The Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) of the Philippine Embassy in Tokyo, Japan collaborated with the Department of Agriculture in conducting a webinar for the overseas Filipino workers on agribusiness opportunities they may potentially engage in.

In a two-part webinar participated by some 70 registrants on November 8, Agriculture Secretary William Dar in a message emphasized the booming potential of agriculture as a pillar of the Philippine economy. “The agriculture continued to grow even when the rest of the economy contracted. The growth tells us that there is no challenge that is insurmountable. Our new vision is a food-secured Philippines with prosperous farmers and fisherfolk. Mga magsasaka at mangingisda na may masaganang ani at mataas na kita. I would like to assure our OFWs that the DA is sharing this vision with you, among our countrymen,” Dar said.

The webinar’s resource speakers Director Ramon Yedra of the DA-Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance (AMAS), Director Jocelyn Badiola of the DA-Agricultural Credit and Policy Council, and Assistant Director Rosana Mula of the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) discussed the investment opportunities, loan programs, and training prospects of the DA that may be availed by the OFWs and other interested parties.

For his part, His Excellency Jose C. Laurel V, the Philippine ambassador to Japan, expressed optimism on the renewed spirit of citizens to fight the threat of the pandemic in disrupting the global food systems. “The ongoing pandemic is slashing the remittance income of the overseas Filipinos worldwide, but in the search for alternatives to lost dollars, it reawakens possibilities where bountiful yields can arise. The pandemic has also reminded us that food is an essential need and food security became relevant during the community quarantine,” Laurel said.

To watch the webinar, visit the POLO-OWWA Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/poloowwatokyo). The Career Development and Management Division of the ATI Central Office managed the conduct of the webinar.