Some of Your Tired, Your Poor, Your Huddled Masses No Longer

"An update on which countries have been included recently in the US visa waiver program."

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Is there someone out there in the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) in the Philippines who can somehow explain why the Philippines remains to be excluded from this list? Or are there efforts now ongoing on the part of those in Philippine government service that now work towards getting all qualified Philippine nationals (not only those who are favored, those who are part of the ruling members of the elite in Philippine society) get into the US without undergoing so much of the mostly-humiliating experience of getting a US visa? I thought the Philippines is a favored friend of the USA, and that there are "special relations" that exist up to now, as the Philippines was a former colony of the US? It seems like the present set up is just being perpetrated far longer as this favors certain sectors of Philippine society (i.e. those who are considered elites!---such a tiresome bunch!)

Addendum:
Come to think of it, and allow me to let your minds play and consider espousing an idea during one of my think-aloud sessions online.

It's always advantageous for both the elites of the USA and the Philippines, at least those who are in positions of power and authority to have the Philippines be included among the countries under the USA visa waiver program as soon as reviews of relevant policies are made possible. The implication of this inclusion has cascading effects that are immeasurable since they go beyond economics, and political areas, but also along the areas known to most of those involved in societies in both countries.

As you may have very well figured out by now, economic activities in the Philippines are handled mostly by those who have political connections (we're talking here of what really matters on top-level). But there are not much opportunities to be identified and pursued, as these are mostly cornered exclusively by those who are in power (i.e. an indication of this has been the presence of high rates of poverty for long periods of time, showing that much of the wealth are actually just kept and not allowed to be distributed down at a more faster rate by those in power and authority, those who are among in the ruling class, without exchange of favors). Also, given the timidity of those who are very well entrenched and who live comfortably well, and the disconcerting and uncompetitive environment that has yet to completely motivate entrepreneurs to strike on their own on a sustained basis, there are not much expectations for desired economic changes to happen fast. Moreso, other members of this elite group, including those who have better education and experience will eventually find themselves pursuing meaningless endeavors by their existence in a society like that in the Philippines, which country values keeping close-family-knit-ties and its ill-effects, so much so that if you're not part of the clan, you don't expect much in enjoying benefits (i.e. health care, business opportunities, travel opportunities, educational opportunities, etc etc)---which is but natural.

These members, or who are related by blood or affinity to those of the ranking elites, would usually end up finding opportunities abroad, most probably in the US. The USA has remained to be the biggest location of transplanted Filipinos and their kin outside of the Philippines, primarily because of colonial heritage factors, with the Philippines being formerly a colony of the USA. These members will then have to seek out opportunities in the US, and they would be needing visas just to get to stay for at least 90 days, which can be renewed that may last up to 6months at one time. This period of allowable stay will provide enough time for visitors (those who can afford the exorbitant travel fees) from the Philippines to figure out if they would like to stay for good here in the US. Most will eventually find out they can not stay here for good, as they will begin to miss the kind of indulgent lifestyle they have back in the Philippines where there are a lot of servants to meet their needs. Moreso, there's really poor group support set-up that is usually claimed to be "bayanihan" by some, but which is actually absent most time. During their stay here in the US under a visitor's visa, they will just be spending their own money, or could have their relatives lend or give them money to spend here, which can be good for the local US economy. This can mean lots of amounts of money getting to be spent here by Filipino visitors, which can take much more efforts to quantify now, just to give an idea.

Moreso, this concern about Filipino visitors staying here for good just to evade immigration, is typically baseless, and at the most a sign of biases against people who look differently at least in facial features. There are a lot of other nationalities from the world over who have come over the US, and have stayed for good. I've met a number of people from those countries now included in the visa waiver program, and who are here in NYC whose visas have expired and have stayed out for good. This does not necessarily apply to the majority of Filipino visitors. At the most, Filipinos who affiliate themselves with the elites back in the Philippines, would actually just like to have a feel of how it is to live in the US, or abroad, away from the petty intrigues and glass-half-empty-half-full existence back usually observed in the Philippines.

Filipinos who visit the US would love to meet up with relatives and visitors who would eventually get tired of them, as realities will get to set in, as these are costly endeavors. These visitors will just then consider going back to the Philippines, if they knew they could always go back, anyway, as visitors (if there's a scenario that the Philippines gets to be included among the US visa waiver program) here in the US.

Mind you, I've heard and have known a number of people from the Philippines who can afford to travel here in the US. Actually, the trip of other people can be financed by their relatives here. But consider looking at the listing of Forbes of the wealthiest in the world, and you'd be surprised to see at least 2 to 3 families from the Philippines, which has currently 90million in population. Consider those who are less wealthier, and these families can very well afford regular trips back & forth to the US. Consider including the Philippines in the list of countries with a visa waiver program, and there would be more traveling here freely, without much ado, as they can afford to do so (they're just pushed back from the high probability of being denied for some unclear reason by the embassy in the Philippines).

It's in the interests of the US government to begin cornering the market and enjoying the benefits brought here by Filipino visitors in the US as soon as possible, even if the US is actually 8500miles at least from the Philippines. These visitors would be English speaking who would be familiar with US culture that is prized and valued back in Philippine shores. These visitors would surely want to visit a country, like the US, that's very familiar to them. Or else, China, thru Hong Kong, or other Asian countries, or even Australia and New Zealand, or even Europe may just get hold of these visitors fast, in today's high volume and competitive tourism business. These visitors from the Philippines would just like to take a look-see trip to decide if they would really want to lead their lives in the US. Most won't stay long anyway, as discussed in the paragraphs above.

And there would be no need just to clump most Filipinos who'd be allowed to come here in the US as healthcare personnel or teaching staff. These visitors can do more other than these jobs. They can very well invest here, if they see opportunities. They're among the best adaptable people there are in the world now. You may just have to ask around from non biased employers, just to get sufficient proof, though!

Of course, there are more ideas that can be identified from other readers. Please feel free to share your feedback, and let's modify, improve our positions.

To read more about the Philippines, to get a better grounding why those in those who are in power and has authority in both US and the Philippines, you may want to see some changing facts about the Philippines on this link from the CIA.


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