By Ging Reyes, ABS-CBN North America Bureau Chief
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Seeing the new Philippine president was the highlight of their recent trip to Manila.  But photo-ops notwithstanding, a group of overseas Filipinos said they are serious about helping President Aquino deliver on his promises.

Loida Nicolas Lewis of the Overseas Filipinos for Good Governance told Balitang America that she will meet with Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima soon to discuss the issuance of a bond float that overseas Filipinos can invest in. Lewis added this is the kind of financial support that would have direct impact on the Philippine economy.

“”Although we send 19 billion dollars to the Philippines in foreign remittances, those are for personal purposes – ibig sabihin, para sa nanay ko, para sa kapatid ko, para sa scholarship, may namatay, may naospital, may ikakasa – But this (proposal) na pahihiramin ang gobyerno ng Pilipinas is different,” Lewis explained.

Lewis added “Noynoy Aquino has the credibility to encourage us, sige magpahiram na nga tayo 500 pesos.  Ipahihiram natin, government keeps it for 10 years, 1000 pesos na yun, parang savings din para sa atin.”

Also on their agenda is a proposal for internet-based transparency of the government’s financial agencies, which Lewis said is an important tool in Aquino’s anti-corruption campaign.

Other members of the Overseas Filipinos for Good Governance who attended Aquino’s inauguration have returned to their adopted countries, encouraged and energized by what they saw.

Ernie Ramos of Florida said, “I think that we ought to take advantage of this ambiance of goodwill that President Noynoy has created nationwide, so that we overseas filipinos – kami’y tutulong kasi bayan namin ito naman. This is our country too.”

“The biggest accomplishment now is that Filipinos all over the world are coordinating their efforts to make this new government successful, I think that is a big change from the usual regional communities of Filipinos,” added Mark Wolfisz, a London-based member of the OFGG.

During their 2-day conference in Manila, the group succeeded in getting support from some lawmakers and the commission on elections to amend the Overseas Absentee Voting and Dual Citizenship laws.  They are still fine-tuning other proposals like expanding medical care for overseas Filipinos who retire in the Philippines.

However, helping the homeland is not everything.  Many US-based Filipinos have not forgotten that they should take part in pressing issues in America, like immigration reform and health care.  National Federation of Filipino American Associations Chair Greg Macabenta welcomed the creation of OFGG saying, “Magandang vehicle (ang OFGG) for NaFFAA in terms of performing the other task which we have chosen, to take on, which is helping the Philippines.  Meantime, NaFFAA itself can now concentrate on the things we need to do in the United States for Filipinos out there.”

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