Palace not bothered by OFWs' 'No Remittance Day'

MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang is not bothered by the plan of an overseas Filipino workers' group (OFW) to declare a "No Remittance Day" on August 28 as protest against the policies of the Bureau of Customs (BOC).

Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said they respect the rights of OFWs to express their grievances.

However, Coloma noted that a "No Remittance Day" held in 2013 did not negatively affect the economy.

"Noon naman ay walang naiulat na masamang epekto ito. Kaya kung 'yon ang pagbabatayan ay tila wala naman tayong dapat ikabahala hinggil dito," Coloma said in a press briefing on Wednesday.

Coloma reminded OFWs that their families will be directly affected if remittances were not sent back home.

"'Yon namang pagpapadala ng kinita, kung tutuusin natin, ay personal na pagpapasya ng bawat manggagawa at ang kanilang pinagpapadalhan ay ang kanilang mahal sa buhay—pamilya na tinutustusan, sinusuportahan, at binibigyan ng kalinga," he said.

"Kaya sa kanilang pagpapasya isasaalang-alang nila na, kung ano man pagpapahayag ng kanilang saloobin, kailangan pa rin nilang maiparating 'yung mga remittance na 'yon. Maaaring maantala ito ng isang araw pero hindi naman siguro ito nila iniisip na huwag ipadala," Coloma added.

The militant group Migrante will reportedly lead the "No Remittance Day" to protest the tax imposed on balikbayan boxes and the BOC's aborted plan to physically inspect the boxes.

Coloma said the administration values the contribution of OFWs and their balikbayan boxes which symbolize the hardwork and sacrifice of Filipinos abroad.

Related: PNoy spokesman denies saying OFW remittances not important

He said the government will continue its campaign against smugglers who use balikbayan boxes to do illegal acts.

"Patuloy naming kinikilala ang mahalagang ambag ng mga OFW sa ating ekonomiya, bagaman kailangan ding isaalang-alang ang pangangailangang sawatain ang mga smuggler na nananamantala sa bayan sa paggamit ng mga balikbayan box," Coloma said.