Worldwide search for top OFW entrepreneurs kicks off

The search is on for the five most outstanding entrepreneurs among the country’s overseas Filipinos worldwide (OFWs).

Each of the winners will receive a presidential trophy and citation, cash prize of up to $2,000 (P100,000), hotel accommodations for the family, designation as ambassador of goodwill of the OFW sector, automatic membership in the Overseas Filipinos WorldNet Foundation Inc. (OFWNet), and other special prizes.

This was announced by search committee chairman Norman Gacula of OFWNet, a non-government and non-profit umbrella organization of OFW leaders worldwide and the organizer of The Most Outstanding OFW-Entrepreneur Award (TMOA).

Gacula said TMOA was conceived to recognize the exemplary accomplishments of present and former OFWs, inspire the nation with their success stories, and reward them for their contribution to the national economy through entrepreneurship.

"Every nominee for the TMOA must be a Filipino citizen (dual citizenship included), 25 to 65 years old, has been an OFW for at least two years, with a business in existence for at least three years, employs at least five persons including himself, must be nominated by a government or non-government institution or a private individual of good standing in the community, endorsed by at least three other individuals or institutions as his character references, and must accept his nomination in writing and agree to cooperate with the awards committee for verification of his background and the publication of his success story should he eventually emerge among the five TMOA awardees," Gacula explained.

Nominations for TMOA must be addressed to the "Awards Committee" and sent through email or submitted to the OFWNet office at 62 Benjamin 1 Building, Scout Esguerra corner Mother Ignacia streets, Quezon City not later than March 15, 2004

The nominator may secure the nomination form from the OFWNet office personally or by request through email ([email protected]).

More information can be obtained from the OFWNet (tel. (632) 6700-6397, 6700-0444, 6700-8880, or 4169024).