on remittances and unemployment

It has been another banner year. From Jan-Nov of 2009, our modern day heroes remitted a record $15.8 billion. The highest ever in history.

Economist attribute this to families wanting to rebuild their homes after Ondoy and Pepeng.

The analysis is spot-on.

We all know and the whole world knows that we, the Filipinos, are really a family-centered race. Everything for the family.

But, seriously, with all that money coming in, how come our society has not yet been transformed in a good way? In a good way because, we all know that a growing family without a father or mother because of work have social costs. Increased remittances has shown its ugly head = )

I am wondering, what can the economists, finance persons and social activists (like anthropologist) do out there to leverage the situation so that the good effects of increasing OFW remittances outnumber the bad ones?

It seems that only the Filipino taipans who own banks are really making a killing on this social phenomenon = )

What can educational institutions do to educate the Filipino family, most specially for the holder of OFW Remittance purse, that there are other options from simply going to department stores owned by the very same the Filipino taipans?

Or is it wishful thinking since it is the same Filipino taipans who own the schools na nga pala = )

Maybe it is this dynamic, that perpetuate the disturbing relationship of increasing OFW remittances and increasing unemployment?

Hmmm, can the real Filipino hero please stand up? = )

What will Gibo do? What will Noynoy do? What will Villar do? What will Gordon do? What will Ed Villanueva do?

What can I do?

"... why think like mere men?"