Juan added.
This, in turn, will help change the growing
negativism among many of our countrymen who now feel that there is
very little opportunity and possibility to prosper locally. “This
is probably one reason why they look to either migrating or working
abroad as a top option,” said Juan.
He noted that OFWs are a major contributor to
the national economy because of their dollar remittances, but there
has been very little initiative in encouraging entrepreneurship
among OFWs.
“There are more than 11 million OFWs
worldwide, or about 11 percent of the total population. [They have]
sent back an estimated $14.7 billion in remittances last year, and
about $13 billion in 2006. Considering these, OFWs make up a
considerable group [as potential investors],” explained Juan
Traditionally, OFWs would invest their earnings
in buying houses or putting up sari-sari stores. While these
sari-sari stores do well, there is very little room for expansion.
Franchising, he said, represents a relatively risk-free yet
profitable investment for OFWs.
The biggest challenge in encouraging OFWs to go
into business is lack of information. “OFWs may have the money to
invest in a business, but they may be hesitant to do so because
there is no one to address their concerns,” he said.
Another problem, he said, is inertia. “They
may just be content with having money in the bank and would not want
the trouble of handling a business.”
Media can help resolve this if it takes a more
active role in educating the public about entrepreneurship. The
private sector and the media can jointly disseminate the message
that entrepreneurship is a viable alternative to seeking overseas
employment, Juan affirmed.
AFFI plans to conduct a series of lectures to
promote entrepreneurship and discuss the basics of establishing and
running a business. AFFI members themselves will share their
experiences in entrepreneurship. The group also plans to establish a
“hotline” for those who need information to start their own
business.
It will also conduct the AFFI Grassroots
Campaign, a series of tours to schools, institutions and
communities, to spread its entrepreneurship advocacy.
“We hope to inspire fellow Filipinos to once
more believe in themselves, their ideas, their dreams and most
importantly, in their country. Our advocacy slogan sums it all up—Bago
ang iba, Kabuhayang Pinoy Muna [Livelihood to Filipinos first before
others],” concluded Juan.
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