Monday, September 1, 2008

Brain drain

I actually think brain drain isn't as bad as it seems to be. It is true though that we have a lot of really brilliant and talented people that have gone abroad in one way or the other to find the much sought after dollars or euros. Even odd jobs has not deterred our degree holders from seeking employment elsewhere. Doctors working as nurses, engineers slaving as electricians and technicians, degree holders as factory workers, has become not only acceptable but commonplace in many OFWs.

One good thing that I can see coming out from all this is that these people can get training and experience they would not otherwise get staying in the Philippines. Working in a foreign land also opens up opportunities for each individual. Of course, it stays with that person if he wants to take advantage of it. Doctors who end up as nurses abroad can still take up medicine in their host countries. Nothing can stop a Filipino engineer working as a technician outside go and get a master's at a nearby university. I'm not saying it would be a smooth ride all the way, on the contrary, its going to be very difficult. But with all that said it IS possible.

Having training and experience in another country can be a really good thing IF only these Filipinos would share it to other Filipinos. No one prevents any Filipino from going abroad to work. But I really hope that these OFWs would live true to their title and be the bagong bayani; return home and contribute to the society not only by the dollars they remit, but by using their experience to help improve the country.

It's just a sad thing to hear OFWs say that they wouldn't want to go back and settle in the Philippines because it's never going to change. I think that's the real danger of brain drain. But if this brain drain creates OFWs that would be seeking to gain training(not to mention wealth) and then go back to contribute, then I'm all for it.