It remains unclear when the world will find a cure
against the coronavirus, but what appears to be clear these days is the
new-found respect for frontline Overseas Filipino workers who are bravely
helping other countries fight the COVID-19 pandemic.
This Migrant Workers’ Day, it’s not enough to honor Overseas Filipino
healthcare workers by calling them noble frontliners. They are modern-day
heroes. Take the case of Jessica Lamela, a Filipino caregiver who is currently
in Israel. Other than being a caregiver, she is also looking for ways to help
other Filipinos who lost their jobs due to the global health crisis.
“Because I am a nurse by profession, I am called to serve during this pandemic.
But I am also helping other Filipinos in times of need. Daming workers na
nawalan ng work. Ayaw na kasi ng employer nila na may magdadala ng
virus. I help them because member ako ng Filipino organization,
called NAFILCO, by giving them support and food in times like this,” Lamela
said.
According to the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO), the number of Overseas Filipinos who worked abroad was
estimated at 10.2 million. But on May 6, the COVID-19 National Task
Force informed the Filipino public that close to 70,000 OFs are to be brought
home due to the global economic effects of the pandemic. These heroes are
hurting, to say the least.
“Since 2009 po, wala akong uwian, nung una for two years. Dati po akong
construction worker and now sa factory naman ako nagta-trabaho. At
dahil po sa COVID-19, wala na kami ng overtime. Kaya
nagbebenta-benta na rin po ako ng ulam dito,” said Dennis Pascual Maala, an
OF in South Korea.
For his part, Cesar Cosep, who is working as a Project Manager of a railway
system in Jeddah, was fortunate enough to keep his job, but other OFs in
Jeddahwere not as lucky as him.
“May mga tao sa Jeddah na nagka-cut sa salary nila. Nag-stop
yung project nila because of the lockdown. Their company was forced
to shut down,” Cosep said. But the Filipino community in other countries remain
solid and strong for their families back home. They continue to work for them,
while contributing to the country’s slowing economy by keeping remittances
coming.
Remittance Cushion
Although economists expect the country’s remittances will suffer due to the
pandemic, OFs like Lamela, Maala, and Cosep still continue to send money from
abroad through the remittance tie-ups of BPI with online remittance services.
“Kahit anong oras po at gusto kong magpadala sa mommy ko or sa mga kapatid
ko or sa tita ko, through mobile banking, nakakapagpadala ako.
May BPI Representative na pumunta sa Korea to introduce the ‘Pamana
Padala’ offering, oramismo natatanggap,”explained Maala.
Cosep agrees. “I’ve been using online remittance because I don’t have the time to fall in line and go to the physical branch. This is to be safe also. I send money to my family for their necessity. Ang important is they have food, medicine, and face masks this time,” he said.
Valuable contribution
BPI continues to initiate opportunities to drive digital services for the
benefit of OFs and their families back home. This is also the Bank’s way to
show recognition for their valuable contributions to the country.
“Even in the face of this global pandemic, and even when our OFs are far from
home, they can still take a hands-on approach to providing for their families
in the Philippines. They can still manage their accounts online and take full
control of their finances, despite the threat of an economic downturn,” said
Aileen Lamasuta, head of BPI Retail Segments.
“But as we recognize the fact that there may be challenges in remittances due
to COVID-19, BPI is still committed to strengthen our offerings for our brave
OFs. We have a strong network of remittance partners worldwide and a remittance
solution, BPI Pamana Padala, to give OFs peace of mind while away from their
loved ones. These will allow them to sustain the support they are sending their
families back home,” explained Reggie Cariaso, Head of BPI Corporate Banking
Strategy, Products, and Support.
Lamela, the caregiver, attests to this. “BPI played a big help for us at this
time, because very safe and secure ang transaction and alam kong makakarating
sa family ko ‘yung remittance. Big help ang digital services nila.”
Through digital banking, BPI continues to provide easy access to relevant
financial services for the modern-day heroes—the OFs who remain selfless even
in the face of a global pandemic. And every year, on June 7, the Philippines
marks "Migrants Workers' Day" to celebrate the signing of Republic
Act 8042 or the Migrant Workers Act of 1995.
While he doesn’t regard himself as a hero, Cosep has an apt description of one.
“A hero is a person who does something out of his way and does brave things.
But during these trying times, sila yung mga taong they go out of their
houses for the people in need, I consider them as heroes. You don’t have to
kill to become a hero. Gone were the days when we define heroes as someone who
dies for the country,” he said.
“Sila ‘yung may takot sa Diyos. Iniisip ‘yung makabubuti para sa nakararami,”
Maala added.
