Pinoy professionals in Singapore outnumber maids – Aquino

SINGAPORE (via PLDT) – Contrary to public perception, Filipino professionals and highly skilled workers outnumber domestic helpers in Singapore.

President Aquino said many Filipinos in Singapore work as accountants, financial managers and advisers.

“There has been a transformation on the composition of our OFWs here,” he told Manila-based reporters in an informal gathering at the Shangri-La hotel Thursday.

“Many professonals have come here. We have a lot of engineers, a lot of them women.”

Aquino ended his productive three-day state visit here yesterday.

Of the 177,600 Filipinos in Singapore, a sizeable number, or 106,600 are professionals, while the remaining 71,000 are domestic helpers, according to data from the Philippine embassy.

Presidential Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma said problems regarding domestic helpers are “adequately” addressed by the embassy, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

“No major concerns… that’s not being handled adequately by the embassy, DFA and DOLE,” he said.

“And I think the most significant fact is, the balance is now in favor of more professionals and highly skilled workers. So, in general, the problems have become less in number and in magnitude.”

“No complaints so far. The ambassador (Minda Calaguian-Cruz) also didn’t mention anything. Their Trade Union Congress is a very strong entity here,” Aquino said.

“I would assume that they would also be informed of their rights. So, until I see proof to the contrary I would have to presume that things are all right here.”

Coloma said the condition of Filipinos working in Singapore has improved tremendously as a result of the continuing cooperation between the two countries.

Coloma said around 108 Filipino associations are operating in Singapore, including the bayanihan centers.

“This is being sustained by the two countries, the Philippine and Singaporean governments,” he said.

“And I think this is the reason why there is a significant drop in the problems of OFWs in Singapore.”

Aquino thanked Singapore President S.R. Nathan and his people for the excellent arrangements during his visit.

“I am grateful for the support you have extended my nation – in the form of investments that have generated jobs for my countrymen and of enhancement capability programs undertaken in the spirit of solidarity,” he said.

Aquino also thanked the Singapore government for hosting the more than 177,000 overseas Filipino workers during a speech at the state banquet hosted by Nathan.

“Drive toward progress was fueled by the desire to empower your people so that they may live better lives,” he told Nathan.

“I spent the past day seeing this first-hand: how a people so diverse were able to unite under one vision and one banner; how an island a little more than 700 square kilometers was transformed into a hub of culture and enterprise in the region, if not the world.”

Aquino said every Singaporean has been empowered to fulfill his or her potential.

“I believe that the same potential holds true for my own people,” he said.

“You made me realize what we can someday achieve.”

He was grateful to the Singapore government for the example of what can be achieved, Aquino said.

Aquino invites investors to Phl

Aquino also invited Singaporean businessmen to invest in the Philippines.

Speaking at the Singapore Business Forum/International Enterprise Eminent Leaders Lecture, Aquino said it would be a “wonderful opportunity” to be partners with leaders of Singaporean commerce as the Philippines “rises to the sky.”

Aquino said the Philippines stood to learn and earn a lot from doing business with Singapore.

“I met with your business leaders inside the Fullerton, and learned that it was once a post office building,” he said.

“But rather than let it fall into disrepair and neglect, you have transformed it into one of your country’s prime hotels.”

Aquino said what was done with the Fullerton inspired him and offered a clearer picture of what being the President of the Philippines entailed.

“I see myself as a sort of building administrator, tasked to look after a building in a state of disrepair,” he said.

“I lead a nation that has for so long been neglected. My job is to fix the things that need fixing, so that the building – my nation – may perform to its fullest capacity, and my people may live better lives.

“The challenge is to find the things that need to be fixed; the need to redesign, retrofit, and enhance the building while the occupants continue to use it, while at the same time making their occupancy more comfortable while reconstruction is ongoing.”

Aquino lauded Singaporeans for showing the way to achieving this not so impossible feat.

“Your nation has shown the world that good leadership translates into progress,” he said.

“We intend to join your ranks among developed nations; the next question, then, is how?”

With Singapore’s example, the Philippines has embarked on “redesigning the building of state, the culture of governance, alleviating poverty by curbing corruption; by instituting reforms in the military, where faulty procurement practices have robbed our soldiers of decent equipment and dignified living standards; in the judiciary, where Lady Justice’s scales have tipped toward the privileged few; and all across the bureaucracy, where a lack of integrity and competence has been the norm, rather than the exception,” he added.

Aquino said other reforms include: addressing the challenges rooted in a lack of infrastructure that will make the Philippines a more attractive investment destination by pursuing greater cooperation with the private sector through the public private partnership program; cutting red tape and ensuring the proper and responsible use of government resources.

“Your government has already signified its willingness to help a brother nation reach the same heights that you have reached; I invite therefore the Singaporean business community to take part in this wonderful opportunity as the Philippines rises to the sky,” he said.

“Partnering with us holds both tangible and intangible rewards; it means also a commitment to lifting the lives of a people who only recently had learned how to dream again.”

Singapore is the biggest trade and investment partner in ASEAN for 2010 with total trade amounting to $12.1 billion, up 102 percent from 2009.

Philippine exports to Singapore are valued at $7 3-billion (14.3 percent of total exports), while imports amount to $5.2 billion (14 percent of total imports), thus posting a trade surplus of $2.1 billion for the Philippines.

The Eminent Leaders Lecture by President Aquino on the theme “Philippines: Partners for Progress” offered participants an excellent opportunity to learn first-hand the latest developments and business opportunities in the Philippines. –Delon Porcalla (The Philippine Star)