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Forum on "Prospects and Future of the Overseas Filipino Workers"

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The Konrad Adenauer Foundation, in cooperation with the Georgetown Club of the Philippines Foundation, Inc., held a forum on "Prospects and Future of the Overseas Filipino Workers" at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel last November 22, 2004. The activity was borne out of the need to bring to the forefront the importance of OFWs in our country's society. The Philippines is the third largest migrant sending country in the world. Since 1999 to September 2004, OFW remittances has averaged an annual amount of US$6.65. This represents 9.53% of the country's total GDP. OFW remittances have also been a major source of foreign exchange for the country, which in turn, help prop up the country's sagging economy.

The forum was highlighted by a speech from its Keynote Speaker, former Vice President Teofisto T. Guingona, Jr., Special Envoy and Senior Adviser on Economic Affairs and Development and Presidential Adviser on Overseas Filipino Workers. Mr. Guingona highlighted the need to come up with a competent body to undertake a serious study as basis for formulating a comprehensive National Migration Policy to protect our overseas Filipino workers and cited certain realities which the body can address. This policy, he stressed, should empower, protect, and open opportunities for the OFWs.

The line up of speakers included Mr. Bruce Reed, Regional Representative of the International Organization for Migration; Mr. Margarito B. Teves, President and CEO of the Land Bank of the Philippines; Mr. Greg Rulloda, Vice President for Membership Benefits of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation; Amb. Pedro O. Chan, Executive Director of the Office of Migrant Affairs of the Department of Foreign Affairs; Sec. Luis P. Lorenzo, Jr., Presidential Adviser on Job Generation; Usec. Danilo P. Cruz of the Department of Labor and Employment; and Mr. Diwa C. Guinigundo, Assistant Governor of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.

Mr. Reed provided an overview of the migrant Filipino in the globalized world and the challenges they are facing, as well as proposed areas of concern which policies can address. Mr. Teves and Mr. Rulloda presented the various incentives/benefits and programs that are available to OFWs. Mr. Lorenzo talked on how the OFWs can help in job creation and nation building. Amb. Chan and Usec. Cruz presented the different government policies, present and those that are still being crafted, that cater to the welfare and interests of the OFWs. Mr. Guinigundo talked on the benefits on OFW remittance to the Philippine economy.

The forum provided the opportunity to highlight the present state of our migrant workers, as well as present the challenges that need to be addressed in order to protect and promote the welfare of OFWs. The speakers were all one in saying that there is a need to strengthen policies that will protect the welfare of overseas Filipino workers while they are working abroad. While some policies are already in place or are yet taking shape, these need to be complemented by a more comprehensive approach that will enable the government to help these OFWs be more competitive in the globalized world. Likewise, forthcoming policies should ensure a smooth flow of migration as well as a positive experience for Filipino migrants.

As stressed in the forum, just as important is the need to help returning overseas Filipinos workers to remain productive upon coming home. Both the government and private sector must work closely to ensure a smooth reintegration process. Thus the need to adopt an end-to-end approach to support the OFWs from departure to reintegration.

The forum was attended by representatives of the industry, members of the diplomatic corps, representatives from government agencies that deal closely with OFWs (e.g the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration, the Commission on Filipinos Overseas of the DFA, TESDA, the Philippine Center on Transnational Crime), as well as members of the banking industry, academe and different NGOs that cater to migrant Filipino communities.

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Venue

Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Makati City

Contact

Klaus Preschle

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