Part III: How the OFWs changed the
Philippine socio-economic landscape
The advent of Overseas Filipino Workers (or OFWs) came about during the downward spiral of the Philippine economy of the ‘70s. A foreign journalist observed, “the Filipinos were robbed blind.”
OFWs economic impact:
When the Philippine economy reached the cliff of near bankruptcy, the OWFs was like a manna from heaven. When President Corazon (Cory) S. Aquino took over in 1986, after the famed EDSA People’s Power bloodless revolution, the Philippine coffers were not only empty. The country was heavily laden with an enormous foreign debt. The temptation to declare insolvency or bankruptcy was indeed very tempting. The reason for this was none of the acquired foreign debt acquired in the 21 years of the previous regime generated any revenue. It was siphoned out of the country to finance a royal lifestyle and used to maintain a fat military budget to protect the sitting power. Isn’t it so unfair for the hapless Filipinos to shoulder payment of these huge debts from all known financial avenues? The restructuring of foreign debt helped to minimize the total debt, but nonetheless, left a large portion of the budget allocated for debt repayments. Where to get revenue when the country has its own intrinsic expenditures? The various local agencies have to continue being maintained such as the department of health, education, social services, and so on. These local agencies’ need cannot wait for when the debts are paid!
The Philippines as we all know by now, is a much-coveted country. A country rich natural resources, both land and sea. Unbeknownst to all, the hidden third blessing of this small archipelago came to fore as its English-speaking citizens stepped up to the plate. In in their quest to find jobs overseas to feed their families, they saved the country from bankruptcy! Indeed, the saying, “A penny makes a pound” became a living reality. With their collective regular remittances to their families back home, foreign remittances in U.S. dollars accounted for 25-35 percent of the total Philippine revenue starting from the early-to-mid-80s. The love and sacrifice of the OFWs to uplift the well-being of their families was thus translated to a marked revenue upsurge and a positive impact for the Philippines economy.
The hard work of the OFWs unwittingly saved the Philippines from bankruptcy. How ironical is that they couldn’t find work back home and yet was able to save their homeland from financial disaster!
Paradoxically, the Philippines has been blessed with the then much-cursed foreign incursions and influence. It became modernized through colonization. While China, Japan, South Korea, etc., were still grappling with learning the English language, the Filipinos can comprehend and speak English without a problem! Thus, the OFWs were readily marketable in the global job market. All they needed was a passport, a working visa, and money to get on the plane! How great was that!
OFWs social impact:
Countless families benefitted much from the blood, sweat and tears of the hardworking and devoted OFWs. Their devotion to the families enabled them not only to live a fairly decent life, but also to finish higher education. Not only were the children of OFWs got a college degree but also their siblings. In developed economies, parents and siblings are considered ‘extended families,’ the primary obligation is for the immediate family – the spouse and the children. But for the Filipinos, marriage and having children of their own does not exonerate one from helping these ‘extended families.’ They are equally looked after without reservation. Such is the uniqueness of the Filipino families that even extends to neighbor and friends. It is not unusual to see that even friends, godparents, and neighbors are also included in the famous balikbayan boxes sent, especially during the holiday season. In the Philippines, Christmas season is taken so seriously, that decorations begin to appear as early as September. Christmas carols waft the air as the cooler season begins. It is the season especially dear to the OFWs because they usually try their best to be home with their much-loved and much-missed families. To light up their faces with their gifts holds a special meaning for them as it gives them the feeling that their sacrifices were all worth it.
Indeed, the OFWs contribution to society is palpable and far-reaching. It would not be surprising to find that they have extended their assistance to other relatives in need. Their sacrifices great and the generosity unparalleled.
The absence of the OFWs in their country, has lifted their country from sure bankruptcy. It made the lives of those they touched immensely better than it would been otherwise. They are only to be admired and commended. There should be no place for embarrassment and derision just because they chose jobs that were more menial than their education. Actually, it is their overqualification that made them more desirable to employers. Why would you not employ a nanny with a college education? Especially if the degree is in elementary education? Where would you find cheap labor for such elevated education? Along with the OFWs educated status, comes intrinsically endearing Filipino traits – that of being naturally warm, caring, and charmingly optimistic. Filipinos have a natural sense of humor that makes them resilient and adaptable. This the reason why the OFWs became very popular among economies seeking professional, skilled, and unskilled labor.
The western world unequivocally prefers hiring Filipino doctors, dentists, nurses, medical technicians, physical therapists because they have that magic touch that sets them above the rest. That is because they genuinely care. For every Filipino, work is not just a paycheck. Their employers, patients, colleagues, and neighbors become their new family. And that is where the difference lies. Especially at health care facilities for the elderly, Filipino workers are sought after.
It is so easy to find people to sneer at, ridicule, and look down on. Let it not be the OFWs because they truly earned their right to be respected in any society, especially back home in the Philippines. Not many of us can endure what they have had to put up with. Instead, we should be proud of them because they indeed stepped up to the plate to save the Philippines from insolvency. Without the OFWs, easily, the Philippines could have been another developing African country. The Philippines after all, had and probably still has, everything in the mix: unprecedented graft and corruption, abuse of power, human right violations, widespread tax evasion, and a broken judicial system.
*****
Next: Part IV: The OFWs’ Future and Ultimate Sacrifice