MANILA, Philippines - According to the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration, there are some 8.5 to 11 million overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), and one of those millions is Francisco Tolentino, an OFW since 2002.
Tolentino works as an enterprise development specialist, and the job entails identifying potential business opportunities, training and dealing with various entrepreneurs in the country he works in.
Tolentino first worked in Nepal for an international development organization and stayed there for four years, until the worsening peace and order situation in Nepal compelled him to rescind his contract.
He also recalls that while working abroad, somebody asked why he had no business himself. That comment got him into thinking, and it was during his stay in the Philippines that he started looking for a business to invest in. He checked out various opportunities and got interested when he saw a newspaper feature on PR Gaz.
“I took interest in PR Gaz because the products don’t get stale,” Tolentino says, adding that the only thing needed was to focus on marketing in the community since PR Gaz already has its systems in place. A big plus was the fact that he found the business financially rewarding.
Even if he is away, Tolentino is always able to do his own monitoring apart from the franchise auditor. Together with his staff, he would work on things that needed improvement.
“We make it a point to give customers value for their money. We do after-sales service by helping customers clean their stoves, to be there when they need help. Establishing a good relationship helps you maintain your customer base,” he explains.
This kind of diligence and commitment did not go unnoticed, as PR Gaz bestowed on Tolentino the coveted “2011 Franchisee of the Year” award. “Masaya ako (I’m happy) with the award. People consider you a role model especially since second time namin to win. (We won) a similar award back in 2009. We make it a point to follow the company’s guidelines and implement operations according to their standards,” he says when asked about the award.
Tolentino is likewise proud of his children whom he considers as his real rewards. Daughters Frida and Flordeliza both graduated from the University of the Philippines while Frazen is currently taking her MA in International Business. His sons Frederick is a Microbiology graduate while Francis is finishing his Electronics and Communication Engineering degree. Thanks to his work as an OFW and as a PR Gaz franchisee, Tolentino was able to send all his children to good schools.
He encourages fellow OFWs to pursue a business as a “safety net.”
“Habang bata pa (While still young), mag-business. My work is into development and we reach out to communities pero we don’t simply give. Business pa rin ang focus. I personally don’t believe in doleouts and having a business can help sustain what you need,” he says.
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PR Gaz offers LPG products used by numerous consumers and businesses across Luzon, including Metro Manila, Batangas, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, Tarlac, Zambales, Pampanga, Pangasinan and La Union. For more information on PR Gaz franchise opportunities, contact (0917) 8177429 or log on to www.prgaz.com.ph.