DAVAO CITY, 1 May — Manila has announced a new package of benefits awaiting returning Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) upon arrival in any port of the country.
The questions are these really benefits or just ploys of the government to lure OFWs to spend more dollars in the country.
Among the so called benefits approved by the Senate committee on tourism are Senate Bill 2041 providing OFWs or balikbayans additional benefits on the the amount of allocation at the duty free shops.
The bill raises an additional USD 2000 on the maximum worth of goods OFWs may purchase tax-free.
Another ‘benefit’ is the extension of the privilege from 48 hours to seven days.
Critics of the government say the government, instead of encouraging OFWs to save for the future want to spend more on goods that are not necessary.
The economy remains hanging in the dark with nationwide rallies held by pro-Erap supporters.
As of press time, Arab News obtained from banking sources the exchange rate has crossed the border again of Php 51 to the dollar. It is P 51.90 in the black market and still rising.
The government has also lowered its growth rate target to 1.74 percent due to the weakening peso.
The crisis in the country today has frightened investors and the stock market is taking a beating.
Due to the current crisis, even Bangko Sentral Ng Pilipinas has said it can not stop the peso to fall more.
Insiders in the government admitted the government is in deep trouble with not enough money to fund projects. OFWs are the next target and the government is enticing them by giving them recognition.
Filipino leaders in a Middle Eastern country are reportedly disappointed in their hopes that their country would be in good shape after the ouster of Estrada.
Arroyo’s support is said to be in a limbo following the announcement of OFWs as the next source of dollars by her government.
Several organizations based in Saudi Arabia and nearby Gulf states sent feelers to this writer on their frustrations on Arroyo following a promise the then senator said for more benefits to OFWs during her Middle East visit in 1995.
