National Alliance for Filipino Concerns

PRESS STATEMENT
01 January 2012

Reference:
Jonna Baldres, Deputy General Secretary
National Alliance for Filipino Concerns (NAFCON)
Email: info@nafconusa.org
Phone: 646-578-7390

The Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) is located in the western Pacific Ocean. From previous U.S. Census counts, Filipinos have the largest population in CNMI, comprising almost 30 percent of all residents, even surpassing the total number of the native Chamorro people. There are, more or less, 12,000 Filipino workers in CNMI as of late who face struggles with maintaining legal immigration status.

"Most of our 'kababayans' (fellow Filipinos) in CNMI were forced out of the Philippines 10 to 30 years ago because of the lack of jobs. They were critical in developing CNMI's economy and it is now their home and the only home their children have known," said Rico Foz, National Spokesperson of NAFCON who spoke with some of the Filipino workers in CNMI.

Maria Lourdes Berueco, one of the Filipino workers in CNMI, expressed, "Most of us have lived in CNMI for a very long time with many raising our families here. Many feel anxiety about going back to the Philippines since most don't have anything or anyone to go back to anymore."

Labor Export Policy as the Major Culprit

At the root of the problem is the Labor Export Policy (LEP) which intensively sends Filipinos to other countries. The LEP started in 1974 during the time of Marcos. By the 1980s, CNMI had been one of the most practical destinations for Filipinos to find jobs due to large scale CNMI recruitment of Filipinos and with the flight to Saipan only taking four hours from Manila.

"We cannot blame the workers for going to work in CNMI. The Philippine government's failed Labor Export Policy is to blame. Now, we can see LEP's drastic effect on our people in CNMI and in thousands of cases throughout the world," Valen said.

NAFCON identifies and emphasizes national industrialization and genuine land reform -- and NOT the LEP -- as the ultimate solutions that will address the chronic crisis of joblessness in the Philippines.

NAFCON Calls on Governments to Act on Behalf of CNMI Workers

In relation to the U.S. government, Valen highlighted the migrant workers' (Filipinos and non-Filipinos alike) value to the economic and social development of CNMI and urged U.S. officials to act on their behalf in recognition of their contributions. "They came in legally, worked hard and brought pride to CNMI and the U.S. They should be given a more permanent status."

In response to the Philippine Consulate in Saipan's claim that the Philippine government have no funds to help the CNMI Filipinos with their immigration defense, Valen said, "We call on the Philippine government to invest every necessary resource to resolve the plight of the Filipinos in CNMI. Instead of excessively allocating resources towards its military, debt-servicing and pork barrel programs the government should prioritize all the Filipino migrant workers who contribute the most to the nation's wealth."

Valen closed by saying, "NAFCON challenges Pnoy to take up a New Year's resolution to do all he can to stop the deportation of these Filipinos workers by not only saying 'Kayo ang boss ko' but by proving it. President Aquino must heed the call for relief coming from more than 12,000 Filipino migrants in CNMI and the millions of us in the U.S. who support them."

Background

In 1976, President Gerald Ford signed into law the Covenant establishing CNMI as a U.S. Commonwealth having its own constitution and government.

As a U.S. Commonwealth, the CNMI government had exclusive control over its labor and immigration laws, allowing it to bring in contract guest workers through the enactment of the Nonresident Workers' Act (NWA) in 1983.

CNMI focused on developing a garment industry in addition to its growing tourism sector in the late 1980s and 1990s. This practice of recruiting overseas contract workers increased its population to nearly 40,000, with the newly immigrated workers permeating every industry.

The NWA, however, paved the way for the CNMI government to allow employers to pay wages lower than those offered in the U.S. mainland, resulting to widespread abuse and exploitation. . As a result, abuse and exploitation became widespread.

In addition, nonresident workers, once under the NWA, were also not allowed to apply for citizenship or residency, even if they had been working in the CNMI for years, or even decades.

Eventually, the CNMI labor laws were superseded by the U.S. Federal minimum wage regulations through the Fair Minimum Wage Act of 2007. Then on November 28, 2009, U.S. immigration law gained jurisdiction over CNMI with the passage of the Consolidated Natural Resources Act (CNRA) enacted the previous year.

With the implementation of the CNRA, the transition period for the "federalization" of CNMI began and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security took over CNMI's immigration and border controls. The transition is scheduled to end on December 31, 2014.

"Federalization" of CNMI and The Consequences

The phase following the implementation of the federal takeover of CNMI immigration includes the process of converting CNMI-issued entry permits into mere evidence of lawful status called "umbrella permits", which can no longer be considered as visas. This phase ended on November 27, 2011, when the permits expired.

For the 20,859 overseas contract workers residing in the CNMI (approximate number only as of year 2010, and not including those who did not register to the Ombudsman's accounting), this would mean "out of status" for most.

Though some can apply for "humanitarian parole" as may be granted by the USCIS on a case to case basis, this will only be applicable for certain individuals -- meaning (1) foreign national born in CNMI between January 1, 1974 to January 9, 1978; (2) those who were permanent residents in the CNMI since the CNRA was signed (May 8, 2008); (3) spouse or child of foreign nationals described in numbers 1 or 2; or (4) immediate relative of a U.S. citizen residing in the CNMI from the time the CNRA was signed. These four groups are the subject of a U.S. House Resolution 1466 now pending consideration for discussion in the U.S. Congress.

And there lies the dilemma: The H.R. 1466, even when passed as a law, can only cover a few thousands. According to the Natural Resources committee, H.R. 1466 would affect roughly 5,000 to 7,300 foreign nationals (including Filipinos and other nationalities), only around 24 to 34 percent of all foreign nationals legally residing in the Commonwealth before the signing of the CNRA. Most of the rest have already started facing removal proceedings.

PRESS RELEASE
29 December 2011

Contact: Jun Cruz NAFCON Public Info Officer
Email: info@nafconusa.org
Phone: 650-580-7382

For almost two weeks Filipinos in the U.S. have held various activities throughout the country to provide much needed relief for the victims of Typhoon Sendong (Washi) in the Southern parts of the Philippines. The calamity which struck the islands on December 17th has killed 1,453 people to date and left hundreds of thousands homeless and displaced.

NAFCON with its twenty nine member organizations throughout the country has raised nearly $4,000 and aims to reach a goal of $7,000 before the year ends through its Bayanihan Relief Effort.

Donations can be made via paypal at http://tinyurl.com/bayanihanreliefeffort, mailed in, or at upcoming events in several cities throughout the U.S. (Information for events and mailing locations can be found below.)

All funds raised will be remitted to BALSA Mindanao (Bulig alang sa Mindanao/Help Mindanao) who are coordinating ongoing relief efforts in the hardest hit areas.

In addition to raising relief funds, NAFCON aims to educate the community regarding the reasons behind the massive death toll and destruction.

Father Ben Alforque, former NAFCON President who was in the Philippines during the time of the tragedy says, “It was not the hand of God that caused the destruction. Government officials along with logging and mining companies were warned of the dangers from their terrible environmental destruction in Cagayan de Oro and Iligan. But they did not listen. Corporate greed and government corruption ruled the day at the expense of the people, especially the poor."

Terry Valen, current NAFCON President also commented, "There is a prevailing theme of sacrificing people for profit in our government that we need to change. We must hold President Aquino, the politicians, and the corporations accountable for their part in the man-made destruction and we should start by demanding a moratorium on all destructive mining and logging in the Philippines regardless if they are legal or illegal."

Upcoming Events:

Northwest:
Thursday, December 29, 2011 6:00pm -9:00pm
Bayanihan Vigil for the Victims and Survivors of Sendong
Filipino Community Center of Seattle: 5740 Martin Luther King, Jr. Way Seattle, WA 98118

Midwest:
Friday, December 30, 2011, 3:00pm – 8:00pm
Pizza for a Cause
Nancy’s Pizza and Ristorante: 8706 Golf Road, Niles, Illinois, 60714

Nor Cal:
Sunday, December 31, 2011 9:00pm - 2:00am
New Years Eve Fundraiser for Victims of Typhoon Sendong
Organized by Supervisor John Avalos, NAFCON, the Chair of Gabriela, and other community leaders

For more information contact: terrencevalen@yahoo.com or text at 415-203-0696

Mailing locations:

Cash or checks go to locations listed below. On memo please write: NAFCON Bayanihan Relief

Northeast:
Checks Payable to “Philippine Forum”
Mail to 40-21 69th St. Woodside, NY
Regional Coordinator: Michelle Saulon, ne@nafconusa.org, (347) 867 - 1550

Midwest:
Checks Payable to "Good Shepherd Congregation"
Mail to 4707 W. Pratt Ave Lincolnwood, Il 60712
Regional Coordinator: Nerissa Allegretti, mw@nafconusa.org, (224)-381-6888

Nor Cal:
Checks Payable to "FOCUS-Filipino Community Support"
Mail to 4681 Mission St. San Francisco, Ca 94112
Regional Coordinator: Angelica Cabande nc@nafconusa.org, (415) 946 - 9904

So Cal:
Checks Payable to "Tulong Sa Bayan (TSB)"
Mail to: 519 S. Spring St., Los Angeles, CA 90013
Regional Coordinator: Alex Montances, sc@nafconusa.org, (253) 381 - 7444

Northwest:
Checks Payable to "Pinay Sa Seattle"
Mail to 5740 Martin Luther King Junior Way Seattle, WA 98118
Regional Coordinator: Freedom Siyam, nw@nafconusa.org, (206) 659 - 1130

For more information on fundraising and relief activities in your area please contact NAFCON regional coordinators nearest you.

PRESS RELEASE
20 December 2011

Contact: Jun Cruz
NAFCON Public Information Officer
Email: info@nafconusa.org
Phone: 650-580-7382

On the quiet night of December 17th, the Philippines was struck by another calamity in the Southern Islands of Mindanao identified as tropical storm 'Sendong'.

Cagayan de Oro, Negros Oriental and Iligan were amongst the worst cities hit by flash floods and landslides leaving 650 confirmed dead, with more reported fatalities expected, and nearly 100,000 victims homeless.

The National Alliance for Filipino Concerns (NAFCON), with member organizations throughout the U.S., is activating its Bayanihan Relief program for the victims of 'Sendong' in Mindanao.

NAFCON is collecting exclusively monetary relief (not material goods) and ensures that your donations go directly to the communities of the Philippines who are deeply and adversely affected by 'Sendong'.

"As we near Christmas, we urge our kababayan to ease the suffering of children, families, and loved ones back home who were hit hard by 'Sendong' by making immediate monetary donations in the true spirit of the holidays," said Terry Valen, NAFCON President.

NAFCON has established collections centers throughout the U.S and has a Paypal account. For Paypal go to: http://tinyurl.com/bayanihanreliefeffort or click on the donate button below:

Cash or checks go to locations listed below. On memo please write: NAFCON Bayanihan Relief

North East: Checks Payable to “Philippine Forum”
Mail to 40-21 69th St. Woodside, NY
Regional Coordinator: Michelle Saulon, ne@nafconusa.org, (347) 867 - 1550

Mid West: Checks Payable to "Good Shepherd Congregation"
Mail to 4707 W. Pratt Ave Lincolnwood, Il 60712
Regional Coordinator: Lorena Nabua, mw@nafconusa.org, (224) 678 - 3415

Nor Cal: Checks Payable to "FOCUS-Filipino Community Support"
Mail to 4681 Mission St. San Francisco, Ca 94112
Regional Coordinator: Angelica Cabande nc@nafconusa.org, (415) 946 - 9904

So Cal: Checks Payable to "Tulong Sa Bayan (TSB)"
Mail to: 519 S. Spring St., Los Angeles, CA 90013
Regional Coordinator: Alex Montances, sc@nafconusa.org, (253) 381 - 7444

North West: Checks Payable to "Pinay Sa Seattle"
Mail to 5740 Martin Luther King Junior Way Seattle, WA 98118
Regional Coordinator: Freedom Siyam, nw@nafconusa.org, (206) 659 - 1130

For more information on fundraising and relief activities in your area please contact NAFCON regional coordinators nearest you.