Free at Last: On the way to Nigeria

Free at Last: On the way to Nigeria
By: Eunice Barbara C. Novio

In December 2006, a few days before she left for Nigeria, Evangeline Novio read on the news that migrant workers in Nigeria would be banned due to the series of kidnappings in the oil rich country. Fortunately, she was able to go back just in time before the ban took its total effect by early January of 2007. Her other companions, mostly engineers were not so fortunate.

In 2008, Ka Lito Nucum was in trouble. The immigration official at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport did not allow him to board his plane bound for Nigeria. Architect Benjie Nadado also had ugly experience with the immigration. To be able to go back to work, in spite of heavy hearts, dismay and great disillusion, each one of the returning OFWs to Nigeria coughed out as much as $300-600. Some OFWs like Evangeline Novio and Teresita Azarcon, did their best to travel the legal way, but they also had to go to other countries before they could go back to Nigeria. Appeal letters and internet advocacies flooded the Philippine Government. They spent million of pesos to make public their complaints via newspapers, interviews, forums. The then envoy for the Middle East Affairs Roy Cimatu was sent to Nigeria. The Banaag awardee Ester Derpo from the British High Commission talked personally to President Arroyo. All, to no avail.

Thus, the cycle of corruption began until late last year when the travel ban to Nigeria was partially lifted. The partial lifting of the travel ban officially ends the saga of those Filipinos already working in Nigeria, but not to the highly-skilled workers hoping to land for better jobs and salaries. It should be noted that the travel ban is caused by the series of kidnappings of Filipino seafarers and other nationalities in oil rich Niger Delta. However, only the Philippine Government imposed the unnecessary ban.

Through the unrelenting efforts of Pusong Pinoy and the Center for Migrant Advocacy (CMA), the issue was brought to the attention of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR), then to the United Nations (UN) on the recently concluded 10th Session in Geneva. Finally, the POEA thru the administration of Atty. Jennifer Manalili, the government realized that the imposed ban be lifted, though selective. Hence, on September 13, 2009 MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR No. 15 - SELECTIVE DEPLOYMENT TO NIGERIA FOR WORKERS-ON-LEAVE (WOL)/ BALIK-MANGGAGAWA (BM) was signed and implemented. Even so, it is a great relief to thousands of Filipino workers in Nigeria, much more to the families who depend on the dollars and euros remitted to them. Remittances abroad are one of the primary sources of our country’s income. As such, it is of utmost importance that the government should weigh the consequences of a ban imposition.

On January 7, 2010, the Pusong Pinoy officers, represented by their President Benjie Nadado, Treasurer Lito Nucum, and Board Secretary Evangeline Novio went to POEA, not only to settle their obligations as “Balik-Manggagawa” but also to express their thanks and gratitude to Administrator Manalili.

“Last year, I did not come here because the agency would surely deny me,” says Ms. Novio, “It is again my first time, after two years.”

“It is a relief,” says Nucum, “knowing that we are finally free.”

The OFWs from Nigeria that day did not stand in the long queue. They were assisted by the POEA staff in settling their Balik-Manggagawa dues.

Meeting with POEA Admin. Manalili

POEA Administrator Jennifer Manalili admitted that the ban not only to Nigeria but also to other countries (where Filipinos are banned) triggered the ‘entrepreneurial spirit ” of some people. Because of poverty, Filipinos will grab every chance and take the risk just to give their families better lives.

Ms. Novio and Messrs Nadado and Nucum after light discussions opened to Administrator Manalili the difficulties they encountered during the ban.

Like a fugitive was how Nucum described himself. Employers of other companies also gave their “balikbayan” workers a “bribery allowance” so they could come back. Nucum did not even try asking for reimbursement from his company because he doesn’t want to expose further ‘the corruption’ in the government.

Ms. Ellen Sana, director of CMA, expressed her desire to continue the advocacy for the total lifting of deployment ban. She also suggests that employers in Nigeria should communicate to Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and POEA to present a demand for new employment.

Administrator Manalili welcomed warmly Pusong Pinoy in their efforts in helping their fellow Filipinos abroad who are in need.

Present during the meeting was Atty Karen Dumpit of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) who was also with the group throughout this saga.

Pusong Pinoy: Not only for Filipinos

Filipinos are known for their hospitality and excellent work ethics. In the African continent, there are only a handful of Filipinos compared to Middle East and America. In Nigeria, there are about 2,000 documented Filipinos working as highly skilled professionals. They are well-respected and well compensated.

Pusong Pinoy, a Filipino organization based in Abuja, whose members hailed from the different parts of the Philippines live true to the values instilled in them as Filipinos. Extending help to Filipinos in distress is one of their objectives in forming the organization. But their help extends also to the poorest of the poor in their host country. The organization donates money, food and clothing to the rural communities in Nigeria in cooperation with other organizations like the Missionary Catechists of St. Therese of the Child Jesus (MCST).

For the Filipino seamen, victims of maritime malpractices stranded in Nigeria for days, Philippine Embassy was the closest place they could call home and Pusong Pinoy their kin. The organization provided them with financial help and clothes and most importantly time and shoulders to lean on in times of need.

The effort of Pusong Pinoy in cooperation with the Philippine Embassy with the able leadership of Charge d Affaires Alex V. Lamadrid to help other Filipinos is not only in Nigeria but also in other African countries, like Ivory Coast where Filipinas are trafficked for prostitution.

Philippine Embassy in Nigeria serves as eyes and ears in the whole of West Africa. The country is host to 4,000 highly skilled workers in various fields. The diplomatic tie between the two countries is mended because of the few persons who care. And they belong to the Pusong Pinoy and the CMA.


Pictures during the meeting:

CMA Dir. Ellene Sana & CHR Atty. Karen Dumpit: a cause to smile

About the author: Eunice Barbara C. Novio is currently a graduate student at the University of the Philippines-Diliman taking Women and Development. She is a recipient of the US based Women Leadership Scholarship (WLS) and a member of the Asian Women Resource Center for Culture and Theology.