The OFW’s family life

Last June 10, I was tasked to speak about single parenting to OFW families of Talisay, Bacolod. It was a joint project of Globe and Talisay City’s local government in celebration of National Migrant Worker’s Day.

In preparation for my talk, I came across some interesting facts about OFW families that I’d like to share with you. Here goes:

• According to the National Statistics office, (OFWs) who worked abroad during the period April to September 2004 reached 1.06 million, up by 8.2 percent from 982,000 a year ago.

If we were to analyze what the figures above mean for the Filipino family, we’d realize that as more and more Filipinos continue to decide to work abroad, less and less people are finding hope in our country for survival.

• It is interesting to note that of the 1.06 million OFWs, 49.3 percent (524,000) were males while 50.7 percent (539,000) were females. From 2003 to 2004, the number of male and female OFWs went up by 3.1 percent for the males and 13.5 percent for the females. An increase in the number of female OFWs was observed in all age groups. The bulk of the female OFWs (24.3 percent) belonged to the 25-29 age group. On the other hand, 23.9 percent of the male OFWs were 45 years old and over.

• That there is a significant increase in OFW women who are mostly mothers is sad. Their ages indicate that if they are indeed mothers, their children would most probably be between the ages of 0 and seven years old, which we know as the developmental stages of a child. It is also when a child needs his/her mother the most.

• The total remittances of OFWs from April to September 2004 amounted to P64.7 billion, lower by P5.7 million from the P70.4 billion recorded from the same period last year. These remittances include cash sent (P50.4 billion), cash brought home (P11.2 billion), and remittances in kind (P3.1 billion).

• The average remittance within the six-month period was estimated at P72,795, a decrease of P9,326 from P82,121 last year. On the average, male OFWs sent higher remittances than female OFWs.

• Though our peso’s value remains stable because of the influx of dollars from remittances, we have a lot to be wary about when it comes to how the money will be spent wisely or carelessly by those who will receive it. Many families are experiencing more means to buy luxuries in life without being equipped with the tools and knowledge about how to save for the future.

(Source: National Statistics Office)

Perhaps our government can look into the serious implications of migration to the Filipino family and provide programs that will cater to preserving the family while a parent – or both parents – tries to seek greener pastures abroad. We need to do something about a whole generation of parentless children that will one day dominate our country.

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E-mail your thoughts at mommytalk@businessworks.com.ph