THE Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) and the local government of Pasay City held a second round of discussions on April 17 to further develop a potential partnership under the BaLinkBayan program, an initiative aimed at strengthening diaspora engagement in local development.
The meeting builds on earlier talks between the two parties, as CFO officials led by Secretary Dante Ang II met with Pasay City Mayor Imelda Calixto-Rubiano and key city personnel to align priorities and identify concrete areas of collaboration.
At the center of the discussions was BaLinkBayan, the CFO’s flagship program that seeks to connect overseas Filipinos with investment, business and philanthropic opportunities in their home communities. The initiative is designed to harness the resources, expertise and networks of the Filipino diaspora to support inclusive growth at the local level.
Officials explored potential projects that could benefit Pasay City, particularly in areas such as tourism development, small and medium enterprise support, and community-based programs. The partnership also aims to streamline mechanisms that would make it easier for overseas Filipinos to engage with local government units.
Both sides expressed optimism about formalizing the collaboration, noting that Pasay City’s strategic location as a gateway to international travel and commerce positions it well to benefit from diaspora-driven initiatives.
The CFO has been expanding BaLinkBayan partnerships with local governments nationwide as part of broader efforts to deepen engagement with millions of Filipinos living and working abroad. Further meetings are expected as the agency and Pasay City finalize the framework of cooperation.
