OFW provisions pushed for development plan

CEBU, Philippines -  The Scalabrini Migration Center has announced that at least 60 migration-related provisions were made when the Commission on Filipinos Overseas lobbied for the inclusion of migration in the crafting of the Philippine Development Plan.

Dr. Marla Asis of the Scalabrini Migration Center said the one-million deployment target has been dropped from the PDP during the First Regional Forum on Migration held the other day at the Pag-ibig Auditorium, Cebu Business Park.

Under its 10-point goals, including advocating for coherent, coordinated, and clear development policies to be mainstreamed in the policy and decision-making processes of government, the Commission on Filipinos Overseas was successful in making the said move, she said.

Republic Act 10022 or the Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995 is amended to enhance the protection of overseas Filipinos, especially migrant workers.

Among the key provisions are those pertaining to the certification of countries where migrant workers can be deployed to and compulsory insurance for agency hires.

It also mended the provision for the establishment of the National Reintegration Center for OFWs.

LGUs shall also establish overseas Filipino worker help desks or kiosk in their localities with the objective of providing current information to their constituents on all the processes aspects of overseas employment.

Such desks will be linked to the database of all concerned government agencies, particularly the POEA for its updated lists of overseas job orders and licensed recruitment agencies in good standing.

The contributions of international migration to development, particularly remittances, are now acknowledged which runs in the various chapters of the PDP.

The provision also calls for stronger safety nets of OFWs through SSS coverage, OWWA membership, and dialogue and cooperation with destination countries.

There is also stimulation of domestic investments and entrepreneurship to promote jobs and livelihood options as well as promoting financial literacy of OFWs and their families and at the same time generating jobs to gain alternatives to working abroad.

OFWs are mentioned among potential investors who may be encouraged to participate in the securities market under a Collective Investment Schemes Law.

Asis revealed that there are 9.4 million overseas Filipinos in more than 200 countries. More than 1.7 million OFWs left the country in 2011 and migration is now part of the life plan of many Filipinos.

She said that there is really a need to integrate migration in development planning, policies and practices and that the coordination between national and local governments is crucial in migration and development governance in the Philippines.  – BRP (FREEMAN)