[...] a reader says OFWs are being treated as second-class Filipinos in Vox [...]

In January last year, or since the the peso was 56 to the dollar, it has now risen to 45. There had been huge appreciation - let us just put it at 10%. What are the supposed implications of these to the people here in the country? For OFWs, the implications is the erosion of their buying power - their dollars purchase fewer goods than before.

Now let us go back to the buying public.

Supposedly good and services paid in dollars should cheapen by at least 10%, since the peso appreciated by at least 10% diba? But the reverse is happening.

1. Fares that should have gone down by 10%, operators (I am an operator) are asking for fare increases!

2. Gasul which way back when the Peso was at 56 costs, 480 pesos per 13.3 kg tank; and now that the peso has gone up to 45, the Gasul prices has also gone up to more than 500 per tank! I don’t understand.

3. Food sold in the market, even burger at Mcdo has also gone up. To mention a few.

What are the benefits, then, that are being afforded by this peso appreciation to the people of the Philippines? Pardon my ignorance but I need answers.

It is disgusting that when our military men go after those :salot ng bayan (MNLF-NPA)” who beheaded 10 Marines - the human rights advocates in the Philippines - becomes silent…but when the military took the booked - they will castigate the government. What is this? I think the government is always in a quandary and should do what action it has to do as long as it is appropriate to initiate action. It must be consistent with its stand of implementing to punish the criminals with their barbaric act.

I’m just wondering what are you lamenting about. You have a choice as to what bank you course your remittances to. It’s either you avail of the special or not, that will be your choice. Why do you have to blame President Arroyo on this? I think if President Arroyo will be given a chance, the Philippines will be a better place to live in. If only the oppositions will unite and work with the administration, I think we will have a better Philippines. If ever the President will step down in 2010, do you think the Philippines will be better? It might be worse!! I will say, Mabuhay and Presidente!!

If your contracts stipulate that part of your salaries would be telegraphically transferred to your dollar accounts in Phils, you have the prerogative to change it when you need it the most. Change the $ to Pesos when ex-rate is favorable then convert it to peso time deposit as suggested by TUCP. Peso is expected to soar further so if you can, avoid dollar compensation, nego with employer to give you Euro, CAD or Sing $.
For the part of the salaries you are receiving in the countries where you’re working, change it to Canadian $, Singaporean or Euro. Ask your contacts how these 3 currencies are performing locally in black market, not in Oanda…

To drag this matter into discussion as to which sector of society is superior or inferior to another shows the level of empathy and intellect the poster possesses. Simply, government agencies moved to help local industry somehow through means available to them and allowed by law. It does not intrude into any humain right or privilege as a Filipino citizen, nor it casts any doubt as to the importance of any sector of society for that matter. OFWs, of all groups, should know the feeling of being pampered–you are enjoying various sorts of Tax and Duty Privileges. On the other hand, local industry has to conted with all sorts of taxes just so OFWs, upon their return home, can have roads to travel on, utilities to enjoy, and public services to (demand?) avail of. OFWs are extended duty-exemption shopping privileges, royal treatment when they come home–they are even labelled as Heroes. On the other hand, local businesses has to toil every day to keep our operations afloat, make sure that every cent is accounted for so that there would be enough to pay the salaries of our workers. The truth is, while OFWs are treated as high-profile “heroes of the economy”, local industry suffers quietly in an over-taxed, underserved, not-so-friendly business environment–while facing the real risk of bankruptcy every single day. OFWs, guaranteed to receive income for several years or several months on their contracts, have a lot of blessings to count…Give us a break!

I do believe there are manipulations in the exchange rate and OFWs are affected by these manipulationS.

When 1 dollar was equivalent to 55 pesos, all prices went up (steel, cement, food, etc, petroleum products) but when 1 dollar went to as low as 45 pesos equivalent, did the price of commodities go down? NO. Instead the price keeps going up, so where is the strength of the peso? I think the peso is overvalued and someone is behind it or manipulating it. It is just very sad not just OFWs are affected.

What took you so long to accept that?

I love being a Filipino….and being an OFW does not change anything.

Do you think boycotting the present administration is the best solution that you can think of? Why not support and keep helping the present government, instead of trying to discredit those people in the position? Changing the people in the present administration is not the solution…….and…..it will never be.

We, the Filipino people, all Filipinos, including me and you have a part to share to make our country a better Philippines. Mabuhay Pilipinas.

“DO NOT ASK WHAT THE GOVERNMENT CAN DO TO US, BUT RATHER ASK OURSELVES WHAT WE CAN DO TO THE GOVERNMENT?”

Just sharing.

jetcruz
ny

of course they dont care….we keep the economy afloat by our remmitances but they dont just dont give us our fair share. The govt. must do must do what it said it would do not just for media mileage but show us results. its disgusting to to hear them say that we are modern day heroes but we dont see any results on the table….aanhin mo pa ang damo kung patay na ang kabayo!!!!

“I think it is high time that we show some muscle. I think it is time to boycott the Arroyo administration. I think it is time we cut our remittances by half during the next six months.”

I doubt that you really have a family in the Philippines waiting for your remittance. It seems that you are not aware about the real situation experienced by OFWs and their family, how frustrating it is for an OFW and their families to experience even a day or 2 of delayed salaries, or delayed remittance or remittance caught up by public or bank holidays. And you are suggesting to cut the remittance into half?

Can you tell your family to cut their food, their electricity usage, their water usage, and all their expenses to half just because you are trying to show your “muscles” to GMA? Can you ask your wife to go to your kid’s schools and tell them that because their head of the family who is an OFW has joined a boycott against GMA and that she can only pay half of the tuition fee?

Get real brother!!! Your solution is much more a fiction than Harry Potter series.

that is very unfair. kung alam lang nila ang sakripisyo nating mga OFW. Bawat sentimong halaga ng remittances natin napaka importante. If it is possible to boykott or just send remittances through different avenues except banks, siguro mraramdaman ng gobyerno na isa tayo sa mga pivotal component ng ating ekonomiya.

that goes to show how corrupt the philippines is and it’s not going to change because the government and the people don’t want to change. what a shame

I agree on what you have thought about the being an OFW sending money every month is not an option but a way of life to support out family way back home.

On the other hand you mentioned that BSP and NEDA are helping the community of exporters. what you are thinking about it? in my opinion this steps is being done in order to encourage more Filipino exporter to be more creative on what field they are in too.

We have lots of talent that can be more useful if the government is is supporting it and this is a one way i believed.

Sooner or later if it will be successful we dont need to send another compratriot to work abroad since the business small, meduim enterprise will sustain their family needs.

If they (export community) have that priveleges we too OFW we can have this loan for housing thru PAG IbIG , small business at lower rate and payable upto 20 years. if you are reading all of it from the internet visiting their offices while in the Philippines or in our consulate maybe it will help.

On your last sentence you are asking again your fellow countrymen to boycott the administration? are not you sick and tired? seeing those people in the street having their plackcards opposing the whoever is seating on the government, making huge trafficks? showing to the world that this how we protest and that this is the only way you can help your country?…think again countrymen there are lots of things we can do better than that.

I do not think that OFW’s can reduce their remittances by half for six months, because their families would suffer.
The better way would be, not to remit Dollars but the currencies of the countries where they work, HK Dollars, Rials etc. This gives the families the needed income but denies the government the US Dollars it needs to prematurely repay debts. Which is the reason why the Peso is pushed far above its real value and its declined local purchase power since no product which is imported on now cheap Dollars has become cheaper in Pesos, very contrary all goes up and up. Another way could be, using services like Western Union for transfer Pesos to the families in minutes, at a better rate and less costs that via phil. banking system. It also circumvents the Central Bank. This should be done until the Peso is back to over 50 to the Dollar which still is too high in reality. Most prices are pegged on the old rate of 55 to the Dollar which makes an exorbitant profit to importing businesses. In that view, OFW’s are not second but first class milking cows, together with tourists and other affected people.
Thr only remaining question is, if OFW’s will be able to unite for this matter, not only complain individually.

I wholeheartedy agree with you…I guess its about time for our government to give even just a little consideration to OFW’s..

Some tips of getting the most of your hard earned dollar.
1. Do your remittances at least every two months rather than every month. This will save you about 50% of the charges a year. The fewer times you send the more savings you get. It would be enough for a few beers when you get home.
2. Check with your bank at home if it’s affiliated to your bank overseas. This would minimize charges
3. Try other means of sending money. Some actually cost less than the traditional bank to bank and would be received in minutes.
4. Keep your excess money abroad rather than sending it home. And just have it at the end of your work contract. It would at least ease unnecessary demand for peso.

” I LOVE PHILIPPINES, I’M JUST DISAPPOINTED WITH THE CURRENT POLITICIANS RUNNING IT”

The government is just trying to encourage many Filipinos to develop their skills by giving them a preferrential rate so that sooner or later if the business will succeed there is no need to send another compatriot to work in another country. Since they can sustain the cost of living while staying in our homeland.

Yeah it is true that sending money is a life and the we dont have the choice in order to sustain the needs of our family to the continous rise of expenses.

Do you think that if we cut or temporarily stop sending money would help our mother country? or would awaken the system? For those OFW who has their family are earning they can survive for this idea but what about the others?

It is true that it will lead into increase the exchange rate temporarily.Will it add to the purchasing power of people living there? But what will happen in the long run? INSTABILITY.

People we put on the seat in our government are just representation of what we made during the election. Problem in our country can not be solved in an instant but we can make it happen in a way that start from our own within.

This government is good at lip service. When it comes to buzz word, we never ran out of. Take for instance the “modern day hero” crap. Have you tried going to our OWWA or consulate offices in foreign countries? Have you seen how our kababayans are treated there? Those manning our government offices abroad are very haughty, high handed and very arrogant. This is not a sweeping statement without basis. I was there at the Philippine consulate in Dubai in 1998. I doubt if after all these years they have come to realize that we “modern-day-hero ek ek” are the ones putting food on their tables too…. I was expecting that if they are as helpless as our maltreated maids in correcting the wrong done, at least they should be more compassionate, understanding and at the very least, be polite!

In support to the subject “OFW AS SECOND CLASS FILIPINOS” I would like to inform the president and its people working around her to act now for the benefits of all OFW not only for those who are already deployed but also all prospect OFW. HOPE there will be a comprehensive protection,beneficial program and serious implementation of the existing programs if there are any.

Why is it that when a problem or issue arise that some people are advocating actions that are not going to provide solution but add more problems even more?

I believed that dialogue regarding these issues in the proper place at a proper time will bear meaningful ideas that will result in a favorable outcome for the nation as a whole. It is time to stop thinking for ourselves and today, it is time to think of the future generation of Filipinos who are exposed to the wrong approach by solving problems.

The OFWs make sacrifices while working abroad and send money back home. This system contributes huge amount of money to the Philippine government, in billions of dollars. the government had been appreciative with this, BUT in words or writings only. The Philippine government employees work to process the OFW legal documents. After 20 years or so, these govt employees retire with retirement benefits. On other hand, the OFWs work also for more than 10 or 20 years abroad. When they go home to retire, they dont have any benefits from Philippine government. Its not fair at all. There is no justice. Can any senator or congressman or president do something about this?

Your suggestion won’t work. Will you cut your kids’ tuition, food and medicine allowance in half? A variant of this question can be applied to your other dependents too. For now, we have no choice but to work and remit but I’m sure my generation (Y) is working on it.

http://www.kentmkeith.com/commandments.html

Being an OFW, I think it’s high time now that we formed only one group to voice out our concerned in our present goverment undermining our sacrifices. I am presently working here in Qatar as Civil Engr. Please inform me about your plans in airing our grievances. Or if you have formed already any group here in Qatar please inform me so that I can regester as a member. We need to cut our remittances at least 50%. We need to unite and show our force.

why should we cut our remittance by 50%???
we should cut them by not less than 90% and hoard our dollars abroad instead!!

Well said! Almost every government office that handles OFW matters come up with a way to make life difficult for us.

There is the airport customs, foreign affairs office, Philippine Tourism Agency, OWWA, Philhealth, embassies, consulates, and many others. All of them seem insensitive despite the mountain of complaints.

In Davao City, the NSO treats Japanese descendants ignorants and discriminated as it exclusively requires them additional documents just to secure birth and marriage certificates, some still to come from Japan like the family registration. NSO Region XI office considers us, Japanese descendants, different from other Filipinos.

All these abuses and red tape (an effective method to in-”juice” grease money) are left unattended by the administration.

Altogether, there in NOT a single comprehensive program for the OFWs who the administration hollowly placates by calling us “heroes” and having some picture-takings for press releases. Any OFW will realize this when he tries to claim benefits, get documents, avail of tax credits and other official transactions.

That is how these public servants (?) regard “heroes” - by saying empty words.

if only some form of organization can be done between and among ofws. as for your suggestion of halving remittances, my family is fortunate that we are able to do this (our family remaining here in phil is mostly self supporting and need only very little and occasional help, not regular remittance. but how many family members of ofws can say the same?)

I think cutting down our remittances by half might me a good idea. The Philippine government is boasting that the economy in our country is getting better and they use the strong peso value as one of proof of this development. Hey, it’s only the government that is benefiting from the effect of this. Prices are still the same. There is no salary adjustment happening here with us abroad because of peso value these days but we have to increase our remittances to cover up the value that we used to send when the peso value was still favorable to the OFW’s and their families. ARROYO, DO SOMETHING!

You are correct Mr. the government concern with OFW’s even exchange rates are coming down. They are making the peso strong but prices of basic commodities are killing our loves ones back in our own country. I supposed we can find ways to divert our funds in order for us to gain a liittle in our hard earned money.

What a shame to our government to call all OFW’s a second class citizens….they should be proud of us if not for OFW’s economy will be down…how many millions our govt is earning out of our remittances? And mind you, I am a senior manager in the company I am working with….they should be proud of us because we excel un our field even outside our own country. Isn’t that a great achievement for us huh?

what did you expect,the Philippines is a “merienda de negros” country.Your rulers in their colonial capacity continue to cheat the people.But do not worry the markets are very wise,the day is not far when the tables will turn,and then the exchange rate will plummeted.Regretfully the loser will again be the Filipino people.thus the myth of Sysipho will perdure

[...] Vox Populi : OFWs as second-class Filipinos [...]

I think we ofw should be united in showing to the present gov’t that were not second class.They earn so much from us which we can’t even see any improvement at all.Dollar becomes weak put prices still high.Govt officials have all the luxury( cars,house,etc) from the sweat of all filipinos both in phils and us ofw.Lets open our eyes,mga kababayan.Reduce your remitance or send in other way.

In March this year I wrote something about the OFW’s plight and the balikbayan boxes.

Just two weeks ago I was with the group of filipinos here in the States, and all of us have the same feelings and sentiments. We all feel the inability of the Arroyo government to help the OFW’s welfare. The governenment keeps saying, “OFW’s are modern heroes.” What a hell are they talking about? To be honest not even a single ofw is treated as a hero. PLease don’t be a liar.

Let me say it in a very contrete way: The BSP and Neda are doing everything to make a preferential exchange rate for the exporters. well and good. But How about your “Modern heroes?”

In my previous commentary, I urged the government to do something for the OFW’s but this government is deaf and blind. OFW’s are just milking cows for the Arroyo administration.

What shall we do? Let us organize ourselves and let us act as one. A year ago I used to send $800 a month and I reduce it to $400. I told my family to be creative and they do. Now, I am saving my money here in the States.

If our annual remittance is reduced by 50% this year, I am sure the Philippine government will hear our voices, and hopefully, they’ll recognize our part in building our economy. Be counted and let your voice be heard.

Another thing is to write our congressman (especially to our ofw representative in congress). I really do not know who is our party list representive in congress but if someone knows him/her, please let everbody knows.

Pag aralan sana ng gobyerno kuno ni arroyo ang mga proposal ng mga ofw at di lang pag aaral, meron solusyon. Di kami against sa paglakas ng piso kaya lang kami din mga ofw ang nalalagay sa alanganin sa pagtaas ng piso mas kakaunti ang nagagastos ng pamilya namin. Kung maganda ang ekonomiya na pilipinas. Maganda nga ba? Eh di sana mura na ang noodles na karaniwang pangtawid gutom ng kapwa ko pinoy. Madam president wag naman balewalain ang katulad namin ofw puro kayo porma at dakdak. Buti pa palit na lang tayo ng katayuan kami na lang mga ofw ang magpapatakbo ng gobyerno kayo na lang ang mag abroad.

What in the world are you saying? Why should the government offer us OFWs preferential exchange rates? That would be coming straight from the country’s public funds, if it happens!

While we are earning more than our Philippine-based counterparts, we want to be paid extra by the government. What?!?

Supporting exporters is what is needed at the moment because of the strong peso. Exporters important Philippine business players becasue they sell our products outside. Not just benefiting exporters themselves but the countless people behind the production of the products. if the exporting industry gets badly affected by economics the whole country will also suffer.

What you have said about the DBP is purely circumstantial. Banks have all sorts of funds coming from their own investments. And banks like DBP, otherwise known as DEVELOPMENT BANK of the PHILIPPINES, should play a huge role in supporting local industries.

So I suggest you get out of your green-eyed monster mode & think sensibly.

so what is wrong with the postal bank? would you rather have the private banks corner the slice of the pie? a lot of countries utilize their postal bank for goverment business transaction? so why not us too? it is not only the filipinos who is suffering from america’s economic slow down. we are not the center of the universe.

Sa panahon ngayon na Dios lang ang ubrang tawagan. Therefore, I pray that the gov’t policy makers [from the top down the line] be punished by God for making lives of OFWs dependents miserable because of the so called strong peso. Out of desperation, I cry out loud. Lord may you give them boils all over their body for being calloused to our plight. The peso dollar exchange plummeted, prices are higher and utilities are terrible especially Meralco. Where is the good life you people are promising?

WELL SAID MOCS… I AGREE W/ U 100%. NAKAKALUNGKOT LANG,KUNG HINDI PA KALAMPAGIN ANG GOBERYONG ARROYO,HINDI PA NILA TAYO PAPANSININ MGA OFW.MANTAKIN MO, TUWING MAGSASALITA SA MEDIA ANG MGA TAGA MALACANANG,PAGBIBIDA NILA GUMAGANDA DAW ANG EKONOMIYA DAHIL SA PAGBABA NG PISO!!EH SINO BA NAMANG PONTYO PILATO ANG MANINIWALA EH BUMABABA NGA PISO EH TUMATAAS NAMAN ANG BILIHIN!!!SOBRA NA ANG PULITIKA SA ATIN, PATI TAYONG MGA OFW GINAGAMIT PA…

Did the government or any of its officials say OFWs are second class citizens? Or was it a reader-blogger who said that? There might be some confusion on the issue here, or a wrong assumption. If somebody from the government said that OFWs are second class citizens, then we should castigate that person and put him in his/her proper place.

As for the special exchange rate for OFWs, we should welcome that as an initiative from the government instead of cribbing about it and host of other things. The problem with us Filipinos is that we complain too much about our lot in life but we lack the willpower to change it ourselves. We should just stop talking and do something positive instead.

To all ofw:

I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all of you for the nice discussion which concerns us as a filipino people. I know we differ in many ways and yet we are all united in helping our family and our country as a whole.

The OFW Task Force has drafted a letter to be sent to the president, and your signature counts. Please ask your friends all over the world to be one with us in this signature campaign. For more information please read the whole letter at http://petition.patnubay.com

So there it is again folks!!! Filipinos working abroad got the short end of the bargain(AGAIN)…The peso reaches its peak in 10 or so years, but still, back home prices of commodities are rising, electricity & LPG cost increasing, minimum fare rollback retaken. To sum it all up the poverty level in our country is still much the same as it was when the exchange rate is P56 to $1. Much worst, unlike before wherein families of OFW enjoys a little of the fruit of high exchange rate..Today OFW & non OFW families are both suffering from low exchange rate phenomenon.

I am not against giving OFW special rate, as an OFW I too will benefit from it once it implimented..but this is a short term remedy or consolation, plus it will encourage more exodus of workers and another wave of brain drain among our work force. Let us push for a more comprehensive and sustainable remedy. Let us start to the most obvious and basic problem, wherein not only the OFW could undertake but the whole Filipino People.

That is….PATALSIKIN SI GLORIA!!!!!!!

…OUST GMA NOW!!! iluklok ang mga nasa oposisyon para bumagsak ang peso sa Ph56 at bahala na si batman pagkatapos..

The Philippines can’t afford to give preferential exchange rate to OFW’s. The dollar is weak against many currencies, so if you are earning in pounds, euros, canadian dollar you are doing fine. If the government did give preferential exchange rate the difference will be made up by the government or the BSP dollar reserves, neither of which is a good thing. Just like capping gasoline prices (a bad thing), which is determined by world markets. The biggest impact of the appreciation of the peso is the low inflation and the gasoline price being stable for the most part even with rising prices. Sending only 50% of your regular remittance will have some impact but when everyone sends the money that they saved all at the end of the 6 months the peso will just appreciate at that point. Remember there is several reasons why the peso has appreciated against the dollar. The general weakness of the dollar, less foreign borrowing from the Philippine government, and inflows coming into the country for the stock market. I think one of the downside of so many OFW’s is that it reduces pressure on the government to be more responsible and less corrupt because people depend on OFW’s for support and help and not the government. Every OFW is one less job that has to be created and several family members still living in the Philippines will be provided some livable standard of living.

I for one agree with you that we have to unite and show our muscle to the government who does’nt give a damm about the predicament of the OFW losing their hard earned money when the value of the peso is depreciating.Kung aasa lang tayo sa mga sipsip na nasa gobyerno walang mangyayari sa ating mga OFW. I know that a lot of OFWs have their relatives back in the Phil. na umaasa lang sa padala buwan buwan.I suggest that it’s ok to remit 50% of what we use to send back home and save the remaining earnings here in a local currency which is stable in terms of exchange rate (i.e. saudi riyal).We can discuss these with our family back home explaining to them that the whole family have to make the same sacrifice all togethere. Another suggestion is for us OFWs to buy groceries here which our family needs and send it to them thru balikbayan boxes mas mura dito kesa bibili ng groceries doon na tumataas ang presyo kahit bumababa ang palitan ng peso.IF we can make a more drastic way of not sending our remittance for at least 3 months , for sure we get a better exchange rate for the money we work hard to earn.LET’S HELP OURSELVES first or NOBODY WILL. Think about it HERO kuno !! yak as by 3 year old girl said.

Kung lumalakas ang Peso sa Dolyar bakit hindi bumababa ang presyo ng gasolina?

Kasi lahat ng bilihin umiikot sa gasolina: mula sa gastos ng kuryente sa pabrikahan hanggang sa gastos sa pagdala ng paninda.

Eh kung lumalakas ang peso kontra sa dolyar, di ba tama na dapat bumaba ang pamasahe at lahat ng bilihin dahil mas mura na ang Cost of Production at Cost of Delivery?

Kasi kung hindi, makikinabang lang sa paglakas ng peso ay ang mga may pera at nag-i import kasi mas maraming dolyar sila nabibili gamit ung pesos nila.

Yung pobreng mamamayan ay hindi nakikinabang dahil nananatiling mataas ang pasahe, kuryente , at presyo ng mga bilihin.

Pati ung OFW napipiga dahil ang pinapadala nilang $ na bunga ng pawis at dugo ay nauuwi lamang sa mababang exchange rate.

Tama ang sabi ng isang nagsulat rito: Bawasan ang pagpadala ng pera sa Pilipinas. Panay balikbayan box na lang ng pinamili para maramdaman ng gobyerno natin na ang OFW ay hindi isang Dakilang Uto-uto.

Could we not joint force to persuade the ARUYKO gov’t. to formulate a special investment scheme through T-Bill/Bonds wherein the hardearned savings of an OFW in $ could be invested that will give a yeild “double your money in 5 years”. Apparently, the OFW will strive to save more for this purpose.

I believe it would be better to all of us OFW’s to form an organization, one umbrella organization covering worldwide. This would make our voice into one and solidify our brotherhood as OFW. As we can see many of our organizations are only based per country. If we had this organization merge into one, then our full strength will blow heavily to our government who look at us as an adornment on their selfish propaganda!. We can do it kababayan kaya natin basta sama sama tayong manawagan at magkaisa!! GOD BLESS OFW!!

OFW’s are accidental heroes.They worked in other country primarily for their own personal needs and not for flag and country.I think it is unfair that that the government bend over backward to accommodate the demands of a few,after all real heroes don’t ask for special treatment.

economically illiterate original post. both exporters and OFWs would be helped by the same low exchange rate.

Admittedly, the strengthening Peso is not yet translating into anything tangible for the poor. However, it remains to be an indication of improvement in many aspects of the country’s economy, we laypersons, do not fully understand. I believe we just have to wait and see how in the long run it will help us all. I appeal to our countrymen to be more patient in waiting for the ‘real’ gains that we will all enjoy.

As educated citizens, we have to look at the big picture before we put the blame on anyone. The problem with many of us is that when things go wrong, we always look at GMA, when there are gains, we just put her aside. The same thing is true with those in the opposition. If the peso will plunge to let’s say PhP 80 against the US dollar, I am sure they will all march to Malacanang to get rid of the one sitting there. Poor, President!

The best way to combat poverty is by working hard, being positive all the time, and being excellent in everything we do. I think the problem with most of us is that we forget that we have the power to make good choices which will certainly give us the good future that we want.

It’s time we take ownership and responsibilty for our own lives. My life is not a responsibility of GMA, so is yours. I am responsible in making myself happy and progressive. Fellow Filipinos, our lives are not dependent on who is sitting in Malacanang, who the senators and congressmen are. It is dependent on the individual choices that we make each day.

Just an example, I have cousins who married early (without finishing their education first) and now they are suffering together with their children. Is it GMA’s fault that they are suffering? Is it because of the Peso-US dollar rate that they are barely eating lunch and dinner? We can have Superman in Malacanang but he won’t have a magic for those irresponsible for themselves.

Myself as an example, I studied hard, worked part time to send myself to the university (I literally went through hell during those days), I tried to be excellent in everything I do. Now I can afford anything I want. I am not suffering even if GMA, Villar and De Venecia are in the top posts of our government. I am enjoying every single moment of my life. I can afford good overseas holidays.

It’s all about attitude in life. Life is meant to be fun and prosperous. Take note, there are no shotcuts so success.

Chenelyn Vargas
(coolruel12@yahoo.com)

It is right to say that we are not the center of the universe,meaning to say we are not the only one suffering from this currency downfall.I am an OFW working in a trading company in China,I always keep a close watch over the movement of currencies,specially the US dollars and the Euro.Traders also have problems about this things and the Chinese goverment is cutting rebates to private companies drastically.The Philippine goverment is trying to address this problems,but they will just do some executive policies about this.To tell you the truth it is the so called lawmakers that need to do something about it.Why until now there are no such bill filed in the lower house about this problem,there is a lot of oppositions there.Sometimes when we(OFW) gains a lot from higher exhange rate we celebrate so much,but when we were in the other side of the wheel,we curse and blame every people who we think is responsible.Be more rational and impartial,our economic problems were not done only by one regime.

I don’t know what preferential treatment for exporters is being bruited about because as far as I know there is none and the exporters themselves, just like the OFWs and other dollar denominated businesses and industries, are all suffering from the strength of the peso. There are studies being undertaken how the exporters can be assisted, as well as what can be done to allevaite the plight of the OFWs, but so far none has been worked out yet that will not disturb the present fiscal programs of the goverment.

The grievances of the OFWs are understandable and I hope something is done to help them, but it is lamentable that some consider themselves unfairly as second class citizens, which no right thinking Filipino has accused them to be, just because their grievances have not been answered yet.

When the economy of the country was at its worst and the exchange rate favored the lucky few, the exporters and OFWs among them, we all prayed for a healthy economy. Now that the economy is recovering and the peso along with it, the benefits of a healthy economy have favored the other group like the importers along with those who suffered when the economy was bad.

We should learn by now that there are trade offs in a bad and good economy. Either way generates some good and bad effects in the economic equation. We just cannot have the best of two worlds. That is the sad reality.

I am a member of the V-Team Advocay & Community Service based in Saudi Arabia. Our group (all OFWs) is spearheading the campaign to have a Special Exchage Rate or the establishment of a Stabilization Fund for OFWs. This campaign is a recognition of the fact that the earnings of the OFWs has been drastically reduced because of the strong peso vis-avis the US dollar.

It is not only the OFWs that are clamoring for this. The other sector that had demanded in which the government had immediately acceded to their request, are the Exporters. I believe everybody knows that the government had already established a $1 Billion Stablization Fund to help the exporters arrest their dwindling earnings brought about by the strong peso. If the exporters were able to get the support of the goverment on their plight, why cant the OFWs whom the govt. recognizes as the “New Heroes” (Bagong Bayani) can’t be extended the same help. Is our contribution not yet enough for us to be given also some form of reprieve? Is the $10 to $12 billion in remittances by the OFWs every year nothing at all for the government? If the exporters were readily helped by means of a Stabilization Fund, why cant the same be extended to the OFWs? Is it because, while for the exporters they have such big names as Danding Conjuanco of San Miguel, the Ayalas, Gocongwie’s, Sy’s, Ty’s, etc.etc,; while the poor OFW’s has nothing and maybe they are thinking that OFWs are used to be tightening their belts so we have to tighten our belts some more with the strong peso.

We at the V-Team believes that what we are asking, the Special Exchange Rate for OFW’s or the creation of a similar Stabilization Fund, is just and can be done by the government.

Corollary with this request, we are asking all the other OFW’s wherever maybe in the world, lets join hands in this campaign. If the 8.5 million OFWs throughout the world can unite, there is no reason that we will not attain our objectives. UNITED, WE CAN TRANSFORM THE PHILIPPINES!!!

Thank you.

Rey S. Orbon

For those who cannot afford to cut down their family remittances by 50%, I suggest that you avoid sending money through banks. Pakipadala nyo na lang sa ating mga kabayan or send them through other money transfer agents. That would also significantly reduce government’s USD reserves and consequently improveUSD exchange rat.

To mocs
You ask what is the favor of the peso appreciation to the common people The answer is easy, nothing.
As you say, peso up or down, prices always increase. No matter what it is, local or imported, nothing became cheaper since the peso went up nar 20%.
There are two possible reasons:Businesses, especially importing businesses make a killing profit by buying much cheaper but still selling on higher prices. Or, business knows well that the appreciation of the peso is atrificial, manipulated, and therefore cancrash atany time, so that there would be too much risc in lowering prices. Probably it is this reason and businesses just take the opportunity of profit in the meantime. Comparing the purchase power to one, two years ago, makes it very clear that a peso at 45 to the dollar is extremely overvalued, out of real “market forces”. Who in the world anybody could be interestd on such overvalued currency? Investors really not, they have now to spend much more dollars to much increased peso prices. Tourists? The more not. Exporters get less dollars for their products but have to spend more and more pesos at home. There is practically no international business where one can deal with pesos, near all is in dollars or Euro
The government uses this opportunity for to prematurely repay loans with the now cheap dollar, for to get a better credit rating for new loans. Considering that it will be at least mid-term loans, repayment will be put to future administrations and generations.
One way to send a message to the government would be to remit pesos, and if possible via Western Union etc., which works in minutes, with overall rather less fees than via banks and it circumvents the banking system. If there are not that much dollars coming in from OFW’s anymore, the government has to buy dollars which means the rate would go up to a more realistic value.
And this would benefit OFW’s as well as all people and even the government, because increasing the purchase power of common people increases also taxes and other revenues of the administration. Now, only a very small part of the population and the administration profits from the high plying peso.

dear neil (august 12)

are you living in the philippines? then it makes one wondering wher you experienced the stability you mention, for example gasoline or LPG prices. Due to the petrol industry, LPG is up by abot 8$ per metric ton which is many, many times less that the 20% cheaper dollar would lower the price in pesos. But what happens, LPG is going up and is already announced to go up more. The same to gasoline, cement, iron,construction materiel, imported food and even local canned goods since the producers claim highr prices for the can materiel. Goods that did not much incease per unit, usually have now less content. Look at cans of fish or meat, they lok already like toys but still cost more than not so long ago cans of double size.
So, where is the positive view of the blown-up peso for normal Filipinos? And millions of them get now much less pesos from remittances but have to deal with much increased and still increasing costs of their basic living.

to ruben primor

reading the mentioned petition, all I can say is “useless, senseless”.
it can not be a solution to make OFW’s an “exchange privileged” group, exporters another one and so forth.
If the recent peso value would be really “market value”, then how the government would finance this difference given to OFW’s at a rate of 50? For every billion dollars remitted, it would need 5 billion pesos and OFW’s remit not just one billion. It would mean, the more OFW’s remit, the more pesos the government would need for the difference.
From where? Increasing taxes? Then a big chunk of the higher rate would be gone again but the worst, all other people would also have to pay more taxes, without to have any income privilege.
The only solution is a general return to a realistic exchange rate, then OFW’s and investors, exporters, tourists etc. would all profit and at the end, even the government would get more tax income. Creating some privileged groups would only make all worse and lastly all those that are not belonging to one of them would suffer all the negative impacts. Other countries, like Malaysia, have shown that it is possible to stabilize a realistic exchange rate and profited from the stable condition by a booming economy. T
hey did not need or even want to push their currency at imaginary heights, contrary, all countries with economic problems usually lower their exchange rate for to invite tourists and investors and to boost exports. In RP, it is like the economy should be boosted by making investing, exporting and tourism killing expensive and additional adding more and more special holidays and non working days. Do they not know that rich countries with highest standards have only very few holidays and special occasions have to be worked for additional? For instance, Switzerland has probably the highest income level and living standard but only 8 holidays a year. What is better, this or the local, ever increasing non working days? The only benefiting group are the goverment employees because they still get their full salary. Common employees still have to work and their additional salaries are just added to prices. Should be easy to make a comparision.

YOU NAME IT!

Gloria Macapagal Arroyo
President, Republic of the Philippines

Dear Madam President,

Let me introduce myself as a filipino doctor reisding in the United States. As a filipino, I feel my sense of responsibility to our nation. I am proud that we have you as our President. No prior president since the Marcos era have contributed so much to the nations economic progress than you. It is however disturbing to know that despite the sacrifices our OFWs
had contributed during the dark years (by infusing the much needed dollars to our country) they are suffering again because they have to work more to send more to cover for the devaluation of the dollar. We understand that any which way the dollar goes, up or down, someone will suffer. However, Madam President, you can alleviate the sufferings of our OFWs. While most OFWs in the United States and other developed countries are provided with retirement benefits, many dont have the same opportunity. The Personal Equity Retirement Account ( PERA ) is a good investment opportunity but it is more designed for our domestic employees. Many of our OFWs doesnt know about PERA and other investment opportunities in the country. Some have tried investing in the past but many have failed for some reason or another. Not to mention the widespread graft and corruption in the government. So, without investments, many of our OFWs are yet to see the worst when retirement day comes.

It is therefore the purpose of this letter, Madam President, to make a proposal that will address some of the concern hope of our modern heroes - the OFWs.

Objective of the Proposal: To provide our OFWs a government guaranteed investment opportunities that will augment their social, physical and financial retirement plans.

Considering the experiences of many OFW investors who failed in the past, the present investor should be guaranteed by no less than you. the government should provide the services and support of the brightest think-tank of the nation.

The OFW Fund or Mutual Fund should be enacted by Congress and shall be derived from:

1. ” Two percent of all OFWs remittances. These “two percent” shall be secured and managed by the OFWs and the government. Honored by the Banko Sentral ng Pilipinas like treasury bonds, these “two percent shall be guaranteed their payments with all its interests and earnings at term or at retirement age whichever comes first. Based on OFWs remittances of 16 billion dollars in 2006, the mutual fund can raise 3.2 million dollars or more of capital each year.
( Please note that these “two percent” are tax deferred and should not be levied with the yearly income tax).

2. The OFWs maybe allowed to infuse equities and that each OFW will have his own computerized record of investments,interests and earnings. He shall be informed in writing regarding the state of his investments, interests and earnings on a quarterly basis.

3. The OFWs can avail of loans not exceeding one half of his equity and the interest of the loan shall be added to his equity.

Madam President, our OFWs Mutual Fund will be a big financial institution in its own right…composed of hardworking filipinos…capable of putting up its own banks, hospitals, schools, realty developments…and much more. YOU NAME IT. And as the saying goes, “where there is capital there is labor, Out OFWs shall not only provide the capital, they will also provide employment for the nation.

Thank you.

Respectfully yours,

RGE, M.D.

Meron ng OFW party na kasalukuyang binubuo, composed of members from around the world (UAE, Qatar, Saudi, USA, Phils, Canada & UK) . This group was formed to serve and address the grievances of OFW.

In weeks time, they will post their website link and as soon as they are ready, I hope to see how strong the OFW/s are when united.

The suggestion that OFWs need to unite so that they can have a stronger influence/voice on govt policies affecting them is laudable and deserves support.

But basing on the recommendations posted above coming from OFWs ranging from 50% cut in remittance to bringing down this govt., I am inclined to believe that once they organize, the solutions that they’ll come up with won’t help this country move forward. They’ll just be another stumbling/power block the govt has to contend with.

“Heroes” think of their country’s welfare above their own. But for an OFW to wish that the peso shrink rather than appreciate so that his earnings could buy more for his family smacks of selfish interest.

You are right: You don’t deserve to be treated as “second class citizens.” (Actually, no one does, its only in your mind.)

On the other hand, when you send remittances to your families, you INCIDENTALLY help the economy stay afloat. What’s so “Heroic” about that?

Correct me if I’m wrong: Filipinos leave primarily to help themselves and their families, not their country. They abandon a sinking ship to save themselves, if truth be told. Never mind the brain drain.

Hence, for them to be called “modern day heroes” is, likewise, greatly undeserved.

How about if we do this in a more positive and constructive way fellow OFWs.

How about submitting a realistic, achievable, doable, measurable, constructive solution to every perceived inaction or lack thereof from our government officials from top to bottom, and sending it to our OFW representative for collation and presentation to the concerned government agency or directly to the President, Senate & Congress and the Supreme Court so that appropriate action be taken - to start a meaningful constructive dialogue that will eventually produce results in the near future, no matter who will be head of government.

Where are the self-sufficient adults here? We shouldn’t depend on the government for everything!

Btw, INQ! Anong “feedbacks” yan?

USD is lowest in the month of December because of subtantial inflows. So our families could enjoy a better Christmas and we could have at least have some peso savings, let us all refrain sending our money through banks at least during December. While, it is true that Western Union for example would charge more than banks, it would be still be better for us because our dollars would have higher peso value.

MAGKAISA na tayo. At least for a month, we could show our strength to the government. Wherever you are, pass this message on to the OFW community.

I agree to what he suggest..

Jemyll
Could we not joint force to persuade the ARUYKO gov’t. to formulate a special investment scheme through T-Bill/Bonds wherein the hardearned savings of an OFW in $ could be invested that will give a yeild “double your money in 5 years”. Apparently, the OFW will strive to save more for this purpose.

imagine in we OFWs can sustain a project of the government that would generate income, employment and revenues for both side and less pa ang interest na binabayaran ng goverment thru private banks.. sooner oa later nakatulong na tayo sa bayan at the same time naiinvest pa natin ung pera pinahirapan natin. 50 bllon US $ last year angnaipadala nating OFWs and

sana LET US UNITE FOR THE BENIFIT OF OUR MOTHER COUNTRY not only for ourselves and avoid too much criticism ( its so easy to pin point, but have we asked ourselves what did i do to help my country?) kasi it divided us a FILIPINO.

I’ve copied this from http://cathcath.com

I’m still consider myself OFW, and wanted to share my opinion re the Malu Fernandez panlalait to OFWs. As you can see I do not hide my true identity and I am using my real name Lorena C. Marzan

Some fashion advice
Posted by Cathy - August 21st, 2007

Dear mouse,

I should have posted this in my blog entitled Beauty Recipes.

Miss Piggy’s photo is from opmb.

Miss Piggy photo is for my fashion advice. Cute kasi ni Miss Piggy.

Here is the advice for Miss Piggy:

1. If you do not know where your neck begins and where it ends, never wear big accessories
much more, beads or pearls in layers.

2. Again if you have big neck bones, avoid neck hugging tops.

I like your shades though. Not the sunglasses. The make-up. It blends well with your skin. Hindi kagaya ng iba na over-made up, akala mo tuloy na nasubsob sa abo.

but an OFW friend who used to be a domestic helper in Saudi more than ten years ago e-mailed me about the Malu-luka ka talaga bruha-ha-ha-ha. She asked me for the picture of the lady columnist. Below is her picture.

Looted from the Spy in the Sandwich

This is a sponsored post.

from the Samahan ng mga OFWs na isinumpa na ang lechon na nakamake-up and the Travel Tips and Trips. Hanggang ngayon wala pa akong bayad. mwehehe

Just trying to be hilarioussssssssss. Only those reading the bible will understand the humor in this post.

Read homage to Malu Fernandez.

The Ca t

malu Fernandez,Jo Malone cologne,OFWs,Manila Standard

Posted in Un-Cat-egorized

5 Comments »
Magandang umaga sa lahat ng OFW at kay Ms Malu
Dati din po akong OFW at ngayon ay isa ng Fil-Am pero pango pa rin amd I still consider myself 99% OFW dahil I send $$$monthly for my family sa bayan kong pinakamamahal. Pasalamat siya mababangong Pinay at Pinoy ang kasaybay nya sa plane, eh ako araw-araw mga mababantot na mga homeless sa Market St ang kasakay ko sa bus, pag mamalengke naman ako sa tsinatown , mga kabayang tsekwa na uber sa ingay tapos dahak/dura/kulangot at mga laway na nagtatalsikan ang aking nararanasan. pero noong umuwi ako sa Pil after 11 years ang kasabay ko naman eh sina DJVijay (courtesy of Michael V) kaya imaginin nyo na lang. Smile kayong lahat.

Comment by Lorena C. Marzan - August 21, 2007 7:24 pm

I love your blog. I like how you dissect issues and come up with the most basic assessment that’s honest and true. I love how your mind looks at different angles of an issue coming up with the most hilarious opinions that are not only funny but also very clever.

So it was a disappointment to see a photo of a pig beside the embattled lifestyle writer. I stopped reading the comments on other blogs when the name calling started instead of sticking with the issues. I’m sad that you couldn’t resist the obvious comedic factor in doing the comparison.

I’m still a fan though, I just felt like saying something.

Comment by Ahno Nimous - August 21, 2007 9:17 pm

Ahno nimous,

I am not proud of it either. Several times, I hesitated to hit publish and I am honest when I said that I was planning to edit the photos.

Thanks for the nice words.

Comment by Cathy - August 21, 2007 9:51 pm

Totoo yan Lorena.

Sa bus, sa BART, maingay nga sila. hahaha

Comment by Cathy - August 21, 2007 9:53 pm

lahat ng tao sa San Francisco merong BMW = Bart, Muni, Walk = hindi ako ang original nyan ha so i wont take credit for that. I always tell my Mother that she is a trillionaire living in San Francisco kasi napapanood nya ung Blue Angels.

Comment by Lorena C. Marzan - August 21, 2007 11:16 pm

Comments RSS | TrackBack URI

Some fashion advice
Posted by Cathy - August 21st, 2007

Dear mouse,

I should have posted this in my blog entitled Beauty Recipes.

Miss Piggy’s photo is from opmb.

Miss Piggy photo is for my fashion advice. Cute kasi ni Miss Piggy.

Here is the advice for Miss Piggy:

1. If you do not know where your neck begins and where it ends, never wear big accessories
much more, beads or pearls in layers.

2. Again if you have big neck bones, avoid neck hugging tops.

I like your shades though. Not the sunglasses. The make-up. It blends well with your skin. Hindi kagaya ng iba na over-made up, akala mo tuloy na nasubsob sa abo.

but an OFW friend who used to be a domestic helper in Saudi more than ten years ago e-mailed me about the Malu-luka ka talaga bruha-ha-ha-ha. She asked me for the picture of the lady columnist. Below is her picture.

Looted from the Spy in the Sandwich

This is a sponsored post.

from the Samahan ng mga OFWs na isinumpa na ang lechon na nakamake-up and the Travel Tips and Trips. Hanggang ngayon wala pa akong bayad. mwehehe

Just trying to be hilarioussssssssss. Only those reading the bible will understand the humor in this post.

Read homage to Malu Fernandez.

The Ca t

malu Fernandez,Jo Malone cologne,OFWs,Manila Standard

Posted in Un-Cat-egorized

5 Comments »
Magandang umaga sa lahat ng OFW at kay Ms Malu
Dati din po akong OFW at ngayon ay isa ng Fil-Am pero pango pa rin amd I still consider myself 99% OFW dahil I send $$$monthly for my family sa bayan kong pinakamamahal. Pasalamat siya mababangong Pinay at Pinoy ang kasaybay nya sa plane, eh ako araw-araw mga mababantot na mga homeless sa Market St ang kasakay ko sa bus, pag mamalengke naman ako sa tsinatown , mga kabayang tsekwa na uber sa ingay tapos dahak/dura/kulangot at mga laway na nagtatalsikan ang aking nararanasan. pero noong umuwi ako sa Pil after 11 years ang kasabay ko naman eh sina DJVijay (courtesy of Michael V) kaya imaginin nyo na lang. Smile kayong lahat.

Comment by Lorena C. Marzan - August 21, 2007 7:24 pm

I love your blog. I like how you dissect issues and come up with the most basic assessment that’s honest and true. I love how your mind looks at different angles of an issue coming up with the most hilarious opinions that are not only funny but also very clever.

So it was a disappointment to see a photo of a pig beside the embattled lifestyle writer. I stopped reading the comments on other blogs when the name calling started instead of sticking with the issues. I’m sad that you couldn’t resist the obvious comedic factor in doing the comparison.

I’m still a fan though, I just felt like saying something.

Comment by Ahno Nimous - August 21, 2007 9:17 pm

Ahno nimous,

I am not proud of it either. Several times, I hesitated to hit publish and I am honest when I said that I was planning to edit the photos.

Thanks for the nice words.

Comment by Cathy - August 21, 2007 9:51 pm

Totoo yan Lorena.

Sa bus, sa BART, maingay nga sila. hahaha

Comment by Cathy - August 21, 2007 9:53 pm

lahat ng tao sa San Francisco merong BMW = Bart, Muni, Walk = hindi ako ang original nyan ha so i wont take credit for that. I always tell my Mother that she is a trillionaire living in San Francisco kasi napapanood nya ung Blue Angels.

Comment by Lorena C. Marzan - August 21, 2007 11:16 pm

Comments RSS | TrackBack URI

To Jojo

You say that OFW’s do not deserve to be called modern heroes? Because they want to help their families first and not the government?
Wow, as far as I know, OFW’s did not request to be called heroes. And of course they go abroad for to help their families because the government does not creat enough adequate paid jobs at home for to maintain their families. Or can anybody explain why the same kind of profession needs a much higher salary plus many benefits if it is done as a government employee, compared to a private employee who usually has to work harder and longer than gov. employees.
The administration hangs extremely on remittances, tourist spending, investors, exporters Why then exactly these groups have most to suffer of the blown-up peso? Just that the administration can give the impression of doing well, having a super economy and being a super loan payer, only for to be able to get more loans, repayable by future administrations.
A lower dollar is ok if then prices of imported goods also go down, but in reality it is very contrary. Import costs in dollars are now near 20% lower, less pesos needed to buy the dollars. But the prices of such imported goods in pesos are still going up and up and up. That is the problem, not the exchange rate itself. The so much stronger peso has at the same time a much lower purchase power and that has nothing to do with market rate.

Miss Fernandez, you need to see a neuro surgeon. You are doing to much travel you migth left you brain somewhere,if you have one.

Every OFW arround the world should start to realize how much power and influence we have if we can manage to act as “ONE”. The exchange rate is just a tip of the iceberg. There’s a lot of important issues. Our beloved country is not a hopeless case. If the goverment cannot act on those issues, OFW’s, (if only united ) could be a solid force for a change. We could even spark a civil war, a battle between good and a lot of evils. I, for now, maybe a single voice in an ocean of hardworking “PINOY’s” overseas, but as time goes by, I believe this call will be heard soon. And if my fellow OFW’s is ready to battle the “trapos” of our country, well, let’s get ready to rumble.

to all my “kabayan”,

come to think of this. our hard earned money will be sent accordingly to our family. the same money that will be used to pay for all their expenses. in all payment there’s a corresponding profit “tubo” / “patong” etc. the company (private and public ) to whom this profit belongs will pay tax to various goverment agencies which are being run by “trapos” / “kurakot” / “magnanakaw” etc. without a sweat, they earn more than us. please take note, “without a sweat”…just imagine where and how they will spend this “nakaw” money.

bottom line is, their money belong to the Filipino people who deserve a better service from them…TAYO po iyon…our family, our children….

The question is how long we will tolerate this? I believe that we are working hard to give a better tommorrow for our children but with this situation, do you think there will be a better place for them? I guess they will suffer the same situation we have right now or worse. NOW is the time to act..OFW’s should unite ASAP or it will be too late. Dont wait for the time that we will be killing each other over a piece of bread.

if these exchange rate is the so called solution for the problem of ofw then why dont we bring ERAP back hehehehehehehe!!!! masyado na kasing serious wala namang nangyayari, a six month 50% cut is not at all possible since many ofw are hand to mouth as well not much leeway so where do we go from here???

Hala na, it’s about time we form one umbrella organization for all ofw. May suggestion ofw chamber of commerce, somethings like that para mas may muscle. organize muna mabuti bawat country then padala mga representative sa symposium para masimulan na. Baka nga puwede rin may representation tayo sa congress in the future, malaking bagay ito.

Sorry pero OFW ako pero ang masasabi ko lang eh ang kakapal ng mga mukha nung nagsabi na mabigyan tayo ng preferential treatment.

Una sa lahat, hindi tayo sinabihan ng gobyerno na pumunta sa ibang bansa at mamuhay. Kaya bumababa ang dolyar laban sa peso dahil sa economiya

Pangalawa, palawakin nyo ang pagiisip nyo. Kung bibigyan tayo ng preferential treatment, san kukunin ng gobyerno ang panggastos dito ? ” Ay di ko na problema yun ” ganun ba ? Ang tawag dyan selfishness. Kung ganyan kayo magisip, di tayo nababgay tawaging modern-day heroes kasi ang hero, iniisip nya ang iba bago sarili nya.

Kukunin ng gobyerno ang pera sa kaban ng bayan, sino ang maghihirap ? ang mga kamaganak nyo din. Domino effect yan. Ngayong mababa ang dolyar, nakakapagsave ang gobyerno at nakakapaginvest ng infrastructure para dumating ang dayuhan para maginvest at magkatrabaho ang mga anak nyo para di na sila lumabas ng pilipinas, para masupil na ang cycle ng OFW. Magisip sana bago magmungkahi.

Nakakagimbal isipin na dahil OFW tayo eh dapat mas mataas tayo sa ibang pilipino. Yung nagsimula ng blog na ito ang syang dapat puntiryahin dahil sa maling pagiisip ang nakakahiyang mungkahi. Nakakapagtaka na naging OFW ka samantalang di mo man lang naisip ang mga bagay bagay na kailangan ng masusing pagiisip.

Kung talagang may problema kayo sa padala, dalhin nyo ang pamilya nyo dyan. Di naman kayo inaalisan ng karapatan ng gobyernong wag dalhin ang pamilya nyo dyan. Hindi pwedeng palaging gobyerno ang may kasalanan ng lahat at kayo ay laging pabiyaya lang. Hindi kayo pinilit ng gobyernong magtrabaho sa ibang bansa. Kusa kayong naghanap ng mabuting buhay. Kung sumasama man ang sitwasyon, solusyonan nyo yan at wag nyong idamay ang gobyerno. Iwasan ang utak talangka.

ay social na di namn social bakit di sya kumuha ng bzness class na ticket…oi gusto mo bzness class tawagan mo ako…para di ka mag magreklamo….ano ba pinagyayabang mo…nakaviaje kang lang ng ilang beses eh….btw marunong akong mag english…..mabuhay ang OFW.

BTW Ms. malou di PALA AKO ofw..TINDERO AKO NG ISDA..KAYA AMOY AKO ISDA..OPS I FORGOT I SELL BY THE TONNAGE ..kOTSERO

Filipinos in developed countries have seen for themselves how expensive things are in those lands of their dream. Now they complain how strong the currency at home is. The irony is, things are cheaper in the Philippines to begin with, and even cheaper today with the strong peso. The most simplistic explanation is that imported inputs (for manufacturing, agriculture, or services) are now cheaper, i.e., lesser pesos are needed to pay per dollar of imported input.

The fact is, before the fiscal eye-opener that was the 1997 Asian financial crisis, the peso was on a “managed float”, i.e., artifically pegged to the dollar at around P27=$1. The peso never responded to market forces, it never changed based on supply (of dollars) and demand (for dollars). What we are seeing now is the peso finding its real worth, which is how things should be.

This time, the eye-opener is for the overseas Pinoys who mistakenly thought all overseas things are better, i.e., foreign monies should buy more. I say be happy your country is improving. We in the Philippines are actually far better off today with the strong peso hovering between P45-47, because so many things are now cheaper (just think cost of plasma TVs, cellphones, even clothes in Divisoria!). What remains expensive is education, which takes a big cut of OFW remittances, and which I think is the “expense” for which OFWs mourn the “lower” exchange rate. Yet education is never an expense. But that is another economic topic all together.

The absolute answer is clear–ORGANIZE, ORGANIZE, ORGANIZE.
Waiting for that “someone” to be ‘in charge’–to ORGANIZE? ‘TAKE’ CHARGE!
If it wasn’t for the OFW’s and business, government could NOT support itself at these levels. Remember the “GOLDEN” rule–YOU [OFW's] who holds the gold– MAKE the RULES. Be the BIG DOG on the porch. The dog wags his tail, because– it can. Don’t let the tail wag the dog! Money talks, bull***t–walks. Just do it.