Monday, March 17, 2008

WHY THIS BLOG?

After my college education, I worked in the Municipal Government of Labo, Camarines Norte, Philippines as Licensing Officer. In addition to my job, I was given an additional function in 1994 and designated as PESO Manager. Public Employment Service Office or PESO is a joint project of the Department of Labor & Employment and the Municipal Government of Labo.

As PESO Manager, I was exposed in the unemployment problem of the country, the reason why most filipinos desired to work abroad hoping to uplift their economic condition and live a comfortable life with their family.

Being a PESO Manager is a difficult and very challenging work. Sometimes, I really felt overburdened, but deep within, in my heart, there's a feeling of joy and satisfaction as I carry out my everyday task. Most of the time, whether I like it or not, I will be involved in the personal life of our clients especially applicants for overseas employment. During counseling, when they apply to our office, applicants cannot avoid sharing their personal problem, which is the reason why they want to work overseas and earn money.

The services given to our clients do not stop after giving them employment but we also monitor their employment condition wherever they are. Since 1994 to present, we have known so many stories of failures and successes experienced by OFWs. If I will write their stories, one book is not enough and this is the reason why i decided to go on blogging, so that many will read those stories hoping that it will help the readers especially the would be OFWs decide whether they will work overseas or not. Also it will provide necessary information and lesson to learn about working overseas. Whether it will encourage or discourage the readers to work abroad it depends on how they view and and understand the stories.

Thanks to Thaniel, one of our youth leader in the church, he is so patient teaching me how to create this blog up to 1:30 a.m. This is my long desire to create a blog about OFWs. Regular posting in this blog is an additional task aside from day to day work in the office, but I always say to myself: " My reward is in the heart of those clients whom we were able to help and provide employment. It gave financial benefits to every member of their families. Their smile and saying of thanks even in text messages is like a plaque of reward and commendation that all of us in PESO Labo have done our part as a public servant!".