4 TH QUARTER ISSUE October - December 2018 FILIPINO TIES THE OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF CFO www.cfo.gov.ph PHILIPPINES CELEBRATES THE MONTH OF OVERSEAS FILIPINOS AND THE INTERNATIONAL MIGRANTS DAY Next page --> IN THIS ISSUE National Capital Region’s Regional Development Philippines celebrates the Monthof Overseas Filipinos and Plan 2017-2022 launched, p.22 the International Migrants Day, p.1 Batangas celebrates Annual Migration Day; Localized Government Quality Body lauds CFO for Balinkbayan Website Launched, p.23 ISO 9001:2015 mark, p.16 Ilocos Region tackles Migration and Development CFO lauds US Government for returning from a gender lens, p.25 Balangiga Bells, p.18 The Municipality of Rosales, Pangasinan launches Sub-committee on International Migration and localized Balinkbayan website, p.26 Development (SCIMD) National-Regional meet CFO conducts capacity building trainings on the for the first time, p.20 Balinkbayan Project for Cebu City officials, p.27 December is the most joyous month of the FilTies Editorial Team year. In the Philippines, it is celebrated as the “Month of Overseas Filipinos” in honor of the significant contributions of the more than Editors: Rodrigo V. Garcia, Marita D. Apattad 10 million overseas Filipinos to Philippine Michelle Dawn Bande development and nation-building. In the global scene, the United Nations General Assembly Contributors: Andrea Luisa C. Anolin, Erwin Paul S. Cristobal, proclaimed December 18 as International Warner A. Dawal, Princess Mayumi Kaye Peralta, Migrants Day in 2000. Patricia Marie M. Salvador, Frencel Louie T. Tingga Layout: The Inter-Agency Committee on the Troy Agcanas Celebration of the Month of Overseas Filipinos (IAC-MOF), chaired by the Philippine Migrants Rights Watch (PMRW) and co- chaired by the Commission on Filipinos NATIONAL FORUM ON MIGRATION Overseas (CFO) led the celebration of the MOF Hotel Jen, Pasay City and the International Migrants Day through December 18, 2018 conduct of a series of fora for the migrants and their families in the national, regional and The National Forum on Migration which was international level, migrants’ health fair and held at Hotel Jen in Pasay City on December cineforum on migration. This year’s theme is 18, 2018 – the International Migrants Day, “Kaalaman sa Pera, Maginhawang Buhay ang served as the culminating activity in the series Dala: Towards Financial Literacy for Overseas of fora for this year. It was attended by 250 Filipinos and their Families.” This is in line participants that include overseas Filipinos, with the policy pronouncement of providing OFW families, academe, representatives from assistance to overseas Filipinos and bringing the government and other stakeholders in government services closer to migrants, the migration process. It was supported by including financial literacy and investment the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking opportunities for overseas Filipinos and their (IACAT) chaired by the Department of Justice. families. The guests and participants of the National Forum on Migration Page 2 returning OFs and OFWs; Ms. Olive O. Rivera of DTI who discussed entrepreneurship and investment opportunities for overseas Filipinos; and Usec. Astravel Pimentel-Naik who discussed PESO Sense: Financial Literacy Campaign for Overseas Filipinos and Their Families, and friendly financial tips for OFs and OFW Families. Dir. Andrelyn R. Gregorio of OWWA, Mr. Aurelio B. Miguel of Pag-IBIG Fund, Mr. Antonio Danao of PhilHealth, Mr. Romell V. CFO Secretary Nick Acosta, Ms. Mel Nuqui with the resource speakers Regino of SSS, and Ms. Caroline J. Mutia of Following this year’s theme, Ms. Carmelita DSWD discussed updates on their respective Nuqui gave the welcome remarks and shared government programs and services for OFs the several activities organized by the IAC- and OFWs. MOF since October 2018. POEA Administrator Bernard Olalia delivered the keynote message The Forum served as a god platform to of DOLE Secretary Silvestre H. Bello III. He discuss about the different issues of and recent stated the importance of collaborative work initiatives concerning Filipino migrants such among the migration stakeholders to empower as the Global Compact on Migration, the migrants for financial stability. CFO Secretary Justice Francisco “Nick” Acosta also graced the event. Resource speakers include Assistant City Prosecutor Rey P. Inciong of IACAT-DOJ who discussed the status of human trafficking in the Philippines and interventions provided to overseas Filipino victims and survivors; Mr. Karl Christian Vega, a former OFW from Dubai and a MOFYA awardee who shared his success story as a migrant returnee. He currently CFO Undersecretary Astra P. Naik while presenting the PESO Sense owns and manages various businesses that include KCVega Construction and Supply and endemic problem on poverty that often leads KCVega Properties, involved in construction, to migration, trafficking involving family real properties, dormitories, resort and hotel members as perpetrators, and the importance accommodations; Ms. Lenlen Mesina of of engaging in business and investment for Enrich Hong Kong who discussed the impact OFs and their families who usually have the of financial empowerment education programs financial capital. for migrant domestic workers in Hong Kong; Mr. Melvin D. Caseda of NRCO who discussed The participants were also treated to a raffle the reintegration programs and services for and cultural presentation and soulful song Page 3 of Health Region 1; and was attended by more than 300 participants composed of migrants, migrant returnees and their families, OFW organizations, government employees and civil society groups, mainly from different cities and municipalities of Pangasinan. The event started in the morning with the Migrants’ Health Fair. It was graced by Pangasinan Vice Governor Jose Ferdinand Calimlim, Jr. and DOH Regional Director Dr. Valeriano Jesus V. Lopez, who also led the ribbon cutting for the formal opening of the event. With the theme, “Migranteng Pilipino: Kalusugan Iyong Pahalagahan, Maginhawang Buhay Makakamtan”, the health fair provided free basic health, promotional and wellness Ms. Michelle Dawn Bande of CFO while serenading the guests and participants. services to participants. These include hataw group exercise, basic medical and dental check- numbers performed by Tenor Conrado Calnea Ong III (supported by the NCCA) and Ms. Michelle Dawn Bande of CFO. A short film “Ang Pagbabalikbayan ang Bagong Bayanihan” made through the collaborative effort of OWWA, NRCO and IOM was also shown. The event was hosted by Director Ivy Miravalles of the CFO. REGIONAL FORA ON MIGRATION OFW families and associations from different municipalites in Lingayen, Pangasinan Pangasinan participated in the Regional Forum. October 16, 2018 up, healthy lifestyle promotion, nutritional OFW families and associations from different assessment, mental health program, blindness municipalites in Pangasinan participated in prevention, distribution of free medicines and the Regional Forum. vitamins, family planning, hands-on CPR demo, and massage. Government services were The first leg of the Regional Forum on also provided by other IAC-MOF members Migration and the Migrants Health Fair and partners such as PhilHealth, Pag-IBIG, kicked off at Sison Auditorium in Lingayen, Social Security System, National Reintegration Pangasinan on October 16, 2018. This was Center for OFWs, Overseas Workers Welfare organized in partnership with the Provincial Administration, Department of Trade Government of Pangasinan and Department Page 4 and Industry, Commission on Filipinos Photos during the Migrants Health Fair and provision of Overseas, and International Organization for various services by the IAC-MOF members Migration through their respective members’ verification and contribution updating and information booths. The participants were also entertained by Danggoan Pangasinan, a cultural dance group. Page 5 The Regional Forum then followed in the Soriano is a former OFW from Saudi Arabia afternoon. Lance Velasco of Philippine and now serves as the Chairman and President Migrants Rights Watch delivered the opening of LBS Recruitment Solutions Corp. and LBS message of Ms. Carmelita Nuqui, Preident of Solutions, a recruitment agency and software IAC-MOF. solution company, respectively. He is also the President of two biggest associations of licensed Several government agencies presented their recruitment agencies in the Philippines – the respective programs and services: Usec. Philippine Association of Service Exporters Astravel Pimentel-Naik, co-Chair of IAC- Inc. (PASEI) and the Philippine Association MOF, presented CFO’s flagship program - of Manpower Agencies Accredited to Taiwan PESO Sense: Financial Literacy Campaign (PAMAAT). Mr. Vega is a former OFW from for Overseas Filipinos and their Families, Dubai and currently owns and manages various the CFO-LGU of Pangasinan partnership on businesses that include KCVega Construction migration and development, and inspirational and Supply and KCVega Properties, involved stories of OFW returnees who succeeded in construction, real properties, dormitories, in business; Ms. Natalia Dalaten of DTI- resort and hotel accommodations. Mr. Alex Pangasinan Office discussed entrepreneurship Ferrer, PESO Manager and Chair of Pangasinan and investment opportunities that migrant M&D Council, gave the closing remarks. families in Pangasinan should take advantage of such as cold storage, farm tourism, health and The