Likewise, we recognize the importance of overseas employment in helping ease the pressure of unemployment and in boosting the national economy by helping increase the foreign exchange reserves. There are of course second-order effects of higher foreign exchange inflows, including the impact on the domestic currency and external competitiveness.
But to me, it is fundamental to first address the current challenges and measurement issues that have very important analytical and policy bearings. This conference will hopefully help pave the way to clarify such issues. First, let us look at the statistics on the number of OFWs.