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BUILDING SAFETY NETS FOR FILIPINO EXPATRIATES: |
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 Networking for Empowerment
The Philippine Consulate HK ---- Filipino Expatriates in Hong Kong met last May
15, 2005 to discuss vulnerabilities among Filipinos abroad, identify areas of
hope and promote a unified response to interrelated concerns regarding migrant
welfare and security. There were 72 participants: mostly leaders/representatives
of migrant organizations and migrant care providers in both the government and
the public sector. The forum was sponsored by Global Filipinos, a non-partisan
coalition of overseas Filipino organizations, in cooperation with the the
Philippine Consulate-HK, Hong Kong News, UGAT Foundation and Bank of the
Philippine Islands.
The forum, a replication of a rountable discussion on the same theme held
January 5, 2005 in the Recto and Laurel Halls of the Philippine Senate, focused
on concerns of Filipino expats in three main areas: economic, political and
social (emotional relation/legal and mediation). In particular: (a) how expats
can engage in entrepreneurial activities that could support their families so
that they can return to the country; (b) how can they actively exercise their
suffrage rights in future national elections and attain meaningful
representation in Congress; and (c) how they can effectively cope with social
problems associated with being away from one's family (For details on the
Philippine Senate forum, please refer to attached article entitled "Filipino
Expatriates Formulate Unified Strategies and Programs). A condensed version of
this forum was also delivered to the Philippine Consulate Staff May 14, 2005.
Hong Kong Consul General Corazon L. Belmonte-Jover delivered the Opening
remarks. She has expressed her support for an active
expatriate community responsive to migrant issues, both in the worksite and in
the homefront and has stayed to note and address the forum's concerns. Ms. Kye
Diamante of sponsor Bank of the Philippine Islands delivered a warm welcome as
well. The forum was facilitated by Fr. Nilo Tanalega, Sj, Executive Director of
UGAT Foundation (Ugnayan at Tulong para sa Maralitang Pamilya Foundation, Inc.),
a Jesuit apostolate for grassroot families; with the assistance of Ms. Lorna
Villanueva, Editor-in-chief of the Hong Kong News and Karen Vardeleon, also of
the UGAT Foundation.
The first part of the program focused on increasing awareness on areas of
concerns. For the economic concerns, the crisis of no savings and no investment
for the expatriate was discussed. In relation to this, financial management as
spoused by the Colayco Foundation, franchising, business matching and the
collective strength of a solid cooperative was presented.
The social cost of migration on individuals and family members was also
discussed. The separation, disruption of the family structure and resiliency
while amidst a different culture was elaborated . The Social Reform Agenda
drafted by different migrant care providers, as presented in the January 5
conference was presented for the group's consideration.The principle that
migrants should be viewed as not just economic beings but human beings (ergo
migrant rights are human rights) and that the migrant is not just an individual
but a family was emphasized.
Lastly, the need for a more solid campaign for voter's registration and migrant
representation in Congress was reiterated. This was well-received. Hong Kong ,
as of last election, ranked as the having the most expatriate participating in
the selection of Philippine leaders.
It was echoed to the participants that the term "expatriate" should be use to
refer to all Filipinos abroad: overseas workers, businessmen and expatriates.
The term is to uplift the public's and the Filipino migrant himself's attitude
towards his capacity to be at par with other players in the global village. Not
only that but the Filipino expatriate should also be motherland-oriented. His
areas of concern are not just in the workplace but also in the homefront.
A small group/ dyad discussion was conducted to evoke personal/organizational
observations regarding these concerns. The
following ideas/proposals resonated with the participants and were resolved to
be followed-through and/or echoed to others:
a. Leadership among migrant groups need to be more open and group-oriented.
Specifically, leaders should endeavor to reach members at all levels, solicit
group opinion and exercise a solid but humble leadership with high moral
integrity.
b. There is a need to reiterate to expats that they are stakeholders in
nationbuilding.
c. It was proposed that the Pre-departure Orientation Seminar (PDOS) must be
done with the applicant's family present. Also, a mechanism to give a PDOS
before an applicant has submitted all the requirements and has paid all dues
related to job placement and airfare was suggested. Some insight gained on
orientations are futile if significant financial investment has already been
made into going abroad. There was a proposal of PDOS in the baranggay level.
- Orientation through employment agencies was considered although was deemed as
inadvisable for it may mean greater fees for the applicant.
d. There exists a need to have a coordinated effort between the remaining family
in the country and the expatriate to address economic and social concerns. For
example: The problem of no savings/ no investments is a combination of the
following compounding concerns:
d.1. Gambling problems (Tong-its was becoming a large scale concern among
Filipinos in HongKong)
d.2. Lack of Financial Literacy among Filipinos
d.3. Dependency of Remaining Families on Expatriates' Income. There is a need to
orient remaining families on helping that is not akin to doling-out. Also,
promote job-seeking among remaining families.
d.4. Expatriate doesn't trust his family to supervise his investments in the
country.
d.5. The investing might be easy, its sustaining the momentum and the market
that is difficult.
*A program on financial literacy for Filipinos in Hong Kong is in its final
planning stage. One of the NGOs present has a project called PESO movement "Pinoy
for Economic Stability of OFWs" – an orientation program for financial literacy
e. There was a discussion on the Filipino migrant's hesitancy to return home.
Among the concerns raised were:
e.1. obligation to family never ends. i.e. after supporting kids to school ,
some has to support the grandchildren to school.
e.2. Have been conditioned to the fast life of a developed country.
e.3. For the senior citizens, a sense of pride that they are still productive
and still able to help their families.
e.4. compassionate employers
f. Issues on health. The consulate staff affirmed the importance of SSS
advocacy. Personal Health of the expatriate is the most common deficit of
sending all of the remittances home. There was a proposal to make membership to
Pag-ibig, SSS and Philhealth compulsory. Free medication and health care was
being campaigned. One of the groups present are in campaign for the "OFW
Hospital" with a proposed $1- a month contribution from all expats to get it
started.
g. On the psychoemotional . Raise awareness on remaining families about the
situation abroad and vice-versa. There is a need to beef up homefront resources
and to strengthen links with community-based groups for counseling families,
support systems and reintegration issues. Avoid the situation where both parents
are abroad.
h. There may be a need to look at emerging issues. Observation: the
"old-timers", those working in the country for a
long time, are now the ones more likely to suffer from mental health illnesses
and suicidal ideation as opposed to the "adjusting" as the situation was before.
Compulsory, free of charge psychological testing, was proposed.
i. There is a need to deal with self-confidence and self-esteem issues of
Filipinos: professionals at home but domestic helpers abroad.
j. Increase campaign for voters' registration. On a personal level, individuals
were affirmed to vote. The participants presented a unified stance in the
campaign for voter's registration. In fact, this enthusiasm was affirmed by the
consulate and the participants. Hong Kong has the highest turn-out last
elections.
Concrete accomplishments:
Awareness of the importance of linkages and networking between homefront and
workplace resources. As a stepping stone to this idea, the SANDALAN services was
introduced. - a line for counseling and follow up of remaining members of
the family to be in effect June 1, 2005.
From the group, the organizers was able to
1. Fill in gaps in areas / localities where there are limited care-providers for
remaining members of the expatriate's family. Already Bicol and iloilo responded
positively.
2. Attain a list of concerns that can are expected for the careproviders'
information.
3. Initially survey the possibility of opening a open university program for
Filipinos in Hong Kong.
4. Release contact numbers for concerns regarding financial management and
franchising.
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Posted on Monday, June 20 @ 18:29:52 CDT by don |
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