18/07/2025
IS BEING AN OFW WORTH IT?
(I delivered this speech as an invited speaker during the Lagawe Migrant Workers Day held at the public plaza last July 15, 2025 with the theme "BAYAN, BAYANI, BAYANIHAN." This is the redacted English version of the speech which was originally in Tuwali. I am posting this as requested by some of the participants.)
Here's one question I want to ask: "Is being an OFW worth it?" The answer resides deep within the recesses of our hearts because we had varying experiences. However, it is imperative to state that we had happy and sad moment during our OFW days. It boils down to one thing though that we opted to work overseas out of love for our families bringing with us our hopes and aspirations to provide our loved ones better life. They were our driving force turning our tears to subdued smiles. Thus, let's hold each other's hands and say this affirmation: "Congratulations to all of us! We finally made it home safe and sound." After long years of toiling in a foreign land, we are now enjoying the fruit of our labor and having great time with our families. This, my dear fellow former OFWs, is what BAYAN means in our theme for this year's celebration for migrant workers of Lagawe. After all, there is no place like home sweet home.
Next in our theme is BAYANI. Let's close our eyes and together we travel back in time. Think of that very first time when you left the country for greener pasture. That time when you hugged your family and exchanged goodbyes. That moment when you stepped in at the receiving lounge of the airport while your loved ones waved their hands as a parting gesture. What were your feelings back then? Slowly, open your eyes and be thankful that you are finally reunited with your family.
To be away from home to work overseas is one big sacrifice which earns us the title of being the heroes of modern times. Let's check some OFW statistics as of the first quarter of 2025. Currently, there are 2.3 million migrant workers around the world. Survey reveals that 6.7% of Philippine households has an OFW which means that 67 out of 1000 households in the country have family members working overseas. Their personal remittances alone account to US$3.1B for the first quarter according to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas contributing to 11% to the country's GDP.
The Philippine government recognizes these sacrifices and economic contributions which prompted the creation of the Department of Migrant Workers on December 30, 2021 to safeguard and protect the rights, and to promote the welfare of OFWs and their families. Thus, if you consider yourself as a modern hero then three cheers for your diligence and hard work.
Last in our theme is BAYANIHAN which I consider more of a challenge to us as former OFWs and to the associations. To current OFWs who are home for vacation, please listen because you will eventually head for home for good one day. Just like our varied experiences as OFWs before, our experiences as regards coming home for good are varied, too. Others came home because they reached their age of retirement. Others already reached their goals like having all their kids finish their studies. And, others already secured a bright future by investing in our hometown. Unfortunately, others came home due to forced circumstances like homesickness, unfavorable working conditions, abuses at the workplace and early termination. Whatever the reason would be, we all face dire situations on our return back home such as financial adjustment, social reintegration, finding suitable local employment and mental health issues.
FINANCIAL ADJUSTMENT on whatever savings we have is somewhat a daunting task especially if we don't have an immediate source of income due to the absence of investment with returns or a local employment at hand. Thus, we learn to tighten our belts ad cash flow is mostly from the pocket out. We may try self-employment but the security to prosper may not be fail proof even with the invested time, money and effort.
Another situation is SOCIAL REINTEGRATION of which our long absence may tip our balance related to the different changes in our community. Our peers we used to hangout with in the past may now be preoccupied with their own families and careers. Worse would be the difficult readjustment in our homes especially when the children were left at a very young age and they grew up under the care of just one parent or the relatives. Imagine the heartache of hugging your own child without him reciprocating since he is not used to your presence. It is an emotional rollercoaster ride that needs great length of time to improve the family dynamics.
FINDING SUITABLE LOCAL EMPLOYMENT poses a challenge for us, former migrant workers. Our age may be a factor or our skills may not already be in demand for the local market. And not to forget the notion that we should not be locally employed because of the thought that we have with us sackful of money. These ate the sad realities that we need to prepare for.
And last among these are MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES wherein the three previous enumerations contribute to a former OFW's state of mind - a make or break situation depending how well our coping mechanisms work. Sometimes, we feel depressed due to the changes in our environment, in our lifestyle and in our family dynamics. From our busy days as OFWs, we suddenly plunge into a much different scenario of lazy days if inactivity.
I am not here to speak of solutions for these difficult situations because needs are highly individualized. Instead, I am here to pose some challenges not just individually but for every association to commit to the BAYANIHAN spirit and work together as a team to determine possible solutions for the upliftment and empowerment of members. In general, include in your plan of activities and programs the following:
1. FINANCIAL LITERACY
2. LIVELIHOOD AND ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT
3. SKILLS TRAINING AND CAPABILITY ENHANCEMENT
4. JOB SEARCH ASSISTANCE
5. REINTEGRATION AND MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELLING
As an association, you may visit NRCO (National Reintegration Center for OFWs), OWWA (Overseas Workers Welfare Authority), TESDA (Technical Education and Skills Development Authority), DOST (Department of Science and Technology), DOLE (Department of Labor and Employment) and DTI (Department of Trade and Industry) to inquire and seek assistance for programs they can offer. The mother association, for example, may request NRCO to conduct trainers' training on social reintegration and mental health counselling for barangay association representatives who, in turn, would act as counsellors in their own turfs. Or, the association may ask TESDA which skills training programs would be suitable to be conducted.
Thus, I challenge your associations to sit down, draft your plan of activities and programs, and network with possible agencies that can provide assistance. You have to help one another because it is your BAYANIHAN that will sustain the association to the advantage of the members. Most important is the back home application which means you have to realize and materialize the learnings to by putting them into practice.
Before I end my speech, may I take this opportunity to thank the different barangay associations and the mother association which is the Lagawe Overseas Migrant Workers Association for your great participation, the Lagawe Municipal Local Government Unit for providing migrant workers space in your busy schedules and for extending unwavering support in the conduct of this celebration, and to the working committee who tirelessly dedicated their time to make this event one to remember. Your trust in me to be your invited speaker will forever be cherished.
May Maknongan be in our midst for us to successfully celebrate our day. Haggiyo Lagawe migrant workers!
____________________________________________
Photo Credit:
Angie Guinid
Darise Augusto-Taguiam