‘Improving’ economy still fails to lure back home some OFWs

Amid reports of an improving domestic economy, a number of Filipinos overseas still opt to work abroad.

Inflation has slowed down to 5.1 percent, convincing the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) that the government could meet its target of 2 to 4 percent inflation rate this year until 2020.

But “there are better opportunities abroad,” said Adora Centeno, 54, medical laboratory technologist at the Gisborne Hospital Laboratory in New Zealand in an email interview on January 14.

In another email interview on the same day, systems engineer Aster John Ginete, 33,  working in Tokyo, Japan would also not return to the Philippines even though the economy is getting better.

“I plan to bring my family and stay here. These are some of the things that I think won't be resolved by the government soon: corruption, crime rate, and heavy traffic/inconvenient public transportation.”

It was not the economic condition in the Philippines that led him to leave the country, he said.

“My salary in the Philippines was enough to live by and provide for my family, but I wanted to work overseas mainly because I wanted to explore a new environment. Also, a higher salary would give me an opportunity to make investments, and may be [I could] retire early,” he said.

But he applauds some of the Philippine government’s present policies.

“The Telecommuting Act, which was signed by the president on December 20, is one of the government's policies that I agree with. I think this is one of the best solutions to avoid or lessen the heavy traffic problem in the Philippines. Also, being able to work from home and be with your family would be great.”

Likewise, he said, “The nationwide ban on public smoking, liquor, and the curfew for minors are also some of the government's policies that I agree with. I think it's about time that we Filipinos learn how to discipline ourselves, be aware of our surroundings, and not to be an inconvenience to other people.”

Brent Hupguidan, 32, factory worker in Taiwan, on the other hand, is planning to go back home for good.

“Naiibsan na ang paghihirap ng maraming Pilipino. Libre na ang edukasyon. Nagpapatayo na ng mga infrastructure. Natanggal na ang buwis para sa mga minimum wage earners. Nagbibigay na din ng ayuda ang mga lokal na gobyerno sa mga magsasaka at mangingisda,” he said. —LBG, GMA News