Pampanga is leading OFW sender with P16B remittances

Pampanga is leading OFW sender with P16B remittances By Ian Ocampo Flora Thursday, November 29, 2012 CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- Pampanga remains the strongest source of overseas workers for Central Luzon and the country, with P16.6 billion in remittances in 2006 and P161.2 million in donations to various organizations in the province to date. This was stressed during the 5th World Social Forum on Migrations (WSFM) field visit at the Provincial Government on Wednesday. The forum featured the visit of some 60 foreign nationals all across the globe representing various countries where Filipino workers represent a significant population. Edmund Ruga, focal person for the delegation, said the visit to Pampanga is in recognition of the strong role of the province in the overseas Filipino workers’ (OFWs) sector. The visit was aimed at consolidating efforts and establishing networks for better services and assistance to OFWs and their dependents. Recent statistics show that Pampanga has some 29 percent female land-based overseas workers and 71 percent male land-based overseas workers in the whole world. This includes 69,803 permanent residents in various countries. Based on records, there are 13,947 spouses of foreign nationals while the total number of seafarers is set at 17 percent of the total number of OFWs in the country. Provincial Action Center for OFW Concerns head Ma. Eliza Munoz said the visit of the group will greatly help in recognizing possible areas of cooperation with the delegates of WSFM. The meeting also raises issues on the problems faced by Filipinos in various countries. Munoz said the sheer number of OFW remittances make them a strong sector in the development of the province and its economy. “There is a need to consolidate efforts and maintain a strong network of support for our OFWs. We hope that the delegates of the WSFM will help us in their own little ways. We for one, will continue to place stronger programs for OFWs,” Governor Lilia Pineda said. According to its website, the WSFM is one of the thematic processes of the World Social Forum (WSF). The WSF is a global process of, and by, social movements, mass organizations, civil society, activists and advocates. The WSFM, in particular, provides a space for democratic debate, reflection, sharing of ideas and experiences, cultural exchange, socialization, networking, enhancing solidarity, consensus-building, discussion of plans and strategies, and popularization of positions, agenda and actions on migration and mobility-related issues, according to its website. Published in the Sun.Star Pampanga newspaper on November 29, 2012. http://sunstar.com.ph/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sunstar.com.ph%2Fpampanga%2Flocal-news%2F2012%2F11%2F29%2Fpampanga-leading-ofw-sender-p16b-remittances-255676#3042