CFO,
PMRW, Pag-IBIG, NCCA Hold
2nd
Regional Forum on Migration in Davao
As a kick-off event for the 2013 Month of
Overseas Filipinos Celebration (MOF), the Inter-Agency Committee on the
Celebration of MOF chaired and co-chaired by the Philippine Migrants Rights
Watch and the Commission on Filipinos Overseas, respectively, held its second
Regional Forum on Migration at Ateneo de Davao University on November 22, 2013.
The Forum was supported by Pag-IBIG Fund and Ateneo Migration Center.
With a theme “BALIK PINAS: Empowering Returning Overseas Filipinos and their
Families”, the forum aims to empower returning overseas Filipinos and their
families by way of introducing them to various initiatives offered by the
government as well as civil society groups so that they can fully reintegrate,
make use of their learned skills and experiences or even invest some of their
resources for nation-building.
The Forum was participated by 310
representatives from the government (which include OWWA, SSS, PhilHealth and
DTI, among others), LGUs, civil society organizations, academe, overseas
Filipinos and their families, and other stakeholders in the migration process,
particularly from Davao Region.
WELCOME
REMARKS AND MESSAGES
Prof. Lourdesita Sobrevega-Chan of the Ateneo de Davao University gave the welcome remarks. She highlighted the significant contributions of the migrants to the economy, and the importance not only of economic reintegration but also emotional reintegration for returning migrants. She emphasized that the theme BALIK PINAS carries a message of hope, and evokes that there is dawn for returning migrants and the reunification of their families.
Ms.
Carmelita G. Nuqui of the PMRW gave an overview of
the MOF and the Regional Forum initiative by the IAC. She emphasized that the
forum aims to give emphasis on the programs and services of government and the civil
society in mainstreaming the concept of migration at the local level.
Davao City Councilor Antoinette G. Principe delivered the message of Mayor Rodrigo Duterte for the Forum. She said that as a public servant, the welfare of Filipino people always comes first, even those who are abroad. The city of Davao actively encourages its OFs to participate and be involved on issues of national concern. She hoped that overseas work merely becomes an option and not a perceived necessity for the development of the city of Davao.
GOVERNMENT
SERVICES AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT OF OVERSEAS FILIPINOS
AND THEIR FAMILIES
Ms. Elizabeth Marie Estrada, OIC Director of National Reintegration Center for OFWs, discussed the government’s Reintegration Program for OFWs. She said that their programs does not ask for OFWs to return home now but to offer them choices where they can optimize their gains from overseas employment. She said that the preparation for reintegration should start even before the OFW leaves for overseas employment, hence the PDOS program. These programs and seminars for OFs should have components of entrepreneurship and that the implementation of programs should be multi-sectoral in concern. Other programs of NRCO also include Formation of Investors and Entrepreneurs, Creation of Livelihood and Enterprises, Local Employment Facilitation, and Support Services.
Mr. Arnel Adrian Salva of the Economic and Financial Learning Center of Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas discussed the productive uses of remittances and financial literacy for OFs. He said that since OF remittances play a major role in economic growth, financial learning campaigns would help channel remittances to more productive activities. The BSP will remain committed to its advocacy to emphasize the importance of saving and introduce alternative opportunities for OF remittances. One of their upcoming projects is a modified PDOS for families of OFs since the earnings and wages of OFs are used by the family beneficiaries in the Philippines.
Ms. Lilia E. Silda of the Department of Trade and Industry-Davao shared entrepreneurship and investment opportunities in Mindanao for OFs. She said that in creating an enterprise, it provides a cycle of prosperity for the returning migrant. She also said that DTI aims to share their institutionalized provision of business development services to micro enterprises and SMEs, which will make them competitive in the domestic and export markets.
Atty. Antoinette Diaz of
the Pag-IBIG Fund-Davao discussed the programs and services of Pag-IBIG for
their OFW members, which now account to 3 million. Among the many benefits of
being a Pag-IBIG member are the following, Savings Program, Housing Loan and
Multi-Purpose and Calamity Loan. They also have Special Assistance Program
which provides support to distressed OFWs such as those affected recently by
the Middle East and North Africa Conflicts, and Earthquake and Tsunami in Japan.
Their OFW Center, a one stop shop for all Pag-IBIG transactions provides PDOS.
“Mas malaki ang hulog, mas malaki ang
benepisyo!” an encouraging tagline that Pag-IBIG wishes to convey to
everyone.
INITIATIVES
OF THE CIVIL SOCIETY AND INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS FOR THE ECONOMIC
EMPOWERMENT OF OVERSEAS FILIPINOS AND THEIR FAMILIES
Mr.
Benjamin Lelis of the International Organization
for Migration shared their Initiatives for Youth and Migrant Empowerment. IOM
is encouraging for the channeling of remittances for enterprise development.
They are also actively promoting the establishment of migrant resource centers
which are time and space-shifting facilities that aim to bring migration
services down to the grassroots level. He stressed for the decentralization of
national government services so they could easily be availed by returning
migrants in their local community.
Atty.
Cecilia Jimenez, former Chairperson of the Geneva
Forum for Philippine Concerns, discussed the legal obligations of the
government for returning migrants. She said that the government should provide
improved databases, and performance audit of government agencies that caters to
returning migrants. She also said that the government should create an enabling
environment for the returnees, thus the partnerships of government with civil
societies. As a champion for Human Rights in the Geneva Forum, she shared how
the migrants can help themselves be aware of the dangers of human trafficking
and illegal recruitment. She said that aside from the migrants, the government
has the sole responsibility to look after its people.
SUCCESS
STORIES OF OVERSEAS FILIPINOS
Captain Norberto Bajienting (Ret.) is a former seafarer for 20 years, and now general manager of
Southeast Mindanao Transport Multi-purpose Cooperative. He started his humble
business by acquiring jeepneys and were later replaced by busses. Even if was
working abroad, he made sure that his business would augment his earnings for
the use of his family. He said that one of the challenges of putting up a
business is the fear that the capital might not return, knowing that what’s at
stake is the fruits of his labor from working abroad. As a businessman, one
should maintain good ties with the suppliers and the clients to ensure success
of business.
OPEN
FORUM
Some of the issues raised and recommendations
given during the open forum include:
·
The government should have a comprehensive
and reliable data on returning migrants so the government could get their
profiles and extend the help and services that they really needed.
·
Given that there are several
government agencies catering to migrants, there should be coordination and
harmonization of their programs and services.
·
The government should focus not
only on economic reintegration of migrants but also on the psychosocial
reintegration for their eventual return.
·
National agencies should
decentralize their work to address the needs of the returning migrants in their
local communities.
SYNTHESIS
AND CLOSING REMARKS
Dr. Marla Asis of the
Scalabrini Migration Center provided the synthesis of the Forum. She said that the government and civil societies are doing
a lot of partnerships and shared interests for the welfare of the returning
migrants. Though there are success stories of migrants, not all returning
migrants have happy and positive stories to share. With the consolidated
efforts of stakeholders in migration, she hoped that the problems and issues of
returning migrants be addressed. She said that not all OFs would want to come
home, but the best that can be done is to help them prepare when they decide to
come back.
Ms. Mildred Estanda, Chair
of the Ateneo Migration Center, gave the closing remarks. She said that the
Forum has inspired the participants and organizations to step up and work
together with the stakeholders to boost support to OFs and their families. The
strengthening of cooperation and coordination of advocates of migrants is
indeed important and necessary.
After the Forum a cultural show was
presented by the Kahayag Community Theatre (Subay sa Buhing Kabilin) of Davao
City. The group delighted the audience with song and dance showcasing the rich
and colorful culture of Mindanao. The cultural show was sponsored by the
National Commission for Culture and the Arts.
Mr. Pete Rahon of PMRW and Ms. Nova Pala of
Pag-IBIG Fund hosted the event.
(A report from Commission on Overseas Filipinos.)
(A report from Commission on Overseas Filipinos.)
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