Overseas Filipino Workers: UCSP PBA04: Research and Essay

UCSP PBA04: Research and Essay

Yobel Chryselle C. Bautista
Conduct a research regarding the current number of Overseas Filipino workers abroad. Read articles about the
effects of OFW phenomenon on Filipino families. Write an executive summary about your research. Include your
references following the correct APA format.
Write an argumentative essay to express your stand about this social issue: Should Filipino parents leave their
children behind and work overseas? Why or why not?
Overseas Filipino Workers

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INTRODUCTION
Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) are people who live and work in another
country, typically on a temporary basis. (Oxford Dictionary).
The OFW Phenomenon
According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, as of the year 2018, there are
about 2.3 million OFWs deployed around the world. The presence of OFWs and the
money that they send back home are supposed to boost our economy. This is done
through the money or remittances that they send back home.
Effects of the OFW Phenomenon
The OFW Phenomenon may have various effects, may it be good or bad. Having fellow
Filipinos working abroad allows the economy to grow, provides opportunities for their
families. However, there are also negative effects to having a family member leave the
place they call home.

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1. Effect on our Economy
Because of the remittances sent back by the OFWs, the economy grows. A total
of around 20 billion dollars is brought into the Philippine economy each year. This
represents 10% of the country’s GDP. Lack of local jobs and opportunities abroad create
a social pressure to decide to leave home, even if this entails separation from one’s
family.
The large amount of money brought back by OFWs may be one of the reasons
that the government chooses to overlook the thousands of Filipinos who are victims of
illegal recruiters as well as inadequate working conditions.
2. Effects on the Filipino Family
With all the positive effects on the economy, the remittances of the OFWs also
provide financial support to their families back in the Philippines. The Filipino
Government calls them “modern-day heroes”. However, what does this “heroism” cost
them and their families?

Research has shown that negative effects in the family include the separation of
spouses, as this happens to one in every four of OFW spouses. Aside from this, up to
two in five OFW children drop out of college due to their parents being unable to
provide enough guidance and support. Some OFWs never return as well. This could lead
to broken families, and essentially, emotional damage in the family members affected.

While there are success stories brought about by some OFWs, it cannot be denied
that this comes hand in hand with hardships and sacrifices as well. Overall, the effect
on the family of having an OFW may also depend on their current social status and
relationship with that family member.

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Personal Opinion (Argumentative Essay)
The engines of an aircraft, the airplane touching down on a runway. Wheels of a

suitcase rolling along the tiled floor of the airport. Overjoyed relatives and loved ones
waiting at the arrival gate with expectant eyes. These are some of the few things an
OFW may look forward to as s/he comes home. Some of them may be visiting for a
while, then return to work abroad in a few days. Others could be finally home for good,
after a few years of being apart from their family. However, there are also those OFWs
who don’t get to experience this, relying on current technology for video calls to reach
their loved ones. The story of each OFW is different, but one thing remains the same:
they wish to improve their lives, as well as that of their family’s.
Raymundo Contreras was an OFW in Australia for five years. He couldn’t go back

home to the Philippines while he was working, until he earned enough money to pay for
his family’s house and secure a better future for them. His eldest daughter was in high
school at that time, and he had three other children. He and his family constantly
missed each other, but they knew that him being away was something that was needed.
Without the sacrifice of Raymundo, my family would not be what it is today. He is my
grandfather, and I am proud of what he has done, for he has provided for his family,
which is now mine as well. It was difficult for him, but he also developed lifelong
friendships there and learned many life lessons as well.

Sometimes, such that in the case of my grandfather, one of our countrymen is
left no choice except to leave the country in search of greener pastures. I believe that
being an OFW really depends on the current situation of the person. Majority of OFWs
choose to go abroad because of the lack of opportunity here in the Philippines. Would it
be better for our economy and the Filipino family to have more local jobs?

Our economy and country has many things to work on, and I believe that the
OFW phenomenon is included in that list. It may be good for the economy, but it
creates a strain within the family. Taking this into consideration, we may have to
rethink our priorities as a country. In my opinion, it would be best if the Philippines
created a way so that in the future, being an OFW would not be that much of a need
anymore. However, until that happens, I think that it’s still acceptable for one to
pursue a job abroad, especially if it’s to help the family and give back to the country.
One just has to keep in mind the loved ones left behind, and work as diligently as
possible in order to go home once again.

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Sources
(n.d.). Retrieved October 10, 2019, from
https://moneytis.com/en/blog/living-abroad/philippines-ofw-impact.
(2019, April 30). Retrieved October 10, 2019, from
https://psa.gov.ph/statistics/survey/labor-and-employment/survey-overseas-filipinos.
OFW experience: At what cost to family? (n.d.). Retrieved October 10, 2019, from
https://www.philstar.com/opinion/2014/10/06/1376935/ofw-experience-what-cost-family.
Why ending the OFW phenomenon matters. (n.d.). Retrieved October 10, 2019, from
https://news.mb.com.ph/2016/10/31/why-ending-the-ofw-phenomenon-matters/.

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UCSP PBA04: Research and Essay

Overseas Filipino Workers

The OFW Phenomenon

Effects of the OFW Phenomenon

1. Effect on our Economy

2. Effects on the Filipino Family

Personal Opinion (Argumentative Essay)

The engines of an aircraft, the airplane touching down on a runway. Wheels of a

Raymundo Contreras was an OFW in Australia for five years. He couldn’t go back

(n.d.). Retrieved October 10, 2019, from

(2019, April 30). Retrieved October 10, 2019, from

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