San Juan: Our OFWs’ dilemma

March 23, 2011

AS THE saying goes, when it rains, it pours. The present administration is now being faced with the mass evacuation of our OFWs from countries ravaged with unrest and uncertainties that have put them in grave danger.
From manmade disaster to natural calamities, our modern day heroes are faced with uncertainty of coming home safely and losing their jobs in the process. And now, even the country’s economy is at stake here as thousands of our OFWs are coming home, so is the reduction of their remittances that keep our economy afloat.
Who could have thought that countries, where thousands of our OFWs are staying, will someday reach a point where they would rather leave than face uncertainties of losing their lives? But then again, thoughts of going home and losing a well-paid job abroad are some things that have to be considered seriously.
As the OFWs struggle for their lives (and jobs) in various countries, this administration is still in slow motion mode. What is fast here is the finger pointing on who should take the responsibilities.
While they are still contemplating on what to do, thousands of OFWs stranded in places where danger lurks are in the wait-and-see mode. Our officials told OFWs in Japan not to leave their houses, and that there’s no need for a mass evacuation because the alert is only at Level 2. Do we have to wait for the Japanese government’s announcement on the need for evacuation?
Is this the way to treat our OFWs during a life and death situation? When all the other governments of various nationalities have started evacuating their citizens? Or is it because there are no funds to move them out from places where there is possible danger? If this is so, why is PNoy very quick to brag that the PH is one of the first to give donations to Japan?
We are not against giving donations to our neighbor country. The point here is that if the government has the money ($14 million) to donate, where is the money to help our kababayans in distress? Methinks now is the right time for the President to order an independent audit of all government funds. Mafiosos from within agencies must be unmasked.
Now that the issue of funds has been brought out, a lot of OFWs in different countries are now asking if the Owwa (Overseas Workers Welfare Administration) fund is still intact, because this is the time wherein such funds should be utilized for the OFWs’ welfare. And we are talking here of several billions of pesos just for the use of the OFWs in times like these.
Recently, OWWA officials reported that the fund is still intact and can be tapped anytime they need it. Why only now? Where was it when our “Bagong Bayani” (modern day heroes) needed it? Are they being taken for a ride here with their own money?
The clamor to audit the OWWA funds is growing; so is the discontent of the poor overseas workers. The OFWs are waiting for some real action and not just rhetoric from the Palace to address their grievances. The people in PNoy’s loop must take action immediately. What is happening now could just be the start of more problems to come concerning our workers abroad.
The brewing unrest in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is now being contained by their government, so with the other countries in the Middle East. But the nagging question is – for how long? I believe that these events will reach a boiling point, yet, it can be delayed. That is why our government should act fast and plan well on what to do. Remember that there are over a million OFWs in the KSA alone. As an observer of events unfolding, PNoy should be prepared for the worst-case scenario concerning the exodus of thousands of our OFWs.
There is no room for a blame game and wait-and-see mode. Act fast and act with conviction to help our fellow Filipinos working abroad.
God bless our Bagong Bayani!

Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/pampanga/opinion/2011/03/22/san-juan-our-ofws-dilemma-146269

Wine is becoming increasingly popular in Manila and other cities in the Philippines. Wine lovers in Manila travel to the north to visit Clark, Pampanga to shop for good and rate vintage wines at good duty-free prices. The most frequently visited liquor shop in Manila and wine shop in Pampanga is Clark Wine Center. This highly recommended wine shop located outside Manila near Angeles City, Pampanga in North Luzon is known for offering a great selection of fine vintage wine that is good quality and good value for money also.

This well-known wine shop is a famous shopping destination for wine enthusiasts in Manila and wine lovers from other cities in Asia including Hong Kong, Macau, Shanghai, Beijing, Seoul, Osaka and Tokyo.

Famous Philippines wine supplier known for its line of fine vintage wines, Yats Wine Cellars was established in 2000 to address the requirement of a growing population of wine enthusiasts in the Philippines. This 5-star wine shop caters to the discerning client who requires these qualities in their wines: (1) excellent value, (2) large selection of labels and vintages to choose from and (3) wines properly aged for full enjoyment.

Public wine tastings are held from time to time in Clark and sometimes in Manila. Tickets range from p500 to p1500 for these themed events that are professionally run –no wine merchants sponsorship, pushy salesmen or tacky banners to ruin the evening. Each ticket contains a certain number of stubs that can be redeemed for a tasting pour of a wine among those on a line-up which often contains wines that are quite old and expensive.

http://www.ClarkWineCenter.com

Getting to this wine shop in Pampanga Angeles City Clark Freeport Zone Philippines from Manila
Getting to the Clark Wine Center wine shop from Manila is quite simple: after entering Clark Freeport from Dau and Angeles City, proceed straight along the main highway M A Roxas. Clark Wine Center is the stand-along white building on the right, at the corner A Bonifacio Ave. From the Clark International Airport DMIA, ask the taxi to drive towards the entrance of Clark going to Angeles City. From Mimosa, just proceed towards the exit of Clark and this wine shop is on the opposite side of the main road M A Roxas.

Clark Wine Center
Bldg 6460 Clark Observatory Building
Manuel A. Roxas Highway corner A Bonifacio Ave,
Angeles Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga 2023
0922-870-5173 0917-826-8790 (ask for Ana Fe)

Wine@Yats-International.com

YATS Wine Cellars
Manila Sales Office
3003C East Tower, Phil Stock Exchange Center,
Exchange Rd Ortigas Metro Manila, Philippines 1605
(632) 637-5019 0917-520-4393 ask for Rea or Chay

Best place to buy wine in Clark Pampanga outside Manila near Subic and Angeles City Philippines is Clark Wine Center.
Wedding couples looking for wedding reception venues and beach wedding venues can log on to this Philippines Wedding Venue web site for free information and assistance:

http://www.PhilippinesWeddingVenue.com

While in Clark, it might be a good idea to enjoy an evening of wine-and-dine in the fine dining Yats Restaurant and Wine Bar that features an award winning 2700-line wine list. It is located in Mimosa Leisure Estate of Clark Freeport Zone. For more information, visit http://www.YatsRestaurant.com

YATS Leisure Philippines is a developer and operator of clubs, resorts and high-class restaurants and wine shops in Clark Angeles Philippines http://www.YatsLeisure.com

Looking for famous tourists spots, places to visit and see, relax and unwind in Clark, Pampanga, Philippines? You may want to check out these sites also:

http://www.LondonPubClark.com

http://www.HotelClarkPhilippines.com

http://www.ClarkPhilippines.com

http://www.YatsWineCellars.com