‘Set goals and share burdens’

FILIPINOS working in Hong Kong have been reminded to share the burden of expenses of their family to their siblings instead of being the sole source of cash especially during emergency situations.

This was the message of Lenlen Mesina, Enrich executive director, at the first ever session of the Financial Education Series held at the Philippine Consulate General.

The first session, which was participated in by some 30 Filipinos working in Hong Kong, was held on February 28 at the PCG Conference Room.

“Kailangan ho natin ipaintindi sa pamilya sa Pilipinas na hindi lahat ng pangangailangan doon ay tayo ang sasagot. Crucial po ang communication.

“Minsan pakiramdam natin dahil nandito tayo sa Hong Kong na OK tayo, we don’t care kung ano ang mayroon sa pamilya natin. Paano kung tayo naman ang mangailangan?” she said.

Mesina said there are several ways an OFW could help protect herself and her family to avoid being mired in debt.

There are two circumstances, she said, that could put OFWs in debt: an emergency, and an expense that could have been anticipated. The first refers to situations when one does not know a tragedy would strike, including a house needing repair after being hit by a typhoon.

“Siyempre, emergency ang bagyo kasi hindi naman natin alam kung kailan iyon darating. Pero kung alam naman nating ang bahay natin ay kailangan ng repair tapos may dadating pang bagyo, iyan, hindi na iyan emergency,” Mesina said.

The second, meanwhile, includes education expenses, hospital bills, and funeral expenses.

“Ang kolehiyo, ang pagpapaaral sa ating mga anak, alam ho natin na darating iyan kaya dapat hindi tayo mabibigla. Kung magkasakit ang tatay o nanay, pero kung may insurance o na-enrol ninyo sila PhilHealth (Philippine Health Insurance Corp.) hindi tayo mabibigla. Kahit paano may buffer,” Mesina said.

Citing Enrich’s survey of 530 Filipino migrant workers in the city last year, she said they found that the top four reasons of Filipinos working here were: to support the family; children’s education; to buy a house; and to save enough money to put up their own business.

“Kailangan ho ulit-ulitin natin kung ano ba ang dahilan kung bakit tayo nandito saHong Kong. Kailangan ilista natin kung magkano ang kailangan natin para pondohan natin itong mga pangarap nating ito. Kailangan ho mag-set tayo ng time frame,” she said.

The second session of the Financial Education Series would be held on June 5 also at the PCG Conference Room.