Emata: Fil-Ams Watch Philippines Changes

THOUSANDS of Filipino-Americans are watching closely as President Noynoy Aquino is doing his best to make changes of government policies. They are particularly interested on the economic situation as well as the new program of Aquino that could well affect the millions of Filipinos who are out of jobs and those badly in need of food and shelter.

Many Filipino-Americans who were laid off from work could not send regularly the usual assistance to their dependents. This worry them so much and many of them are planning to get back to the country if things get better. They are watching the new administration as it introduce new programs and ventures.

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These Filipino Americans have savings that can sustain life in the Philippines and some of them are determined to put up business that could help their relatives who are hard up right now. They are eyeing on real estate business as well as agriculture and some industrial ventures.

A Mindanaoan couple who have been in the U.S.A for thirty years is now ready to fly back to their country of origin and try new life in the hills of Misamis Oriental. They declared the cool mountain, the cool river and lakes will make them enjoy while tending to agricultural adventure. They intend to plant tomatoes, onions, corn, coffee, fruit trees and others. They said inviting natives to join them is one priority in the project.

A Filipino who came from Cebu City found a good business prospect by running ten speedboats to cover express trips between Camiguin and Balingoan. He said he found out that many small sailboats were making money and dangerously cover the distance daily amidst the big waves and the sharks patrolling around. He said speedboats would be better watercraft to ply the distance.

Some Filipino-Americans originating from the Visayas and Luzon have also been preparing for new life back in the Philippines. They were part of the thousands of Filipinos who were terminated from work in California due to the turn down of the economy.

In another development, relatives and friends of returning Filipinos are very eager to have them back to the folds. After so many years of having been apart from each other, they will be joined together in search of new life and success in business. It is a gift from heaven that they are together again.

If Pres. Noynoy Aquino makes good of his new program of government and can give good opportunities for balikbayans, there will be more people back to the country who would invest millions of pesos for any small time business. It was noted that past administrations were not very friendly with Filipino returnees who have small dreams of hitting business. Many of those who wanted to come back home were discouraged and went on working in the USA until these days.

Everybody is hoping that the new administration will be successful in its endeavor and open the threshold of a new beginning of Filipinos from the USA taking their dollars to the Philippines to engage in business. This way, many poor guys in the country will be able to work in a small way.

(ben_emata@yahoo.com)