‘Returning vets’ without care

Yesterday as I did some spiritual and business counseling for someone, I realized that the Philippines has had, for many decades, our very own version of “returning veterans” just slightly similar to the combat veterans we often hear or read about in the news.

The only difference is that our version is not returning from a real war like Iraq or Afghanistan but from working in many parts of the Middle East, Asia, US, etc. While combat vets have to deal with post traumatic stress disorder or PTSD, our “returning vets” have to deal with professional and financial dislocation as well as the trauma of displacement from the Philippine setting and trying to settle into their new roles, if any.

These “returning vets” present a major challenge in their family equilibrium after being absent for many years, if not decades. Suddenly they are not the go-to person for money, decisions and directions. They may initially enjoy their change of scene but sooner than later, they start feeling useless, unimportant, unhappy with job offers that pay a pittance compared to international rates.

Much happiness is often followed by alcohol, risky behavior, infidelity, violence and domestic abuse that all turn into someone’s deep dark secret or something silently endured by an entire family. Just like the combat veterans suffering from PTSD, a number of our returning workers and professionals eventually become the problem instead of the solution they used to be. Suddenly the loving father or mother has turned into a “monster.”

Now that we finally have a Department for Migrant Workers and one headed by a dedicated and capable Secretary Toots Ople, I humbly suggest that we all consider the possibility of setting up our version of an  “OFW Veterans Affairs Office” that will provide all the counseling, guidance, even placement or possible businesses that returning OFWs can get into.

We need to seriously and publicly recognize that there is a social cost to sending Filipinos overseas as well as serious mental and emotional health concerns that go with it. Just like combat veterans, OFWs need help.

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After speaking with Senator Win Gatchalian, I could not help but suggest that the Senate and Congress should create a mechanism or office to regulate or check on the policies and decisions entered into by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation because PAGCOR has had a history of serious mistakes, even failures, that cost the Filipino people more than the PAGCOR has earned in revenues.

At the moment one of their major mistakes was the introduction and establishment of POGO or off-shore gaming in the country. As reported to the Senate by the PNP, the most recent account of kidnappings of POGO employees has gone over 300 persons, 200+ were Chinese nationals, 28 were Filipinos and the rest were individuals from other Asian countries.

No less than China has protested the continued operations of POGOs in the Philippines, making it another excuse for China not to be inclined to our requests on behalf of Filipino fishermen in the West Philippine Sea. This does not even highlight that any of the POGO companies are operated by criminals who were driven out of China.

If anything should piss off President Bongbong Marcos about PAGCOR transactions it will probably be about the P6 billion-plus paid to an independent auditing firm who, by all information received by the Senate, qualifies as a fly-by-night firm after their bank certificate was declared fake or spurious.

Then there was the adoption of E-Sabong by PAGCOR which effectively legitimized the unregulated betting on sabong even by minors, not to mention the addiction and financial ruin of many Filipinos, a number of whom ended up committing suicide. This does not include the 34 missing sabungeros who were kidnapped and presumed murdered, all because of E-Sabong.

Senator Gatchalian for his part blamed PAGCOR’s failure because it is both “operator” of gambling as well as “regulator” of gambling firms. This is a clear case of conflict of interest. I remember Senator Grace Poe saying in her privilege speech that the CAAP cannot self-investigate. Maybe she and all the senators who have not been blinded by gambling money should look into the PAGCOR charter and rewrite it because they too are regulating their own gambling activity.

As for the independent or third-party auditor that was paid P6 billion, I am sure that Senator Gatchalian will soon be asking for proof of work from that company. I, on the other hand, suggested that we turn over the third-party auditing requirement of PAGCOR to the Commission on Audit, the most respected and trusted auditors in the country.

Give them the P6 billion to use for their salary and facilities upgrade as incentive for their professionalism and integrity. Hire local and keep the money in the Philippines!

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The Philippine government has so many offices, agencies, even departments supposedly meant to address the problem of the more than 60 million poor Filipinos in the country. But why is it that Metro Manila roads continue to have so many sampaguita boys and girls who can’t go home until they have sold all their leis and rags?

Why is it such a common practice for poor Filipinos to knock on the doors of “may kaya” or former employers to put together the money being charged by private clinics, hospitals, funeral parlors, electric cooperative, even the LTO? Yes, there are people who are so poor they can’t afford the fees for a license and especially for some hand-me-down motorcycle to earn a living.

I hope that these questions can be answered by the DSWD, DOH, PhilHealth, DILG and Malacañang Media Office, especially the Office of the President. Jesus said: “The poor you will have always” but it doesn’t mean we should make them poorer because of poor public information.

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