Philippine Government's Reintegration Plan

source article: http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story.html

We all know that being an Overseas Filipino Worker isn’t easy. I am aware of it because my father is one of them and as I had observed, you'll definitely feel home sick when you’re away from your hometown and your loved ones. Even though how hard it feels like being away from your family, my father sacrificed to give us a better and prosperous life. I really salute all OFWs because they are the reason behind the economic growth of the Philippines.

For me, I think that the reintegration program that the Philippine Government was trying to implement was not that efficient. First, it’s not truly convincing because despite our growing economy, our unemployment rate is growing as well. OFWs won’t truly be encouraged with the program because it will just increase more the unemployment rate which will just lead to downfall of the Philippine economy. If the OFWs will return, many Filipinos will be jobless and then the poor people in the country will increase more. The reason why there are OFWs is because jobs are scarce in Philippines. If they choose to return home and there are jobs waiting for them? It’s unbelievable! I’m not saying that this program is not good but I think it just occurred at the wrong time. If the growing unemployment rate will be solved, that’s an indicator that OFWs would want to return and they would not be afraid to decide to just put up a business in the Philippines because of booming economy. The only problem in the reintegration program is that there’s no assurance if you’re going to be truly successful in achieving the plan.

    Moreover, there’s no guarantee that you’re going to be successful in putting up a business because what if your business will be bankrupt in the future? Moreover, what about the interest? How can you pay that huge amount of interest? It’s like taking a suicide if you’re going to put up a business because you know that it will just lead you to a devastating result. However, putting up a business is still applicable if you have saved a lot of money and financed it well. But, unlike other OFWs, they have a hard time in saving up money because maybe they are using the money for there loved ones who are experiencing difficulties like if there will be emergencies and other urgent situations.

     
          In addition, applying for this loan for business will took long series of seminars and workshops just to get the P10, 000. Before you can loan, you’ll have to pass lots of requirements. You’ll have to undergo this long process and OFWs might just lose their patience and also they might need the money right away for their needs. Is it really time for OFWs to go back here in the Philippines? The question is if they return now, can they keep the cash flowing in? Can this reintegration program help in keeping up with their lifestyle? Even if our economy is going better it does not mean it will last forever. But maybe if we just stay positive in outlook we can retain it. I just hope that this booming economy will help to create more jobs, so that OFW returnees will no longer think to go back abroad.

     I recommend OFWs who are housemaids or servants which are not treated well by their bosses should retire and return home. We don’t know maybe there are already abused or beaten up by their cruel bosses. I have this aunt, a housemaid in Middle East, who returned home because she was almost abused by her boss and luckily she was able to get out of hell. It was really a tragic experience for her but she did not give up. Now, she has a “baboyan business” which is a good way to start a new life. I suggest to OFWs that if they have already saved up enough money, it would be better if they’ll just put up a business like a store or a shop. They can also plant fruits and vegetables or maybe they can start raising an animal like chicken or pig. This is better because they can manage themselves and not controlled by cruel bosses but most importantly, they are with their loved ones as well.

       I asked my father about this issue if he wanted to return home. He said the program is tough to manage. The risk is high because what if you couldn’t handle or control well the business so it will likely result to insolvency of the business. Furthermore, he needs big sum of money for me to finished college and add the thought that I study at a high standard school which the tuition fee is so high. Also, add the burden that other relatives and neighbors put on him when asking for financial assistance.

           

     In my own opinion, OFWs who have a good job outside should not return home at this time. Unemployment rate even rose to a record breaking high and now they have this program that will definitely give trouble to the country. OFWs are our heroes because they are the reason behind the economic growth in the Philippines. If they’ll return, the country will definitely be in trouble again. I suggest that they will just continue working abroad and to keep up their good work. We, Filipinos, should do more effort and to keep working hard to raise more our economic growth rate and lessen the unemployment rate as well in order to wiped out the image of being a sick man in Asia.