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Published by the Visayan Daily Star Publications, Inc.

NINFA R. LEONARDIA Editor-in-Chief & President

CARLA P. GOMEZ Managing Editor ANTONIETA B. LOPEZ Business Editor ODETTE MONTELIBANO Desk Editor MARY ANN BARCELONA Advertising Coordinator RENE GENOVE Bureau Chief, Dumaguete

ANDRES R. LEONARDIA Managing Director

The report that about 12,000 Filipinos who had immigrated to other countries and worked or stayed there for most of their lives have applied and regained their citizenship last year, is a heartening one to their countrymen who stayed home.

The numbers show that, even when they have stayed for years and enjoyed more comfortable lives and privileges abroad, their hearts were still longing for the land of their birth. And that, as soon as the law allowing dual citizenship was passed, they lost no time in seeking to avail of its provisions.

The 12,000 are said to be those who were granted their return only in the year 2,005.. The same report mentioned that, surprisingly, many Pinoys still living in other countries, are not yet aware that they are now entitled to such privilege, and the manner of applying for it.

This is a challenge to our Foreign Affairs Department, who must exert more effort to make this known to as many expatriates as possible. Aside from giving them the happiness of a homecoming, and the fulfillment of the wish of many of them to retire and spend their last days here, there is also an economic side to such returns.

This is because a big majority of those who want to come home are already retired people, those who have worked hard, and saved for their sunset years. Their reacquisition of their Filipino citizenship will allow them to acquire property, build homes here, and avail of services that will mean more work for our unemployed masses.

Those who come back, confident in the thought that, since they enjoy dual citizenship, they may still make visits to their former adopted countries, may also be encouraged to set up businesses or industries that could only be boons to our economy.

That is the added advantage brought about by this new law, aside from the sentimental significance that it holds.*