8 OPINION
PHILIPPINE ASIAN NEWS TODAY April 1 - 15 , 2018
Tinig Migrante
By E . Maestro
I like the name COMPASS PH which is what the newest app for Filipino migrants is called . COMPASS PH is the very new application or online platform designed to help Filipino migrants and immigrants at any point in their journey overseas .
COMPASS PH takes its inspiration from the mechanical compass device familiar to most everyone -- high school science students , boy and girl scouts , mountaineers , travellers . The compass always points to the North , wherever we stand in the world holding that compass in our hand . The COMPASS PH app is the same , it is designed to metaphorically point to the “ North ” where support , information and emergency help can be easily accessed by millions of overseas Filipino workers , also known as Global Migrants .
According to founders and brothers Nicki and Mikhail Agcaoili , “ the essence of COMPASS is to empower our Global Migrants before , during and after their journey ,” and “ to provide refuge during those times and bring them safely back home .”
A Pinoy OFW never travels without the basic smartphone and the readiness to switch SIM cards
Migrants : Never Fear , COMPASS PH is here !
when necessary . The Philippines is reputed to be THE top texting capital of the world , with the average Filipino user sending 10-12 text messages a day , which translates into the Philippines sending an average of 400 million text messages a day or 142 billion text messages a year , and probably more so now , since these are 2008 figures ! The Pinoy OFW is already a savvy user of the smartphone , thus , a user-friendly migrants ’ application like COMPASS PH installed and ready to use on one ’ s cell phone is an OFW ’ s friend , a life-saving raft when in trouble , a home far away from home .
At present , there are approximately 10 million documented Filipinos working abroad in 170 countries . These numbers are not entirely to be proud of when taken in the context that 6,000 Filipino men and women leave the Philippines daily to go abroad for work . This massive industry of human labour export does not have the adequate and solid infrastructure of support and access to information and services for our OFWs . OFWs also have to contend with who is genuine and not out to scam them , even in their times of crisis .
COMPASS PH recognized this and set to provide a remedy for it -- a one-stop shop of relevant news and
information , services and programs . It aimed “ to unify and galvanize various groups and organizations towards upholding the quality of life of Global Pinoys , whether in distress or not , by allowing “ convenient access to services and features that are truly relevant for migrant workers , their families , friends and potential employers .” COMPASS PH connects the Pinoy migrant workers and their families with community organizations , migrant groups , advocacy groups , regional community organizations , and Philippine government agencies locally and across the globe .
One main feature that makes COMPASS PH stand out from other similar apps is its SOS or Emergency Response button that migrant workers , wherever they are , can use to alert the COMPASS community that they are in need of help or assistance . COMPASS PH also has the broadest network of partner community organizations and the founders / designers have consulted and worked with a number of these networks .
Nicki Agcaoili also considered the practical aspect of the COMPASS PH . He said , “ When downloaded , COMPASS PH will only occupy 21.5 MB of space . When we were developing the app , we were conscious of restrictions , case in point data plans
but equally important is that not all can also afford high end phones with a lot of space of GB .”
So what are you waiting for ? Download the FREE Compass PH Safeguarding Global Migrants app from Google Play and the App Stores or simply sign up at https :// compassph . com
Or visit them in Facebook https :// www . facebook . com / pg / compassphapp / posts /
Pass on this information to your cousin working in Ireland as a nurse , your brother working as a seaman on one of the ships , your classmate tending to children as a domestic helper in Hong Kong , or your neighbour waiting for the visa to go abroad to work in Dubai .
Like the compass device , COMPASS PH helps the Pinoy OFW find the “ North ” whether it is home , help , or friends .
Boracay ’ s Problems FROM PAGE 7
Helen Catalbas . Sec . Wanda hopefully can convince the President that the island be closed own for only two months . Sec . Cimatu and Ano are for a longer period of time . With the close down , the clean water supply will also be shut down , Wanda pointed out . Flights will still land in Caticlan , or diverted to other islands .
President Duterte has announced April 26 as the date of closure for Boracay . This should give stakeholders the time to make arrangement for cancelled groups , their workers , etc . Hopefully the clean-up be done thoroughly and efficiently for a spanking new Boracay in the near future . We go with Sec . Wanda appeal of only two months closure .
The sanitation problem will be easily solved with everybody ’ s cooperation , Sec . Wanda said . It is for everybody ’ s benefit and Boracay will still be No . 1 . The DOT is now working in packaging and promoting other beautiful tourism spots . Her team is also putting together tourist packages like Faith tours of different beautiful old churches and shrines in the country , culinary tours of the best eateries , and so on .
DOT by the way has the smallest budget . Figure that one out ! We wish Sec . Wanda and her team all the best , and any of the LGU officials responsible for the money collected from every visitors on the islands be held accountable !
There is also a consensus and a recommendation to the President for a Boracay M a n a g e m e n t Committee like that of Clark and Subic . This is a good and should include stakeholders .
SAVING BORACAY The author with Sec . Wanda Tulfo Teo at Bulong Pulungan , with Bob Zozobrado , F & B hotel manager Marian Soplan
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