In the next few days, I will be quite busy helping fill up one big suitcase and a handcarry roller bag for Maricel, the lucky girl I wrote about in this column sometime in February this year. This lady who suddenly found herself unemployed before Christmas of last year, tried and failed to find the simplest of jobs in MetroManila, got so desperate thinking of how she can support her two children (she’s a single mother), but one day became the recipient of compassion from our Maker and some true friends. She flies to Jordan in the first week of July to start work in the housekeeping section of a newly- constructed 7- star hotel resort located between the Red and Dead Seas. It is, according to her, one of the ‘high points’ of her young life (she is only 33 years old), as important as when she gave birth to her 2 girls- she does not elevate her wedding day to that level because her marriage failed when she woke up from her fantasy and realized that no family will be at peace with a womanizing husband.
So, after writing this column, I am off with her to Puregold for grocery purchases- I envision her luggage to be half- filled with these (dried fish, Ligo sardines, Boy Bawang cornik, toiletries, sunblock (it’s summer in Jordan),etc. We’re also getting a new cellular phone complete with wi- fi access capabilities and a camera to enable her to often be in touch with her family and record her Jordan sojourn in photos so she can send these via facebook to her loved ones in her sitio in Tanay, Rizal province.
Her first ever plane- ride destined for the biblically- famous country is the culmination of years of toil and trials, patience, humility, forgiveness and the strong faith in a Lord who is just and helpful. From being dirt- poor, she now knows that she can actually reach for her dreams and help provide for the well- being of the whole family for as long as she remains steadfast to the practice of values that have become a part of what she is now.
Maricel is but a representation of the life of thousands of people who have been given the opportunity to better themselves by working overseas. Most of them do not blame government for its inadequacy to provide them with income- generating work here in our own country where we are most comfortable at. Blaming others is not part of their system. They are just very grateful that at least here is the chance that they have waited for- it will now be up to themselves to make a success of it.
A newspaper item just a few days ago reported that the flow of Filipinos working overseas rose to 10% (from the recorded 2million OFWs of the previous year) from April to September of year 2011. The report, gathered from an official survey conducted by the government National Statistics Office further revealed that the OFW gender composition showed that the females are fast reaching equality in numbers with the males (male 52.2% and females 47.8%).
For indeed the trek of the OFW to seek greener pastures has now been elevated from being a mere phenomenon of the 70s to becoming the true nation- builder of today.
Sometime in January this year, Sen. Manny Villar traced the growth of the phenomenon. The good solon who has earned the reputation of looking after the welfare of our OFWs said that the trek began in the 70’s when nations of the Middle East started fully developing their rich oil resources. Progress came so fast that they needed experts to help manage, develop and operate all the newly- installed accutrement to progress. They needed engineers and other technical persons to work the oilfields, they needed teachers to facilitate learning in the newly- built schools,they needed doctors and nurses to man the many modern hospitals built to care for their people, they needed accountants, managers and staff to run the new offices. Soon, as trappings of wealth mushroomed in this continent, Pinoys were sought to bring alive hospitality centers like hotels, resorts and restaurants- from the musical bands and singers, dancers and other entertainers, from hotel chefs to waiters and waitresses and yes, even the housekeeping staff are imported from us!
The Philippines provided them with these personnel. The Filipinos, known for their industry, dedication and good understanding of the English language quickly became favorites. Soon, other countries needing expert personnel followed suit and asked for the Pinoy specialists to work for them.
Villar says the money that these OFWs sent home saved our nation’s economy starting when the first oil crisis was felt in the 70’s and during the 80’s debt crisis. He adds that instead of being negative when 2/3 of the world economy plunged into recession (this included the mighty United States of America) in year 2009, Philippine economy recorded a 1.1% growth in its gross domestic product. Again, the OFW remittance of $17. 35billion that year saved us. International banks and lending agencies were wrong in their prediction that OFW remittances would drop because of the financial crisis that erupted. In fact, in the following year, OFW remittances exceeded $18.76 billion. Meantime, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas says it expects that for this year, remittance will breach the $20- billion market notwithstanding fears of another global recession and the euro crisis in Europe.
Villar laments however that with all the ‘saving’ done by our OFWs, all they receive are token forms of gratitude from government…’ Again, what do OFWs receive in return for their contributions to their nation? A few are hailed as outstanding every year, and receive trophies or medals and some cash. They also get praises as being “modern heroes.”
That’s fine, for the awardees, who I believe really deserve the honors. For the whole community of OFWs—50 million if we include their families—I believe the token appreciation is an insult, an injustice because they deserve a lot more if their government were sincerely grateful.’ (source- The Business Mirror, January 2012).
For starters, I feel that government must protect Filipinos wishing to work overseas against illegal recruiters- it is a wonder for me why these scums continue to deceive and con the too trusting inspite the measures set by government and implemented by our law enforcement agencies and the courts.
Perhaps a small agency that will dedicate itself to supporting the social and psychological needs of the OFW and his family can be put in place to enable these people to adjust to the situation where the family finds itself in- father or mother is overseas, what can family members do to fill up the gap? In reverse, what can the OFW do to contain the pain and sadness of being far from his brood?
Today, I feel that the OFW is in better hands. Aside from the national officials that see to their welfare and the NGOs that have come to support and guide them , nations concerned are now conferring and meeting with Philippine labor officials to flesh out details for mutual benefits actions between our OFWs and the countries they work for- laws and measures that insure that these men and mean are treated justly and fairly and that they give out the most professional service they can offer in exchange for the benefits they are raking in. Already, the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration of our Labor department is implementing salary standardization and better work conditions especially for our domestic helpers, those who aretoo helpless to help themselves negotiate with employers.
In the end, government must show its sincere gratitude to the OFW species in concrete form. Hail them and give them what’s truly due a hero- and that’s not just a heroes’ welcome at the airport!
I wish many others like Maricel will have their opportunities opened for them one day soon.
THANK YOU, TORONTO!
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