An alliance of progressive organizations composed of overseas Filipinos has declared September 19, 2013 as Zero Remittance Day (ZRD) in protest of the alleged misuse of pork barrel funds by several lawmakers.
A statement from Migrante International described ZRD as “a symbolic protest and a political exercise for Filipino im/migrants from different parts of the world to collectively show their outrage on issues that affect them.”
“On this day, Filipino im/migrants from all over the world will once again send a united message against the pork barrel system,” the group said.
Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said remittances from OFWs support the domestic spending that has fueled the country’s economic rise.
The alleged misuse of pork barrel funds has led to the largest protest rally under the Aquino administration last August 26, with another anti-pork barrel rally scheduled on September 11.
Migrante said on September 19, Filipino im/migrants will refrain from remitting to pressure the government to:
- Abolish the pork barrel system. Scrap the presidential and congressional pork barrel
- Investigate agencies, and prosecute and punish all officials involved
- Re-channel funds to the people’s interests! Provide free, more accessible and more efficient services and welfare assitanc to OFWs in distress
“Through the ZRD, we will make our voices be heard in the call to abolish the pork barrel and re-channel funds for the people’s interest, including more efficient services and welfare assistance to overseas Filipino workers in distress,” Migrante said.
Migrante said this year's ZRD — the third ZRD since 2008 — will be held on September 19 as the date is the anniversary of the implementation of the Overseas Workers Welfare Assistance (OWWA) Omnibus Policies (OOP) that effectively made the $25 OWWA contributions mandatory per contract.
The group said the OOP has limited benefits and services provided by the OWWA to member OFWs.
The first ZRD was launched on October 29, 2008 in protest against the Global Forum on Migration and Development (GFMD), which was held in Manila. It was repeated on July 26, 2009 to protest then-President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's attempt implement Charter change through a constitutional assembly.
“The power to send or not to send remittances rests on Filipino im/migrants and OFWs alone. By not remitting for one day, Filipinos all over the world will use their economic power to make a stand against corruption, patronage politics and social injustice,” the group said of ZRD.
Source: GMA News
A statement from Migrante International described ZRD as “a symbolic protest and a political exercise for Filipino im/migrants from different parts of the world to collectively show their outrage on issues that affect them.”
“On this day, Filipino im/migrants from all over the world will once again send a united message against the pork barrel system,” the group said.
Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said remittances from OFWs support the domestic spending that has fueled the country’s economic rise.
The alleged misuse of pork barrel funds has led to the largest protest rally under the Aquino administration last August 26, with another anti-pork barrel rally scheduled on September 11.
Migrante said on September 19, Filipino im/migrants will refrain from remitting to pressure the government to:
- Abolish the pork barrel system. Scrap the presidential and congressional pork barrel
- Investigate agencies, and prosecute and punish all officials involved
- Re-channel funds to the people’s interests! Provide free, more accessible and more efficient services and welfare assitanc to OFWs in distress
“Through the ZRD, we will make our voices be heard in the call to abolish the pork barrel and re-channel funds for the people’s interest, including more efficient services and welfare assistance to overseas Filipino workers in distress,” Migrante said.
Migrante said this year's ZRD — the third ZRD since 2008 — will be held on September 19 as the date is the anniversary of the implementation of the Overseas Workers Welfare Assistance (OWWA) Omnibus Policies (OOP) that effectively made the $25 OWWA contributions mandatory per contract.
The group said the OOP has limited benefits and services provided by the OWWA to member OFWs.
The first ZRD was launched on October 29, 2008 in protest against the Global Forum on Migration and Development (GFMD), which was held in Manila. It was repeated on July 26, 2009 to protest then-President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's attempt implement Charter change through a constitutional assembly.
“The power to send or not to send remittances rests on Filipino im/migrants and OFWs alone. By not remitting for one day, Filipinos all over the world will use their economic power to make a stand against corruption, patronage politics and social injustice,” the group said of ZRD.
Source: GMA News
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