By JOSEPH G. LARIOSA

(© 2011 Journal Group Link International)

C HICAGO (jGLi) – An immigration support group in the United States is asking visiting Vice President Jejomar C. Binay to give Overseas Filipino Workers an accounting of the $25 contribution being collected by the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration from each OFW who departs from the Philippines to work overseas.

The Migrant Heritage Commission, a service institution based in Washington, DC established in 2005 for immigrants, in a letter said, it “is respectfully requesting the Vice-President to initiate an investigation into the records of the widespread news on the unaccounted one billion pesos (US$20-M) in the funds of overseas Filipino workers which accrued during the term of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.”

Atty. Arnedo S. Valera, MHC executive director and United Nations Representative on Migration and Human Rights of the Foundation for the Support of the United Nations, said, “The Filipinos must be given a detailed accounting of where the money of the OFWs is being spent as this amount is earned by Filipinos with the ultimate sacrifice of leaving behind families in the Philippines just so to better their lives and their future.”

Valera also said the MHC also wants to “recommend the reorganization of POEA so that it becomes more responsive to the needs of Filipinos working abroad. “At present, the POEA is widely perceived by many as inefficient and corrupt and thus unable to respond effectively to the attuned needs of Filipino workers.”

The letter co-signed by Grace S. Valera Jaramillo and Jesse A. Gatchalian, MHC co-executive directors, is also “requesting the Vice-President to support a legislative act that would seek to create Magna Carta for Immigrants Workers Rights. This measure should include verification of legitimacy of employers abroad, providing for stiffer penalties for human traffickers, and establishment of legal help centers in countries where Filipinos are working.

It said, “there are currently more than 12 million Filipinos working abroad, with the majority in the United States. We need to protect our Filipinos who are working abroad. It is by their effort that the Philippines is able to survive the gripping economic crisis. It is but fair that they are protected wherever they are working.”

Attorney Valera assured the Philippine vice president of MHC’s “meaningful partnership with the Philippine government in protecting and securing the rights of all migrants and immigrants.”

Mr. Binay was invited by World Bank to speak before its officials and representatives on disaster risk management and urban development. As his government’s housing czar, Mr. Binay will also confer with United States housing and human trafficking officials to discuss sustainable policies and programs that both governments may apply to their respective countries. (lariosa_jos@sbcglobal.net)