Ang Kabataan "Bagong Pag-asa"

Filipino community leaders oppose plan to scrap absentee voting
By Joe Avancena

FILIPINO community leaders from Jeddah, Riyadh, and the Eastern Province, representing various organizations, are opposed to the move of the Philippine Congress to scrap the overseas absentee voting (OAV) law that allows some 10 million overseas Filipinos the right to cast their votes during national elections.



The community leaders expressed their opposition to the congressional move to get repeal of the Republic Act 9189, the law creating the OAV, during the tripartite forum convened recently in Riyadh by the Partidong Pangdaigdigang Pilipino (PPP), an alliance of leading community leaders working for the political, economic and social empowerment, as well as the solidarity of overseas Filipino workers.

During the forum, Vice Consul Roussel Reyes explained that there are sectors in the Philippine Congress who are now considering scrapping the OAV law if the number of those registering is low and/ or the turnout of votes is less than one million.

Joey Badong, from the PPP - Central Region, said overseas Filipinos around the world, notably those in Saudi Arabia, have worked hard for 15 years fighting for the rights of migrant Filipinos to participate in their country’s national election. “We fought for the passage of this law and scrapping it is not acceptable to us,” he said.

Dr. Lito Astillero, the president of PPP-Riyadh chapter, pointed out that Congress may amend the OAV law. “But scrapping and abolishing the law will send a very wrong and alarming signal to the over 10 million overseas Filipinos; and if this happens we (OFWs) are to be blamed because of our apathy,” he said.

Corlito Obtinalla, from PPP-Jeddah chapter, said there should be unified strategies on how to encourage OFWs to register and to persuade the registered voters to exercise their right of suffrage in the coming 2010 election.

Rudy Nazaruddin Dianalan, also from PPP-Jeddah, said that, “the use of the Internet should be considered in order to increase the participation of registered absentee Filipino voters.”

Elias Bonite and Bel Hugo from the PPP-Eastern Province said the participation of OFWs in national elections is one of the avenues “in changing and preparing the Philippines to be a better place to live.” They urged community leaders and other members to seek every opportunity to serve their homeland. The community leaders from the three regions said that there should be a close and serious partnership between the government and overseas Filipinos in making the exercise of absentee voting workable and successful.

They came out with a number of proposals to be implemented in Saudi Arabia and other Middle East countries where most Filipino workers are deployed.“

Our government does its utmost by giving us, the OFWs, the right to exercise our suffrage; so we must reciprocate by registering and casting our votes. That is the best proof of good relations between the governor and the governed,” said Astillero, a leading community leader in Riyadh. – SG

PPP - Overseas Filipinos Worldwide Political Party

The conscience of the people, in this time of grave national problems, has called into being a new party - the Partidong Pandaigdigang Pilipino, born of the Filipinos' sense of nationalism, social and economic justice, quest for progress and demand for effective governance in the Motherland. We of the Partidong Pandaigdigang Pilipino dedicate ourselves to the fulfillment of the dreams and aspirations espoused by our heroes and forefathers to stand with the Filipino pride, and in today's reality - wherever we are.

We declare that the Filipinos are the masters of their Constitution, to achieve its objectives and goals and to guard it against those who, by corruption of its intent, would transform it into an instrument of greed and injustice. In conformity with the requirements of each generation, the Filipinos must use their sovereign powers to prevent these evils and consciously strive for the betterment of the lives of its people. This country belongs to the people who inhabit it and the millions who are in diaspora. Its resources, its business, its institutions and its laws should be utilized, maintained or altered in whatever manner that will best promote the general interest of the people. It is time to set the public welfare in the first place - Putting the Filipino First.

Unhampered by tradition, uncorrupted by power, undismayed by the magnitude of the task, PPP offers itself as the instrument of the people to sweep away old abuses, to build a new and nobler republic Ten million Filipinos in diaspora with more than 20 million dependents in the homeland - yet only two representatives in Congress is provided by law. This is a blatant trampling of representation - the essence of democracy.

“The People of the Philippines Full of Sacrifices in the Homeland and Overseas, to Build a Family and to Forge the Nation's Democratic Destiny”.



1.What is Partidong Pandaigdigang Pilipino (PPP)?

PPP is a political organization. Most of our members are Overseas Filipinos. Together with our families and friends back home, we united ourselves to lead the creation of a national political party that is founded on the principles and values that guided our forefathers in their quest for a truly independent and democratic Philippines.

Our Party believes that our Nation's wellbeing, progress and stability depend on the efficiency and integrity of our political institutions. We acknowledge that a political organization that endeavors to uplift the quality of our life must be worth the trust of our people; that an organization which professes that our Constitution reflects the Sovereign Will of our people must uphold it at all times; that an organization that aims to uplift our Nation must embody our country's heritage and traditions.

Upon those principles, the Partidong Pandaigdigang Pilipino, will endeavor to be the prime mover of ethical governance and corrupt-free government; and to be the Party of choice by all those who believe in the principles of liberty, equality, and the ideals of our forefathers and national heroes.

We pledge ourselves to serve the Filipino people with the highest degree of dignity, excellence, and equality, and abide strictly to the tenets of accountability, transparency, integrity, and credibility by seeking Divine Guidance in our manners and ethics.

We believe that Overseas Filipinos Worldwide when united under one political party can contribute a lot to introduce and make happen the much needed economic and political reforms in our government. We believe that the time has come that we Overseas Filipinos get involved in shaping the future of our country, and not just be contented being called “Modern Day Heroes” in exchange of the dollar remittances we send home has help keep our economy afloat.



PPP offers itself as the instrument of the people to build a new and nobler Philippine republic. Overseas Filipinos today are estimated eight to ten million in diaspora with more than 20 million dependents in the homeland.

2. What is the platform of your political group?

The task of government, whether local or national, is first and foremost to create the conditions in which communities and their citizens are enabled to achieve their own successes and to live their lives in the way in which they choose. We can only achieve such empowerment and opportunities of communities thru the proposed establishment of the Federal Regional Government, a platform of government that PPP will introduce and advocate. We believed that it is only thru the federalization of various regions in our country that long-lasting peace and prosperity will prevail among our people of many customs, traditions and beliefs.

In particular, the national government should guarantee the rights of citizenship to every individual, and encourage them to recognize their responsibilities in their own federal regions, in three fields: Economic, Social and Political.

3. what are the purposes and goals of your political group?

Overseas Filipinos/Land Based/ Seafarers, will not stand by idly to witness the further deterioration of the social conditions of the majority in our society. It is our duty to present to our people a genuine democratic government and a non-traditional political leadership that they deserve. This is our foremost commitment to our people - the OFWs that we bring forth a government committed to freedom and democracy and to the improvement of the quality of life of all Filipinos, especially the unsung heroes of today, the poor and disadvantaged.



The PPP humbly offers the Filipino people and overseas Filipinos worldwide an alternative to traditional politics and to misguided populism. We make a commitment to always maintaining allegiance to the principles of individual freedom and human rights, pluralism and participatory democracy, equality of opportunity and social justice for worker, rule of law and good governance, international OFW solidarity and nationalism in all our aspirations and political actions.

We present to the Filipino electorate a vision of a modern Philippine Society which draws inspiration from the ideals of our revolutionary forefathers who fought for democracy and self-determination based upon liberal values, yet prepared to face the many challenges facing our country as we cross the threshold of the new millennium. We ask the overseas Filipinos and Filipino workers throughout the world and our people and dependents back home to join us in the steadfast struggle for reforms based on these principles.

The freedom of every individual is at the core of our beliefs. OFs and OFWs aims to build a society in which individual men and women are entitled to pursue their objectives, ambitions, become ambassadors of the hosts countries, develop their talents and fulfill their potentials free from arbitrary interference, and are able to exercise real power over the institutions that govern their lives. The necessary condition for the creation of an environment in which individuals can genuinely prosper and to maximize their potential is by enabling them to take and use political power.

We believe that the power of the individual is best expressed and secured within each community. Communities help people not just to realize their rights, but to recognize their responsibilities to others and to broaden the common good. This is the necessary social framework without which individuals cannot truly flourish. The empowerment of individuals therefore also requires empowering the communities to which they belong.

We as OFs and OFWs, are committed to these communities of migrant workers develop their skills and aspirations in life, improve their well being and be respected elsewhere around the world.



The redistribution of power therefore involves an enlargement of OFWs opportunity, within a political and economic system that enables everyone to attain a high quality of life. This does not only mean increased material well being – as opportunities for a better life will be achieved through quality education, improved social services and a healthy environment. Empowerment and opportunity are the PPP goals which should be applicable to all members of society, not just the privileged few. Providing real opportunities for the `underclass', for example, is a major step in the crusade against poverty and deprivation which continues to be one of the key challenges facing the Philippines.

4. What is the importance of your group with regards to the ff. issues:

a. Voting

Electoral reform is one of the key factors to fight and eradicate corruption. PPP believes that a nation blinded by the clout of a corrupt-system will have no where to go but within the cycle of corrupting its own government no matter who the leader will be. Every opportunity leading to corruption must be rectified such as bureaucracy, juicy development funds, non-transparency in disbursement of funds, partial and delayed justice system, media mileage, electoral support for candidates and the traditional gratitude to supporters.

We know that our country is no stranger to political turmoil; corruption in politics is so widespread that often the person elected to office is not the most qualified. The root of all-evil in dirty politics is – Vote Buying which is rampant during elections. PPP will educate voters “how sacred our votes are”.

Not surprisingly, the country is governed by the same individuals, whose primary role is to buy votes. It is almost impossible for a qualified person/leader to enter politics under this particular scenario. But PPP believed that the spirit of change can only be achieved if the people participate in an honest to goodness election.

We should educate ourselves/others and must take serious actions against the ineffective democracy and vote-buying that is taking place in our politics. PPP aim to control vote-buying.

b. representative to the government

This party will open up more slots and positions to willing, capable and qualified PPP members who want to serve the sector. It will create a tremendous clout in any administration which could result in better consultation and cooperation to lead to the improvement of the sector and to good governance.

5. What would be the effects in establishing this group

- In the social field, government have a key role to play in ensuring a high quality of life for every citizen in their own regions according to their customs, traditions and beliefs. This involves ensuring that outcomes of the market that contradict the social goals we have set are countered or supplemented. We identify two purposes to social welfare: to give dignity, and to offer opportunity, to those who would otherwise lack them. Everyone, therefore, should be entitled to a basic `entry ticket' to society, not just a bare minimum of goods and services. Not everyone is equally able to complete in the market place, and many will need assistance with income support or in overcoming barriers to development not to their own making.

- The National Government must ensure those public goods which the market will not by itself provide comprehensively or sufficiently, such as transport, infrastructure, defense, education and training, health care and environmental protection must be delivered and equally distributed to the respective federal regions. In guaranteeing entitlements to these public services, the National Government must always aim to maximize choice and opportunity for federal regions, rather than treat them as the passive recipients of services with no views and no potential of their own.

- In economics, PPP believes that economic growth and development will be anchored on a policy of genuine agrarian reform and true industrialization of the regions in the entire country. Our goal will be to ensure that the Philippine economy produced from all over the country will be competitive in the world market able to weather the storms attendant to the processes of globalization.

- The National Government should impartially allocate and encourage foreign and domestic investments among the regions that should translate to the local employment, food on every family's table, decent housing and medical care, and quality education for all. The delivery of basic social services will always take precedence as the welfare of the entire nation shall never be sacrifices to gods of the global market.

Caregiver, millionaire

RAMONA ALVIR as told to CANDICE Y. CEREZO
OFW Journalism Consortium

I WILL never forget Edward Fabish; he made me rich.







I never thought things would turn out this way. Eight years ago, I was working as a stenographer at the Manila Prosecutors’ Office in City Hall.

When I left my job, my bosses –all prosecutors, my colleagues, and fellow stenographers never thought I would take the job of a caregiver. They said I was not the type.

An officemate warned me not to take the job of caring for the elderly because I might become intellectually obtuse.

They learned three years after I set foot in the United States of America that I became a millionaire.

I didn’t know I was the talk of the town until I got back in the country and someone told me people from my workplace were talking about my luck. News, indeed, travel fast.

But what happened to me, I guess, changed their prejudices on menial jobs, like caregiving.

I also never planned on being a caregiver.

***
I ARRIVED in San Francisco December 13, 2000, after my husband, a Filipino born and raised in the US, petitioned me.

I met him in the Philippines, though his family is based in the US.

Three days after I arrived, I started working in my husband’s office. The job was very temporary and I could not get work in law firms since I don’t have a local experience as stenographer or court employee.

Then I heard from our landlady’s friend that someone needed a caregiver. At once, I applied for the job.

I started working “under the table,” or without credentials, earning $90 a day for staying five straight days in an elderly’s house.

On weekends, I took another caregiving job. I was rarely home during those days.
After three months, I was employed by a Filipino-owned agency where I got a higher rate of $145 a day taking care of another elderly woman. It was fortunate because I was looking for a much better salary.

The agency derives income from 5 percent of each caregiver’s monthly income. The good thing is that the commission they get from caregivers is very low. Caregivers also directly receive pay from clients before turning in the agency’s share.

On hindsight, my situation was better than other caregivers whose income is coursed through an agency. In other agencies, the cost of caring for an elderly is double its worth while in commission-based agencies the cost is lighter on the pockets.
But my service for the elderly woman was brief. It was fortunate, too, because “sakit sa ulo yung alaga kong yun” [She gave me headaches].

The agency then assigned me the third elderly I cared for, with the rate of $120 a day during weekends. That elderly was Edward Fabish, my first male patient.
***

EDWARD was of German-Irish descent and a Catholic like me. He was 88 and lived in West Portal, Bay Area of San Francisco. He used to be a railroad worker, doing heavy, manual labor until he had a hip fracture.

I took care of him for four-and-a-half days a week with the rate of $170 a day.
I cleaned his house, gave him medicine, cooked for him, and even washed his clothes. Though some of these chores were not required by the job, I did them nonetheless since I used to do them in the Philippines.

My first week with Edward was difficult. He couldn’t accept his condition and would shoo me away.

“I will jump from the window if you don’t let me go down by myself!” he yelled at me when I blocked his way at the top of the stairs going down to his garage.

“Go ahead, jump!” I yelled back. Though I never really meant what I said; I never moved from my spot. As a caregiver he hired, I was responsible for him. I would have to answer for whatever happened to him.

Edward was at the stage of denial because he used to be strong and able, judging from the framed photographs on the shelves and on the walls. Most of the pictures showed him in tip-top shape built through hard work.
***

EDWARD was unmarried and childless and with no other relatives except his younger sister who was also with a caregiver. Their brother, the youngest, had died before them.

Aside from his hip fracture, he had a catheter, a tube attached to his side where his urine passed through. He had it when I started taking care of him until the day he died. Whenever I would clean him, I would also clean the catheter and the catheter bag.

Taking care of him also meant encouraging him to do the things he used to do, like gardening and driving. I admit, though, I got nervous with him driving; we almost had two accidents. But he wanted to drive despite his physical limitations.

Edward was not that difficult to take care of, mind you, but I always had to be there with him. He would have fallen several times had I failed to hold him up. Despite my being just above 4 feet, with Edward’s just a few inches taller, I was still able to help him walk or stand. If I had to go on an errand, I brought him with me – I walked beside him as he rode a scooter.
***

WHEN Edward’s sister, a spinster, died, he had my husband Gary and I live with him since he had no one. I volunteered to pay rent for our room because I didn’t want him to think I was abusing his kindness or that I was guilty of elderly abuse.

I also wanted to avoid the moment he becomes “goopy.”

You see, the elderly tend to become “goopy,” or start to lose themselves, suddenly changing attitudes.

Sometimes they would say their illness has returned, causing them pain. Sometimes it would come to a point where they would accuse you of robbing or taking advantage of them.

From my experience, that’s how the elderly are. You really have to be patient with them.

But, yes, there are many cases of elderly abuse in America. If you’re found guilty, you’re dead. If the elderly does not feel like eating, you cannot force him to eat. If you leave or neglect him, dupe money out of him, verbally abuse him, you could be charged with elderly abuse.

That is because the elderly may not be able to report abuses done to them unless somebody, sometimes a fellow Filipino, reports it.

So I paid Edward $300 in monthly rent, aside from sharing in paying the water, electricity, and telephone bills. That time, my job with the agency became seven days a week. I rarely rested.

Since I could not just leave him alone in his house, I brought him to family gatherings, usually hosted by my in-laws.

One day, the agency sent a reliever to take care of him on weekends.

“I fired her,” Edward said when I came home not finding my reliever around.
He said he felt my reliever was not sincere and was after his money. That was how I ended up working 24/7 for Edward.

At night, whenever I slept in his room, I would be so exhausted I’d fail to notice I was already slumped on the floor. I would be so tired that the moment my back touched the floor, I would be in a long-deep sleep. I relied on an alarm clock to wake me up.

One time, he heard me coughing.

“If only I could sleep on the floor, I would have traded places with you,” Edward said from his bed.

I told him not to worry since we Filipinos are used to sleeping on the floor.
When he was about to die, he always wanted me beside him.

He got used to having me sleep on the floor at the foot of his bed he wanted me beside him up to his death.

He got angry one time when he didn’t find me in his room to answer his demands.
***

BUT Edward was thrifty, so much so he didn’t buy anything for himself. With his extreme frugality, I never thought of him having money to spare.

When I started taking care of him, he had three pieces of underwear that had holes in them.

He didn’t even want to buy a recliner chair he needed to lift his swollen foot because he didn’t want to pay the $25 delivery charge! I paid for it instead just so he could get that chair.

So aside from buying him food, I shopped clothes for him: long sleeves, pants, shoes, and underwear.

When he got really sick, I brought him to the hospital. He was about to die and was already with an oxygen apparatus and yet he wanted to go home because an aspirin would cost him $2. He even removed his oxygen mask and insisted on going to the bank to pay his taxes.

I didn’t know if he turned purple at the bank because he had to pay taxes.
It surprised me, hence, when he gave me $5,000 during the first Christmas we spent together.

“This is for the kids,” Edward said. He explained he held on to it because he was afraid I would spend the money gambling.

We had been frequenting casinos that time.

It’s a common gesture for the elderly to give their caregivers money. They would say they are satisfied with how they’re taken care of and that they feel the sincerity of the caregiver.

Filipino caregivers exude this characteristic because most of us really know how to take care of our own elderly.

Of course, there are some who hope to find luck while taking care of a well-off elderly and be rewarded for what they have done. That is not only true of Filipinos but of other nationalities as well.

It did not occur to me, however, that he would reward me with anything because he was too frugal.

But one day, Edward asked me if I wanted to receive a monthly allowance from him or include me in his will.

I told him to just put me in his will. I was not one to decline his offer. Alangan namang tanggihan ko di ba? [I would be a hypocrite if I said no.]

He did not know he had left as much as $2.5 million when he died.

He gave me 25 percent of the inheritance while he gave the rest to charity.
***

OF COURSE, a lot of caregivers hope they will be rewarded for their service. Almost everyone wants that to happen.

But not all elderly give allowances to their caregivers; it’s for them or their family to decide.

If you are a caregiver, you have to be sincere and patient since the elderly already have memory lapses. They get easily irritated and are lonely most of the time.

Sometimes, to make Edward happy, I cooked chicken adobo. He called it “bobo.” It became his favorite dish.

Other Filipino dishes he learned to love and which I cooked for him were pancit bihon, lumpiang shanghai, and sinigang.

Edward’s staple food was a small serving of rice or oatmeal in the morning and steamed chicken and beans during full meals.

One time after a full meal of beans, he wanted to cut a branch of a tree on his front yard.

I was behind, holding onto his belt to keep him steady him while he climbed a ladder. And then he released gas.

I almost dropped him.

I still fed Edward beans but his tree-branch cutting days were over.
Still, caregiving is easier than office work where you have to be early everyday, dress up, rush things, and spend for your transportation.

In my experience, caregivers need only to go to their workplace and leave after a week. It’s a practical and financially-rewarding job.

Of course, there are sacrifices. You can only be with your family during weekends. The most you can do is call them. I go to work on Monday mornings and I go home on Saturday mornings.
***

EDWARD might have known he would die soon as his physical condition worsened.
His lungs had been retaining water. He had congested heart failure. He had cancer on the skin and face.

He must have felt his time was nearing when we were cleaning his sister’s grave.
Soon after, we arranged everything for his burial. The costs for the burial were also included in his will.

We could not go to church on Sundays anymore. In his last days, the priest would come by the house everyday to give him communion.

I saw him through his deathbed.

Edward died at the age of 89 at his home, where he wanted to be.

Coincidentally, my husband Gary was rushed to the hospital for appendicitis at the time Edward breathed his last.

I could not be there for my husband because no one else was there to take care of Edward’s funeral.

Gary, with the care of my in-laws, recuperated without me by his side. He got out of the hospital just when Edward was about to be buried.

Edward’s lawyer told me I received 25 percent of what he left behind.
I didn’t know then how much he had or if he was rich because he held on to money with closed fist.
***

WHEN I got the money Edward left me in 2003, I was surprised; it was worth P30 million.

The money was that much that by October of that year, I was able to buy five houses in Sacramento, California, and put them up on the market for lease.

When Edward was still alive, he wanted to give me his house.

“Do you like this house?” he once asked.

“It’s up to you,” I replied.

But his lawyer said the will was already done.

“Besides, whatever you provided her would be enough for her to buy her own house,” his lawyer added.

I didn’t insist because I felt it was wrong for me to aspire for more. What Edward gave me was really more than enough.

His house, worth $0.575 million, was liquidated and the rest of his money went to his church and other charity groups.

I consider myself really, really lucky that after all the hardships, Edward came into my life so suddenly.

Although things did not come easy working for him, he gave me a good life.

I can help my family now. I can send my nieces and nephews to private schools. I can give my daughters a good life when I, myself, grew up in hard times.

I never thought of owning houses in the US because I never even had a house of my own in the Philippines.

My mother used to wash clothes for a living and my father was an employee, so I have never experienced studying in a private school either.

I have my two duplexes rented and earning well; the same with the two other houses. We are living in my third house.

Real estate prices, however, have gone down because of the recession and as the US dollar weakened. Some tenants have been causing me problems since they can’t pay on time unless I give them penalty for the delay.

But I’m a kind landlady; my penalty’s just 5 percent of the monthly rent.
***
MY time will come – I am 40 and my husband is 49 – so I still need to work hard for my family.

Yes, we are workaholics.

My husband and I flew here in the Philippines together but he’s already back to work now after a week stay.

By now our three daughters –Hazel, 19, my daughter from a previous relationship, and Princess, 13, and Reyna, 12, Gary’s daughters from his previous relationship– are used to not having us around the house. I’m usually out for 12 straight days.

I also have a child patient who is dying of cancer of the lymph node. He is 14 years old. I have been helping in his medication since 2006.

When my mother is not with my children, we pay a day care center near where we live $50 a day for the kids.

I may build a foundation in Edward’s name for the education of street children in the Philippines. Maybe I can do that when my children, nieces, and nephews are done with their schooling.

I still work because I help my siblings send their sons and daughters to school. All in all, I help send 14 students to private schools.

The eldest of my scholars has entered college while the rest are in grade school and high school.

Supporting them financially for their education is the only help I can give them. I advise all of them to take up nursing because that’s where the money is.

I would have wanted to study again and enroll in nursing but I am already doing so many things. So what I did was enroll in a Certified Nursing Assistant course, which is a step higher than caregiving.

If you are a CNA, you can work in a field nursing facility such as a nursing home and take care of six to eight patients. The salary is higher but the job is much harder. Itong liit kong ito lalo akong liliit. (I bet I’d get even smaller if I do the work of a CNA.)

If you are a caregiver, you only take care of one elderly. It’s a lighter load than a CNA’s but still earns big.

Job and money are always there for caregivers because the US will never run out of old people that need care.

Today I’m living a good life, but I’m still a caregiver.


(Taken from OFW JOurnalism Consortium
Volume 7, Numbers 5-10
SPECIAL EDITION NEWSPACKET
October 21, 2008)

The Philippine Consortium on Migration and Development (Philcomdev) is a network of 36 non-government organizations, people’s organizations, microfinance institutions, cooperatives, community based organizations, networks, and individuals who are involved in and converge their initiatives around the issue of migration, human rights and development – particularly the empowerment of migrants, overseas Filipinos, their families and communities as social development actors, addressing the social costs of migration, optimizing the benefits of migration, and contributing to people-oriented Philippine development.

This year, the Philippines will be hosting the Second Global Forum on Migration and Development (GFMD) from October 27-30, 2008. Philcomdev will join hands with migrant organizations and social movements from all over the world to engage governments to develop a “migration and development paradigm” that affirms the human dignity of migrant workers, firmly places their inalienable rights at the center of development and addresses their myriad insecurities. Towards this, Philcomdev will be participating in the 2nd GFMD Official and CSO Parallel Events.

Philcomdev, together with its member and partner organizations will also be mounting several events that aim to deepen the discourse on migration and development as well as build information on and establish models of migration and development initiatives.

EVENTS

October 24-25, 2008
Parallel Conferences
Venue: AIM Conference Center
Co-sponsor: AIM Center for Policy Studies
October 24-25, 2008
Parallel Conferences
Venue: AIM Conference Center
Co-sponsor: AIM Policy Center

October 24
• Migration and Health: PhIlippine Dialogue (Main organizer: IDEALS)
• Solidarity Night and Welcome Dinner

October 25
• On International Migration and Health (Main organizers: International Centre on Migration and Health, The Hague Process on Refugees and Migration)

October 24-25
• On Migration, Remittances and Development (Main organizer: INAFI )

October 25, 2008
6:00 pm- 10:00 pm

Dinner
Venue: Sofitel
Co-sponsors: AIM Policy Center, Global Filipino Nation, National Reintegration Center for OFWs of the Department of Labor and Employment (NRC-DOLE), Habagat Foundation Netherlands

•Launching of the Galing ng Pinoy, Galing sa Pinoy Search for Best Practices on Migration and Development

•Recognition of Existing Migration and Development Initiatives of OF/OFW organizations, NGOs and LGUs

•Memorandum of Agreement Signing with 10 Provincial Governor and City Mayors Piloting Program on Leveraging Resources for Development

October 27-30, 2008
Venue: PICC
Co-sponsors: Department of Foreign Affairs, National Reintegration Center for OFWs of the Department of Labor and Employment (NRC)-DOLE)

•Exhibit of Best Practices on Migration and Development Initiatives of Government, NGOs, Overseas Filipino Organizations
•Exhibit of Products and Services of OFW Owned Enterprises

October 20, 2008 – November 7
Alternative development tours:

Laguna - San Pablo City OFW Center, community based coconut enterprises and Coco Trade Shop in San Pablo City Seven Lakes being funded by diaspora philanthropy and visit of other nearby sites – Pagsanjan, Villa Escudero

Batangas- visit of Batang Atikha (children of overseas Filipinos) project on savings and entrepreneurship, Italian Village in Mabini Batangas, Soro-soro Ibaba Development Cooperative (SIDC) , largest agri-based cooperative in the Philippines and investment open for OFWs in biogas and agri-based enterprises and visit sites – Tagaytay, Nasugbu etc

Nueva Ecija- visit of organic rice production being funded by OFWs, radio station being beamed to OFWs through internet and mobilizing resources of OFWs and visit sites- Baguio City, Vigan

Ifugao – visit of project Save the Ifugao Rice Terraces Movement (participate in planting or harvesting rice, Lagawe Rural Bank program for OFWs and Ifugao Rice Terraces.

Philcomdev believes that it is incumbent upon us to harness the development potentials of international migration, including "brain gain”, and use these potentials to minimize the social and economic costs of migration, contribute to the long-term economic development of the Philippines, and help create the conditions so that overseas work becomes an option rather than a necessity. All these efforts should be premised on the values of social justice, respect for human rights, and gender equality.

The Galing ng Pinoy, Galing sa Pinoy Search for Best Practices will recognize best practices of OF/OFW organizations on migration and development. The Search aims to generate information on migration and development initiatives undertaken by various Filipino organizations based abroad, help replicate and upscale best practices by linking them with other stakeholders – LGUs, local NGOs, etc., and redirect OF/OFW initiatives towards promoting migrants rights and welfare, helping in local economy development, and assisting in the productive and sustainable reintegration of OFs/OFWs. A Board of Judges composed of prestigious migrants’ rights and development advocates is now finalizing the manual for the Search.

Who can join? The Search is open to OFW organizations, home town associations (HTAs) based abroad who have programs and projects on:
• Promoting migrants rights and welfare
• Assisting Filipinos for reintegration preparedness (pre-departure, on-site, return)
• OFW/Diaspora philanthropy towards sustainable development (with impact on local economy development).

Contact Person:
Maya Bans-Cortina
sect_philcomdev@yahoo.com
4147826 or 3724992 loc 55
0639182774423

MOA Signing with 10 Provincial Governor and City Mayors Piloting Program on Leveraging Resources for Development.

In February 2008, Philcomdev embarked on its “Closer to Home Campaign”- to bring overseas Filipinos closer to their home by linking their development initiatives with development actors at the local level. The MOA signing will highlight the partnerships being forged between LGUs, local NGOs and social enterprises, and OF organizations towards promoting migrants’ rights and welfare, reintegration preparedness and harnessing the benefits of migration for local economy development.

Recognition of Existing Migration and Development Initiatives of OF/OFW organizations, NGOs and LGUs

PHILCOMDEV seeks to recognize existing best practices on migration and development. These may be in the field of promoting migrants’ rights and welfare, reintegration preparedness and local economic development. Sample experiences in leveraging diasphora philanthropy for local development and for social enterprise development include the following:

•Damayan, Stichting Habagat and Association of Bansalenos Worldwide have experience in leveraging diaspora philanthropy. They are able to raise funds from overseas Filipinos not only in the Netherlands but also in other countries as well. They are able to leverage the funds raised by overseas Filipinos with development agencies in the Netherlands. They are able to mobilize the local government to match their scholarship program. In November, Gov. Oscar Moreno of Misamis Oriental signed a peso to peso accord with Damayan and Stichting Habagat to match every peso donated by the group for development projects in the province.

•Initiatives of NGOs show that possibility of leveraging diaspora resources for social enterprise development. Atikha was able to mobilize diaspora philanthropy for product development and market development of community based coconut enterprises. The Department of Industry and the local government provided funds and other resources to match the funds donated by the overseas Filipinos to set up Coco Natur, a social enterprise of overseas Filipinos and coconut farmers.

Galing ng Pinoy…Galing sa Pinoy
Exhibit of Best Practices on Migration and Development

The exhibit will serve as a venue for information, technology, and trade exchanges. It will showcase migration and development initiatives, programs and services of government and NGOs as well as feature OFW funded enterprises and other social enterprises towards exploring joint ventures, investments opportunities, and market linkages.

Who can join? The exhibit is open to:
1.Selected organizations with best practices on migration and development initiatives;

2.OFW funded enterprises whose products have export potentials or whose products could be easily developed/improved to comply with international standards;

3.Cooperatives and other social enterprises; and

4.Government and NGO projects related to the theme.

Contact Person: Girlie Sarmiento

Philippine Dialogue on Migration and Health
24 October 2005, AIM Conference Center

A venue for discussing migration and health issues as well as looking for solutions, it will tackle
(1)the state of health of our migrant workers, especially women, and
(2)the exodus of Filipino health professionals and its impact on the Philippines healthcare system.

Contact Person:
Maya Bans-Cortina
sect_philcomdev@yahoo.com
4147826 or 3724992 loc 55
0639182774423

UFWCD-Hawak Kamay

OFW in Distress "A visit to Philippine Consulate-Jeddah"
06 June 2007/Wed/22:00hrs

With KFSHRC-Jeddah colleagues: Philip Alinas, Eden Castillejo, Norma Pineda and myself, we met at the gate of PHILCONJEDD other Pinoy samaritans: Boyet, a frequent cheerful feeder/food provider with no affiliation, and a person-representative from the Jeddah OFWCC, the association who sponsors periodic PC & IT knowledge seminars around Jeddah, known to the Phil Consulate staff.

As we met all at the gate, Boyet and group loaded with usual food to feed the OFWs inside for this particular time, we gained access at the gate without all of us KFSHRC-Jeddah staff being checked for identification purposes, thanks for Boyet and his group.

As I only write what we see/saw, together with my KFSHRC-Jeddah colleagues, upon entering the big gates opened (with a Saudi Police stationed outside the gate), the quadrangle of the Consulate, estimated at 1000 sq.mtr. wide, LAY OUR KABAYANS, all male, with "improvised beds" to spend the whole night under an open air of the Consulate's quadrangle improvised beds: cartons, cloth, papers at any site of the sprawling estimated 1,000 sq.mtr. wide cemented ground, all looking sad, without any smile, ignorantly looking at us, who by their looks, we were all made SPEECHLESS, the first time I have been to the Consulate very late at night with these bodies sprawling at any position they could find convenience at any points on the ground seeing all our kabayans, OFWs at this "nakakaluhang" sight all of them males, numbering at estimated more or less 100 pinagkakakasya ang kani-kanilang mga katawan upang maiprotekta ang sarili sa hamog, sa lamok, at sa ibang kinakaya na lang nilang magiging masamang epekto ng kung anong sakit ang dadapo sa kanilang lahat sa pagtulog sa malamig na semento ng quarangle ng Phil Consulate Jeddah.

Lahat nakatingin sa amin habang tinutulungan po namin ang Grupo ni ka Boyet na malimitang nagmamagandang loob lagi upang sila'y dalhan sa loob ng pagkain (yesterday night, Boyet and Group brought along with them a big kaldero with macaroni soup, matched by bread, and with my KFSHRC-Jeddah 2 ladies' supplementary bread din po).

We have not met any Consular staff but was accommodated by Ms. Elizabeth Azupre (Teamleader E, of the stranded OFWs (they are at my surprise, organized too), and also Mr. Wilson, etal.

As Boyet's group is already known to these stranded OFW kabayans, we (Philip, Eden & Norma) introduced ourselves and our purpose of our pre-visit survey.

On my part as 1st Vice-President Global, United Filipinos Worldwide for Community Devt, Inc. thru Yahoogroup, and as a Jeddah Coordinator, with Eden, Philip & Norma as my colleagues at KFSHRC- Jeddah.

For the Hawak-Kamay Gabay Baile Association, my colleague, Ms. Remedios Ramos as its Adviser and of their President Mr. Mel Bargamento, I briefed Beth (Elizabeth Azupre & Wilson, etal) that this Samaritan Jeddah "ballroom dancing group" have also EXPRESSED THEIR USUAL FILIPINO GESTURE of in their own little way, side by side with us KFSHRC-Jeddah hospital Pinoy staff, their help and assistance in any manner they too could provide and extend.
For King Faisal Specialist Hospital-Jeddah, Eden Castillejo, though a UFWCD-ian, has expressed her voluntary offer of her services to GATHER and CONVINCE volunteering and willing KFSHRC-Jeddah Hospital Filipino ladies staff on this matter. (with Norma Pineda to help too).
For Philip David Alinas (Pharmacy Dept-KFSHRC-Jeddah), he will tap his christian church to do the same, at their church services tomorrow, Friday, 08June2k7.

FOR EVERYBODY's FIRST HAND INFORMATION, PLEASE FIND ELIZABETH AZUPRE's, together with Wilson's, SATISFYING RESPONSES TO OUR INITIAL INQUIRIES AS AND WHEN DIRECTLY ASKED:

(A) HOW MANY ESTIMATED OFWs STRANDED/DISTRESSED NOW AT THE CONSULATE?

Total OFWs Stranded as of yesterday, 06June2k7: Attached is a list of accounted stranded OFWs, numbering 62. 51 males, 11 females.

There were another new wave numbering 30, all males yesterday, 06June2k7. Bringing it to 92. These 30 are not in the list, yet to be accounted properly and provided to us.According to Beth, estimated OFWs stranded, together with others who, by chance, were able to go out of the Consulate perimeter and to earn a living on which way they could, and others who visit some friends outside the Consulate, the estimated no. is more than a 100.In my opinion, together with us 4, the estimate, is 150 to say the least, in order that we WILL NEVER BE SHORT in our guess when bringing in the provided goods and help that WE ALL COULD (KFSHRC-JEDDAH, UFWCD GLOBAL, HAWAK-KAMAY GABAY BAILE ASSN.)

(B) HOW LONG WERE THESE OFWs STRANDED?

According to Beth, the longest were 2 months maximum and 2 weeks minimum, plus the new wave 30 plus yesterday.

Elizabeth has been inside the Consulate for more thank 2 weeks time, waiting for puposes of processing her flight back home, still unclear as the days go by.

(C) WHAT IS THE MAIN REASON FOR ALL OF THESE OFWs' BEING STUCK-UP AND/OR STRANDED?

With uniformity in response, both Beth & Wilson, and the other OFWs, all of them smilingly responded THAT THERE IS NO PROBLEM WITH THE ONE-WAY TICKET TO BE PROVIDED IN SENDING THEM HOME.

THE QUESTION IS, ACCORDING TO THEM, IT IS THE "EXIT" VISA THAT IS TAKING THE CONSULATE LONG IN SOLVING OUT THIS MATTER, (WITH A GUESSING RESPONSE...) MAYBE, OUR PHIL CONSULAR IS HAVING A DIFFICULTY WITH ITS SAUDI COUNTERPART THAT IS MAKING THESE OFWs TO SWELL MORE RE: THESE NUMBERS WHO ARE STRANDED.

Getting it directly from these people, this response I assume is of SOLE RESPONSIBILITY OF OUR CONSULATE TO THRESH OUT, given that we may know of something else or someone that we could approach of in Jeddah to facilitate these stranded OFWs fast repatriation, I together with Philip, Eden & Norma responded, that clearly IT IS NOT OUR INTENTION OR ANY OF THAT PURPOSE TO INTERFERE WITH THE AFFAIRS OF THE CONSULATE WHICHto our opinion is a matter, GOVT TO GOVT to sort and solve themselves.

ON THIS MATTER, I, AS A RESPONSIBLE UFWCD GLOBAL OFFICER, HAVING IN MIND THE OBJECTIVES OF THIS GLOBAL YAHOOGROUP TOGETHER WITH MY CO-GLOBAL OFFICERS' AND ADVISERS', INCLUDING THE SENIOR MEMBERS OF UFWCD SCATTERED ALL AROUND THE GLOBE, GOAL-WISE, THEIR ONLY WISH/ES TO GO FOR A MOVE THAT IS FOR THE NEEDY AND THOSE THAT NEED HELP AT ANY GIVEN TIME ANDLOCATION SHALL ADOPT IN JEDDAH, A MOVE TO GO, WORK SIDE BY SIDE WITH OUR PHIL GOVT OFFICIALS AND ITS DESIGNATED PHIL CONSULATE JEDDAH STAFF TO WORK ONCE AND FOR ALL, FOR THAT HELP AND ASSISTANCE THESE STRANDED OFWs NEEDED.

BLANKETLY PLACING FIRST AND FOREMOST IN MIND, A HUMANE GESTURE WHERE OUR GLOBAL UFWCD, SACREDLY HAS PLACED IN WRITING, ITS GOALS & MISSION, COPY ATTACHED, FOR EVERYONE TO FOLLOW:WE WORK, MOVE, HELP, PROVIDE AND UPLIFT, NOT TO STUCK-UP OR PUT DOWN ANOTHER KABAYAN, INDIVIDUAL MAN SIYA OR A GROUP, GOVT MAN OR PRIVATE ENTITY, AS WE BELIEVE IN UFWCD GLOBAL YAHOOGROUP, TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE NOW THAT WHICH COULD CONSTRUCTIVELY ALL IN UNISON, "United We Stand ALL Pinoys, Divided We Fall". ALL FOR ONE, ONE FOR ALL.

Let us ALL BE A PART side by side with the Gov’t to UPLIFT, ALLEVIATE, OFFER OUR "MGA KAMAY" when SUCH THINGS IN EMERGENCY HAPPENS LIKE THIS.TENTATIVE DATE FOR GOODS DISTRIBUTION is scheduled on next Thursday, 14 June 2007, afternoon, after the Phil Consulate Jeddah office closes.

By:

Jun C. Macaranas (jmacmert@yahoo.com)
1st VP-UFWCD Global Yahoogroup
United Filipinos Worldwide for Community Devt., Inc.
(Phil. Registered Securities and Exchange Commission)
King Faisal Specialist Hospital-Jeddah

Eden Castillejo (edens26@yahoo.com)
UFWCD-ian Jeddah
for: King Faisal Specialist Hospital-Jeddah
Filipino Staff

Philip David Alinas (dpalinas@yahoo.com)
UFWCD-ian Jeddah
for: Christian Church, Jeddah
King Faisal Specialist Hosp-Jeddah, Pharmacy Dept.

Norma G. Pineda (ndgpineda@yahoo.com)
for: King Faisal Specialist Hosp-Jeddah
Filipino Staff

SPECIAL MENTION TO:

Hawak-Kamay Gabay Baile Association, Jeddah and Saudi Oger-Jeddah: Mr. Mel Bargamento, Ms. Remi Ramos, Dennis Follosco, Mr. Gerone Atienza.

LISTS OF OFW'S (Male/Female) HOUSED AT PHILIPPINE CONSULATE/BAHAY KANLUNGA IN JEDDAH as of 6 June 2007

group family name first origin mobile *

(A)
1 Sorono, Carino S. KHOBAR 0507-000658
2 Sagisi, Felipe R. ABHA 0553-925481
3 Unnagan,Nilo O. ABHA 0564-706932
4 Junio, Isabelito V. QASSIM
5 Mancio, Salvador B. QASSIM 0506-470693
6 Quine, Marvin C. QASSIM 0509-145472
7 Rayo, Edwin P. QASSIM 0561-160017
8 Olip, Ireneo A. QATIF 0562-056987
9 Gaa, Joel Gaas BURAYDAH 0509-857759

(B)
1 Amazon, Christopher T. DAMMAM 0563-277842
2 Dela Cruz, Reynante R. DAMMAM 0551-018625
3 Irlandez,Wilfredo M. DAMMAM 0553-202935
4 Mendioro,George S. DAMMAM 0553-106929
5 Mendioro,Joey S. DAMMAM 0553-100929
6 Munalem,Paul C. DAMMAM 0563-124254
7 Samson, Orlando G. JIZAN
8 Estoy, Carlos F. JUBAIL

(C)
1 Peralta, Bernardo V. JEDDAH 0567-756094
2 Amella, Basser B. JEDDAH 0508-690927
3 Baluyot,Rogelio D. JEDDAH 0556-536228
4 Cabusora, Engelbert P. JEDDAH 0556-542687
5 Sulit, Resty S. JEDDAH 0919-8689786
6 Torres, Antonio C. JEDDAH 0563-124254
7 Rivera, Alfredo D. JEDDAH 0567-212485
8 Mungcal,Mar M. JEDDAH 0556-513127

(D)
1 Quianio, Wilson D. RIYADH 0563-864534
2 Chinalpan, Jeremy P. RIYADH 0564-706932
3 Palacay, Angelito D. RIYADH 0566-024802
4 Pineda, Jesus J. RIYADH 0569-062096
5 Vertudez, Napoleon P. RIYADH 0553-877516
6 Viaje, Danilo L. RIYADH
7 Pica, Rafael G. NAJRAN 0556-927989
8 Manalo, Noel E. RIYADH

(E)
1 Azupre, Elizabeth B. JEDDAH 0553-751815
2 Lattao, Paz T. LEBANON 0501-526528
3 Malagamba,Suzette D. JEDDAH 0501-624914
4 Qaquillo,Anicia C. JEDDAH 0508-610529
5 Tambi, Jaharia B. JEDDAH 0501-667696
6 Cepeda, Rosalie G. JEDDAH 0501-951774
7 Abo, Norma U. JEDDAH 0567-053741
8 Naduaran,Irene C. DAMMAM 0559-714529
9 Pangilinan,Ace L. JEDDAH 0563-534531
10 Legreso,Vergenita S. JEDDAH 0566-468224
11 Amorin, Rosemarie M. JEDDAH

(F)
1 Mariano, Dennis D. RIYADH 0502-237932
2 Barbecho,Marcelino B. BAHA 0551-412279
3 Condez, Nestor G. QASSIM
4 Lugtu, Rudy R. QASSIM 0506-037626
5 Oliveros,Rolando QASSIM
6 Villarez,Eric L. DAMMAM
7 Yumul, Aristotle C. JIZAN 0552-367603
8 Puyat, Aries JUBAIL 0507-700185
9 Ramos, Reynaldo M. RIYADH 0564-508801

(G)
1 Manalo, Elmer G. RIYADH 0565-284549
2 Irinco, Francisco V. DAMMAM 0501-477908
3 Joven, Fernando A. JEDDAH
4 San Diego,Ibrahim JEDDAH
5 Moradas,Roger Q. JUBAIL 0559-613142
6 Espina, Reuben D. RIYADH 0503-958179
7 Lambayong Jr.,Marcial J.RIYADH 0559-613142
8 Puasan, Richieland R. RIYADH 0552-366735
9 Macapigis,Talal A. JEDDAH 0503-472797


62 Grand Total

OFW group in KSA support Kuya Ted for Senator

Riyadh, KSA - If you’re an OFW and an Absentee Voter who wants to be represented in the Senate. You must vote for candidates who have a heart for OFWs.

Kalipunang Kaakabay ng Manggagawang Pilipino sa Ibayong Dagat (KAKAMPI) through its Political and Legal Affairs Committee Chairman Manuel “Bong” Amora and the founder of KAKAMPI is requesting absentee voters not only in the Kingdom but also around the globe to vote for a candidate that would bring the voice of OFWs in the Philippine Upper House of Congress.

The group is endorsing the candidacy of Engr. Theodore Aquino, “Kuya Ted” to his friends in the Filipino global community. Kuya Ted, an OFW is a Civil Engineer based in San Francisco, California, U.S.A. and current President of U.P. Alumni Association in America.

“Please call, write, text, persuade, convince your parents, brothers, sisters, in-laws, cousins, relatives and friends to support us "OFWs in our long quest for electoral equality, our right to vote and to be voted upon for public office”, Bong Amora said in his opening statement through email. Absentee Voters will vote early on April 11 this year in the Philippine midterm national election. Kuya Ted is scheduled to visit the Kingdom to laid down his platform of office for OFWs.

On question of Engr. Theodore Aquino residency and a possible nuisance candidate, Bong Amora said, “Kuya Ted is a Filipino citizen and a resident of the Philippines. He was born to a Filipino father and a Filipino mother”, he added that “Kuya Ted never renounced his Filipino citizenship and a Philippine resident from the time he was born and whenever he enters the Philippines from trips to foreign land in connection of his work as an Overseas Filipino Worker, he is not visiting the country – he is going home, to where his home is the Philippines”.

To those who want to know more about “Kuya Ted” you can visit the Internet site http://www.kuyated.info, a home site of Kuya Ted’s senatorial candidacy.

Manuel Amora, a community leader and an OFW in KSA for 12 years who is also at present the Secretary General of OFW Congress-Riyadh in his blog entry (http://www.funchain.com/~ofwempowerment) titled “Philippine Politics: Democracy and our Votes” requested the Filipino voters to “fight for the introduction of new faces and the purging of old, corrupted politicians and our challenge is to educate the voters about issues, processes and candidates and to also encourage good candidates to put themselves forward to run for office”.

“It is about time that new faces in Philippine politics should emerge and this could only be realized if we really have the will to choose the right one,” he also emphasized that KAKAMPI-KSA is also supporting the candidacy of Paredes, Sison and Bautista under the “Ang Kapatiran Party”. Likewise he personally supports the winnable candidate Chiz Escudero for Senator.

In the question of how can the group campaign for the above named candidate? Bong Amora explained that “there are a lot of avenues that we can do and many ways is the fulcrum of change if we really mean it” he emphasized that “in the world of information technology you can share your two cents worth of support that could bring an OFW in the Senate”. He is referring to his friendster account (http://www.friendster.com/bongamora) that he used to campaign candidates of his choice.

“We cannot afford anymore losses this time, we have tried it before through party list representation but we constantly failed. Who knows this time, the Phillipine electorate and OFWs in particular are now very mature enough and tired of politicians whose priorities are their personal interest rather than to serve the Filipino people” he further elaborate.

His last piece of advises, “I still believed that every Filipinos deserves a say in the decisions that affect their lives and not be subject to the will of another. Perhaps we should adapt new ways of thinking, we should not look back to the negative side of politics instead we look for an answer to correct the wrong side of politics. The spirit of change can only be achieved if the people participate in an honest to goodness election and vote for new faces that could put our country move forward. Afterall, it is for us to choose the future we are creating today”.

Leo Menez
KAKAMPI-KSA
Chair Committee on Information
KPR-07.02