Puzzling inward migration in the Philippines

This was written back in 2002 in the Inquirer, but it still holds true today especially to the new Chinese immigrants to the country. An article about the Chinese will be also be posted tomorrow.

Puzzling inward migration to RP
By Raul Palabrica

IF the recent survey finding of Pulse Asia is to be believed, 19 percent of Filipinos will, if given the opportunity, emigrate elsewhere because of unfavorable living conditions in the country. At the top of the survey respondents' grievance list is their frustration with the workings of the existing political system. A seemingly unmanageable peace and order problem, economic hardships and government inefficiency add to the dissatisfaction. But as hundreds of Filipinos fly out daily to places where they think they can earn a living or start a new life, scores of Korean and Chinese nationals have been entering the country for the same reasons that motivate our countrymen to leave.

Haven't you noticed the proliferation of Korean restaurants, groceries and other commercial establishments in the commercial areas of Manila, Quezon City, Makati and other Metro Manila cities? The Koreans and their ubiquitous signage are everywhere. They seem to have taken over the places that were once occupied by Chinese-Filipino entrepreneurs.

On a major street in BF Homes, Parañaque, for example, you will find either a Korean diner, grocery, travel agency, taekwando gym or distributor of used Korean appliances in every five or six houses. Some residents have described that commercial strip as "Korean territory."

As if the commercial presence were not enough, the nascent Korean community has built its own religious centers that bear names that reflect the cultural origin of its members.

Chinese influx

Joining the Koreans in their silent migration to the Philippines are Chinese nationals who come in as tourists and later disappear in the bowels of Divisoria or Binondo in Manila.

Their inability to speak Filipino has not deterred them from putting up stalls in those commercial centers, including the Rizal Park at the Luneta, to sell various Chinese-made goods and merchandise. They are able to sell their products with the use of the sign language or small writing pads where they write the prices of their wares.

Filipino traders have already complained about the heavy losses they suffered in the hands of their Chinese competitors.

Unlike the Koreans whose physical features are different from those of ordinary Filipinos, the Chinese nationals blend easily with the community. Only their inability to speak the national language raises doubts about the legitimacy of their presence in the country.

So disturbing has the surge in illegal Chinese migration been that the Bureau of Immigration and Deportation conducts periodic inspection sorties into places where Chinese nationals are known to be engaged in business. The number of undocumented Chinese arrested has become a cause for concern.

Economic giants

After Japan, China is considered (and prides itself as) the most economically developed country in this part of the world. South Korea may not be as rich as China but, in terms of productivity and financial sufficiency, it is not very far behind.

Aside from their economic strength, the two countries have a common denominator: Their citizens are known for their strong nationalism and willingness to sacrifice personal interests for the good of their country.

Why some citizens of two of the strongest economies in Asia want to leave their countries and put up stakes in the Philippines is a puzzler of sorts. While many Filipinos are exiting to escape unfavorable social and economic conditions, Chinese and Korean nationals are coming to the country.

Why are they abandoning their own green pastures in favor of a place whose economic development is nowhere near that of their homeland?

There must be strong reasons for making that sacrifice.

Justification

One possible reason is that they want to enjoy the country's democratic space. China suffers tremendously in this area. Free speech, press freedom and the right to assemble for redress of grievances are taboo in China. The Chinese Communist Party controls virtually every aspect of the lives of the Chinese people.

It is doubtful, however, if the desire to breath the democratic air motivated the Chinese nationals into coming to the Philippines. They have immersed themselves in commercial activities. They have not engaged in political acts that would show their desire to exercise the rights inherent in a democracy.

In South Korea's case, democratic rule has taken strong roots there. Its press may not be as free as that of the Philippines, but it has proven to be effective and vigilant. It's a tribute to the strength of its democratic institutions that it was able to swiftly prosecute and punish two of its former presidents.

Contrast this to our country where the prosecution of a former president for plunder has been dragging for more than one year already. Worse, there is no certainty that even if convicted he will be punished.

To claim that the Koreans now living in our country prefer the Philippine-brand of democracy to the no-nonsense character of their own is to engage in wishful thinking. Strike out democracy as the motivating factor for their migration.

That leaves economic reasons as the principal cause of the recent Chinese and Korean influx. They probably believe there are better business opportunities here than in their homeland. They foresee a good future for trade and commerce.

Their optimism about future economic prosperity remains strong in spite of the kidnappings, inadequate public infrastructure, corrupt public officials and all the problems of governance that many Filipinos have cited as excuses for leaving the country for supposedly greener pastures elsewhere in the world.

No doubt, the Chinese and Korean economic migrants know the problems besetting our country. But they also see its potentials for growth and development. And they are willing to invest their time, money and effort for the opportunity to get a piece of the "golden egg" that the Philippines can provide.

They must know something about this country that our countrymen, especially those who have given up on it, do not know as to inspire them to leave the safety of their native land to try their luck here.

They probably believe the expected rewards from that move will more than compensate for the sacrifices they have to make in living and working in a society with a social and political culture totally different from theirs.

What irony! Some foreigners have a better outlook on the Philippines than its own citizens.