Continue reading »]]> Hello World is the first posting from a wordpress blog and hello christmas since today is Dec.1

Hello it has been a long time since I post here I don’t know why but maybe a blogger’s block. Reading some of the old post here I realized how exciting it was for me to post something I care about family, traditions and my advocacies but then blog is like life it has it’s up and down. Don’t get me wrong,  I love my life. I’m blessed with a nice man who supports me and my  adorable son. These past 2 years there’s a lot of interesting things to write not only about my life but all the things that I care about but I just can’t. I’m still active in my organization and giving free counselling in the Filipina Aupair Network Facebook  fan page which I mange alone with 2,550 members.

I somehow managed to cross a bit out of my cocoon when I finished my dissertation report which I did for less than 3 weeks. I know the topic very well  and it was so overwhelming cause it was my specialization but in the end I still have to struggle putting everything  into written form but it went fine and my report passed.

So what is wrong?.  Nothing is wrong with me but maybe one thing was living in Denmark which was governed by liberals with the support and influence of a right-wing party who hates foreigners makes me loss my appetite to write something positive. When I came here the  government who was new at that time started to imposed new rules for foreigners which also affected my staying although we did not pay the cash bond I was under the new rules.

After 10 years the parties in the government  it was exhausting but now we have a new government composed of parties in the left and the first woman Prime Minister, they changed most of the strict and rolled back into more acceptable rules. Of course my life is better than it was in the Philippines but it’s not perfect. And there also a dark cloud hanging over us, the financial crisis so I hope and pray that soon it will be alright.

Blogging is like life it got it’s up and down. We want it to be perfect but it’s impossible cause you learn from the trials and imperfection which makes stronger and ready to face another challenge.  Sometimes I want to write something very meaningful but then I have high expectation I forgot that this is not a thesis that I need to prove something and wats to get high-grade but this just my journal  although it would be nice to write grammatically perfect articles  but who cares this blog is still mine I don’t write just because I need to earn. My advisor in my report told me when I was trying to follow all the guidelines in doing a report, that write in your english, don’t use american or british english but your english.  But like life blog has to be nurtured back to life by posting and reestablish connections to readers  so inspite of my busy schedule I will try once in while to vent out my frustrations and  triumphs.

I met one strong and empowered  Filipina from Australia who also read this blog and told I should see the movie starring Meryl Streep as Julia Child and the blogger Julie and I saw it finally 2 months ago and it was nice cause I love everything about food. But it was not all about food it was a story of Julie who started blogging because of boredom and lack of challenge so she started to cook all the recipes in Julia Child’s recipe and in the end she became known and actually the film was based on her blog success. My point is Julia Child did not became famous she was a good cook to begin with but she love cooking for her husband and the French cuisine but by overcoming the challenges that lead her to write the book. She was frowned upon by the Head of the cooking school but she proved that she can do it and with her determination her book became famous and she became a household name.

Æbleskiver Source: wikipedia commons

Today is 1st of December and  it means christmas is fast approaching and it means family time in the Philippines. December is high season for all the airlines because millions of Filipinos around the world wants to join their families during this special occasion. We were at  my son’s kindergarten to join the staff, children and parents the christmas lunch as my son reminded us (Christmas lunch is Danish tradition which equals to christmas party in the Philippines) . They served æbleskiver and glogg og I don’t know how to translate that in English ok I’ll try æble skiver are made of flour with eggs the same one when you do a pancake. Æble skiver means apple slices but there’s no apple but maybe they form into circles like apples and then put in to this special pan at left or in the oven as we always buy frozen ones.

Gløgg as translated in google is mulled wine but I don’t know if that’s right. It is a mixture of wine with sugar, chopped almonds, raisins which is drink hot because they cooked a caramelized sugar with the alcohol while mixing the other ingredients. I find it nice to drink especially during this cold months.

Later we went to the backyard and danced around  to a tall christmas tree while singing christmas songs together with Santa Claus and his wife. It was fun.

My life has been colorful and wonderful and I thank God for that. Looking back and I cherish all the memories especially during our childhood together with my brothers and sisters who embraced life our parent has given us. We were not rich but we were  blessed by wonderful parents who did everything to give us things they did not get like education. I learned something try to live your life as it is your last.  You have to show your love ones how much you love them and cherish the moments because that’s the only time we have.

It’s funny that I found one post in one of my first blog on blogspot it was a post about my sister who was at time beginning to show signs of  sickness but today she maybe can understand for a moment but I do hope and pray that she will be cured and live a normal life. I love her so much that it hurts me whenever I remember her. She turns 40 this year and she’s the only single in our family.

Today is my sister birthday. I would like to start my blog with a wish for all the best and blessings in the many years ahead. It was like yesterday that we were climbing some trees fx. the guava tree in our backyard and camachile tree while eating their sweet fruits on. Now we are still climbing different kind of trees, the tree of life trying to reach out to the sweet fruit that are just waiting for us. Sometimes we get a sweet fruit but sometimes its rotten and most of the times we stepped on the small and brittle branches that we thought to be strong to carry us to our aim but nope when we stepped on its start to crack and we go back and try again until we reach what were after. Sometimes that’s how I see our life, its full of ups and downs and challenges. What is important is to never to stop trying reaching what we dreamed of.

Happy 40th Birthday my dear sister

Sis i love u and this poem is for u.

Happy Birthday
Til lykke

Reflections ARE

Reflections aren’t just from the past
They are things that are here to last
Memories are not just yesterday
They are wondrous parts of us that stay.
Looking back at those things that were so good
Like a happy thought that is as it should.
There are times and people near forgotten
But reflections color things so caught in
The web of our mind, like azure blue sky
Upon the water now caught by the eye.
And stately trees of emerald green
Echoing their past of things once seen.
While laughter comes from so deep within
Yesterday’s warmth can blanket one’s skin.
And as I reflect on times long ago
I pull out the good and the rest I throw
To the winds that are billowing hard;
To the storms that may now sweep the yard;
To places I need no longer

And I find peace as bright as the snow.

Poem by M.J.M. ©1999

Thanks a lot my dear readers.

Continue reading »]]> There’s has been a lot of changes in the foreign law in Denmark. For the past 10 years foreigners are the always caught in the negotiations whenever the present government wanted to pass their programs the right-wing party Danish Peoples Party always try their best to pass strict rules for foreigners to come to Denmark either refugees or by family reunions. Last year when they introduce the point system where the foreign partner should get certain points according to his/her education, language skills, work experience etc.. it was perceived by the Danish citizens as the state dictates who their citizen wanted to marry and discriminates against people who are not highly educated, doesn’t speak English, Scandinavian language etc. in high level. They even processing fess when submitting applications for residence and working permits. The foreign partner also have to pass the Danish immigration test wherein they have to pay just to get the exam and they also have to pay when the foreign partner has to prepare for the exam by going to language school inside or outside Denmark. Finding a foreign partner makes it more difficult and expensive.

I will repost the requirements her and for Filipinos who are asking me if they can  come to Denmark via family reunion please read this new rules.

New family reunification rules

On 1 June 2011, the Danish Parliament changed the rules for
family reunification for spouses/partners.

In the course of June 2011, detailed information about the rules for family reunification for spouses/partners will be published in  the Danish Immigration website www.newtodenmark.dk, along with new application forms.

The new rules apply to all applications for family reunification with a spouse/partner submitted from 1 July 2011.

The changes are as follows:

If the spouse/partner residing in Denmark is a foreign national,he/she must meet some of the requirements which are to be met when applying for a permanent residence permit. These requirements must also be met if the spouse/partner residing in Denmark has been granted a permanent residence permit under the rules which applied before 26 March 2010. Consequently, when the Danish Immigration Service receives an application for family reunification with a spouse/partner, it will assess whether the spouse/partner residing in Denmark can be given points for the following criteria:

1. having resided legally in Denmark for at least the past four years
2. not having committed any serious crimes
3. not having any overdue public debts
4. not having received certain types of public assistance for the past three years
5. having submitted a signed declaration about integration and active citizenship in Danish society
6. having passed Prøve i Dansk 2 (Danish exam, level 2) or the equivalent
7. having had ordinary full-time employment in Denmark for at least 2½ out of the past 3 years
8. 1. having had ordinary full-time employment in Denmark for at least 4 out of the past 4½ years, or
   2. having completed a higher educational programme, professional bachelor’s degree, business academy or vocational upper  secondary, or
   3. having passed Prøve i Dansk 3 (Danish exam, level 3) or the equivalent

• A point system for the applicant will be introduced. If both spouses/partners are over 24, the applicant must normally obtain 60
  points. If one or both spouses/partners are under 24, the applicant must normally obtain 120 points. These points will be granted based on a number of qualifications relevant to integration, such as work experience, language skills and completed education.
• The attachment requirement is tightened so that the spouses’/partners’ combined attachment to Denmark must be considerably greater than their combined attachment to any other country. The attachment requirement will be changed for both the spouse/partner residing in Denmark and the foreign spouse/partner. In future, the foreign spouse/partner must normally have visited Denmark twice, and must have completed a Danish language course on A1 level. The spouse/partner residing in Denmark must normally have resided in Denmark for at least 15 years, and must have made an effort to integrate into Danish society. As is the case today, the attachment requirement in not to be met if the spouse/partner residing in Denmark has held Danish citizenship for over 28 years, or if he/she was born and raised in Denmark or came to Denmark as a small child, and has resided legally in Denmark for over
  28 years.
• The collateral requirement will be raised to DKK 100,000 (2011 level)
• The language requirement in connection with the immigration test will be tightened, and the fee for taking the new test will be raised to DKK 3,600. (This change will not apply until the new immigration test has been developed – probably around 1 January 2012.)
• The fee for submitting an application for family reunification with a spouse/partner is raised from DKK 5,975 toDKK 7,775 .

From 1 July 2011, when the new rules apply, the general requirements for family reunification with a spouse/partner will be as follows:

Requirements relating to both spouses/partners:

• The marriage/registered partnership must be recognized by Danish law.
• In the case of couples who are not legally married or registered partners, the relationship must be of a permanent and lasting nature -normally, the couple must be able to document that they have lived together for at least 18 months at a shared address.
• The marriage/partnership must have been entered into according to the wishes of both spouses/partners.
• The marriage/partnership must not have been entered into solely for the purpose of obtaining a residence permit for the applicant.

Requirements relating to the foreign spouse/partner:

• The foreign spouse/partner must meet his/her part of the attachment requirement.
• The foreign spouse/partner must obtain 60 points if both spouses/partners are over 24, or 120 if one or both are under 24.
• The foreign spouse/partner must pass the immigration test.

Requirements relating to the spouse/partner residing in Denmark:

• The spouse/partner must not have been convicted of violent acts against a former spouse/partner in the past 10 years.
• The spouse/partner must agree to support the foreign spouse/partner
• The spouse/partner must either hold a Danish residence permit granted on the grounds of asylum or Protected Status (the Danish Aliens Act,section 7 and or have held a permanent Danish residence permit for the past three years or more.
• If the spouse is a foreign citizen, he/she must meet a number of the requirements for obtaining a permanent residence permit.
• The spouse/partner must meet his/her part of the attachment requirement.
• The spouse/partner must be able to support him/herself – that is, he/she must not have received public assistance under the terms of the Active Social Policy Act or the Integration Act for the past three years.
• The spouse/partner must have accommodation of adequate size at his/her disposal.
• The spouse/partner must post DKK 100,00 (2011 level) in bank-backed collateral to cover any public assistance paid to the foreign spouse/partner under the terms of the Active Social Policy Act or the Integration Act. As is the case now, there will be a possibility in certain cases.

Source:http://www.nyidanmark.dk/en-us/News/News/danish_immigration_service/2011/Juni/new-family-reunification-rules.htm

Continue reading »]]> My Dearest Son,

Congratulation on your birthday!!! You’re now 5 years old but it was like only yesterday that you came out to this world and now I have to answer all kinds of questions and we can discuss a lot of things. I love it when you say I’m the best mother in the world and you always tell me that you love me and even shout out loud when you see me. I have to admit that sometimes I want to freeze the time that you will always my little baby but I know that’s impossible.  But I hope you will still tell that when you grow up and have a lot of friends.

In the morning when you wakes up you always smile and kiss me and say “Good morning Mama” which makes my day complete. We sit down and we eat our breakfast together and talk while watching your favorite program in the TV, the Disney channel and your favorite videos in The Voice. We always wants to stay but then I have to deliver you to the Kindergarten and that’s when sometimes we have disagreement because you want to play more. On the way to the Kindergarten and we talk about the garbage truck or the cars along the way until I have to kiss and wave my hand and I’m not sad because I know you love to be there.

I’ m very proud of you at very young age you can do a lot of things like writing letters to me and a lot of things. You are so smart at a very young age but I’ always tell you and I pray that you stay humble and be patient if others can’t understand you. And you will always count on me to support and guide you along the way.

I thank God that you are a healthy and a happy boy who always makes me and your father happy. We can not shower you with material things but you know that we are always have time for you and we cherish every moment we spent with you. We love you and Happy 5th birthday “Anak ” God bless you always.

With love,

Mor

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Filcom DK - the United organizations in Denmark joined Christmas Party in Copenhagen

After the succesful Independence Day this year the FILCOM- DK which consists of various organizations, church groups and other groups in Denmark will be having another joined events this Christmas called Paskøbenhavn. I’m one of the active organizer of this event and I’m very amazed how these Filipinos in Denmark sacrificed their precious time for the community. All FILCOM events are non profit and any proceeds will be used for common Filipino Activity in Denmark like the on going Consular Outreach and Mobile Passporting at the St. Anne Church big hall December 10-11 from 9-18, the Independence Event and this coming Christmas party.

Please contact any member of FILCOM-DK or you can email: babaylanDK (at) babaylan.dk if you want to reserved a ticket or check the Facebook group of FILCOM-DK here

This event is sponsored by

Continue reading »]]> Today will mark the official christmas season in Amager Sundby ( area which is still part of the Copenhagen kommune) when the lighting of the Christmas decorations along Amagerbrogade, a major thoroughfare in Amager. This was a tradition was started by the Amager’s Trade associations, which is composed of different business in the island 41 years ago. This parade will start at Sunbyvestersplads and will end up in Christians Møller plads. It will start at 16.00

Here’s a peak of the Christmas Parade last year I took the video from my digital camera and you can guess what’s represents christmas for the Danes, JULEMAND or Father Christmas or Santa Claus. Ever since I came to Denmark up to this day it’s almost the same people, cars, mascots etc. who join the parade but the joy of watching them marching against the cold sometimes wet and for sure this year is snow is amazing just to give the message that christmas is here.

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I received my son’s allowance or child check  today but officially they call it Family Allowance. All families in Denmark with children who fulfills the requirements receives,  a Child Check every quarter and it’s tax-free. Beyond this benefit, it is also possible to get other grants, for example. if you are a single parent, student or Retired parents.

Taxes are very high in Europe  especially in Denmark but health care and Child Supports are well in place unlike the third world countries. That’s a good thing living in Europe that there is a child support for example in Spain once you give birth you will get 2,500 euros and 100 euro per month until they reach 3 years old. In Denmark you are entitled to receive Family Allowance from birth until before  child’s  18th birthday.

Family Allowance

The Family Allowance is for all families with children and adolescents under 18 years. The allowance is paid automatically to the child’smother’s NEMKonto Easy Account. NEM Konto Easy Account  is an ordinary bank account which you designate  to be your Nemkonto Easy Account. This is where all public payments are transferred. If there is any arrangement of who will receive the family benefits check with your municipality. Otherwise, the mother automatically have the amount paid quarterly after childbirth.

What are the requirement to  receive family allowance?

• The person who has custody must be fully taxable in Denmark. It usually requires that you live in Denmark.
• The child must reside in Denmark. The family allowance may be paid even if the child resides briefly in another country for purposes such as holidays or family visits, or if the child is staying temporarily in another country as part of his training. School Absenteeism shall be lawful for mandatory school children  entitled to child benefit.
• The child must not be under the custody of the social service or have married.
• The municipality must not have reached a decision for a non-compliance with parental instruction. A parental notice may for example assume that parents must ensure that the child comes to school every day. The order given for a quarter at a time.

The payment schedule for the Family Benefits:

• 20 January,
• 20 April
• 20 July
• 20 October.

Rates for the year 2010

***New rules from 2011***

The 7-17 year olds divided into two groups where the 7-14 year-old will be paid a Child Allowance and the 15-17 year olds will be paid a Youth Allowance.

Children and adolescents benefit will be reduced during 2011, 2012 and 2013 in increments of 5 per cent.  They also set a ceiling of 35,000 dkk  for the total Child benefits  that’s inlcudes other Supplementary Child Benefits. They also certain rules for both parents and Youth with regards to following the Child educational plan.

Supplementary Child Allowances

Aside from the Family Allowance which is given automatically there are also available Child Allowances and Subsidies which you can avail but you have to apply to your Municipality.

Child Allowance  For Single Parent

Note: as a single parent you need to live alone with your child not living in with a  partner.

Special Child Allowance

Special Child Allowance is given to a Single Parent if there is no support from one of the parent, or if the paternity of the child could not be established or only one of the parent is alive.

Subsidy For Multiple Children

Supplementary family allowance is paid to multiple child-birth for example twins, triplets, etc., until they reach 7 years old. The  Child Allowance shall be paid beyond the first child that means it will be given to the 2nd child and the 3rd  and so forth. It shall be paid without application.

It is a requirement that all children have the same residence. This kind of child support is not applicable to adoptive single parent or Children who were conceived thru artificial method by Single women.

Subsidy For Parent Undergoing Education

Parents studying or undergoing training or internships can get a special allowance. One can not receive more than one grant per parent in training. If both parents are students, and  have two children, they can  get two grants. The amount granted depends on your income. Please check  www.su.dk if you are receiving State’s Education Grant because you will also receive an extra 12 months stipend when you give birth.

Subsidy For Adoptive children from foreign land

The municipality who will give the  allowance but the State Administration (Statsforvaltning) should attest that the child has arrived in Denmark

Child Allowance for Retired Parents

You can receive the Ordinary Child Allowance if you are parents and both receives the state pension or disability pension under the rules from before the 1st of January 2003.

You can get special allowances if you are parents and one of you or  both of you  receive pension or disability pension under the rules from before the 1st January 2003. The special grants shall be reduced if you have sustained income over a certain size.

Alimony

The maintenance obligation shall normally not more than ten years and it will stop if the person receiving the contribution, remarries, or one of the spouses dies. Where the court determines the obligation to contribute, it will focus on the opportunities the parties have when they go their separate ways. The Court does not determine its size. How much one should pay in alimony to the other, the parties must decide for themselves.

If they can agree, it determines the state administration. State Administration decision is discretionary, and is especially taken on the basis of the couple’s gross income. Normally, the contribution of 1 / 5 of the difference between their gross income.

Subsidy in Child Care

Child care in Denmark is not free but you can apply for subsidy which the payment can be reduced or in part depending on the family’s income. For example in Copenhagen Municipality Family combined income of 461,600 (2010 rate) can apply for reduced rate plus additional sibling discount if there are more than 1 child.
PLease check your Municipality for more information. The Family Allowance can be combined with different Supplementary Allowance but you need to apply to your municipality. Child Allowance are tax Free and are adjusted every 1st of January every year. This  Child Benefits is only effective this 2010 because the Parliament made some changes which will be called Child And Youth Benefits 2011 and will take effect next year if you want to learn about it you can check it here.

Source of Information: WWW.borger.dk and www.skat.dk but they are in Danish. You download the Child Benefit in Denmark 2007 from the Department of Family Affairs.

Continue reading »]]> I arrived in the Philippines during the election day which the only son the late President Corazon Aquino won and in just few hours he will be sworned into office and I want to join my fellow Filipinos asking the next president improve the lives of millions of OFW’s who are hailed as the new heroes (Ang Bagong Bayani) because of their remittances that keep the Philippines economy afloat.

I’m a true blooded product of OFW my parents has been sending remittances for almost 30 years and after working for more than 25 years my father received his pension for just 1 year he suddenly died and he did not enjoyed the fruit of his labor so to speak and my mother did not received any compensation at all. The remittance we received went to college tuition and other expenses . We became degree holders, 3 engineers and 1 dentist but my mother sometimes complain why we followed their footsteps by working abroad when they sacrificed all those years away from us just to provide us a good future by finishing our education. I also asked myself that question why?

After college graduation we were very idealistic we don’t want to go abroad because we are working but after few years working hard just to pay our bills but we still depended on our parents remittances to make ends met, our salary can not provide us with life our parents gave us. My brother who has 2 children at that time blindly joined my parents and is working not as a dentist but in a restaurant although he has the possibility to practice over there he don’t have the time to go to the language school. Now he also go to the bank every month to send his hard earned money to his family and I asked him if he is happy with that, he said yes and no. He’s happy that he can send his children to college and can afford to buy what he wants. Thanks to the modern devices he can chat or talk with his family unlike during my parents time we only relied only by snail mail. But will his children will also follow suit yes maybe if the government will not improved.

I’ve been staying in the Philippines for almost 7 weeks now and I’m too sad to say it became worst pollution, undisciplined drivers, stop lights that don’t work, poverty anywhere, they say it’s cheap it wasn’t,  common commodities ar so expensive. Everywhere I go there is an SM (Shoe Mart Department store) why? because of millions OFW’s who’s family can now eat in Jollibee and buy in the department store. Excuse me, but having the biggest mall in Asia doesn’t mean we are the best or our economy is better. Because every hard earned money is spent without thinking of the future. Maybe you will say it provide jobs to degree holders who can not find any real job so they end up promo personnels in the department stores just ask how much they earn and we all know that the businessmen are profiting from the contractual basis employment.

This should only a short post but it’s really disappointing to see all the college graduates seeking  greener pasture abroad to the point that they are willing to work as a domestic helpers or au pairs or doctors studying to become nurse so they can work abroad speaking of brain drain. I don’t have anything against domestic helpers its a noble job we are losing valuable  resources now its the right time for the new goverment to act and reevaluate its policies and focus more on the long term. We can’t stop migration it’s embedded in our blood.

So I support and join fellow Overseas Filipino Worlwide in their plea to the incoming President.

Dear Sen. Aquino,
First and foremost, we extend our deepest and sincerest congratulations on your ascendancy to the highest-elected office of our beloved country through a democratic process that every Filipino can take pride in for many generations to come. The first step inherent in the process of transformation is recognizing the need for change – and our capacity to change for the better! Thus, from this point onward, we are hopeful that inspired by your convincing victory and leadership, every Filipino will assume his or her role and responsibility to change the status quo by initiating positive changes towards a better and brighter Philippines, no matter where he or she is, and regardless of what citizenship he or she now holds.
We, the Overseas Filipinos Worldwide (OFW), are a group of Filipinos based abroad and in the Philippines, representing various organizations implementing projects in the Philippines and in our host countries for many years now that are aimed to strategically harness the Philippines’ migration gains into mechanisms for the development of the motherland and our communities of origin.
Migration gains are mainly remittances by overseas Filipinos to their family members, which are now in the region of USD17 billion and are the primary source of livelihood for millions of Philippine households. At 10.8% of the country’s GDP, they are also the third biggest source of the country’s foreign currency reserves and act as primary driver for our economy, shielding us from bankruptcy during the financial crisis in 1997 and the current one. The Filipino diaspora, estimated now at about 10 million working or residing in 239 countries and territories worldwide, send back donations to various humanitarian causes, such as disaster–relief, medical missions, schoolhouses, and other infrastructure. These contributions supplement local and national government deficits and, as of 2003, have already amounted to USD218 million, per BSP figures in that year. We do not count here the investments made by OFWs in real estate and the education and health of their family members, and the money spent on various goods and services, as well as on construction, food, shelter, and other inflows that support sectors like the airlines, shopping centers, and banks. Yet, after more than three decades of overseas employment, we do not see genuine signs of poverty alleviation, and instead more and more of our countrymen leave for work abroad.

Ironically, the Philippine model of overseas migration has become a model of sorts, for other migrant-origin countries to emulate and even copy. This however does not tell the whole story or reveal the other face of migration that has escaped the serious attention of past administrations, specifically, the social costs that migration has bred since government-managed deployment started in the early 70s and up to the present, where we now see at least 3,000 of many of the best and brightest Filipinos leaving daily to take up jobs overseas, due to local employment deficits. Other nations like South Korea, Italy, Ireland, Portugal, and Taiwan, who once were labor exporting countries, have been able to get over their migration hump, as a result of their governments’ consciously harnessing their workers’ remittances and investing them to develop local infrastructure, shipyards, factories, and other industries. Convinced of the effectiveness of government programs and also trustful of their leaders’ sincerity, these countries’ expatriates and overseas workers, at great sacrifice, left their high-paying jobs overseas and returned to their home countries to lend their talents and acquired expertise in further helping their respective country’s leap towards developed status even working at low salaries. India, another migrant-sending country, is also now going in that direction. These examples serve to illustrate the dictum that migration should be temporary, that it must not be used as a substitute for development. The desirable goal of countries wishing to be strong and globally competitive must necessarily be self-sufficiency and the ability to provide its people with necessary components needed for their human development.
The advent of a new administration, especially one under your inspired leadership, is a good time to ask where the Philippines is going regarding migration, and to act accordingly. Shall we continue to send out our people and rely on remittances and without any development objectives in sight? Conversely, don’t we have the talent to formulate a road map towards self-sufficiency over a period of time, in order that the hemorrhage of talents could be stopped, that a crisis in our dysfunctional families and society at large could be averted, and so that our people do not have to take migration as a forced option? If long-term migration goals are set now, the government could in the meantime work on some basic but urgent deployment and migration issues in order to clear the way towards having a genuine and serious program on translating migration gains for use in human development. In view of this, we humbly suggest starting to look at the following:

• The government must send clear and strong signals that migration and remittances are only temporary measures to help the government prepare for a longer-term goal of self sufficiency, in which Filipinos no longer look at migration as a forced option. This must be integrated in Medium-Term Development Plans, which is currently being formulated by NEDA, and which should also include how in the meantime strategies, policies, and mechanisms for the productive use and investment of remittances could be harnessed to strengthen the country’s macroeconomic fundamentals.

• Create a position for a Special Presidential Adviser on Migration and Development, who will work with a technical working group (TWG) composed of qualified individuals who have a background in migration and development, including knowledgeable and committed migrant leaders. Among others, the TWG could conduct studies, consultations, and discussions, and come up with updated situationers and appropriate policy recommendations on how to effectively translate remittances and migrant resources to develop local economies; and to address social costs, facilitation of return migration, reintegration, mechanisms for the counterparting of funds between Filipino diaspora groups, LGUs, and development agencies for local and countryside development, incentives for OFW investments in agriculture, SME, infrastructure, microfinance, cooperatives, and other sectors that need stronger funding support. The work could take the form of draft legislation for study by Congress’s standing committee on OFWs or form the basis for an Executive or Administrative Order, whichever is appropriate or workable. The committee’s work shall be purely consultative and should not supplant the work of government migration agencies.

• Review and monitor the performance of government agencies in charge of migrant workers, such as the POEA, OWWA, CFO, and the Department of Foreign Affairs, with a view to strengthening these institutions, reducing wasteful and ineffective programs or duplication of work, giving agencies needed resources and funds for effective implementation of programs, and strengthening the capacity of their overseas offices to become centers of service to migrant workers overseas.

• · Departing OFWs contribute USD25 each as a requirement for departure and membership in OWWA and entitlement of welfare benefits. The total corpus of this trust fund is already at the level of at least PHP10 billion. The disposition and administration of this fund has been subject of criticisms, as its use has not been transparent and shown susceptibility to mismanagement. Specifically, reforms in OWWA should (1) impose strict criteria in the process of selection of people who will sit in the Board of Trustees, such that only those qualified and are committed to work for their constituents are appointed, e.g., women OFWs, sea-based, land-based, etc. (2) OWWA proceedings should be made transparent and open to public scrutiny, particularly the investment of the trust funds. (3) the incoming administration, for the benefit of OFWs and through the working group, should require from the current OWWA board an accounting of OWWA funds and how they were invested/used. To this end, the most recent COA audit of migration agencies, like POEA, OWWA, DFA, and POLO offices overseas, must be consulted.

• The Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) and the National Reintegration Center for OFWs (NRCO) are two small agencies that are doing important work on mobilizing diaspora contributions for development and assistance to OFWs who are reintegrating to Philippine society after working abroad. The CFO, for instance, has submitted recommendations on how gaps and barriers to enhanced diaspora contributions could be addressed, but these have never been acted upon. The NRCO, in the three years it has been created, has given assistance and referrals on livelihood and employment to OFW returnees affected by the global crisis. Their work should be seriously looked into, and whenever necessary, the appropriate level of funds, resources, and support should be given to these agencies.

• Lack of financial literacy or of the ability to use resources and incomes productively and wisely has been highlighted as a major cultural barrier among not only OFWs but also for most Filipinos. It prevents our people from improving their socio-economic conditions, despite years of employment in the Philippines or overseas. This refers to lack of savings or investment mindset and excessive spending on non-essentials. No less than an institutionalized nationwide program on financial literacy will be able to address this and should include not only OFWs but also members of their family. The BSP has been the lead government agency that has conducted financial literacy seminars for OFWs and families since 2006 in more than 30 Philippine cities and 10 cities overseas. This program could be improved and expanded through an impact assessment of the campaign and which might include providing resources for enlisting the DECS to include financial literacy and migration as part of school curriculum, starting from grade school, or the LGUs, by including financial literacy and social costs of migration in the Pre-employment Orientation Seminars (PEOS) conducted in their territories for intending migrants.

As a final note, while the recommendations above address specific OFW issues, the programs you had avowed to pursue in your electoral campaign on good governance—better access to health, education, employment and livelihood, and business opportunities for all—are all in the right track, constitute the basic elements for self-sufficiency, and provide viable options to our citizens to remain in the country and to devote their talents and resources to developing the homeland. On these, please be assured of our continued support.

Signed:

Doris Alfafara, Habagat Foundation, The Netherlands
Ren Arrieta, USA
Alex Veloso Bello, Saudi Arabia
Marvin Bionat, USA
Ding Bagasao, Economic Resource Center for Overseas Filipinos (ERCOF), Philippines
Jack Catarata, Germany
Basco Fernandez, Damayang Pilipino sa Nederland, The Netherlands
Lorna Lardizabal Dietz
Cristina Liamzon, Italy
Judith Puyat-Magnaye, USA
Mariel Vincent Rapisura, SEDPI Philippines
Leila Rispens-Noel, Wimler Partnership for Social Progress, Hongkong/Contact Person
Dennis Yaun, Luxembourg
James Zamora, Philippines

This was posted in Facebook and in this website Overseas Filipinos Worldwide

Continue reading »]]> My mother called me last Sunday during  celebration  of the mother’s Day in Spain yes she live in Madrid, to greet me and my sister  a Happy Mother’s Day. I soon realized that yes I’m a mother for 4 years now and I found this poem which describe a mother’s life. But after all the hardships of giving birth, diaper changing, sickness and sometimes day seems like impossible especially when you are in grocery counter after a day in the kindergarten and the candies and chocolates are just just within reach even  by a 4 year kid I’m still happy to be a mom. I feel whole and appreciated when my son tells me every time he has a chance but he makes it sure to tell me before he’s going to sleep and when he wakes up ” Mor, du er den bedste i hele verden” Mother, you are the best in the whole world. Now he’s into drawing and I will post one of his ever first drawing with my smiling face and my name and I was smiling when I found another piece with may name and my age and MOR (mother)  just before he sleeps he gave me one with all the numbers of buses and train so I know where and what to take. See how thoughtful my son is. I remember my mother used to tell me then that the only way We the children or maybe women can pay the hardships of our mother is by giving birth and rasing your own children and now we’re quits no, I don’t think so I only got one she has 5. I love Mom “happy Mother’s Day.

To my Nany, Lola, aunties,friends and to all mothers Happy mother’s day. I found this poem in the net unfortunately I forgot where was it from so I can indicate my source. I dedicate this poem because it describe how motherhood change us to something even better.

Author Unknown

Before I was a Mom
I made and ate hot meals.
I had unstained clothing.
I had quiet conversations on the phone.

Before I was a Mom,
I slept as late as I wanted
And never worried about how late I got into bed.
I brushed my hair and my teeth everyday.

Before I was Mom
I cleaned my house each day.
I never tripped over toys or forgot words of lullabies.

Before I was a Mom
I didn’t worry whether or not my plants were poisonous.
I never thought about immunizations.

Before I was a Mom
I had never been puked on
Pooped on
Spit on
Chewed on
Peed on
Or pinched by tiny fingers

Before I was a Mom
I had complete control of:
My thoughts
My body
And my mind.
I slept all night.

Before I was a Mom
I never held down a screaming child
So that doctors could do tests
Or give shots.
I never looked into teary eyes and cried.
I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin.
I never sat up late hours at night watching a baby sleep.

Before I was a Mom
I never held a sleeping baby just because I didn’t want to put it down.
I never felt my heart break into a million pieces
When I couldn’t stop the hurt.
I never knew that something so small
Could affect my life so much.
I never knew that I could love someone so much.
I never knew I would love being a Mom.

Before I was a Mom
I didn’t know the feeling of having my heart outside my body.
I didn’t know how special it could feel to feed a hungry baby.
I didn’t know that bond between a Mother and her child.
I didn’t know that something so small
Could make me feel so important.

Before I was a Mom
I had never gotten up in the middle of the night every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay
I had never known the warmth
The joy
The love
The heartache
The wonder
Or the satisfaction of being a Mom.

I didn’t know I was capable of feeling so much before I was a Mom.