“Filipino scholars’ abroad urged to return to the Philippines and share what they have learned to help improve the country’s academic and industrial sectors. Helpless Filipino politicians??? Sounds charity for the love of country.”

Seriously, if any local or multinational company or university in the Philippines hires me, I’ll go home. I am available. Bakit, sino bang ayaw umuwi? But not for charity. I don’t have any financial darna skills to increase my kakarampot na negative net worth to a million in just a year.

Now, Senator Edgardo Angara just recently urged Filipino scholars’ abroad to return to the Philippines. He said:

“Filipino scholars abroad should return to the Philippines and share what they have learned to help improve the country’s academic and industrial sectors, Senator Angara said Wednesday.” (Source: Inquirer)

Hold that phone! Don’t call your travel agency yet. You’re not a scholar?! Charing! Hahaha!

He’s not asking for all OFWs to go home. After all, what country in the world would not want to receive over $15 billion of remittances that shielded the country from the Asian financial crisis, ignited local spending, created an upbeat economy and was a buffer to the recent global financial crisis spawned by the US subprime and Wall Street scandals? But allow me to take this story further.

According to the story,

“Angara, who heads the congressional committee on science, technology and engineering (COMSTE), said he was concerned about the Filipino scholars abroad who would not return to the country after they have completed their studies. Bringing in more Filipino experts in research and development fields, including IT, will enhance the country’s scientific infrastructure, Angara said.“(Source: Inquirer)

True, Senator Angara is not asking every single Overseas Filipino to go home. Filipino experts could probably be a very tiny slice of the Filipino population abroad. But its not just a matter of asking them to go home. There are so many variables at play here mga kabarrio and some of them needs to be answered.

1. One must truly understand why Filipinos are leaving the country and address them.

Over 10% of the Philippine population is working in all corners of the world. Would you like to have a sample why OFW leave the Philippines and why? Check this blog entry I made sometime in 2008. What made you decide to work abroad and where?. Bottom line is opportunities back home. We can’t find it in the Philippines. If there is, tt seemed to be reserved to a select group and if one is available for you, the pay is below poverty level. Has this changed such that we could go home now? If the reasons why Filipinos are leaving the country remained unanswered, the exodus will continue.

2. How’s the unemployment in the Philippines?

As of July 2009, the unemployment rate in the Philippines is at 7.9%. You don’t have to look at this number. Just go to your nearest kanto and count the number of tambays. Did you ever consider the number of college graduates that Philippine schools crank out every year? A sea of humanity. What about the number of professionals that gets licensed and/or those who pass the licensing examinations by the Professional Regulations Commission. They’re a number added on the unemployment rate. Conclusion? Overseas Filipinos going home with PhD‘s must be treated with tender loving care. That’s not equal opportunity.

3. How’s the sincerity factor?

How sincere are these officials in asking Filipinos abroad to go back home when what seemed to be the program is to send Filipinos abroad and work? What gives now? What’s in it for them? What’s in it for us? Especially when you see politicians are getting richer by every contract! Blame us for not loving the country enough by being abroad? Filipinos are worth dying for, but I want my tostitos!

4. How are they doing in arresting corruption?

When you have a good network of highways and bridges, it’s easier for commerce to flow, business ignites, money changes hands easily, business and entrepreneurship grows, employment and business opportunities starts. What do we hear? Somebody else pocketed the money. What about their resolve to put an end to corruption that contributed and/or literally wiped out what’s supposed to be social programs for Filipinos? Has all these been resolved and answered?

Here’s a list of the “ALLEGED” scandals lately…
1. NBN/ZTE Scandal
2. Bribe money to Congressmen and Governors (October 2007)
3. Hello Garci 2004 Election Cheating
4. Joc Jock Bolante P728 Fertilizer Scam
5. Jose Pidal Bank Account (Unexplained P200 Million)
6. Nani Perez Power Plant Deal ($2 Million)
7. Use of road tax for campaign
8. Overpriced Billion Peso Macapagal Boulevard (P532 Million)
9. Juetenggate (Illegal kickbacks on numbers game)
10. Arroyo’s money in Germany (Exposed by Sen. Cayetano)
11. General Garcia and other military men
12. Northrail Project ($503 Million)
13. Swine Scam (Exposed by Atty. Harry Roque)
14. Alabang Boys and DOJ bribery scandal
15. P2.9 million Euro Generals
16. Arroyo husband and the World Bank scandal
17. Legacy Bank investment scam
18. SEC Commissioner Jesus Martinez on house and lot and P1.4 million Ford Expedition from Legacy
19. Arroyos sons unexplained wealth

(Source: OFW Living in Hongkong. He was the one who originally compiled the list. I could not find the link no more.)

5. What’s the motivation factor?

Yes, honey. In the end, it really depends on ones motivation factor. What motivates them and what motivates you!

So… What would motivate you to go back home to the Philippines?

Viewed 10061 times by 2218 viewers

Uy! Ka barrio, kung first timer ka dito sa Barrio Siete o kaya naman ay napasaya ka ng aming mga writers, inaanyayahan ka naming mag subscribe sa RSS Feed namin! Pwede mong gamitin ang Google Reader para dito.

Powered by WP Greet Box WordPress Plugin

reynz11 is