OFWs in Brussels Eager to Help Typhoon Victims

Filipino religious organizations in Brussels have responded to the urgent call for assistance for typhoon victims in the Philippines.

In a meeting last Sunday, leaders of religious organizations agreed to send donations to northern and central Luzon, which have been greatly affected by recent typhoons Pedring and Quiel.

“Sa amin pong nakikita sa television, talaga pong kami ay na sha-shock kaya po nagbuo kami ng aming grupo, isa na ang Legion of Mary at Pastoral, na kami po ay magdo-donate ng kahit konti, sa abot ng aming makakaya, para naman makatulong sa mga nasalanta ng bagyo,” said Legion of Mary adviser Mas Galang.

El Shaddai St. Remi Chapter President Nelson Legutan said his group will conduct a separate meeting to determine the amount of money they would send to Lingkod Kapamilya.

“Sa ngayon pinagpaplanuhan ng El Shaddai St Remi chapter kung paano kami makakatulong sa mga nasalanta ng bagyo”, he said.

Continue reading at ABS-CBN News

Strong Peso Bad News for OFWs in Belgium

While many Filipinos think that a strong Philippine peso means a more stable economy for the country, many OFWs in Brussels feel that this will be a big blow for low to average income earners.

Based on the data given by Moneytrans, a remittance center in Brussels, from April to Aug 11, 2011, the Euro-Peso conversion rate has dropped to approximately 5%.

OFW Edna Clavito admitted having difficulty coping with the situation.

“Di ako natutuwa kasi nga pag mas mababa ang euro, mas dadagdagan ang padala so nadadagdagan ang paghihirap kasi kailangan mong kumita,” she said.

On the other hand, Precy Gasta, another OFW who has been working in Belgium for more than 20 years, said she and her husband have resorted to selling Filipino delicacies such as suman and butchi to be able to earn extra income to sustain the family’s needs in the Philippines.

Continue reading at ABS-CBN News