Balikbayan box a scary sign of RP situation, says bishop

 

By Jerome Aning
Inquirer
Last updated 06:49pm (Mla time) 02/24/2007

MANILA, Philippines -- A Balikbayan box is not just a simple container of goodies from abroad but a frightening reminder that Filipinos have to go abroad to find work so that they and their families could survive hard times in the Philippines.

The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines' Episcopal Commission on Migrants and Itinerant People (ECMI) has this in mind as the country marks the National Migrants' Day on Sunday, which is also the first Sunday of Lent.

"The Balikbayan box could very well be seen as the strongest symbol of Filipino migration; it continues to project the hope of many Filipinos that migration is the only way to improve their economic condition and that of their families," said Bishop Precioso Cantillas of Maasin, Leyte who also heads ECMI.

Approximately eight million Filipinos work or live overseas; between 2,500 and 3,000 overseas Filipino workers leave the country every day.

ECMI highlighted the Roman Catholic Church's "deep concern" over the different social ills of overseas employment and migration, "believing that until this time, the issues are not yet being given much attention in our society."

Cantillas pointed to the "new face of feminization" in the deployment of OFWs, as more and more women leave their homes to become nurses, teachers, maids, and entertainers, thus posing challenges to some family and social values.

"The absence of the mother in the family has great ill effects in the upbringing of children," the bishop said. "As more Balikbayan boxes appear at our airports, our concern for the welfare of the migrants and their families especially the children left behind becomes more frightening."

The commission called on the Church, society, and the government to face the social effects of migration with "greater concern and dedication," particularly in providing more awareness programs, direct paralegal services, and counseling support to OFWs and the families they left behind, and strengthening the economic capacity of the families.

"ECMI continues to hope with the Filipino people for a socio-political and economic change in our country which would provide better work opportunities for every Filipino worker here in our very own country so that our countrymen will not be forced to leave their homes at the expense of the proper growth of their families and children," it said.

Such social change could happen if the Filipinos vote wisely in the coming May elections, ECMI added.

ECMI also appealed to the government for "quality legislation and programs" that would promote the welfare of OFWs and their families.

"After all, they are doing our country and society significant economic support through their work and sacrifices," it said.

ECMI executive secretary Fr. Edwin Corros said the theme of this year's National Migrants' Sunday was "Social Costs of Migration: A Deep Concern for the Church" to point out that migration issues are not yet being given much attention by the society.

The host of the 2007 celebration is the Diocese of Antipolo, which is ranked third nationwide with the highest number of OFWs.

The event would be celebrated at the Assumption College of Antipolo City and would be preceded by an advocacy parade and a procession of the Birhen ng Antipolo icon.

Around 4,000 OFW families from different parishes of Rizal province and Marikina City are expected to participate.

The Church has also organized parades, motorcades, releasing of balloons, and film-showings in the dioceses of Manila, Novaliches, Caloocan, Bayombong in Nueva Vizcaya, Lipa, Cebu, San Fernando in La Union, Alaminos in Pangasinan, and Bangued in Abra.

Corros said Cagayan Valley is one concern for ECMI because the region had the most number of OFW returnees from strife-ridden Lebanon. The returnees were still waiting for the care of and the promised assistance by the government, he added.

ECMI invited government agencies dealing with migrant workers such as the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, Philippine Overseas Employment Administration, and Philippine Health Insurance Corp. to take part in the events by opening information and assistance desks.

 

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