An OFW's Fear in Going Back Home

Going home many times every year is a luxury that we can afford, and we take advantage of it. We sometimes spend our long weekends in Manila, and our long annual vacations from work in the province in the Visayas. There is no question that we love the Philippines, and we really enjoy being there.

But why is it that we don't have plans or are not making plans of going back home for good? Many OFWs like us have their own reasons, but I would like to mention my own family's.

Foremost is the very limited or lack of source of income that can support a relatively financially stress-free lifestyle. After more than 10 years of working abroad, we can definitely afford to buy a residential property in a middle class development project. But for how long can our savings support us if there are no opportunities good enough to support our family of three?

The skills that we have will fetch us a job that is maybe a few thousand pesos better paying than the minimum wage if we move back to Manila(that is if there is a company willing to hire people in their late 30s). But at what added cost? More time spent on traffic jams, pollution, high income taxes, higher crime rate, justice system that is perceived to be only catered for the super rich and powerful, poor educational system, and a government perceived to be corrupt?

We might have some extra money to start a business. But we are not businessmen. I sound negative, but it is good to ask the question "What are the chances of me striking it good?". Having some money to use as capital in a business is no guarantee of its success. This is proven time and again by friends who tried their hand in some well planned business ventures, but only a few made it, and continue to make it good. The majority has to come back and start "saving" anew. One good thing these friends can help us with are tips on how to handle and get around the red tape and ineptness of government departments as a whole and the people who are working in them. Oh yes, utility companies too, though privately owned can be lumped with them.

My second fear is with peace and order. The Hong Kong police has the reputation of being efficient and corruption free. And we do feel that they are there to serve us, residents of the territory. When we see them walking on their street beat, we feel safe. If they accost and ask us of our identification card on the street, we feel embarrassed, but we know that they are just doing their job. No offense taken. But in the Philippines, we feel it's not quite the same. Experiences of friends going on vacation to their hometown and victimized by akyat-bahay thieves and criminals plant fear in our hearts. News accounts of cell phone snatching that leads to death, and other criminal acts on Filipinos' daily normal activities makes us feel afraid that when we do go home, we too will be subjected to these atrocities.

The last one is regarding healthcare. Pampered by our experience here in Hong Kong, we feel unprotected back home in the Philippines. What is going to happen if a member of the family needs major health care? Can we rely on the Philippines' public healthcare system? I sincerely doubt it. Most Filipinos I believe die prematurely because they can't afford to pay for their care. Yes, that is a fear that is so true. Even if we bring home hundreds of thousands of pesos, wiping it out is also an easy thing to do.

These are my reasons why I plan to stay here in Hong Kong as long as I can. And going thru these over and over again in my head, I'm not quite sure how or what can change my mind.

http://hkbigmind.blogspot.com/

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