EU to provide P86 M for improvement of migration flows

MANILA, Philippines - The European Union will provide P86 million for a two-year project aimed at improving regular migration flows from targeted countries.

The fund covers 80 percent of the project finance. The project follows the others implemented between 2006 and 2010, which facilitated legal migration and promoted regional dialogue on EU’s safe and legal migration program.

“The EU’s support reaffirms its commitment to cooperate with the Philippines in the area of migration,” said EU Ambassador Guy Ledoux.

The program’s objective for the Philippines includes government’s support to encourage the recruitment industry to adopt ethical practices and develop migrant resource centers that will provide services both for pre-departure orientation and re-integration of returned migrants.

The program also aims to intensify the campaign against illegal recruitment, human trafficking and irregular migration, especially those going to Europe.

At least P16 million will directly benefit the Philippines under the project to be implemented by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in cooperation with UN Women.

The IOM’s main partner in the Philippines is the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE). 

The project also builds on the Campaign Against Illegal Recruitment, Trafficking and Irregular Migration (CAIRTIM) implemented by the IOM with the DOLE and the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration, with focus on the country’s poorest provinces – Masbate, Antique, Maguindanao, and Agusan del Sur.

POEA administrator Hans Leo Cacdac said the government sees the launching of the project as an opportunity to replicate various targeted campaign tools already developed, especially the comprehensive CAIRTIM Manual.

“The assistance of the EU and the IOM to intensify the CAIRTIM is a much welcomed initiative. The continuing vulnerability of marginalized sectors of our society, especially the poor and the unemployed, calls for a sustained and concerted effort toward greater outreach, consistent with the Government’s convergence approach,” Cacdac said.