Kuala Belait - some of the Filipino community in Brunei completed an "Entrepreneurship: Basic Principles, Tools and Techniques" training programme for Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) at St Angela's School in Seria, Belait District, yesterday.

The course, held as part of the Philippine government's reintegration programme, was conducted by the Philippine Overseas Labour Office (POLO) of the Philippine Embassy in Brunei.

The Philippine Ambassador to Brunei, Mr Alexander B Yano lauded the training programme's value-added approach in preparing OFWs to engage in business and to become financially independent, particularly when they go back to work after they return home.
The course was designed to upgrade participants' entrepreneurial skills, teach basic principles and practices in managing a business, and to guide them in preparing business plans.

Labour Attache Elizabeth 0 Recio presented the basic concepts, theories, principles on entrepreneurship and guidelines on the preparation of a business plan and some savings tips.

ISS Facility Services finance manager Marina Radovan, meanwhile, gave a talk on human resource management.

Emerlito Dela Cruz, a sales executive at Million Goldsmith, discussed sales and marketing strategies and gave tips on customer satisfaction.

Welfare Officer Zenaida Ramos briefed participants on the Philippine government's requirements and assistance to entrepreneurs including registration of business with the Department of Trade and Industry, Bureau of Internal Revenue, and the loan packages of O W WA, DOLE, Land Bank, DBP, SSS and Pag-ibig.

Engineer Mansueto Espina from Istana Maintenance Department gave a presentation on the forms of business organisations and their cooperative principles, capital requirements, formation and management control.

Dan Roxas, president of the Filipino Association in Brunei and a certified public accountant, gave a lecture on basic bookkeeping or the recording of financial transactions to assess the financial health of the business.

Rev Fr Robert Leong, a parish priest based in Seria, discussed ethics, morality and related values an entrepreneur faces on his day-to-day transactions and activities.

Stanley Lim Hock Ghim, managing director of Borneo United, meanwhile shared his beginnings from "ground zero" to what he is now: employing over 500 workers in his business. He summarised some of his^ guiding principles in the conduct of his business, such as commitment, desire and willpower to succeed, fulfilment of responsibility, honesty and self-discipline.

A group planning to put up a massage and spa business garnered top marks for the best presentation based on criteria set by Welfare Officer Ramos, Engineer Espina, and Defence Attache Col Emmanuel Cacdac.

Mr Yano, the Philippine Ambassador, reminded the participants to abide by the laws of the host country and to continue to be assets to their respective companies.

He said Filipinos are highly appreciated for their contributions in the development efforts of the host country.
He invited them to attend the embassy's future course offerings, and thanked St Angela's School for hosting the training programme in the Belait District as part of the Philippine Embassy's efforts in bringing its services closer to OFWs in the district.

Ms Cheawan Ching, the principal of the St Angela's School, also expressed her support to all the programmes and projects organised by POLO. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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