Typically most Overseas Filipinos migrate to other countries in search of employment to support their families in the Philippines. As a result of this migration, many countries have come to host significant numbers of Filipino communities and organizations.
 


Today, Overseas Filipinos or Pinoy OFWs are a different breed. In many ways, Pinoy OFWs have become a source of:
-          Cutting edge technologies, skills and know-how Technology Advancement or technology transfers ·
-          Pre-deployed information assets to disseminate Philippine culture, traditions, values, policies and its national world view or weltanschauung
-           Philippine interest groups on national issues
-           And an international networking resource for the Philippines
 
As of 2010, there are approximately 9.5 million to 12.5 million Overseas Filipinos widely distributed in more than 180 countries or about 11% of the total population of the Philippines. Overseas Filipino’s have constituted themselves as a dominant force in the Philippines’ economy regardless of their physical absence, they are a vital source of foreign exchange remittances now running at USD 21.1 billion annually.
 
With the passage of Republic Act No. 9189 or “The Overseas Absentee Voting Act of 2003” the political role of Pinoy OFWs is now brought to the fore.
 
Indeed, Pinoy OFWs, can now exercise their right to vote and asserting that right, they can have a considerable impact in influencing the Nation’s political processes, not only by having a voice, but also a vital role to play – as active, concerned and civic-oriented citizens although residing abroad.
 
For every Pinoy OFWs, there are 4 to 6 next of kin, family members, and dependents. It follows that the constituent population of Pinoy OFW’s are many times over or effectively more than half the politically active population of the country. As it where, with the Pinoy OFW, refraining from active political participation, these sectors of OFWrelated/dependent family members are marginalized from the political process. But “Where are they now? “Kasali pa ba SILA dito?”
 
During the last 3 previous national elections, Pinoy OFWs registered a dismal political track record. The latest registrants were 0.589 million out of 10 to 12 million overseas OFWs. The actual voter-turnout was also unenthusiastic.
 
Statistical Data for 2004, 2007 and 2010 Elections


Let’s focus on the Pinoy seafarers’ participation record in particular. While the Filipino seafarers’ contribution to the national economy is vastly significant, their contribution to the national political process and/or political participation by way of the overseas absentee voting was dismally mediocre. For instance, out of the 330,424 deployed seafarers in 2009, only a fraction or 21,097 seafarers or 6.38% were registered as overseas absentee voters for the 2010 national elections. Filipino seafarers contributed immensely to the national revenue but lacked substantive participation in the national policy by way of the party-list system, under which the Filipino seafarers, as a group, can ask for political representation and enjoy a voice in the national political processes.
 
The nation will again hold its national elections on 13 May 2013. All qualified Filipinos eighteen (18) years of age on the time of the National Elections, residing abroad (OFWs, Dual-Citizens, Immigrants, Permanent Residents and Seafarers), will have an opportunity to vote for Senators and Party-List Representatives. They can participate in this exercise ONLY if they are registered as overseas absentee voters on or before 31 October 2012.
 
With approximately five (5) months left before the end of the OAV registration/certification period on 31 October 2012. Your registering to be a qualified Overseas Filipino Voter enhances participatory democracy.
 
This electoral exercise is worthy of your attention and support.
 
“PINOY OFWs, MGA KABABAYAN, KASALI PA RIN KAYO DITO”.
 
This article is a part of the information campaign of DFA-OAVS.
 
For more details, kindly check our website for more details www.dfa-oavs.gov.ph  . You can also find us on Facebook. .
 
You can also find our banner ads, e-posters and links thru the DFA, CFO, POEA, OWWA, MIAA and other Foreign Service Post Official Websites including Philippine Embassy The Hague  http://www.philembassy.nl  .  
 
We hope that the multiplier effect thru the INTERNET, with Munting Nayon News Magazine's assistance, of our e-posters along with our article will create more OAV awareness for our Pinoy OFWs to participate and exercise their right of suffrage.
(Overseas Absentee Voting Secretariat)

 

 

 

Munting Nayon News Magazine