I'm not KJ but here's another sobering reading, act 2

October 11, 2007
Updated 00:59:04 (Mla time)
Ronnel Domingo
Inquirer Agence France-Presse

MANILA, Philippines--FAMILIES of Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) tend to just sit back and wait for remittances, apparently content with that kind of life, according to results of a survey conducted by Nielsen Media Research (NMR) Philippines.

While the majority of OFW households belong to the lower-income group, most of them prefer not to have other sources of income, Jay G. Bautista, NMR Philippines executive director, said Wednesday.

At least 813,000 families benefit from remittances and most of them belong to the DE class, which accounts for 64 percent of the population.

"Two out of [every] three respondents are stay-at-home housewives, who are not working," Bautista said. "Four out of [every] five receive remittances monthly, which on the average is P20,000 or less."

Last year, the remittances amounted to $12.8 billion.

The survey covered a total of 300 respondents 18 years old and above in Metro Manila and other key urban centers in Luzon, Metro Cebu and Davao City. They were interviewed personally between February and March.

Nielsen said the OFW remittances helped widen the ranks of the middle class in the country.

Some 23 percent of families who have relatives working abroad now belong to the middle class, Bautista told a news conference.

Not in business
By comparison just 11 percent of the Philippine population without relatives working abroad are considered middle class and 84 percent poor.

The survey also found that a big majority of OFW families were not engaged in any business.

"Just almost a third of OFW beneficiaries own a business, which tend to be sari-sari (neighborhood variety) stores, renting out apartments, operating public transportation, buying and selling, [running] a meat shop, canteen or eateries," Bautista said.

The 35 percent who said they planned to put up businesses mentioned a sari-sari store, Internet café, renting out apartments, canteens or eateries, or "agri-business"--their top five choices.

Pull of spending at malls
Nine out of every 10 respondents said they went to malls, supermarkets and fast-food outlets.

"This could mean that malls are where they receive the remittances, which is an environment where the pull of spending is very high," Bautista said.

He said 61 percent of the respondents received money through banks; 23.6 percent, door-to-door; 18.4 percent, remittance centers; and, 3.6 percent, friends and employment agency.

"As for budgeting, 94.6 percent say the money is for household expenses; 62 percent say it is for education expenses; half say it is for medical costs; and 14 percent say it is for paying the rent," Bautista said.

Asked what they intended to buy or invest in over the next 12 months, 18 percent said they would go for real estate; 11.4 percent said they would buy high-tech gadgets like mobile phones, digital cameras and home video players; and 11.3 percent would buy a vehicle; 10.8 percent wanted household appliances. Only 7 percent mentioned saving some money in the bank.

Father, mother, children
Among families of OFWs, 36 percent have a father abroad, 28.5 percent, a daughter; 17.8 percent, a son; 11.7 percent, a mother; and 12.5 percent, a relative.

Their usual occupations are domestic helper, caregiver, seaman, nurse and factory worker.

Most of the OFWs are in Saudi Arabia, the United States, Taiwan, United Arab Emirates and Japan.

The respondents said their OFW relative had been away for less than a year (22 percent); one to three years (31 percent); four to six years (28 percent); and 10 years or longer (22 percent).

A little more than third (36.2 percent) of the OFWs come home once every two years. Others do so yearly (21.6 percent), twice yearly (10.8 percent) and still others come less often (9.3 percent.)

Migration
Asked about their plans, 27 percent said they hoped to migrate--the choice destinations being North America (seven out of 10), East Asia, Oceania, Europe and Middle East.

"There were 73 percent who said they would stay here," Bautista said. "But this could be an indication that they are content on carrying on with their current lot."

Internet

Only 13 percent of families use the Internet to communicate with the OFWs as most wait for the latter to call through their cell phones or the landline.

Still, families of OFWs are relatively more exposed to different media, reflecting the international orientation of their lifestyles.

Everybody has television sets; four out of every five listen to the radio, read newspapers and own VCD or DVD players; and about a third read magazines and go to the movies.

"We have apprised advertisers and business groups such as franchisers of this and we have urged them to communicate more responsibly with these consumers as well as provide them with more options in sustaining their sources of income," Bautista said.