By Anthony A. Araos
Singapore is one of the richest countries in Asia and the world. Like the Philippines, it is located in the Southeast Asian region. There are about 180,000 Filipinos who are working and living there, about 60 percent are considered professionals or skilled workers, while 40 percent are household service workers. Singapore is one of the biggest sources of OFW (overseas Filipino workers) remittances. The figure: about $1.75 billion each year.
There are more than 200,000 Filipinos working in Hong Kong, most of them as household helpers. A domestic helper receives about Php 32,000 a month. There are about 35,000 Filipinos working in Macau. Half of them are domestic helpers and the rest are either professional workers or casino and hotel employees.
There is also a substantial number of Filipinos who are employed in Taiwan. Most of them are factory workers and domestic helpers. A typical factory worker has a gross salary of about $700 (Taiwan dollar has an exchange rate of about Php 1.60).
Over 10 million Filipinos are working in almost every country and commercial ship. Lacking decent and high paying jobs and sustainable livelihoods in the country, Filipinos continue to look for greener pastures abroad at steep social costs. Marriage breakups result from long separations. Children have grown up with one or both parents away for many years.
A number of OFWs came home recently due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Around 69 of them returned to their loved ones in Ifugao. According to the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), an OFW got a one-time Php 10,000 cash assistance.
Many grew up hearing the government describe the OFWs as “modern-day heroes.” All told, OFW remittances practically have saved the beleaguered Philippine economy from total collapse for several decades. For short, they have kept the economy afloat for quite some time. OFWs have been carrying the Philippine economy on their shoulders. There is no reason why the government shouldn’t give them more than this meager amount. An OFW ought to receive instead Php 100,000! There is a vigorous call to give the OFW a better deal.
I see the urgency of consulting nongovernment organizations (NGOs) and people’s organizations (POs) to allow for timely review of existing policies of the government on OFWs. I suggest the inclusion of the private sector in setting up policies dealing with OFWs.
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Blooper in Ifugao: Here is a conversation between a millennial who professes strong love for country and a political science professor. Professor: Now, Pedro tell me honestly what is your reason for not voting in the May 2016 elections? Millennial (quickly replying): I don’t have to. My father voted twice. Professor: Why? Millennial: That’s a quick way to get Php 2,000.
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Nearly 95 percent of employees at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan and the provincial government in Ifugao have job-order status. Obviously, their “bosses” at the provincial capitol building are against ending or banning “endo” or end-of-contract practice. Same individuals loudly profess their loyalty to the Chief Executive and they are seen at “photo-ops” with the signature Duterte fist posture. They are active in their efforts to stop President Duterte from fulfilling his campaign promise of ending all forms of contractualization. Shame on them!
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Unlimited odd thoughts unloaded: The Philippines is now exporting avocados to China. This is on top of Filipinos who are teaching the English language in China. For its part, China brought in Yutong buses, other cheap vehicles and countless low-quality goods now flooding supermarkets. More importantly, China also gave lots of money through loans for big-ticket infrastructure projects like the Php 4.4-billion Chico River pump irrigation project at Sitio Karaw in Barangay Pinukpuk, Kalinga. It is being financed by China Eximbank. Actually, there is no need for the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) to invade the Philippines. The Chinese are already here. Not just in the disputed West Philippine Sea area. Chinese-dominated Philippine offshore gambling operations (POGO) have been operating here since 2016. Of course, China also brought in a dreaded virus from Wuhan. That sums up, in part, the so-called flourishing Sino-Philippine ties.
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A considerable acceleration of the implementation of infrastructure projects in Ifugao is highly called for. We really have to fast-track the implementation of these vital projects, especially in terms of the “validation” of these projects so we can attain completion targets.
For instance, three projects at Alfonso Lista town are still being validated. These are the Dolowog Water System (Php 200,000) at Barangay Dolowog, Construction of Evacuation Center (Php 200,000) at Tallo Purok of Barangay San Marcos and Concreting of Purok II (Php 200,000) of Barangay San Quintin. These are the projects of Punong Barangays Alona Cadelina, Estelito Agus and Greg Ramos, respectively.
I suppose Punong Barangays Renato Colayco of Calimag and Bill Wooden of Little Tadian, both in Alfonso Lista, are in the same predicament. I just saw them in Lagawe.
Construction work costs are likely to increase a lot during the COVID-19 crisis. This is a very serious concern that needs to be faced squarely and immediately. By the time the “validation” is done, the Php 200,000 budget zooms up to Php 300,000. Who is shouldering the added cost of Php 100,000? Will the contractor use substandard materials for the project to remedy the problem? I’m just asking. I’m hoping for answers to these queries. There is so much at stake.
I can tell there is a need for certain action to cut down red tape in the bureaucracy. If Ifugao hopes to achieve a sustained economic expansion, it needs a roadmap of infrastructure projects implemented not at a turtle’s pace. A review of the arrangements in the implementation of projects is therefore needed. In far-flung barangays as these ones, folks are feeling the effects of the difficult times. These projects are designed to enhance social services for the widest majority of the populace who are mostly poor. These projects offer relief from the burden of the past and the present.
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For our food delights corner: It is snack time and I’m inclined to recommend baked spaghetti with meat balls and corned beef tacos. Please be generous with the tomato sauce for the former and sliced cabbage and taco seasoning for the latter. One may consider having ube macapuno ice cream and chilled mango juice on the side for a great merienda treat at home with the family. A stock of mandarin oranges, navel oranges, Fuji apples or green apples at home is an excellent idea. Think about it: Enough of food junkies during snack time. Again, don’t forget to thank God for all these appetizing treats and all other blessings. God has the best plans for you.
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Today, Ifugao’s General Services Office (GSO) is one of the most admired and respected departments of the provincial government. It is a valuable arm because of its vision and purposefulness. The call for better delivery of services is expected to grow even further in the coming years. Having said that, it has the responsibility to reach out and provide quality services. Fortunately, it is under the stewardship of Janet Sambrano. I’m optimistic the GSO shall continue to deliver consistent and efficient services in 2020 and beyond. It’s never too late for others to emulate the actions of the GSO head.
Superb! were the preparations made by the men and women of the GSO during the Ifugao Day program. Every year, the GSO is there to spruce up the premises of the so-called Atrium area. Congratulations and keep up the excellent work!
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The greatest challenge in Ifugao is that people don’t understand what the ICHO (Ifugao Cultural Heritage Office) does. ICHO has been on the map for all good reasons. Hopefully, this month it would be able to conduct a School of Living Tradition-based weaving training activity in Banaue. I’m optimistic that young learners would enjoy re-connecting with ethnic weaving practices knowledge systems and be motivated by hands-on innovative methods. Trainers are expected to proudly share their knowledge.
There is a wealth of knowledge and skills that will be transmitted through the activity from one generation to the next. It is valuable insofar as the IP (indigenous peoples) community recognizes their expressions as part of their heritage and to consider the expressions as a defining part of their identity. This is precisely the reason why I forwarded recently a letter to Governor Jerry Dalipog outlining the need for him to quickly approve the project.
From July 20 to 24 and then from July 28 to 30, there will be learning of history through weaving. It will be an enjoyable and memorable experience for youthful learners who will be yearning for more. Speaking of who worked for this activity: it is no less than former Board Member and now project development officer IV, Nora Luglug.
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Finally, here are some thoughts for our dear readers: “To me every hour of the light and dark is a miracle, every cubic inch of space is a miracle.” Walt Whitman
“Don’t ever get a pair of shoes for your life that fit you perfectly; always provide some growing room. If the shoe fits, don’t wear it.” Seth Getz
“The sights you see will drive you mad.” Deuteronomy 28:34
“Don’t push the river, swim with it.” Author Toni Turner**
