Manila: With the new academic year round the corner in Philippines, parents, including those working abroad, are left with no option but to bear the rising cost of education.
"Tuition fee increases in schools and universities are adding to our already heavy burden as prices of food, fuel, water and electricity continue to rise while the value of the US dollar continues to decrease, thus making it more difficult for us to make ends meet," John Leonard Monterona, regional coordinator of the overseas Filipino worker group, Migrante Middle East, said.
Domestic helpers and construction workers in the Middle East, who comprise a large part of Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), receive a gross monthly salary of Dh9,18.4 to Dh1,653, Monterona said.
These salaries, says Monterona, does not even equate the daily cost of living in Metro Manila which is Dh72.8 ($19.84).
"What makes us more weary is the news that there are around 300 schools or universities that have raised their tuition fee rates by seven to 15 per cent.
Compromises
"This means that many OFW parents will not be able to send their children to school, or if they want to, they will need to have an extra job to augment their meagre salaries.
"However, this will take a toll on their health and well-being," Monterona added.
This situation has led more and more families to have both parents employed abroad.
"Usually, it is the father or the mother who leaves the country to work abroad. But now both parents are forced to leave the country to work. This is not good as it weakens family ties," he said, adding that while both parents are away, ageing grandparents have to take care of the children.
Migrant workers are now looking at likely president Benigno Aquino to come up with concrete solutions to the country's economic problems as well as create sustainable jobs here.
