Go Negosyo founder Joey Concepcion is urging that overseas Filipinos and their families be placed at the center of legacy projects as the Philippines prepares to chair the ASEAN Business Advisory Council in 2026.
Speaking on The Chairman’s Report hosted by Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) Secretary Dante “Klink” Ang II, Concepcion stressed that the upcoming ASEAN hosting is the country’s biggest international platform under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s term and must be used to drive inclusive growth.
“Currently, Malaysia is the chair. And in a couple of weeks, they’ll be turning it over to the Philippines. And I think it is timely and that we have to prepare this early. Because in 2026, until the term of President Marcos ends, this is the only main and biggest international event,” he said.
Concepcion emphasized that Go Negosyo will align its programs with ASEAN 2026, highlighting poverty reduction and MSME empowerment. “We are also preparing our legacy projects… And the idea at this time is to really focus on poverty. So MSMEs are the ones that are struggling. And we have a program that will be launched at that time,” he added.
A major component, he said, is continuing mentorship support for overseas Filipinos so they can eventually transition into entrepreneurship. “If you look at our overseas workers, they leave their family, they don’t see them for a year or even sometimes longer. So they’re there helping their family, getting the kids to better schools, and it’s a sacrifice for them. And that’s why we call them our heroes… But we have to find a solution for them. That, eventually, when they come home, they have to realize what skill they have and how to turn that skill into a business,” Concepcion stressed.
Secretary Ang noted how this advocacy complements CFO’s mandate for long-term migrants and diaspora communities. He also pointed out the potential of bringing Go Negosyo’s youth programs to Philippine Schools Overseas, a move Concepcion welcomed, saying young learners are already benefiting from mentorship initiatives that connect them with successful entrepreneurs.
“We want this young generation to have a vision of themselves. Aim for the highest,” Concepcion said.
Both leaders agreed that empowering OFWs, MSMEs, and the youth will strengthen not only families but also the country’s economic ambitions, making migrant empowerment a defining feature of the Philippines’ ASEAN 2026 chairmanship.
