Naluluha ako habang binabasa ko ang egroup forwarded article na ito galing sa pahayagan na talaga namang nakakapiga ng puso para doon sa mga OCWs (Overseas Contract Workers) na katulad namin:
Some experts worry that the trend will, in the long run, hurt the Philippines more than help. While labor migration does serve as an economic stopgap, it's not a good development model. That's especially true when a country starts losing its best and its brightest workers. Although the stereotypical Filipino migrant is a nanny in Hong Kong, the largest group of new recruits falls under the category "professional and technical worker," which includes engineers, pilots, physicians and nurses. (Philippines: Workers for the World. The country's prime export is people. But is migration a real development strategy?)
Ano nga ba ang magagawa nating mga OCWs para labanan ang brain drain na nangyayari ngayon sa ating bansa? Ano ang magagawa natin para magbigay ng tulong sa inang bayan na umaruga at nagpalaki sa atin? Hindi ba't naging globally competitive tayo dahil sa panahon na iniukol natin at edukasyon na nakuha natin sa ating bansa?
Oo nga at nakakatulong ang ating mga remittances, pero sapat na ba 'yon? Kung mayroon tayong kaunting maitutulong, sana naman gawin nating magbigay pabalik sa Pilipinas. Sinisikap naming gawan ng paraan sa Pinoy Teachers Network (at seryoso kami talaga *wink*) sana may magawa rin kayo.
KAYANG-KAYA BASTA'T SAMA-SAMA DI BA?
As what Ed Tiong (the person who's helping us collaborate with the FilAm community here in the East Coast) said:
"I hope that we continue to harness our energies together in a unified direction toward bringing awareness and preserving our Philippine Heritage. In a unique way, we have the blend of two cultures from the East and the West. I think the education will be two prong as we teach these kids about our Filipino culture, we ourselves will learn about their realities in growing up Filipino American.
Let's tread the waters lightly and hope to get on the path with as little ripple on the pond as possible. We may easily be overwhelmed and suggest that we take baby steps."
We will repond to this issue POSITIVELY, VERY SOON! Let's help each other...
11 comments:
i salute PTN for your efforts to unite the Pinoys in your area in promoting Pinoy heritage and culture.
Here in Singapore, we have an egroup of Pinoy ITs and its aims are the same as yours. hope we all achieve our visions and missions for our motherland!
TS - consider what's happening here in Tampa in this article.
Different cultures bring wonderful additions to every society. But, there are always problems along the way.
Teacher Sol, that’s why I am impressed with countries like the US and Canada who have the policy of encouraging families of contract workers to join them as they serve their employment. Canada’s policy is even better in that it grants the contract worker the permission to apply as immigrant after working for 3 years so the family can be petitioned. Working abroad while your family is back home is tough but most Pinoys endure it because of the dire financial need. Is it fair for someone to be working for 20 years abroad, visiting his family only once very year, in some cases every 2 years? Countries that hire OCW’s must show concern and treat their guest workers with dignity and compassion. They must encourage the families to join.
In our present times, it seems that our nation could not have the cake and eat it too. We always have to sacrifice one thing in order to gain something. While we benefit so much from dollar infusion to out economy, workers' migration continue to put our country in such a compromisin situation where the best of them leave in growing numbers. In my mind, the solution to this predicament may come if our economy progresses positively in the coming years where our employers could easily compete in terms of salary rates. I hope that time would come sooner than we expect.
karamihan naman siguro sa ating mga nangibang bayan kapag dumating ang panahon ay babalik rin sa bayan nating sinilangan. kaya hindi natin dapat pabayaang mas mapasadlak sa masama at tuluyan ng lumubog ang ating bansa. magandang halimbawa ang pagkakatatag mo at ng iba pa nating guro ng samahang PTN sapagkat isa itong pamamaraan ng pagbibigay ng tamang kamalayan sa ating mga kapatid na pilipino, hindi lamang mga guro. Kahit siguro nasa ibang bansa tayo dapat maging aktibo tayo sa mga isyu at talakayan tungkol sa nagaganap sa ating bansa. sana gawin ng positibong behikulo ang blogging ng pagsulong ng ating bansa at hindi sa pagpaparangya ng ating sarili.
Sol, heard somewhere that OFW remittances actually overshadow export and tourism revenues combined (will try to confirm). I think that's the only thing keeping the country afloat these days. Sapat na iyon, in my opinion.
I just want to share what came to mind while reading your post: Since the U.S.S.R. went under and thus, unable to sustain its billion-dollar or so a year economic aid to Cuba, Fidel Castro has since started, call it a stroke of luck if you wish, to rely upon the U.S. dollar remittances from the Cuban exiles in North America. It is somewhat ironic that America who has remained steadfast in its economic sanctions against Cuba, is in some way, keeping that country economically afloat with some of its residents' dollar infusion. Will this economic model be beneficial to Cuba in the long run? I honestly don't know.
As for the Philippines? I haven't been back here long enough to make a fair assessment; however, while growing up here, in the 60s before I moved to New York, brain drain has already become a national issue. And similarly, just as it was back then, so its is today -- a lot of things both in social and economic arenas, remain the same.
The remittances that OFWs send back to the Phil were a big help for the Filipino families and the economy as a whole. I read an article that features the development of a remote area in the country thru the efforts of OFWs in that area. Also, the remittances sent to families help them to get access of better education, medical facilities, among other concerns.
OCWs thru putting up small-scale industries would help generate employment and contribute more to GDP.
I think these are some ways that they could give back to our motherland.
*wink*
teacher sol, napanood 'nyo na ba or have you heard of the movie, "dubai"? sa pelikulang ito, ma-a-appreciate ng mga hindi OCWs ang efforts ng mga OCWs.:)
What BW said is true. And I'm really glad that although I am here in Canada, my family is also here with me. I can just imagine the sacrifices that other Pinoys are enduring in other faraway countries, far away from their families.
Hey Teacher Sol,
Like BW & Irene S., indeed Canada for me is for the family oriented. The immigration law gives chance to family members for better opportunities as BW said.
It is really frustrating to the max what is happening to our country. One of the issues of poverty is education. We cannot solve all problems but I believe small steps can make a difference. I can only think to use computers to give the less privileged access to education. To be able to hook up with the Kawad Kalinga people can give the communities they build, this added advantage. I know it is complicated and tons of work required... more questions on resources ( actual teachers, computers, internet provider fee, etc ). It is a dream for me to see this!!!!! I do hope to win the lottery.
Post a Comment