The SM Group, led by Banco De Oro Unibank, Inc. and SM Prime Holdings, in tandem with the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) recently launched the SM Balikbayan Center, giving the Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and their families easy access to various labor-related services.

The maiden branch, located at the Atrium of SM Megamall, offers Pre-Employment Orientation Seminars (PEOS), list of licensed recruitment agencies, information on fraud and human trafficking, and other privileges such as discounts and free overseas communication.

BDO and POEA have built solid partnership over the years in assisting Filipinos working abroad and their families. This year, the SM Group joined the mission to help OFWs by offering the network of SM Malls and various services to be accessible even on weekends.

BDO, named as the country's top remittance bank for 2008, earlier sealed a partnership with POEA for the implementation of Pre-Deployment Orientation Seminar (PDOS) for Filipinos working abroad.

The government requires departing Filipino workers to attend country-specific PDOS to help them address their adjustment concerns such as travel regulations, cultural differences, and settlement issues in their destination-countries.

The seminars are conducted by POEA representatives at designated PDOS centers all over country. BDO will be sending representatives to all PDOS centers to tackle financial literacy tips, BDO Remit services and how the Bank can help OFWs manage their finances and put these to good investment through BDO's other products and services.