SM Supermalls is rolling out its one-stop service center for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in all of its malls, investing about P180 million for the venture.

Hans Sy, president of SM Prime Inc., said at the sidelines of the launch yesterday of the first Global Pinoy Center at the SM Mall of Asia (MOA) that SM Supermalls is targeting at least half of the 8 million OFWs around the globe to become members of The Global Pinoy where it can avail of varied services from hassle-free remittances, free calls and investment advice.

Sy said SM Supermalls eyes to have all its 36 existing malls and future malls as a service to OFWs and their families.

‘The Global Pinoy Center would be part of SM mall development,’ said Sy.

Initially though, the Global Pinoy Center would be located in the big malls such as MOA, Megamall and North EDSA.

Sy said the rollout would be in full swing by 2010.

‘It would be a center for information for OFWs pre-departure and post-departure.

It would be a center for assistance to their families here,’ Sy said.

Services being offered at the center include: information for investment opportunities as well as access to government agencies like the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration and the Department of Labor and Employment; remittance services through BDO Remit and; communication center where the OFWs can chat, email and videoconference with their families here for free.

Each member and his family is entitled to other privileges such as a total of P80,000 worth of discounts in education, health services, hotels, restaurants and shops.

For example, a member may avail of a 20-pecent discount on tuition fee at the Asia-Pacific College or 15 percent discount at the National University.