PHILIPPINES REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO GCM, CELEBRATES 2022 MONTH OF OVERSEAS FILIPINOS – Inter-Agency Committee on the Celebration of Month of Overseas Filipinos

The Global Compact on Migration (GCM) takes center stage during the recently concluded MOF National Forum on Migration held at the historic Manila Hotel on December 15, 2022.

The culminating event of the 2022 Month of Overseas Filipinos (MOF) and International Migrants Day Celebration, the National Forum gathered more than 200 participants and stakeholders from the Philippine migration sector, including overseas Filipinos and their families. It was organized by the Inter-Agency Committee on the Celebration of MOF led by the Philippine Migrants Rights Watch and the Commission on Filipinos Overseas, in partnership with the Department of Justice-Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (DOJ-IACAT).

This year’s MOF theme is “GCM: Hakbang Tungo sa Pagsulong ng Karapatan ng mga Overseas Filipinos”. GCM is the first inter-governmentally negotiated agreement, prepared under the auspices of the United Nations, covering all dimensions of international migration in a holistic and comprehensive manner adopted in 2018. The Philippines and the IAC members have demonstrated strong commitment to cooperate internationally to this Global Compact to facilitate safe, orderly and regular migration.

The event was graced by Ms. Carmelita Nuqui of Philippine Migrants Rights Watch and Chair of the IAC-MOF, Usec. Abdulgani Macatoman of the Commission on Filipinos Overseas, and Usec. Eduardo Jose A. De Vega of the Department of Foreign Affairs.

In their respective messages, Ms. Nuqui gave an overview of the MOF celebration and the series of activities organized by the IAC for migrants and their families in Zamboanga City, Cagayan and the UK and Ireland. She highlighted the stakeholders’ responsibility in providing assistance to overseas Filipinos and making their programs and services readily available to them. Usec. Macatoman, on the other hand, declared CFO’s support to the GCM, which aims to explore the ways governments can improve upon existing intergovernmental approaches to migration while keeping migrants and their human rights the highest priority. He also presented some of the CFO programs and services for migrants and their families such as PDOS, BaLinkBayan, Peso Sense Financial Literacy Program, Ugnayan with Filcom, YouLead, 1343 Actionline Against Trafficking, among others. He said that the latest pronouncement of President Bongbong Marcos urges OFWs to explore business opportunities in the country as an alternative to employment abroad and continue to contribute to the economy, especially now that the country is still recovering from the global pandemic.

The GCM comprises 23 objectives for better managing migration from the local to global levels. Attainment of these objectives were tackled by resource speakers from the government, private sector and civil society group. Usec. de Vega shared updates on the implementation of the GCM, stating that while the pact is non-binding and respects the sovereign rights of each state, the Philippines has been a GCM champion country and has strongly shown its commitment by making migration governance part of the Philippine Development Plan, and through the passage of RA 11641 or the creation of the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW). The newly created Department is now headed by Sec. Susan “Toots” Ople.

Senior Asst. State Prosecutor Lilian Doris S. Alejo of DOJ-IACAT demonstrated how the Philippines is serious in fighting human trafficking by discussing the salient features of RA 11862 or Strengthening of Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act. The law gives authorities additional tools to battle human trafficking, particularly against the use of the internet and digital platforms to commit crimes. The Philippines has maintained its Tier 1 ranking for seven consecutive years thanks to the holistic efforts of the IACAT. This signifies that the government fully met the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking in persons under the US government standards.

Dir. Ma. Teresa B. Capa of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration-NCR presented AVP of the OWWA programs and services for their members and their dependents and beneficiaries.

Ms. Raquel Bracero, President of the Philippine Association of Service Exporters, Inc. (PASEI) discussed how their organization has among the best practices for the ethical recruitment of OFWs. She gave assurance that PASEI is a partner of the Philippine government in the fight against illegal recruitment and human trafficking.

Ms. Ellene Sana of the Center for Migrant Advocacy (CMA) shared the important role of civil society organizations as relevant stakeholder for social change, and their participation in the crafting and implementation of GCM – from informing, consulting, and advocating especially at the grassroots level.

To inspire OFW family participants to invest and get into business, two OFW returnees from Saudi Arabia shared their success stories – Ms. Almira Diauna now a radio announcer and owner of the agri-tourism farm site of edible fern (pako), the first in Dingalan, Aurora; and Mr. Eduardo Cortez, 2018 Model OFW Family (MOFYA) awardee who had food business and involved in outreach programs in far-flung communities in the country.

During the open forum, issues discussed include medical and health benefits for OWWA members especially for returnees and retirees, how OFs can contribute to the attainment of GCM, clarification on the new age cap set for domestic workers which is 24 years old, and how to make DFA’s Report to Congress publicly accessible.

Participants were also treated to sumptuous buffet lunch, song performances, and freebies and raffle prizes courtesy of the IAC members. This is IAC’s tribute for the heroism and sacrifices of our bagong bayani, who have always been dependable partners in nation-building and Philippine development.

The event was hosted by Mr. Erwin Paul David of the Pag-IBIG Fund.

The month of December is the Month of Overseas Filipinos. The annual celebration of the MOF started with President Corazon Aquino issuing Proclamation No. 276 in 1988 which institutionalized the month-long celebration every December. This is in recognition of the significant contributions of overseas Filipinos to Philippine development and the restoration of Philippine democracy. Other members of the IAC include the DFA, Department of Labor and Employment, Department of Health, Department of Tourism, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Office of the Press Secretary, National Commission for Culture and the Arts, Film Development Council of the Philippines, OWWA, DMW/ Philippine Overseas Employment Administration, National Reintegration Center for OFWs, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, Pag-IBIG Home Development Mutual Fund, Social Security System, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, Bureau of Immigration, Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines, League of Provinces of the Philippines, League of Cities of the Philippines, League of Municipalities of the Philippines, Philippine Migration Research Network, and Migrant Forum in Asia

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