Six presidential candidates speak on OFWs in Plaza Miranda

By ARIS R. ILAGAN
July 17, 2009, 6:30pm

Six political personalities eyeing the presidential elections on the May 2010 polls appeared before a rain-drenched crowd at the historic Plaza Miranda in Quiapo, Manila last Thursday night to drum up their platform of government involving key national issues, particularly on the protection of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) now working in different foreign lands.
From a makeshift stage, the six presidential aspirants – Estrada, Sen. Richard Gordon, Sen. Loren Legarda, Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero, Senator Mar Roxas, and Pampanga Gov. Ed Panlilio – all recognized the need to ensure the protection and welfare of the OFWs now working abroad whose multi-billion remittances have saved the country from possible economic collapse.
The crowd, mostly Manileños, braved the rains to listen to the political platform of the presidential wannabes who answered questions on different key issues like improving the plight of OFWs, giving equal employment opportunity for the disabled, rising fuel prices, job generation, among others.

In a forum dubbed as : “Ang Mamamayang Pilipino… Alisto!” sponsored by the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) led by Ambassador Henrietta de Villa and the National Movement for Free Elections (Namfrel), the five presidential aspirants also cited the need to stop corruption in the government to encourage more foreign investments to generate jobs and avert the “brain drain” problem of the labor force.

Citing his observations from his recent trip from the Middle East when he visited from a labor center several OFWs who were apparently victims of abuse, Estrada said that the government must exert efforts to discourage Filipino workers from working as domestic helpers abroad.
“We have to improve the capability and efficiency of our labor attaches in embassies in countries where there are rampant cases of abuses on our domestic helpers,” Estrada said.
“Their common reason for not being able to help our OFWs is due to lack of funds. Our government should prioritize on giving help these abused domestic helpers instead of spending on high tech projects which do not benefit the common people,” the former president said.
On the other hand, Roxas, who is the Liberal party president, batted for a government policy that would require “pre-departure orientation” for OFWs leaving for work abroad that would make them knowledgeable in using computer internet and other wireless communication system.

By being familiar with information technology, the domestic helpers who were subjected to abuse by their employers can easily call or e-mail their embassies to seek help.
Panlilio, on the other hand, batted for the appointment of highly-qualified individuals to embassies situated in country’s where are there are many Filipino domestic helpers.
“We need people in embassies who have the will to protect the welfare of our domestic helpers. It is a matter of political will,” Panlilio said.

Both Escudero and Legarda called for the abolishment of recruitment fees for OFWs, particularly domestic helpers, to allow them to remit more of their earnings to their family.
The five presidential aspirants were given two minutes each to say their piece on prepared questions drawn from a transparent bowl by program host Anna De Villa Singson. A representative of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) took charge of the time limit for the five guest speakers.

Haaayyy.....eleksyon na naman...gamit na gamit na naman ang mga OFWs sa mga walang hanggang pangako na nananatiling pangako lamang. Ilang beses na ba nangyari ito? Paulit ulit lang....bagong bayani daw ang mga OFWs, dapat daw pangalagaan ang kapakanan ng mga OFWs pero pag nahalal na at nakaupo na sa pwesto....wala na! Di na nila naaalala ang mga kababayan nating nagsasakripisyo sa ibang bansa para lang makapagpadala ng pera na ikinabubuhay ng pamilyang naiwan sa bansa. Maririnig lang natin uli ang kanilang mga pangako kapag may hindi agandang nangyari sa isang OFW na may media coverage. Makikita mo sila...nag uunahan pa sa pagsasalita at pagkondena sa mga karahasang nararanasan ng mga pinoy sa ibang bansa pero meron ba silang ginagawa, liban sa pagsasalita. haaaayyyyy.....

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