Labour migration Making migration work for development Labour migration is the movement of persons from their home State to another State for the purpose of employment. 1 Today, around 105 million persons are working in a country other than their country of birth. 2 Organized and well-managed labour migration has enormous potential for governments, communities, migrants, employers and other stakeholders in countries of origin and destination. While creating jobs in the home country is the ideal, an increasing number of countries see international labour migration as an integral part of national development by taking advantage of global employment opportunities and bringing in foreign exchange. The work of IOM Philippines in this area continues to be within the context of: fostering synergies between labour migration and development; promoting legal avenues of labour migration as an alternative to irregular migration; and facilitating the development of policies and programmes that are in the interest of migrants and society, protecting the rights and welfare of labour migrants and their families. 1993 2003 2004 2006 2008 2011 Return of Knowledge, Technology and Qualified Filipinos in Italy Research on the Filipino Migrant Family and Social Effects of Migration Seafarers Health Education Counselling Facilitating Legal Migration between Asia and Europe Improving Knowledge of Remittance Corridors Global Forum on Migration and Development (GFMD) Alternatives to Migration - Decent Jobs for Youth (MDG Youth, Employment and Migration) EU UN Joint Migration and Development Initiative Mainstreaming Migration in Local Development Plans Return of qualified Filipino professionals (scientists and educators overseas and in Italy), in close collaboration with the Department of Science and Technology and the Embassy of Italy in the Philippines A study on overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Italy and their families in Batangas and Laguna Building the capacity of accredited OFW diagnostic clinics and supporting peer-counselling for HIV-positive OFWs Information campaign against irregular migration; establishing ethical recruitment standards; capacity-building on labour market research; strengthening migration resource centres Research on remittance corridors, practices and the impact of financial crisis on remittance behaviour and households; policy dialogue series on savings, investments, social insurance, entrepreneurship, migrant philanthropy and mainstreaming migration in development planning; pilot interventions on financial literacy programmes for migrants, diaspora communities and families; support for migration resource centres (pilot target: OFWs in Italy, Indonesian migrants in the Netherlands, and Filipino and Indonesian migrants in Malaysia) Administrative and logistical assistance to the Philippine government in support of its role as host of the second GFMD Benefiting disadvantaged youth, children of OFWs and young OFWs in pilot areas of high poverty incidence (Agusan del Sur, Antique, Maguindanao and Masbate): policy reforms to sharpen youth in migration management; mainstreaming safe migration in high school curriculum; setting up a one-stop resource centre; research and pilot programmes on channelling remittance to development and employment; information campaign against trafficking, illegal recruitment and irregular migration; provision of education subsidy for high school students; improving labour market information for the youth Supporting pilot projects with civil society organizations (CSOs) and local authorities towards linking migration and development. Working alongside UNDP Brussels, the implementing partner, IOM is the monitoring partner and focal point for the Philippines, one of 16 target countries (Algeria, Cape Verde, Ecuador, Egypt, Ethiopia, Georgia, Ghana, Jamaica, Mali, the Republic of Moldova, Morocco, Nigeria, Senegal, Sri Lanka, the Philippines and Tunisia). About 52 projects have been funded. Support to the local government of Naga, Camarines Sur (see project brief) 1 Source: International Organization on Migration (IOM), Glossary on Migration, Geneva, 2004. 2 Source: International Labour Organization (ILO), International Labour Migration: A Rights-based Approach, Executive Summary, Geneva, 2010.
Disaster relief, community stabilization and rehabilitation Addressing the critical needs of local communities after natural disasters The Philippines experiences 15 to 20 typhoons a year and, being part of the Pacific Ring of Fire, has five of its 15 active volcanoes showing significant volcanic activity. Less than 20 per cent of the country s forest cover remains. This, along with a high population density, makes communities particularly vulnerable to weather events such as typhoons, floods and droughts. IOM Philippines seeks to directly address the critical needs of local communities immediately after natural disasters and during the recovery and rehabilitation phases. 2006 Rapid Post-Disaster Assessment and Evaluation Mission Emergency Logistics Support Emergency Transport and Logistics Support for NFIs and Shelter Material Typhoon Relief Operations Transit Centres Upgrading Support St. Bernard, Southern Leyte post-landslide, with local government units and Community and Family Services International (CFSI); Mount Mayon, with local government units and the National Disaster Coordinating Council-Office of Civil Defense (NDCC-OCD) Post-Durian, transport and logistics services for about 44 NGOs, reaching about 30 local communities in the Bicol Region Post-Durian, delivery of more than 12,750 metric tons of shelter materials and non-food items (NFIs) such as medical supplies, water and sanitation items and other relief goods Post-Durian, for 20,000 families or 100,000 individuals Post-Durian, in collaboration with UNDP, for about 768 displaced families in Albay Camp Coordination and Camp Management Support Humanitarian Response Monitoring Post-Durian System Building of Temporary Shelters Post-Durian, construction of 867 temporary shelters 2007 Core Permanent Shelter and Community Revitalization Assistance Post-Durian, construction of 907 permanent core shelters with water and sanitation facilities in Albay 2008 Barangay Health Centre Construction Post-Durian, in collaboration with UNFPA, construction of 6 barangay health centres in Catanduanes Typhoon Relief Operations Post-Ketsana, about 31,058 NFI kits in NCR and Regions 1 and 4-A Camp Coordination and Camp Management Support Post-Ketsana Displacement Tracking Matrix Emergency Shelter and NFI Support Post-Ketsana, 7,318 shelters and NFI kits 2010 Transitional Shelter and Livelihood Support 2011 Shelter and Livelihood Support Post-Ketsana, 200 transitional shelters, 400 shelter kits and 270 livelihood kits Post-Megi, 1,390 families (or approximately 6,950 individuals) in Isabela, Region 2
Post-conflict community revitalization and demobilization Supporting local communities in conflict zones IOM Philippines supports local communities in conflict zones, giving humanitarian assistance to mobile and vulnerable populations; providing transitional shelter for internally displaced persons (IDPs); supporting the sustainable return of IDPs to their communities of origin; and assisting in the demobilization and reintegration of armed groups. To date, IOM Philippines has had the opportunity to focus its work on Mindanao, with a strategic potential to expand to other relevant locations in the country where IOM could play a direct role in post-conflict community revitalization and demobilization. 1998 2008 2010 2011 Mobile Information, Referral and Community Assistance Service Multi-Sector Emergency Support for IDPs Emergency Support and Assistance to Mobile and Vulnerable Populations Camp Coordination and Camp Management and Protection Support Sustainable IDP Returns to Communities of Origin Transitional Shelter Assistance for IDPs CCCM and Emergency NFI Support Mindanao and Palawan, in close cooperation with UNDP; demobilization and reintegration of MNLF soldiers Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM); support for about 93 IDP sites Maguindanao, about 129 IDP families; 40 transitional shelters constructed Intended to support up to 525,000 IDPs and floodaffected population
Migrant processing and assistance Making migration processes more efficient and safer for migrants To make migration processes more efficient and safer for both migrants and governments concerned, IOM Philippines helps improve organized and regular migration schemes through value-added services provided at different stages of the migration process: factual information when considering migration; assistance with visa applications; and concessionary fares and pre-departure training to help migrants adjust to their country of destination, where the culture, tradition and practices may be different from their own. 1994 National Migration to North America/Migrant Case Assistance Programme 1998 Canadian Orientation Abroad 2000 Migrants Experts Visa Assistance 2003 (Self-Payer) Ticketing Assistance 2004 New Zealand Documents Verification 2006 DNA Testing for New Zealand and Italy 2008 Japanese Filipino Children Networking Project Migrant Training Survey In collaboration with CIC Alberta Immigrant Nominee Programme Filipino permanent immigrant applicants to the United States, Canada and Australia; about 293 immigration application assessments processed Independent migrants and live-in caregivers bound for Canada, in close collaboration with Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC); an average of 466 Filipino participants trained per month, with training sessions held two-and-a-half days per week In close collaboration with the German Development Cooperation Programme; Filipino IT skilled professionals migrating to Germany through employment First-time Filipino migrants to Australia and Canada; assistance with discounted air tickets with increased baggage allowance In collaboration with the New Zealand Immigration Service (NZIS), Filipino migrant applicants to New Zealand; verification of academic and work records, trade qualifications and public legal documents In collaboration with the embassies of New Zealand and Italy; Filipino dependents of Filipino migrant sponsors in New Zealand and Italy In collaboration with the Government of Japan; Japanese Filipino children in the Philippines who opt to claim Japanese citizenship Document verification of Filipino provincial nominee candidates currently in Canada, in collaboration with the province of Alberta; to date verification of about 1,000 applicants completed
Border management Helping the government to upgrade policies, legislation, administrative structures, operational systems and human resources to better manage the country s borders Border management programmes and activities help governments equip themselves with the necessary policies, legislation, administrative structures, operational systems and human resources needed to address diverse migration challenges. IOM Philippines seeks to complement and enhance the Philippine government s national, bilateral and multilateral border management efforts. It fosters dialogue, planning and cooperation among relevant agencies to help the government better manage the country s borders. 2006 2008 Immigration Services Enhancement of the Bureau of Immigration Wide Area Network Project of the Bureau of Immigration Philippine Border Management Project Workshop Series on Biometric Technology for the Government of the Philippines Training and Information Systems Upgrade for Improved Border Integrity Strategic Review of the Bureau of Immigration Information Management System In collaboration with the Bureau of Immigration (BI); covering all BI outposts nationwide In collaboration with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), BI, Bureau of Customs (BOC), Philippine Center on Transnational Crime (PCTC), National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA) and National Economic Development Authority In collaboration with BI and Department of Justice (DOJ) In collaboration with BI
Counter-trafficking Pursuing a comprehensive approach of prevention, protection of victims and prosecution of human traffickers to help the most vulnerable in our society IOM takes a comprehensive approach to trafficking in persons prevention of trafficking, protection of victims and prosecution of traffickers. Recognizing that the Philippines is an origin, transit and destination country for trafficking for sexual exploitation and for forced labour, IOM Philippines carries out a wide range of counter-trafficking activities in partnership with governmental institutions, NGOs and international organizations, while applying three basic principles: respect for human rights; the physical, mental and social well-being of the individual and his/her community; and sustainability through institutional capacity-building of governments and civil society. 1997 Philippine Information Programme 1999 2000 2001 Sex Trafficking: We are so syndicated, Ma am Manila Process Meetings on Irregular Migration and Human Trafficking Trafficking Information Mainstreaming Project Workshop on Operational Cooperation to Combat Irregular Migration, Trafficking and Smuggling of Migrants Regular radio broadcast/show on irregular migration and human trafficking Production and distribution of 50,000 video copies Series of intergovernmental meetings on irregular migration and trafficking in East and South-East Asia established in 1996, which served as a venue for participating countries to: analyse and explore possible activities in combating and reducing irregular migration and trafficking within the region; share information on trafficking and anti-trafficking legislation; identify root causes of regular and irregular migration; and build capacity on irregular migration and trafficking Public service advertisements in theatres on the perils of irregular migration and human trafficking Organized by IOM and the Government of the People s Republic of China, enhancing international cooperation among ASEAN countries to effectively combat irregular migration, trafficking and smuggling of human beings 2003 The Power to Choose Video training tool supporting successful migration Theatre Information Campaign 1 Roadshow educating potential migrants on the risks and realities of human trafficking 2004 Theatre Information Campaign 2 Roadshow on how to make migration to Japan safer for Filipino women 2005 2008 2010 Return and Reintegration of Filipino Trafficked Victims in Japan Family Reunification to the United States Return and Reintegration of Filipino VOTs 95 Filipino victims of trafficking (VOTs) in Japan returned and reintegrated to the Philippines to date; they were provided with reception and transportation assistance, temporary shelter, family reunification assistance, and psychosocial, legal and medical assistance. Dependents of Filipino VOTs in the United States; 10 family caseloads to date have been provided with pre-departure support and assistance. Reception assistance to Filipino VOTs/returnees from other countries; 16 Filipinos returned from Damascus, 1 potential Filipino VOT from Mongolia, and 2 Filipinos from Costa Rica
Repatriation and reintegration Helping Filipinos overseas to escape conflict and return home Since its inception, IOM has been involved in the voluntary repatriation of refugees and third-country nationals (TCN) from countries affected by conflicts. IOM Philippines responds to requests from the Philippine government for voluntary repatriation assistance for unsuccessful asylum-seekers and Filipino nationals overseas who urgently need to escape conflict and return home. 1991 Repatriation assistance to Filipinos (TCNs) during the Gulf War 1996 Voluntary Repatriation of Long-Stayers (Orderly Departure Programme - ODP) Programme permitting immigration of Vietnamese to the United States, established under a 1979 memorandum of understanding (MOU) between Viet Nam and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR); IOM facilitated medical examinations and arranged transportation within the country and travel to the United States. 2008 Repatriation assistance to 4,500 Filipinos (TCNs) during the Lebanon conflict Repatriation assistance to about 34 Filipinos (TCNs) during the Gaza conflict 2011 Repatriation assistance to about 779 Filipinos (TCNs) from MENA (Middle East and North Africa)
Refugee resettlement Helping refugees to begin new lives abroad For more than 60 years, IOM has played a vital role in refugee resettlement around the world from the processing of refugee requirements to placement in local communities in countries that have accepted them for permanent resettlement. The Philippines has experienced first hand several refugee movements: (a) Jewish-Russians after the Second World War; (b) nationalists/koumintang-oriented Chinese after the communist revolution in China; and (c) Viet Nam boat people since 1995. The Philippine Regional Resettlement Transit Centre was established in 1990 to assist other South-East Asian nations as part of the ASEAN Common Action Plan. IOM Philippines continues to work with the Philippine government, UNHCR and NGOs to help refugees begin new lives abroad through: the processing of documents and requirements; medical screening and counselling; and movement assistance. 1990 US Refugee Programme 1997 2005 Canadian Warrants Programme Vietnamese Norway Resettlement Programme Emergency Transit Mechanism Resettlement to the United States of refugees qualified under the US Refugee Admissions Programme, benefiting the few remaining Vietnamese Amerasian Orderly Departure Programme (ODP) long-stayers in the Philippines being reconsidered for resettlement to the United States; 24 Vietnamese Amerasian ODP long-stayers, including family dependents, resettled to the United States from 2001 to 2003 Provision of processing and transportation services to UNHCR refugees and individuals of humanitarian designated classes accepted by Canada; IOM is also responsible for health assessments and pre-departure treatment of certain medical conditions of refugees/qualified individuals. For Vietnamese refugees admitted for resettlement to Norway, the United States, Canada, and European Union countries; 39 caseloads assisted or 160 individuals resettled to Norway With UNHCR and the DOJ, IOM assists in the finalization of travel and provides departure assistance to refugees from other South-East Asian countries towards their resettlement to a third country. IOM organizes international transportation to the Philippines, as well as local transportation of refugees in the country, from the place of accommodation in the Philippines to the country of resettlement, and provides services related to their relocation to a third country.
Assisted voluntary return Humane and dignified return services for vulnerable Filipinos wishing to return home from abroad IOM works towards the orderly, humane and cost-effective return and reintegration of migrants who are unable or unwilling to remain in host countries and wish to return voluntarily to their countries of origin. IOM Philippines assists vulnerable Filipinos who wish to return home from abroad but lack the means to do so. These include irregular migrants, stranded migrants, other vulnerable migrant groups, elderly people or those with particular medical needs. 2007 2008 Assisted Voluntary Returns of Filipino Irregular Migrants ex-ireland, Belgium, London, Australia, Mongolia, the Netherlands, Norway and Switzerland Provision of Post-Arrival Assistance for Returnees from Australia To date, 79 irregular migrants returned to the Philippines, provided with transport/transit and medical assistance from pre-departure, departure to post-arrival, including reintegration assistance Returnees from Australia provided with post-arrival assistance, onward transportation, and/or overnight accommodation
Migration health Healthy migrants in healthy communities Health is a critical asset for migrants and their families, and the health outcomes of migration not only affect individual migrants or host communities, but also impact the families left behind and the wider community in countries of origin. Through its strategic approach to migration health, IOM delivers and promotes comprehensive, preventive and curative health programmes which are beneficial, accessible and equitable for migrants and mobile populations. 2004 Seafarers Health Education Counselling (SHEC) - Building the Capacity of Diagnostic Clinics Mobile Medical Clinics for Typhoon Ondoy-Affected Families and Communities in NCR and Luzon Outer Areas Pre-Departure Health Assessments in Refugee Resettlement IOM strengthened diagnostic clinics in Manila with training on pre- and post-test counselling on HIV. It also produced educational materials for distribution to target groups, specifically seafarers, in diagnostic clinics and other appropriate venues. IOM rolled out mobile medical clinics in the most vulnerable evacuation centres/sites, flooded communities and relocation areas. Emergency primary health care services, such as periodic/regular health check-ups, were provided for a target population of about 6,000 families. In coordination with UNHCR, the Government of the Philippines and receiving countries, IOM provides health assessments and pre-departure health services to refugees from other South-East Asian countries being resettled to third countries, to ensure that the migration process does not impact the health of refugees or the host population.
Project Summary This project is implemented by IOM in partnership with the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the City Government of Naga. It aims to contribute to the Philippine Government s efforts to improve migration management in the country, in accordance with the recentlyadopted EU-GRP Multi-Annual Indicative Programme (MIP) 2011-2013. To this end, IOM shall: (1) facilitate multisectoral interaction by convening Stakeholders Series of Conferences and Consultations at the national and local levels; (2) assist in the drafting of the Naga City local development plan for 2011-2012 through potential reference to the IOM supported GMG Mainstreaming handbook; and (3) draft and disseminate a process documentation paper on mainstreaming migration in local development planning: the Naga City experience Insert picture Project Update The Project started in January 2011, with meetings at the national and local levels with main partners DILG and the City Government of Naga to map out the general direction of project implementation. A Technical Working Group (TWG) was organized to perform programmatic oversight and advice on the relevance and modalities of the over-all approach and strategy of the project. Project implementation is now on its middle stages with the conduct of 8 sectoral consultations to get a broader view on what actual migration issues to consider and how best to integrate them in local development plans. Sectors consulted were the Naga City National People s Council (NCPC), Urban Poor, Children of OFWs, Metro Naga Chamber of Commerce, Inc. (MNCCI), Remittance Channels, School Administrators, Media Practitioners and the Association of Barangay Captains. Sectoral inputs were organized according to 6 key M&D themes: 1. Crafting of a Social Protection Program to reduce the social cost of migration 2. Improving the flow of remittances (cost, speed, security) 3. Capacity-building (financial literacy, entrepreneurship trainings, etc.) 4. Local Investment Promotion 5. Improving Data on Migrants 6. Partnership building with Overseas Filipino organizations for local development These inputs were initially incorporated in the draft of the Naga City Comprehensive Development Plan (CDP) for 2012-20 and presented in a Multi-Stakeholder Workshop last August 13, 2011 in Naga City for validation and prioritization for the actual mainstreaming process. The enhanced CDP will be presented to the national stakeholders in Manila on September 21, 2011 for feedback giving and further enhancement. INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR MIGRATION - PHILIPPINES 28th Floor, Citibank Tower, Paseo de Roxas, Makati City, 1126, Philippines For more information, please contact Mr. Ovais Sarmad, Chief of Mission (osarmad@iom.int) Or Dave Bercasio, Programme Manager, (dbercasio@iom.int) www.iom.int
Direct assistance to the Government of the Philippines Providing logistical, technical and administrative support Regional and Global Events IOM's Support 2008 2003 2011 2010 Global Forum on Migration and Development (GFMD) Regional Consultative Process: Colombo Process EU Philippine Justice Support Programme (EPJUST) Provided administrative and logistical assistance to the Philippine government in support of its role as host of the second GFMD held in October 2008. In particular, IOM Philippines provided travel and logistical support to the designated participants from various countries attending the forum, including flight arrangements, purchase of tickets and issuance of the participants allowances. At the same time, IOM also provided interpretation services for the visiting delegation and input on the issues and policies discussed during the Forum. IOM provides technical and administrative support, thematic facilitation and coordination of the regional consultative process involving some 11 Colombo member countries, including observers such as senior-level officials and ministers and participating international organizations, tackling shared concerns on migration, particularly the need for joint and parallel responses with regard to the protection of migrants. Dialogues revolve around three thematic areas, namely: 1) the protection of, and provision of services to, migrant workers, 2) optimizing the benefits of organized labour migration, and 3) building capacity, collecting data and inter-state cooperation. IOM provided programme implementation, administration and logistics support towards the roll-out of 100 project activities nationwide. Data Systems Development 1998: SZOPADWare An information database designed to provide timely, accurate and reliable information on the peace and development activities of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF). This database served as the source of development resources in support of the peace process, opportunities of assistance for basic services, livelihood, enterprise and skills training. 2006: Humanitarian Response Monitoring System (HRMS) Designed to manage information on humanitarian activities, identify humanitarian assistance gaps and needs towards a coordinated humanitarian response, as well as to monitor displacement. 2008: Integrated Data Migration System (IDMS) A tool for Philippine border management agencies to efficiently exchange information on border controls in real time and within a secure IT network; linked to INTERPOL databases. : Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) Used to monitor population displacement, providing data on evacuation centres and camps during emergencies (such as number of displaced individuals and location).
Training Conducted 1998 Province-Specific Pre-Departure Orientation Session (Canada-bound) Migrant processing and assistance 2004 Pre-HIV/AIDS Test Counsellors for Accredited OFW Clinics in Metro Manila: Training of Trainors Labour migration Peer Counsellors Training for HIV-Positive OFWs: Training of Trainors 2005 Legal Rights Training for Returnees Counter-trafficking Camp Coordination and Camp Management Training for IDP Camp Leaders in the Bicol Region 2006 Protection Training for IDP Camp Leaders and Local Government Units in the Bicol Region User, Administration and Management Training for the Humanitarian Response Monitoring System Basic and Advanced Network and Systems Administration Training for Software Engineers and Database Administrators Post-disaster IT Institutional Governance Training Biometrics Training for Operational Staff and Senior Officials Performance Measurements Indicators Training Training Facilitation Skills and Imposter Recognition (nationwide) Enterprise Development Training for Survivors of Trafficking Border management Counter-trafficking Digital Information Management Training (nationwide) 2007 Consular Information Centre/DFA Strategic Training and Development Basic and Intermediate: Navigating Passport Fraud (nationwide) Introduction to Basic Intelligence Combating Timber Smuggling (nationwide) 2008 IDMS (Integrated Data Migration System): IT Technical IDMS Users Training (nationwide) Advanced Technical and Management Support Passport Issuance (nationwide) Trafficking and Smuggling/DFA Information Sharing Training for Operational Education Training of Trainers: Imposter Recognition Integrated Border Management Basic Fraudulent Document Detection Advanced Document Recognition IDMS/INTERPOL: IT Staff, IT Supervisors and Trainers Identification and Handling of Dangerous Drugs Passenger Assessment Counter-Trafficking for Border Management Personnel Training of Trainers: Intelligence Character Formation and Start Your Business Right Seminar for Survivors of Trafficking Border management Record-Keeping Seminar (for returnees interested in establishing their own business) A series of seminars for survivors of trafficking: - Knowing Oneself (Personal Reflections and Sharing of Life Experiences towards Strengthening the Self) - Gender, Sexuality and Reproductive Health - Follow-up and Sharing of Reintegration Initiatives/Successes - Financial Literacy and Addressing OFW Family Issues - Plan, Create and Sustain Your Business Camp Coordination and Camp Management Training for Government Workers, Humanitarian Agency Staffs and Camp Leaders Counter-trafficking Post-Disaster and Post-conflict Protection Training for IDP Camp Leaders in ARMM Orientation Training on the Displacement Tracking Matrix Community WASH Training in ARMM Post-conflict
PROSPECTS AND DIRECTIONS 2011 2015 1. Private-sector partnerships Ethical placements/recruitment: IOM recognizes the critical role of Philippine recruitment and placement agencies in facilitating Philippine labour migration through legal channels. There is an important link between the role of employment agencies licensed by the Philippine government and the achievement of the intent of various international instruments, bilateral and multilateral agreements, and national laws and regulations meant to protect and benefit migrant workers. IOM, in recognition of this role, will continue to invite recruitment and employment agencies to participate in international workshops and dialogues related to the promotion of legal migration. IOM Philippines will work towards the provision of technical advice to associations of recruitment agencies to ensure the promotion of ethical recruitment practices, share information on good practices on placing workers abroad, and advocate issues of common concern. Expanded financial literacy for migrant workers and their families: IOM encourages social and economic development through migration. Remittances from Filipinos overseas represent the most direct link between migration and development. One of the challenges associated with remittances is how their development impact can be maximized for the countries of origin and destination and, most importantly, for Filipino migrants and their families. IOM Philippines, in collaboration with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), National Reintegration Center for Overseas Filipino Workers (NRCO) and ATIKHA, has developed a financial planner, a tool used by migrant workers and their families to develop their budget and manage their remittances for savings and investment. From this preliminary step, IOM will develop financial literacy programmes that educate Filipinos overseas and their families about remittance and budget management, savings and investment. IOM will also conduct and facilitate training for government partners to guide them in implementing financial literacy programmes for Filipino migrants. 2. New concepts of migration and development Maximizing the positive relation between migration and development has been a strategic focus of IOM. The Organization s migration and development programmes intend to contribute to the work of the international community to harness the development potential of migration for societies and contribute to sustainable development and poverty reduction. IOM s activities will include economic and community development and return and reintegration of qualified nationals to their countries of origin to build capacity. Amid the reality that nearly half of the migrant population is comprised of women, IOM will include gender in the context of migration and development. IOM Philippines will work towards building the capacity of migrant organizations to participate in migration and development; integrate a gender perspective in their activities for community and economic development; and assist in the return, reintegration and placement of qualified nationals in key positions to contribute to national development. 3. MDG initiatives for poverty alleviation and development Although migration is not considered a Millennium Development Goal (MDG), migration is interrelated with development and can have an impact in the achievement of MDGs. This interrelation has both positive and negative impacts on development and poverty alleviation. The economic benefits of migration, namely the flow of remittances to a migrant s country, can contribute to the country s development and aid in reducing poverty. On the other hand, the social costs of migration, particularly the phenomenon of brain drain resulting from the migration of skilled workers, can negatively impact development since available knowledge, resources and skills are transferred out of a migrant s country. IOM works in managing migration effectively in order to reduce the negative impacts of migration and, consequently, contribute to poverty alleviation and development initiatives. In the Philippines, IOM will continue to work with Philippine government agencies, particularly the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and United Nations agencies to contribute to the achievement of MDGs for poverty alleviation, by designing and developing appropriate and sustainable initiatives.
4. Migration and climate change The phenomena of migration and climate change are interrelated. Climate change can initiate growth in population movement and migration within states and across borders. Movements within the climate change spectrum can be a result of adverse weather conditions and series of environmental degradation. Climate change may also have a negative consequence on livelihood, food security, public health and availability of resources, which, in turn, can affect human mobility and lead to migration and displacement. Migration also has an impact on the environment at places of destination and origin as well as transit, if it is improperly managed. In this context, IOM will work on the framework that migration can be used as an adaptive strategy to address the challenges and negative impacts associated with climate change. IOM Philippines envisions enhancing its previous and current initiatives on climate change to reduce the vulnerability of migrants affected by climate change and increase their knowledge and skills to adapt to changes in the environment, by building their knowledge on disaster preparedness. 5. Country-specific pre-departure orientation sessions To ensure the smooth integration of migrants in their countries of destination, IOM facilitates and conducts pre-departure orientation sessions that prepare them for their new lives abroad. The pre-departure sessions equip migrants with the knowledge they need to assimilate into their new homes (i.e. countries of destination). Migrants attending the pre-departure sessions are provided with relevant information about their destinations (such as information on the type of culture, the available opportunities for employment and access to social services such as education and health care) that will help them adjust to their new environment. In the Philippines, IOM provides pre-departure orientation to migrants bound for Canada either as temporary workers or as live-in caregivers, in collaboration with the Government of Canada. IOM Philippines intends to continue providing countryspecific pre-departure orientation, either for migrants or temporary workers. 6. Disaster risk reduction IOM s response to the challenges posted by environmental degradation and climate change aims to increase the resilience of communities to risks and any expected changes in their environment. Its approach is community-oriented and focuses on empowering local players and the affected population, while supporting efforts to strengthen interaction with the responsible stakeholders and develop their capacities. Disaster risk management has been the core of IOM s emergency humanitarian response. To further strengthen the capacities of migrant populations, IOM s activities are now geared beyond the emergency phase and looks into disaster risk reduction. IOM Philippines will carry on developing programmes that help curb the negative impacts of climate change and provide response to emergencies. In order to ensure sustainability, IOM will focus on disaster risk reduction, towards giving the affected populace information to minimize their risks to disasters. 7. Counter-trafficking In the Philippines, as in other countries, the focus of most anti-trafficking policies, research and laws has been almost exclusively women and children victims. Most victims are forced into labour, going through illegal means of recruitment and becoming victims of trafficking. In the Philippines, there have been reports of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), including male workers, who have become victims of trafficking. However, data on male trafficking remain scarce. IOM Philippines will work on exploring the incidence of male trafficking in the country, by conducting research on this phenomenon and providing technical advice to Philippine legislative agencies to include male trafficking in their policy formulation, as well as targeted protection and rehabilitation services.