A private sector initiative led by the Systembrand Group is driving efforts to increase overseas Filipino workers’ (OFWs) participation in the Philippine capital market, with a focus on real estate investment trusts (REITs).
Through its Europe-based program Conectando Filipinas, the group is promoting REITs as a practical, low-barrier investment option for OFWs, citing their stable dividends and exposure to income-generating properties.
According to Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) president Ramon S. Monzon, fewer than 1 percent of OFWs currently hold stock market accounts, highlighting a significant opportunity for increased market engagement. Systembrand’s Madrid-based representative Juan Martin Buñag noted that if even 14,000 of the 182,000 OFWs in Europe invested US$60 monthly into REITs, it could inject up to US$840,000 (₱42 million) into the Philippine market.
The initiative also addresses financial literacy through webinars and roadshows in key European countries, aligning with PSE’s broader push to democratize access to investment opportunities. Featured REITs include AREIT, RCR, MREIT, CREIT, and FILRT, which are gaining popularity for their strong yields and diversified asset portfolios.
Systembrand Group head Lito Buñag emphasized that the goal goes beyond financial inclusion—aiming to equip OFWs and their families with sustainable, long-term earning strategies to improve quality of life.
The program’s anchor campaign, ConectaInver, frames investing in REITs as part of everyday financial planning, considering lifestyle needs such as healthcare, savings, and cost of living. The initiative reinforces Monzon’s call for deeper OFW involvement and sets the stage for a more inclusive and globally connected Philippine capital market.
