I Love Pinoys

Overseas Filipino workers based in Dubai had differing opinions as President Arroyo delivered her eighth State of the Nation Address (SONA) Monday afternoon in Quezon City.

ABS-CBN Middle East News Bureau chief Dindo Amparo reported that it was lunchtime when OFWs in Dubai watched Mrs. Arroyo’s SONA.

Some OFWs defended the President whom they said should not be blamed for the escalating prices of oil.

“Hindi naman kagagawan ng presidente na tumaas yan, ang lahat naman ng nasyon tumataas, hindi lang sa atin sa Pilipinas,” an unidentified OFW said.

Another OFW said he believes that the Philippines is not the only country in the world that is facing this kind of crisis.

“Totoo ‘yung sinasabi niya na it’s all over the world, ang problema sa gasoline, ‘yung oil prices and everything,” he said.

Meanwhile, there were some who thought that the President should not be the only one to blame.

“Sino ba ‘yung mga nasa likod ng presidente na gumagawa din ng kawalanghiyaan para pabagsakin ang ekonomiya ng Pilipinas?” an OFW said.

While many OFWs support Mrs. Arroyo’s accomplishments, they, however, said that ordinary Filipinos do not feel the triumphs of her administration since oil prices remain high.

“So ano ba talaga? Kailan ba talaga natin mararamdaman ‘yung ginhawa or epekto nung magagandang tinutukoy ni presidente?” some of them asked.

For a cook like “Johnny,” the President should consider removing the value-added tax.

“Tumataas masyado ang mga bilihin kaya dapat makontrol ng Pangulo lalo ang petrol na yan, para guminhawa naman buhay ng mga kababayan natin sa Pilipinas,” he said.

In her speech before Congress, the President praised OFWs for the money they send home and the honor they have brought the country.

“I care for our OFWs, famed for their skill, integrity and untiring labor, who send home their pay as the only way to touch loved ones so far away,” the President said.

On Monday, Mrs. Arroyo delivered her speech which also lauded the ordinary Filipinos like the farmers, students, teachers and OFWs.

“Nagpupugay ako ngayon sa kanilang mga karaniwang Pilipino,” Mrs. Arroyo said.

According to the Philippine Overseas Employment Agency’s annual report for 2007, the Middle East is still the top destination of OFWs for the past 30 years.

The annual report also stated that Saudi Arabia and the UAE are the top two global destinations of news hires and rehires. Saudi Arabia has employed a total of 237,813 while UAE has 120,043.