Message on Behalf of OFWs (Senator Manny Villar) – A Reaction

I was able to read your article in Manila Bulletin and Tempo dated April 10, 2013 entitled Message on Behalf of OFWs.  I am overwhelmed with your advocates with the concern of OFWs like me.

As I observed in the government, their “programs” for us were mostly right after our retirement as an OFW.  The current situations of the OFW were not being addressed or given the time to study in spite of the contribution of our remittances in the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of our country.

As an OFW, one of the major problems we encounter right “NOW” which was not being given a priority to put a solution that needed “NOW” is the Peso-Dollar exchange rates.   The appreciation of Peso really affects us and needs a solution “NOW” for OFWs.

I would speak on behalf of my fellow OFW here in Saudi Arabia, where mostly are skilled workers, who work 11 hours under the heat of the sun.  Years ago, we need approximately 1,800 SAR to send at least more than Php 20,000 in the Philippines, and now the value of our 1,800 SAR is more or less Php 19,000.  This is because of the peso appreciation.

If you will analyze the scenario, we need more than 1,800 SAR “NOW” just to compensate the Php 20,000 that we send before few years ago.  Considering, prices of basic commodities in the Philippines increases, the cost of education increases and the cost of crude oil increases too despite of the peso appreciation.  Thus, the Php 20,000 few years ago doesn’t equal to the value of it “NOW”.

Further, the prices of basic commodities here in Saudi increase also.  Therefore, if the ordinary skilled worker like carpenter with a salary of approximately 1,800 SAR with overtime has to sacrifice his may be “miryenda” just to compensate the remittance to his family. 

In reality, more than 50% of my colleague here especially skilled worker do not have a raised from the time they work here in the kingdom.  The question if this skilled worker has children studying in High School or college? How he can sustain the education and off course basic needs?

My point is, before the government focus on the retirement of the OFW should focus first on “NOW” of the OFW.  Children of OFW are studying “NOW” not after the retirement.  Family of the OFW eats “NOW” not after the retirement.  How can and OFW think of his retirement if he can’t provide the necessities of his/her family “NOW”.

OFW needs help “NOW” retirement will follows.