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Wednesday, August 02, 2006
Ramos say probe on repatriation money can wait (10:07 a.m.)
MANILA -- Former President Fidel Ramos said investigations on the alleged misuse of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (Owwa) fund should be conducted after government ensured that all OFWs in Lebanon are safe.
“We should help put out the fire first before we investigate because baka kumalat (it might spread),” Ramos said in a press conference in his Makati City office on Tuesday.
He said a crisis in the Middle East would have a lot impact not only on the price of oil but in terms of lost opportunities for incoming OFWs.
“Continued violent quarrels in the Middle East will create long-term paralysis in many sectors because we import and export many commodities in the Middle East,” he said. He said global tourism might also decline.
Ramos said the Philippines will be facing even bigger problems in terms of evacuating more affected Filipinos because hostilities are intensifying. He said the number of OFWs who have opted for repatriation – so far only 2,000 - is likely to grow because of the increased hostilities. (JMR) |
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