Pit Senyor

Let me start by greeting each and everyone one of you a very blessed Fiesta Señor Sto. Nino! This year’s celebration is so much different from the previous times as we are challenged by the ferocity of the pandemic. Our way of expressing our devotion to the Holy Child through the novena masses, procession, and even the street parade has been extremely altered. But as a people of faith, we hope by his abiding love and we rest upon his mercy during these times of great pain and suffering. In his time, we shall be restored and renewed again.

Pit Senyor!

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There is a growing hope among immigration advocates and communities that the incoming Biden administration will finally tackle and pass the long-awaited and much-needed reforms on immigration laws and policies. With all Democrats in control of the White House and Congress, there is no excuse for failure to pass substantive and meaningful legislation to address the ills of US immigration. It’s expected that most, if not all, of Mr. Trump’s immigration agenda will be withdrawn and reversed at the early days of Mr. Biden’s tenure.

Specifically for the Philippines, I hope to see the re-inclusion of the Philippines in the H2A program or the temporary/seasonal worker program. We have been excluded from the list of eligible countries under this program, admittedly due to our fellow Filipinos’ propensity of abusing the program. But with proactive proposals from the Philippine government, I think there’s a chance for us to be back on the list.

Another area where I am interested to see is the re-evaluation of the current J1 visa program. I have received countless calls from Filipinos who came to the US under J1 visa but when they arrived, they were made to work under different and difficult conditions. I have already met with the officials from our Philippine consulate who promised to look into this matter but there has been no significant movement on this matter as of late. And with the pandemic, there are quite a number of J1 visa holders here in the US who have overstayed here or have not been renewed or extended by their sponsors. I hope this issue will be looked into promptly by the State Department.

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I read that Mayor Edgar Labella is forming a committee to study the vaccination plan for Cebu City. I find this somehow belated since vaccines were already in the news and as early as last December 8, the whole world witnessed the first Pfizer vaccine administered in the United Kingdom (incidentally by a Filipina nurse). A committee could have been formed by then. Other Philippine cities have already entered into purchase agreements with vaccine makers and it’s a surprise to many that Cebu City has not yet done so.

I hope the vaccination committee will take into account the Fair Allocation Framework designed by the World Health Organization. Let the vaccine distribution be fair and equitable. We have seen in the early days of the pandemic when the testing and distribution of cash assistance and food aid were marred by politicking and personal interests. There must be an institutional mechanism by which those shameful and even criminal acts will be prevented and dealt with.