Economy : The Philippines on the Upswing

The Philippines is really an enigma! There was a time when the economies of its neighboring countries were all doing well and the Philippines was bungling with its own. It was even tagged as the basket case of Asia. But now that other countries' economies are slowing down or collapsing, its economy is surprisingly on the upswing. As a matter of fact, it is now the fastest growing economy in Asia.

According to a CNN report, the growth is mainly due to two factors : the remittances of Overseas Filipino Workers and the booming call center industry. Normally, these factors are not what other countries would rely on to grow their economies, in fact it doesn't apply to most of them. Very few countries have big overseas workers population, and most do not have a call center industry. The only country which has a similar experience is India. India has a lot of overseas workers and also has a  booming call center industry. As a matter of fact,  it was the leading call center network in Asia until recently. Lately, the Philippines has overtaken India as the leading call center network in the region. But India is an industrialized country, unlike the Philippines which is basically an agricultural country.

Who would ever think that the facility of Filipinos to speak English as a second language would  someday be useful and eventually help in the economic recovery of their country. When Spain sold the Philippines to the Americans, the Philippines became a colony of the US for almost a century, and Filipinos were forced to learn the English language.

The Philippine Call Center Industry

And who would over think that Filipinos seeking employment and greener pastures abroad due to unemployment and lack of better job opportunities,  would someday help save their country's economy. Almost a tenth of the Filipino population are working abroad, and these millions of overseas Filipino workers are now remitting billions of dollars to the Philippines, thus helping its economy grow.

Click pictograph to enlarge

Overseas Filipino Workers Remittances (1987-2007)

Hopefully, the Philippines has reach its turning point.

News Source :
http://edition.cnn.com/2012/07/12/world/asia/philippines-surprise-surge/index.html?eref=edition&utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=cnni

Picture  source :
filipinocallcenter.com

Update : Philhealth's Unfair Treatment of OFWs

Being a former OFW and a Philhealth member,  I can emphatize with the concerns of our
 OFWs (Overseas Filipino Workers)  regarding the excessive and unreasonable increase on Philhealth annual premium, and the compulsory OFW membership to the government health care program.

The burden imposed on OFWs by the unreasonable and arbitrary premium increase is unscrupulous, to say the least. And requiring compulsory Philhealth membership to all OFWs is unfair, and more so if it is made as a requirement so one could leave the country to work abroad. It is the right of a Filipino to travel and  work abroad, and should not be restricted by this requirement.

Many OFWs either have their own personal health insurance or are covered by their company's health care program as part of their contract benefits, and should not be forced to be members. Forcing the OFWs  to be members and making them pay the annual premium is simply illogical, because most OFWs' contacts last for a year or more, and will not be benefitting from the services of Philhealth for the year they paid. This applies particularly to unmarried members without dependents, and married members whose families are with them abroad.

If Philhealth continues to impose compulsory membership, it should have or "must" have Philhealth offices and affiliate hospitals in all the countries where OFWs are deployed, to assist them. If not, Philhealth should make OFWs membership optional to be fair.

If Philhealth needs more money to pay for the health care benefits of other Philhealth members, they should not be targeting the OFW sector to pay and shoulder these expenses of Philhealth.

Is Philhealth treating the OFWs as milking cows?
The OFWs are our living heroes and the savior of our economy, I think they deserve a better treatment.

Click logo to go to Philhealth official website

Philhealth

Please click posters to enlarge

OFWs appeal to Philhealth 

Related Links :
http://www.susanople.com/no-to-increase-in-philhealth-ofw-premiums/
http://www.ofwguide.com/article_item-1714/Philhealth-Defers-Increase-in-OFW-Contributions---Opens-Service-Desks-in-Malls.html
http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=1851335425473