THE unprecedented homecoming of thousands of OFWs as a result of the Middle East war validates the long-held view on how precarious the country’s labor direction is, one which heavily relies on exporting the Filipino workforce. For decades OFWs helped keep the Philippine economy afloat the reason why they are honored and recognized as Bagong Bayani (new hero); we owe it to them that this archipelago receives billions of dollars in the form of remittances, more so in raising the quality of life of many Filipinos as their beneficiaries were able to put food on the table, build shelter, gain access to health care, and pursue schooling.
Some parts of the country including those in far-flung areas reflect a landscape that shifted from thatched nipa huts to concrete dwellings. There are obvious changes in many aspects of social and economic spheres with the increased purchasing power of the citizens. Cars, cell phones, gadgets, social gatherings even if these were only at the cafes or fast food chains are but some of the indicators of the upgrades in many OFWs way of life. They take pride in having produced university graduates and professionals. Now that many of these new heroes have returned, it is time to show the gratitude of a country that has long benefited from the OFWs.
While most of the returning OFWS have expressed the willingness to stay and re-unite with their families, still there are those determined to either go back to their work overseas once the war is over or seek employment in countries where no conflict exists. The perception of lack of employment opportunities in this archipelago pervades the mindset of many OFWs including those who in the face of danger opted to stay in the host countries. It is therefore imperative for the government, in addition to job offers to returning OFWs, to reassure them of the ardent commitment to create and find work for everyone, beyond the rhetoric of short-term assistance.
The Philippines is an archipelago and a maritime nation: an archipelago by reason of its geographical configuration, i.e. consisting of thousands of islands; and a maritime nation as the country relies on the opportunities and advantages that such geographical configuration and the marine resources offer. We should not boast of being a maritime nation if we do not attach the country’s progress to the seas and waters that surround the archipelago. Such realization impels us to capitalize on the employment opportunities related to harnessing marine resources and generating maritime services.
One may ask, how many of the OFWs have maritime-related education and training qualifications, not limited to the full-fledged seafarers, such as those possessed of technical qualifications needed in the ports, shipping industry, shipyards or sea/multimodal transport facilities? The fact-checking may even go as far as validating how many of those who finished the three-year classroom instructions for BS Marine Transportation or BS Marine Engineering who failed to graduate took the option of becoming OFWs. Identifying the OFWs aptitude based on the education and training received and the role they wish to perform are important inputs to any efforts to reskill and upskill them.
The country’s policy of producing competitive human resources with the primary purpose of exporting them to the global market may need to be reviewed. Not that we are averse to the idea of Filipinos seeking better opportunities overseas; rather, why not adopt and implement parallel programs aimed at aggressively developing the various industries that make an archipelago become truly a maritime nation. Let this archipelago create an environment that will encourage investors by operationalizing all those enumerated in the development plans, many of which remain in office shelves to be retrieved and revised when a new administration is installed.
For the sake of the OFWs, get those plans and programs moving!
