‘Kasi may pagasa na mas magiging competitive, may pagasa na magiging mas maayos at mabilis ang serbisyo, mas mababa loan rates para sa OFWs. Ngunit ito’y pagasa lang lahat. Malaking hamon sa mga nagpapalakad ng OF Bank na ayusin sistema nila upang makamit ang inaasahan.’
The recent opening of the Overseas Filipino Bank, which counts among President Duterte’s campaign promises and flagship projects, has overseas Filipino workers in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) holding their breath with the hope that the bank will function as envisioned and live up their expectations.
“It’s a good opportunity for all OFWs,” said Engr. Jeffrey Uy, chair of the Abu Dhabi-based Bayanihan Council. “It will ease access , makakatulong ito in terms of sending money back home.”
“It will be owned eventually by OFWs,” he added, “hopefully, magmaterialize iyon as planned.”
Others are not so upbeat.
“I am not happy,” said Frankie Boton, senior engineer at a Dubai consultancy firm. He explained: “Isa lang sa OFW side ang representative natin at majority ay sa Land Bank of the Philippines (LDP) at ilang government sectors. It seems unfair and it would not effective kasi papaano nila malalaman ang tunay nating sitwasyon bilang OFWs?”
“Baka maging gatasan lang nila ulit yan. Dapat if para yun Sa OFWs, dapat pag-aari rin sya ng OFWs at pamamahalaan din sya ng mga tunay na OFWs.”
(There is only one OFW representative and the rest are from LDP and government agencies. It seems unfair and it would not be effective because how would they know our real situation being OFWs? This bank might end uo being just another milking cow. If it’s for OFWs then it should be owned and governed by real OFWs.)
“If it will function like another bank, then why create it when we already have a lot,” said Amanda Briones, office employee.
Aby Bokingo, a public relations executive, said they are happy about the bank and are excited with its opening in Dubai this year. “Naghihintay lang kami na magkaruon ditto,” she said. (We are just waiting for the bank to open here.)
“Hirap kasi yung stability ng ganyan bank. What if hindi mag-materialize paano ang investment mo?” said Beth Fabic, a former official at the Department of Labor and Employment who now works at a human resource company.
George Requerme, president of the OFW Global Movement (Rody Duterte for President) Dubai Chapter, said he is happy with the OF bank. “Panahon na para magka-ipon ang lahat ng OFWs,” he said. (It’s time that OFWs finally become financially able.)
Karlo Dubros, graphic designer is also happy because OFWs now have an alternative bank.
“Hopefully, they’ll offer better rates and secure mobile/internet banking options,” he said, adding however that the OF Bank will be operating under Land Bank, “which is known for its poor services especially in the area of government payroll; it has no real time SMS account update, terrible customer support, unsecure internet banking, no mobile app, no accessible atms and so on.
“Unless ma-address nila ito eh, I’d stick to private banks for the time being.”
Jay Hilotin, seasoned media practitioner said he is likewise happy with the news. “Kasi may pagasa na mas magiging competitive, may pagasa na magiging mas maayos at mabilis ang serbisyo, mas mababa loan rates para sa OFWs. Ngunit ito’y pagasa lang lahat. Malaking hamon sa mga nagpapalakad ng OF Bank na ayusin sistema nila upang makamit ang inaasahan.” (Because there is hope that services will be better and faster, loan rates will be low; but the challenge is for those running the OF Bank to implement a working system to achieve what everyone is hoping for.”
