TIGblogs - Teng Catong

In this frightening “fiscal crisis,” the stories of Flor Contemplacion and Sarah Balabagan may have been forgotten by the political leaders but the memories of the past still linger on in the minds of many Filipinos, and by force of circumstances the lucky man in the name of Angelo dela Cruz---“the Filipino everyman” was added to the list of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) instant celebrities. From Juan Tamad to Juan dela Cruz to Angelo dela Cruz in Pampanga, in oil-rich Saudi Arabia and in devastated Iraq, Dela Cruz became a family to all Filipinos, but he is just a symbolism. Perhaps there are many more interesting stories to tell of OFWs uncovered by media, hence unknown to public.

Recently, the country’s premier university, the University of the Philippines spearheaded a group of scholars and practitioners to study the OFW phenomenon. According to NEDA Secretary Romulo Neri as of April 2004, 13.7% of Filipinos are unemployed and, according to DOLE, at least 5 million Filipinos have no work and the numbers are fast growing. Some data show that 34% of Filipinos are living below the poverty line.

Philippine Overseas Employment Administration data shows that from 1995 to 2000, the top ten host countries or workplace according to the number of OFWs were Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, United Arab Emirates, Singapore, Italy, Kuwait, Brunei, and Qatar. Of almost 8 million OFWs worldwide, the Commission on Filipinos Overseas of the Department of Foreign Affairs, as of December of 2001 reported that there were 915,239 Filipinos in Saudi Arabia alone, 239 of them were permanent residents, 897,000 were temporary residents, and about 18,000 were irregulars.

Former Senator Benigno Aquino once said “all of us love our country in our own passion and in our own way.” Reflecting on the relevance of Ninoy Aquino’s statement would mean a lot of things that really depends on perspectives and context most particularly on the labor migration phenomenon. Study shows that the Philippines is now contending with Mexico as the world’s main supplier of overseas workers.

In 2002, 73% of the OFWs were women and 90% of them were domestic workers. OFW contributions in the Philippine economy in formal channels are amounting to $8 Billion, which is equivalent to 30% of the Philippines’ GDP. The amount in non-formal channels is probably around US$8 billion. Last year, OFW contribution reached $7.6 billion. Accordingly, an average of 2,444 Filipinos but some source would say 2,700 leave the country daily.

In 2003 there were 7.76 million OFWs in 192 countries. In the report of National Statistics Office Administrator Carmelita N. Ericta in April 23, 2003, it states that from April to September 2002, the total remittances of OFW amounted to P67.7 billion, higher by 12.4 billion from P55.3 billion at the same period in the previous year. Male OFWs sent higher remittances on the average than female OFWs. Numbers may differ but what is clear now is that the political leaders and stake holders in the government should do something on the Filipinos “looking for a greener pasture, hence migration is becoming a dominant factor as an alternative for a quality life.” Though, nationalism is interpreted in a manner that would accommodate those who work abroad who contribute a lot to the economic survival of the Philippines, thus considering them as “modern-day hero” is a great innovation of a lifetime.

This article examines the state of the OFWs and the role of the political leadership in the development of OFWs policies and programs and the impact of labor migration on the Philippine economy in general, and migrant workers’ lives in particular. Towards this end, this paper will propose a reengineering on the realm of labor migration which shall form part of the Comprehensive OFWs Program as an alternative to solving the labor problems in the countryside. This innovation, although revolutionary will be presented in a capsule to provide an alternative solution to the looming economic crises and to give the OFWs, their families and dependents what is due to them for serving as “Bagong Bayani” (Philippine Modern Day Heroes and Heroines) not just in words but in deeds.

This reengineering and eventual formulations of pro-active policies and programs are significant not only because of the fact that up to this juncture there is no comprehensive study on OFWs, but also of the reality that there is no clear long-term policy and program designed to uplift the lives of the Bagong Bayani, their families, and dependents, and above all their reintegration in the Philippine society. The role of the OFWs as the greatest savior of the Philippine economy thru their dollar earnings and remittances since the influx of labor in West Asia and the rest of the world from the Presidency of Marcos up to this time is worth reflecting. Moreover, the knowledge and skills of the OFWs brought about by their exposures to different societies having different cultures and traditions in other parts of the world should be seen as a welcome development for the growth of the country after their return.

In the early 1980s, the Philippines solely depended on the OFW contributions. In this period, the government has no money even to buy for papers for the printing of passport that may have been witnessed by Ninoy, the prominent opposition leader of his time. Meanwhile, the statesmanship of Ninoy remained a vision for awhile. Although a quasi-democratic institution was established after the demise of the Marcos regime, the fact remains that the insurmountable problem of economic degradation continued.

Filipinos nowadays are in need of a role model, brave and innovative enough to move their economic well-being and their dependents, while working abroad. What the Filipinos in this globalized economy need therefore is a guided and empowered political leadership who should not lose sight on the real issue which is not population explosion per se but the problems of corruption and moral degradation in many forms which pushed the country into the limits seemingly beyond control.

In China, population was considered a liability for growth and development which was out modeled by their status quo where the pro-active Chinese authorities considered their huge population as an advantage in the modern day global competition. Therefore, in a market driven economy, it is a matter of proper allocation of all resources especially human resources.

Of course, the social component should not be allowed to be overwhelmed by the market driven economy. Instead they should be seen together in order to have a balanced and healthy economy. If there are infrastructures for economic stability which are ready to integrate our Balik Bayans, their efforts put together as a national movement for development will never be considered a waste.

The Migrant Workers and Overseas Employment Act of 1995 (R.A.8042) otherwise known as the Magna Carta for Migrant Workers, which was passed into law after the Flor Contemplacion crisis has three major points: the state (1) does not promote overseas employment; (2) provides protection of citizens here and abroad; and (3) deregulates the number of OFWs by removing the regulatory power of the POEA in a period of five years.

This legislation provides for a 5 years penalty for the violation of the anti-illegal recruitment law which was deliberated upon by the Gancayco Commission chaired by a retired Associate Justice Emilio A. Gancayco. The effect of R.A. 8042 is the abolition of the POEA. Deregulation, of course, is not supported by OWWA. Workers may be made to choose between a local job and foreign job.

Ten years after the Flor Contemplacion case, a general review is made on the recommendations of the Gancayco Commission Report which provides for a long term approach. Reintegration, which includes livelihood and resource utilization “resource center,” should be properly looked upon and proper actions encouraged. The Filipinos welcomed the positive development of the Angelo de la Cruz saying that a strong regulation, however balancing, is very important.

Reintegration should be a pre-departure thing. The spouse and other members of the family and if possible the community should be part of it. According to Prof. Onofreo of the UP School of Labor and Industrial Relations, Embassies should be opened as a resource center. Recently, Information Technology courses were opened to service the OFWs (six months in Qatar).

In a command conference called by Secretary Patricia Sto. Tomas, according to Acting Labor Secretary Manuel Henson, she points, among other things, the prime tasks of Labor Attaches: protection of workers, insurance of the implementation of government programs, and constant meetings in order for the OFWs to feel the presence of government. At present, there are only 36 countries having Labor Attaches that suit the needs of workers and consider differences of conditions in many places. Considering the limitation of government, however, embassy officials must be pro-active in assisting arrival and pre-departure orientation programs.

Under this existing law, twice a year the DOLE shall report to Congress for improvement. Did DOLE do her part? If so, what did Congress do? Or did the executive department implement the law or work for its revision? These questions need more discussions and investigation in the proper forum. Notably, most OFWs don’t like to think that OWWA is becoming the source of government funds in a crisis situation.

Meanwhile, ILO Conventions that the Philippines has not ratified should be seen carefully in accord with Philippine national interests. Bilateral Labor Agreement should be considered without prejudice to the cultural and politico-economic relations with host countries of OFWs. Philippines’ 61 Embassies, 19 Consulates, and 1 Extension officers, Labor Attaches, and the Presidential Anti-illegal Recruitment Taskforce should be empowered to do its task in accord with existing laws.

As seen from the foregoing, there are still a lot of things that should be done in this present exigent juncture. If the Bagong Bayani (New Philippine heroes and heroines) were treated as such and their contributions recognized and reciprocated by the national leadership, an animosity-free economic environment would be created. Wherefore, the problems and prospects of the OFW phenomenon and its implications is now dependent on the Philippine political leadership, they being the repository of the authorities anchored on the social contract between them and the sovereign Filipino people.

The main bases of OFW deployments would be best approached in the light of good social preparations such as the grounding of the workers in school, at home, and at the workplace. Second, a System’s training efficacy must be institutionalized. This includes the awareness of the situation, choices, and options. Third, placement agency’s monitoring. Fourth, the organizations catering the OFWs in the foreign land should work for more empowerment programs aside from the on-sight awareness in the different embassies. Fifth, a strong system of communication between the OFWs especially the domestic helpers and the respective Philippine embassies abroad should be developed and strengthened. Finally, the public awareness campaign which shall be from the rural centers should be promoted by the political leadership after creating an OFW Oversight Committee for the implementation of the law but it is not present today. This is because of the fact that so many people rush and flock in Metro Manila because of the excitement for the work abroad.

Global competition should also be considered as a serious factor by the political leadership. Nowadays, workers from Mexico, India, Indonesia, and Pakistan are also at the forefront. The law on demand and supply on the workers’ deployment is dependent on the different countries’ culture of development. Other countries are fast developing their workers’ skills which mean that they are preparing and positioning themselves in the world market.

The OFWs’ state of affairs is at stake. On the assumption that “no problem exists without a solution, and that there are smooth ways in resolving it properly,” the proponent’s way of doing it is through proper dispensation of a kind of Philippine leadership duly empowered. After thorough analysis and rigorous examinations of the historic influx of Philippine labor in foreign lands and seas, a research work entitled Empowered Political Leadership: Towards A Comprehensive Program was presented and analyzed in the proponent’s paper recently submitted to the graduate class under Dr. Clarita R. Carlos at UP Diliman, Quezon City.

In this light, the political and socio-economic implications of the OFW scenario should be dealt with by an empowered political leadership. Needless to say, this proposition needs no revolution or constitutional amendment but just an Executive Order or fiat creating and empowering the super-body solely responsible for the enhancement of the OFW program prior to the legislative action of congress for its institutionalization of the juridical person with quasi judicial and legislative functions that may be referred to as the Comprehensive OFW Reform Law.

Henceforth, “Katas ng Saudi” as a phenomenon would in a way reveals the profundity of labor relations of the two-nation states. Sociologist Randolf S. David observed that “short-term overseas work of the last 25 years has irreversibly shaped the Philippine economy, modified the bureaucracy, and transformed the Filipino family, the relations between spouses, and between parents and children. It has changed the physical landscape of the remoteness barrios, now teeming with the ubiquitous “katas and Saudi” (literally, “sap from Saudi”) homes. It has transposed career patterns, consumer tastes, status systems, and even modes of spirituality.”

Finally, the present political leadership acknowledged that the country is in fiscal crisis situation. It is in this context, after having laid down the foundations and role of the political elites in the development of the OFW policies and programs through historical analysis in political science methodology that the proponent presents his analysis and recommendations towards the institutionalization of the Comprehensive OFW Program. Wherefore, the positive utilization of human resources would be in the best interest of the Filipinos if considered as one of the primary considerations of the political leaders as seen in the status quo of the OFW phenomenon before it is not yet too late.