What is the main reason why many Filipinos decided to leave their beloved family behind and work abroad? It is to earn more in order to be able to give their family the best possible future they can give. To buy the things they need, to have their own house to call their home, etc. The overseas Filipino workers (OFW) are usually breadwinners supporting even their extended families as well. The remittances the OFWs send to their loved ones used to be enough to pay their bills, mortgages and even a little extra for them to go to the mall and enjoy. Today, the families of the OFWs are experiencing difficulty in stretching their budget for the whole month due to the high prices of everything. From basic commodities, transport fares, school supplies, etc.
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Godofredo's wife is an OFW in Malaysia. She needed to work there because the family cannot rely on his salary as a "barangay tanod" alone. They use the remittances they receive from his OFW wife for the education of their children, while his salary from his local job is used to pay their electric and water bills.
Gina also experienced difficulty in making ends meet and forced to transfer her children to a public school because the remittances sent by her OFW husband is not enough anymore for their expenses.
The remittances sent by OFWs abroad is considered the redeeming grace for the Philippine economy by helping stabilize the country's dollar reserve.
Gina also experienced difficulty in making ends meet and forced to transfer her children to a public school because the remittances sent by her OFW husband is not enough anymore for their expenses.
The remittances sent by OFWs abroad is considered the redeeming grace for the Philippine economy by helping stabilize the country's dollar reserve.
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The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said that the OFW remittances had been slowing down and this year was the slowest flow of cash remittances in the past seventeen years. It is due to the repatriation program of the government, according to the BSP.
From $13.8 Billion from January to June last year, OFW remittances had slightly gone up to $14.2 Billion at the same period this year.
The government said headline inflation rate went up to 4.6 % in May as compared to 2.9% last year mainly caused by price increases in fish and seafood, fuel, lubricants, bread, and cereals. Average inflation at 4.1 %, higher than the government’s 2 - 4 % target for 2018.
From $13.8 Billion from January to June last year, OFW remittances had slightly gone up to $14.2 Billion at the same period this year.
The government said headline inflation rate went up to 4.6 % in May as compared to 2.9% last year mainly caused by price increases in fish and seafood, fuel, lubricants, bread, and cereals. Average inflation at 4.1 %, higher than the government’s 2 - 4 % target for 2018.
Due to the price hike, OFWs are encouraged to send at least 20% more of their usual remittance for their family to cope up with the experienced inflation, at least until the prices stabilized.
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While OFWs do their best to provide for heir family back home, the latter also need to learn to value their sacrifices and hardships by spending the remittances wisely. It is important for them to know how to spend the remittances wisely as a way of helping their beloved OFW.
This is filed under work abroad, overseas Filipino workers, remittances, bills, mortgages, basic commodities, transport fares, school supplies, BSP, OFW
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This is filed under work abroad, overseas Filipino workers, remittances, bills, mortgages, basic commodities, transport fares, school supplies, BSP, OFW
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