On her 9th State of the Nation Address (SONA), last July 27, 2009, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo cited the status and improvements of the nation in terms of different fields. One of which is related to Human Resource Management. Some of the areas related to HRM and the reasons that can help in the improvement in the quality of life are the following:
1.) Tourism SectorsTourism sectors serve as an additional engine of the growth of the country in whose development helps in creating wealth. It is said that the tourism is now a $ 5 billion industry. Tourism provides more jobs and generates more income.
Take the case of the 100 families living in the Suba fishing community on Olango Island.
At first, fishermen had caught less fishes which mean very low income, pushing them to do illegal fishing which results to more damaged coral reefs. Also, the village women feels like the market in making shell handicrafts has been oversaturated, that’s why they are facing the income challenges. Plus, scarcity in potable water, electricity, health services brought them to the low livelihood status. It is then found that the family income was only $37 a month.
Because of the initiative of USAID funding enabled the Philippine Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ Coastal Resource Management Project (CRMP) to conduct a series of workshops for community members. Its goal is to help the village attain their economic goals by creating the place as a tourist destination from the region’s migratory bird flyway.
After a trial tour by international tourism experts in 1998, and earning an “A” rating, the authentic community ecotourism product was launched. In 1999, the cooperative took over administration of the tour operations and formalized collective ownership of the business.
As a result, The Olango Birds and Seascape Tour, now managed by fifty-five cooperating community families, had thirty-three runs with 357 visitors during its introductory period, with 31% foreign guests from seventeen countries. More than thirty international organizations have visited the project. Familiarization tours were introduced for government agencies and tour operators to experience the potential of the project. Hopeful villagers are made as local tour guides which means additional income, so on and so forth.
Another major boon for Philippine tourism is the government’s current P2.4 trillion budget for infrastructure developments to be implemented from 2006-2010, which will be increased by nearly 60% per year until 2010.
One of its many importances is that it enables in the reduction of the Filipino jobless workforce. Within the last year, the country saw a continued reduction in unemployment, with 900,000 new jobs created as a result of government, a figure the Arroyo administration was able to accomplish annually since 2001 (an annual average of 897,000 versus the previous administrations yearly average of 134,000). Nine out of 10 working age Filipinos are now employed.
“The most important result of President Arroyo’s economic achievements is the elevation of Filipino citizens’ well-being,” said Emma Ruth Yulo, Director of the Philippine Department of Tourism in New York.
(Michael Verikios - Wednesday, June 27, 2007)
"Tourism means jobs. Where tourism advances, poverty retreats," said Richard Gordon, former secretary of the Department of Tourism
He explained that the benefits from tourism "will trickle down to the members of the population, as seen in the Maldives experience. Just as in that island paradise, the cottage industries of this region, such as weaving and rattan furniture, will also profit from the advances in tourism. More importantly, the international market will be aware of the other, more established components of the regional economy, such as mining and agriculture."(http://www.senate.gov.ph/press_release/2007/1127_gordon1.asp)
2.) Microfinance P165 billion worth of microfinance has given benefits in almost 7 million entrepreneurs.
The Philippine Microfinance Industry:
• Made remarkable progress the past ten years
• Reached a large number of the poor
• Market has grown
• Large unmet demand for microfinance services among the poor
• At end 2002, 25% of 4.3 million poor households reached
• Mostly married women
• MF clients clustered around the poverty threshold, including the vulnerable non-poor
• Estimated leakage to non-poor clients was 20%
(http://www.kms.aim.edu.ph/aim-adb/day1/mfp.pdf)
Microfinance Council of the Philippines, Inc. has the following objectives:
1. To help members serve significant numbers of poor households with financial and non-financial services.
2. To promote the adoption of poverty assessment tools and social performance monitoring systems.
3. To promote the adoption of and adherence to international performance standards.
4. To advocate for a policy environment that is conducive to the growth and development of a market-oriented microfinance sector.
5. To help build members' capacity for innovation that enhances the development of a market oriented microfinance sector.
6. To promote market-oriented microfinance products and services.
7. To initiate the conduct of international and national forums for best practice microfinance.
8. To mobilize resources and to network with government, donors, funding agencies, investors, and financial markets in order to enhance the development of the microfinance sector.
(http://www.microfinancecouncil.org/mission-vision.htm)
3.)Economic Resiliency PlanEconomic resiliency plan benefited 1,000 entrepreneurs including Gigi Gabiola, former Dubai household service worker who is now working in DOLE.
The P300-billion Economic Resiliency Plan of the country is aimed to pump prime the country's economy in 2009.
This was announced by Socioeconomic Planning Secretary and NEDA Director-General Ralph G. Recto as he recently bared the plan's framework.
The Plan, which is the country's own stimulus package, was borne out of President Gloria Macapagal - Arroyo's desire for the country "to hit the ground running in 2009" in response to the global economic crisis.
"What we intend to do is upgrade infrastructure and capital stock and expand social protection at the same time," Recto said.
[size=14]The resiliency plan hopes to ensure sustainable growth and attain the higher end of the growth targets for the year. The Development Budget Coordination Committee has pegged growth for 2009 at 3.7 percent to 4.7 percent.
In particular, the Plan aims to save and create jobs, protect the poorest of the poor, returning OFWs and workers in export industries, ensure low and stable prices to support consumer spending, and enhance competitiveness in preparation for the global rebound.
(http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=12&fi=p090109.htm&no=43)
4.) Health InsuranceIn Health Insurance, it almost covered 86 % of the over all population.
Philhealth is a premier government corporation that ensures sustainable, affordable and progressive social health insurance which endeavors to influence the delivery of accessible quality health care for all Filipinos.
As a financial intermediary, PhilHealth shall continuously evolve a sustainable National Health Insurance Program that shall:
• Lead towards universal coverage
• Ensure better benefits for its members at affordable premiums;
• Establish close coordination with its clients through a strong partnership with all stakeholders; and,
• Provide effective internal information and management systems to influence the delivery of quality health care services.
(http://www.philhealth.gov.ph/about_us/index.htm)
It is significant because employees deserved different kinds of benefits and one of these benefits is related to health, an important asset of every workforce.
Securitization law didn’t encourage the recklessness that brought down giant banks and insurance companies elsewhere and laid their economies to waste. It monitors and regulates the new fangled financial schemes.
5.) Technical Education and skills trainingIn Technical Education and skills training, the government has invested three times that of three previous administrations combined. Jennifer Silbor, one of the 10 million trainees learned medical transcription and is now an independent contractor and lecturer for transcriptions in Davao and is earning Php 18, 000 per month.
Also, over 800,000 workers will be trained to help them find higher paying jobs and better employment opportunities this year through a P5.66-billion fund the government has set aside for massive skills training and technical education.
(Paolo Romero, The Philippine Star)
(http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleid=470711)
It helps in the improvement of the life of the human resources to learn specific in demand needs of the industry.
6.) Benefits for OFWsIn the case of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), the government is trying to create jobs which generates greater earnings so that oversea work will just be a career choice ; not the only option for a hardworking Filipino in search of a better life.
It is known that OFWs have a big help in the advantage of the nation’s economy. It records $ 16 B last year and is expected to grow this year. However, this is not a sacrifice joyfully borne. It is a lonely and hard work.
“Meanwhile, we should make their sacrifices worthwhile,” the president said. She noted the need to protect and give importance with the earnings the OFWs gained. That means stronger consumer protection for OFWs to property and products back home. In this connection, Investors Protection Task Force is addressed.
PGMA noted that she didn’t hesitate to visit the OFWs all over the world with their respective host countries such as Japan, Brazil, America, Middle East, and Europe, so and so forth. Its purpose is to listen and understand their needs and problems and how the government could answer these by working out better policies on migrant labor or by saving lives and restoring liberty.
Her visit to Saudi made way for King Abdullah pardon almost 700 OFWs in prison. Her visit to Spain made King Juan Carlos to communicate with other countries to address the problems of the OFWs. Same with Sheikh Khalifa, Prime Minister of Bahrain. Also, her visit to Kuwait made Emir al-Sabah to commute death sentences.
Other Overseas Filipino Workers Programs, Services , OFW Benefits,Charity and Welfare for General Filipino Community are the following:
* OWWA and Microsoft's Tulay Project for Overseas Filipino Workers (Added Mar 2007)
* Atikha - Economic and Social Services to OFWs and their Families (Added Mar 3 2007)
* ACHIEVE,INC - Action for Health Initiatives, Inc. (Added June 24 2007) - NEW
* Banco De Oro - BDO Asenso Kabayan Program (Added Mar 4 2007)
* BPI Express Online - Tulong Sa Pinoy Project (Updated Mar 3 2007)
* Classroom Galing Sa Mangagawang Pilipino Abroad (Updated Mar 3 2007)
* CFO Services for Overseas Filipino Workers and Filipino Immigrants (Updated Mar 3 2007)
* DBP (Development Bank of the Phils) Electronic Cash Remittance (EC REMIT) Program (Added JUn 24 2007) - NEW
* DOLE: Kasanayan at Hanapbuhay Program - KasH Program (Added Mar 2007)
* DOLE: KAbataan Program for Filipino Youth (Added Mar 22 2007)
* DTI: Order Regalo Program for OFWs (Added Mar 22 2007)
* Duty FREE Philippines Balikbayan Plus Program (Updated Mar 3 2007)
* ECONOMIC RESOURCE CENTER FOR OVERSEAS FILIPINOS (ERCOF) PHILIPPINES, INC. (Updated Mar 3 2007)
* Friend of Overseas Filipinos Incorporated Scholarship Program (Updated Mar 3 2007)
* Gabay ng OFW - Rated Public Service Radio Program for OFWs (Added Mar 3 2007)
* Gawad Kalinga (GK) - Building Houses for the Poorest of the Poor (Added Mar 4 2007)
* Globe Kababayan - makabagong mga serbisyo para sa mga OFWs at kapamilya (Added Mar 3 2007)
* GO Negosyo - Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship (PCE) promotes entrepreneurship nationwide (Added Mar 4 07)
* HONDA Motors - CAREmittace Program for Overseas Filipino Workers (Added Mar 2007)
* LIBRENG Aral Sa Computer - FREE Computer Course Training
* National Reintegration Center for Overseas Filipino Workers (NRCO) (Added June 24 2007) - NEW
* OFW E-Card - Equitable PCI Card Service for OFWs / Overseas Filipino Workers
* OWWA Credit Program for OFWs (Updated Mar 3 2007)
* OWWA EDUCATION AND TRAINING BENEFITS (Updated Mar 3 2007)
* OWWA Insurance and Health-Care Program Benefits (Updated Mar 3 2007)
* Pabahay Handog sa Pilipino, Inc. (Updated Mar 2007)
* Pag-Ibig Fund Overseas Program for Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW)
* Pamilyang OFW-SME Netwwork Foundation, Inc (Updated Mar 2007)
* Pasali Cooperative Nederland - Advance the Ecoonomic Empowerment of the Overseas Filipinos (Added Mar 4 07)
* Philhealth's Coverage for Overseas FIlipino Workers Medicare Program (Added Mar 22 2007)
* PNB: OWN A PHILIPPINE HOME LOAN PROGRAM for OFWs and Non-OFW (Added Mar 22 2007)
* POEA - The Bagong Bayani Awards
* POEA OFW Services ( Philippine Overseas Employment Agency)
* Scholarship on Professional Animation for OFW Dependants
* SMEF-Center for Overseas Filipino Workers! (Added June 24 2007) - NEW
* Social Security System (SSS) Flexi Fund for Overseas Filipino Workers
* SSS Housing Loan Facility for Trade Union Members and OFWs ( Updated Mar 3 2007 )
* Ugnayan at Tulong para sa Maralitang Pamilya Foundation, Inc. (Updated Mar 3 2007)
* UNLAD KABAYAN MIGRANT SERVICES FOUNDATION INC.
(http://vanie.ofw-connect.com/an_overseas_Filipino_Workers_Programs_Services_Welfare_Benefits.htm)
It is important since it addresses the needs and problems our fellow Filipino workers in the other countries which is a big help in the growth of the countries economy.. It means that the government values them and offers the things they really deserved in exchange with their sacrifices.
MY BLOG:
http://shielamariepnara.blogspot.com/2009/08/assignment-8-in-mis-sona-2009.html
REFERENCES:
http://jlp-law.com/blog/state-of-the-nation-address-sona-2009/
http://archondigital.com/wp-content/uploads/sona.jpg
http://www.usaid.gov/stories/philippines/cs_philippines_tourism.html
http://www.traveldailynews.com/pages/show_page/18746-Philippines%60-sustainable-growth-benefits-tourism
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