DOLE seeks tripartite efforts to boost global demand for Filipino seafarers

To sustain the country's status as manning capital of the world, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) will push for tripartite efforts to immediately address various issues and difficulties confronting the Philippine maritime sector, especially in expanding the sea-based sector as source of overseas employment for Filipinos.

"The DOLE will vigorously support its partners in the Maritime Industry Tripartite Council (MITC) not only in addressing common problems in the maritime sector but also in their target of capturing at least 50 percent of the total global requirements for Filipino seafarers in the next six years," Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz said, adding "this is part of efforts to expand the sea-based OFW sector amidst the turmoil in the Middle East which has led to the repatriation of OFWs from Libya."

Baldoz initiated the establishment of the MITC early this year to provide the tripartite partners in the maritime sector a venue where common concerns can be addressed to ensure the country's capability to produce competent seafarers and port workers. Members include the Joint Manning Group (JMG), the umbrella organization of manning agencies.

JMG leaders, in a meeting with POEA Administrator Carlos Cao Jr., said the country's seafaring industry is aggressively targeting to increase global requirements for Filipino seafarers from 30 percent at present to 50 percent until 2016. To achieve this, the industry has invested heavily in putting up world class training modules and facilities for Filipino seafarers to enhance their competitiveness and employability in the international maritime industry.

Baldoz thanked the seafaring industry, saying that the DOLE, through the MITC, is prepared to support the industry's efforts in capturing a larger portion of the international market for seafarers.

Meanwhile, the Associated Marine Officers' and Seamen's Union of the Philippines (AMOSUP), the largest organization of seafarers in the Philippines and the whole world, has joined the DOLE in tripartite efforts for the advancement of the Philippine maritime sector.

Baldoz said the AMOSUP has declared full support to the MITC as means through which stakeholders can address problems in the maritime industry, particularly those affecting Filipino seafarers and port workers.  

Founded 50 years ago by the late Capt. Gregorio Oca, AMOSUP is internationally recognized leader of seafarers' organizations, being the largest union of marine officers and seamen in the world with around 90,000 members.

"The support of AMOSUP to the MITC is an affirmation of tripartism as an effective means of building consensus and collaboration of social partners in mutually beneficial activities that will drive the growth of the maritime industry and promote the welfare, employability, and competitiveness of Filipino seafarers and port workers," Baldoz said.

AMOSUP president Dr. Conrado F. Oca, son of Capt. Oca, who expressed the AMOSUP's appreciation to Baldoz for jumpstarting the establishment of the MITC, also underscored the importance of tripartism in achieving industrial peace, in protecting the rights and promoting the welfare of seafarers and port workers, and in pushing for the ratification of the Maritime Labor Convention (MLC) 2006. The latter provides for comprehensive rights and protection at work for the world's more than 1.2 million seafarers.

"The MITC will be venue for the tripartite partners to craft policies and regulations, including a national action plan for the ratification of the MLC 2006," Baldoz said. End/laa

OFWs, groups all set for March 17 protest

Global alliance of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) Migrante International today held a press conference with returned OFWs from Libya, families of OFWs in Saudi and other OFWs in distress to announce their grievances and demands to the Philippine government in light of the series of crisis and calamities that have wrought havoc to the lives of Filipino migrant workers and their families in recent months.

Migrante International announced that OFWs, their families and other progressive sectors of society are all set for national and international protests on March 17, death anniversary of Flor Contemplacion, against government neglect and attacks on the rights of welfares of OFWs around the world.

OFWs from Libya air complaints

Around 30 returned OFWs from Libya expressed their grievances over the absence of assistance from Philippine authorities in evacuation and repatriation activities, and what they called "government misinformation"  on the present situation of their co-workers who are still left in Libya. The returned OFWs expressed concern for the safety of at least 15,000 Filipinos who are still in Libya.

They are also gravely worried that they would not be able to get their unreleased salaries and other benefits and demanded government assistance for their claims.

Some OFWs who have only been in Libya for three months have also complained that they were made to pay the costs and premium of the mandatory insurance coverage by their recruitment agencies. Republic Act 10022 or the amended Migrants' Act imposed a mandatory insurance coverage effective late last year for all agency-hired OFWs. It is stated in the Act that costs of the mandatory insurance should be paid by employers and in no way shall be charged to OFWs.

Transparency in gov't plans for Saudi crisis

Meanwhile, Migrante International chairperson Garry Martinez called for transparency from the Philippine government in light of escalating protests in Saudi Arabia and other areas in Middle East and North Africa (MENA).

Since end of January, sporadic protests have erupted around the Saudi region and are expected to intensify. March 11 marked Saudi protesters' 'Day of Rage' calling for government reforms from the ruling monarch. Thousands of protesters were violently dispersed by the Saudi National Force upon orders from the King.

"Kung sa Libya na 30,000 ang Pilipino ay nagkumahog ng gobyerno, ngayon pa lang ay dapat handa na sila sa anumang scenario dahil 1.8 milyon ang Pilipino sa Saudi. Hindi na uubra ang tsamba lang dito, nasaan na ang konkretong plano?" said Martinez.

Martinez said that until now there is still no appointed Philippine Ambassador in Saudi. He also urged the government to immediately announce and inform OFWs of viable evacuation plans and details. "We are not alarmists. It is always better to safe than sorry, and judging from the way the government handled the crisis in Libya, the government should be transparent in their plans. Hindi dapat para bang secret ito na hindi pwedeng malaman ng publiko. Our chapters and members in Saudi can even help in the information-dissemination and the families of OFWs here have the right to know."

Martinez said that the Philippine government should start off by facilitating the immediate repatriation of stranded OFWs who have been awaiting government assistance even before the protests erupted, among them, 1,000++ OFWs in the deportation center in Al-Mina terminal in Jeddah; 3,500++ stranded over-staying  and runaway OFWs, mostly women and children, with expired or cancelled work visas Kingdom-wide; 600++ OFWs in deportation center cell numbers 14 and 16 in Jeddah; 1,000++ in Dammam, Eastern region of KSA; 1,200++ OFWs who have already finished their sentences but are still in jail.

"Sagip-Migrante"

Martinez also called on the Philippine government to act in haste to inform the public and families on the state of OFWS after the recent earthquake and tsunami in Japan. There are 305,00 Filipinos in Japan and 250,000, including undocumented OFWs, in Tokyo alone, according to Migrante-Japan.

Migrante and its chapters worldwide are coordinating via "Sagip-Migrante" with the aim to coordinate efforts from Filipino communities and families here and abroad for disaster-preparedness and information dissemination in light of war, calamities and other emergencies. "Sagip-Migrante" is the same network that launched coordinative efforts from migrants and families after typhoon Ondoy.

Law states 'full gov't responsibility' of repatriation of OFWs in times of crisis

Migrante International today reiterated that Republic Act 10022, or the amended Migrants' Act, clearly states that the Philippine government should assume full responsibility in the repatriation of overseas Filipino workers in times of emergency and/or crisis.

According to Garry Martinez, Migrante International chairperson, while Section 15. of RA 10022 states that the "repatriation of the worker and transport of his personal belongings shall be the primary responsibility of the agency which recruited or deployed the worker overseas", this only applies to "normal" circumstances".

The migrant leader made the clarification after Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Sec. Rosalinda Baldoz justified the government's yielding of primary responsibility to recruitment agencies and employers in the repatriation of OFWs from Libya in a hearing of the House of Representatives Committee on Overseas Workers' Affairs (COWA) last March 9, 2011.

Martinez was further dismayed, he said, when other government agencies present in the hearing, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and DOLE's attached agencies namely the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) and the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) "did not object to this falsehood."

"We advise Sec. Baldoz and other concerned government agencies to review the law and review it well," he said.

Martinez cited Sec. 15 of RA 10022 which states that "OWWA, in coordination with appropriate international agencies, shall undertake the repatriation of workers in cases of war, epidemic, disasters or calamities, natural or man-made, and other similar events without prejudice to reimbursement by the responsible principal or agency. However, in cases where the principal or recruitment agency cannot be identified, all costs attendant to repatriation shall be borne by the OWWA."

He added that it is for this purpose that an emergency repatriation fund of P100 million has been established. Baldoz, he said, reported to the same hearing that the DOLE and OWWA has so far only disbursed a total of P4.098 million for the repatriation of OFWs in Libya. "And the government's perennial reasoning is that we are short of funds, na hindi tayo kasing-yaman ng ibang mga bansa, pero may nakalaan namang pondo para sa mga kalagayang tulad ng ganito."

Martinez added that the law also does not discriminate or make a distinction between "documented" or "undocumented" workers in the matter of emergency repatriation.

Migrante expressed concern anew in light of the recent earthquakes and tsunami that hit Japan and the possible escalation of uprisings in the Middle East and North Africa region. There is an estimated 305,000 Filipinos in Japan while 3 million Filipinos are located in the MENA region.

"These conditions obviously call for decisive government assistance and intervention with regard to the safety and protection of our OFWs. Hindi na pupuwede ang katulad ng ginawa nila sa Libya na ipinaubaya sa iba ang pangunahing responsibilidad nila."

Celebrate International Migrants Day and Join the Radio 1812 Event

For the third year in a row, Radio 1812 will bring together migrant groups and radios from around the world to celebrate International Migrants Day on 18th December.

Last year, over 150 radio stations produced, broadcasted and shared programmes on migration, turning the event into a successful opportunity to make migrants’ voices heard across the world.

This year, 59 radio stations from 19 countries already confirmed their participation (see below). We will be adding the names of the participants on a special map which you will find on the home page of the Radio 1812 site.

By the end of this week, the new jingles (in six languages) will be available for you to use. You can find them here. If you produce your own jingle, then please feel free to put them on our site.

We are looking forward to welcome you (again) as a participant in this unique happening.

Please let us know as soon as possible if you want to take part by writing to the Radio 1812 team at (email us for details).

New Atty for OFW Group Named

Global Filipino Nation has appointed Johannes L. Ignacio, anInternational Human Rights Lawyer and Consultant, as its International LegalCounsel.
Ignacio is a member of the Philippine Bar.
GFN is an internationalassociation of global Filipinos, their families and allies, and onshoreFilipinos with a global mindset--all committed to promoting goodgovernance.
Among others, Ignacio serves as Executive Director of Santa Clara(California) Center for Occupational Safety and Health, doingadvocacy and capacity building around workers' right to health andenvironmental justice.
He advocates for the rights of vulnerable groupsparticularly migrant workers. He is an international trainer/ resourceperson on human rights fact finding, documentation, monitoring and advocacy, Ignacio is a Founding Member of Forum Asia, a regional network on humanrights and development.
He is in the International Board of Advisers of theInternational Human Rights Internship Program, based in Washington. He is the Chair of Stairway Foundation, a non-profit for street kids.
Philippine human rights and legal experience of Ignacio includes service as legal officer/consultant of the Philippine Constitutional Commission(1986) and the Philippine Commission on Human Rights (1987-1994), as seniorofficer providing training and capacity building on human rights for NGOsand community-based groups including migrant workers (1989-1992), and as senior officer providing advocacy and training center on human rights,handling cases of migrant workers involving fraud and illegal recruitment,sex trafficking, HIV-AIDS, occupational safety and health, job benefits, etc.
He advocated locally and internationally for the rights and protectionfor migrant workers.
Ignacio has served as International Consultant for the Office of the HighCommissioner for Human Rights (UNOCHR, UNDP, UNAIDS), Ford Foundation, AsiaFoundation, European Union, and others.
His latest assignments include having trained the UN Office of the HighCommissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), Nepal and Nepal Human RightsCommission staff on human rights fact-finding and documentation.
Hecurrently is the Senior Expert-Human Rights Training and CapacityBuilding, European Union Conflict Mitigation Program, Nepal.

An Open Letter for President Arroyo

Her Excellency
President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo
Malacanang, Manila

Subject: OWWA Diagnostic and Consultative Process on Administrator Appointment

Your Excellency:

There has been considerable public interest, in general, and utmost concern of the global Filipino community, in particular, on the governance and appointment of the Administrator of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration.

We appreciate Your Excellency's support of the objective of ensuring the efficient and sound operations of OWWA, cognizant of the impact on the well-being of contract workers and their families. To that end, the global Filipino community submits for your consideration its twin proposal for:

1. an institutional diagnostic of OWWA to be carried out by a team of qualified international consultants; and

2. the adoption of a consultative process, which includes the global Filipino community, the stakeholders of OWWA, of developing a short list and choosing a qualified candidate for the OWWA Administrator.

The Diagnostic

It is timely to undertake an OWWA diagnostic in light of the departure of top management. A fresh diagnostic will provide an objective assessment of the past and perspectives for the future. It will serve as the performance benchmark for a new management team.

We respectfully suggest that the appointment of a new management team should await the completion of the diagnostic.

The diagnostic will cover:

a. a SWOT analysis (covering OWWA's strengths, weaknesses, threats and opportunities);
b. an assessment of:
i. OWWA's legal framework and operating environment;
ii. institutional strategy, programs, policies, and organizational structure, in the context of
meeting OWWA's mandated goals;
iii. financial performance, financial condition (including, in particular, the quality of the
portfolio) and audit; and
c. assessment-based recommendations, including, among others:
i. greater and real representation of the global Filipino community in the Board and
management;
ii. independence of the Board;
iii. professionalization and autonomy of management;
iv. safeguards to protect portfolio quality and enhance financial performance;
v. content and format for quarterly report on operations, financial performance and financial
condition; and
vi. a capacity-building program.

The diagnostic will take one month to complete. It would initially build on the past assessments, audits and capacity building initiatives on OWWA. The entire process will involve consultations with relevant authorities and OWWA's stakeholders.

The global Filipino community will fund the cost of the international consulting team. The Leader and members of the international consulting team should be registered with multilateral or bilateral financial institutions.

Consultative Process for Search for OWWA Administrator

The global Filipino community proposes to develop a methodology, in close collaboration with the Office of the President, the Dept. of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the Civil Service Commission, for the consultative process of finally choosing the new OWWA Administrator. The methodology will involve the following elements:

a. the job content and description;
b. the required qualifications;
d. a weighted Candidate Rating System (CDS) that would include:

i. the appropriateness and depth of experience;
ii. track record of professional performance;
iii. familiarity with issues relative to the position concerned;
iv. extent of interaction with the global Filipino community;
v. adequacy of exposure to and knowledge of the relevant bureaucratic environment;
vi. personality fit of the candidate in relation to the position concerned; and
vii. the vision defined by the candidate.

Thank you.


VICTOR S. BARRIOS
GFN Convenor

GFN Letter to Vote

Dear colleagues in the global Filipino community:

Starting December 1, 2008, Philippine authorities will resume voter registration for overseas Filipinos.

The process will be a great opportunity to enrich the suffrage rights of global Filipinos.

The harvest potential is great. We need "lead harvesters" to mobilize global Filipinos in different parts of the world.

Our goal is to raise the number of registered global Filipino voters from 504,000 to, say, 20 percent of all Filipinos living abroad. That means about 2 million offshore voters. Together with their families onshore, they could reshape the Philippine political landscape.

Let us shift our preoccupation from complaining about governance issues to resolving those issues by enlarging our suffrage power.

Instead of predetermining the lead coordinators in different countries and cities, we invite all global Filipinos who wish to be "lead harvesters" to please email us the following information:

1. Name
2. Email address
3. Country and city
4. Cell phone
5. Organization and position (optional)
6. Assistance offered (optional), e.g., email brigade, writing articles for publication, talk shows, organizing community events/announcements, coordination with the nearest consulates, posters and flyers, etc.

We address this request also to Filipinos living in the Philippines who have a global mindset and committed to good governance.

After we get all expressions of interest, we would cluster all interested parties in a given country and let them decide the lead coordination roles in their country of residence.

Let us all move to make governance change a reality.

Magrehistro. Ihalal wastong gubyerno!

Dual citizenship. The best of two worlds.

Sincerely,

Victor S. Barrios
Convenor
Global Filipino Nation

GFN's Statement on RP Govt's Pop Policy

Press statement

Global Filipino Nation, an international association of global Filipinos, their families and onshore Filipinos advocating good governance, has cautioned national officials from labeling divergent views on population policy and control as “narrow-minded, parochial and stupid”.

GFN asserts that worldwide economic history and empirical evidence do not support the policy premise that population control measures effectively bring down birth rates, thus advancing poverty alleviation goals.

Evidence shows that population growth rates decline, not a result of deliberate population policy, but due to economic growth, education and the rise of women’s rights.

At the lowest stage of economic development, population growth rates tend to be high. Children, including sons and daughters of age and married, serve a social insurance function: working in the fields, contributing to family income, fulfilling household tasks, helping finance the schooling of siblings and providing for the old age of parents.

As societies grow economically, incomes rise and formal forms of social insurance develop -- resulting in the reduced value of children as an informal form of social insurance. Awareness and expectations of social mobility spread, inducing the youth to postpone the age of marriage and couples to reduce the number of children. Movements promoting women’s rights and gender equality have contributed to a decrease in the number of children.

Worldwide population control measures adopted have not been effective. They have been introduced generally when population growth rates have been on the decline in many countries, including China. Even the Philippines is undergoing a perceptible population growth decline, with the rate dropping from the 3%+ levels of the 60s to the current level of 1.95% as estimated by the Philippine National Statistical Coordination Board. Growth rate data would be more meaningful if net migration figures are revealed.

Birth rates in highly-developed countries have decreased to bare replacement levels. Many Western nations, such as the U.S. and Canada, grow only due to immigration. Some European countries are facing an absolute decline in population. Japan would experience a declining population as the post-World War II generation dies off. More and more observers are becoming fearful of too many elderly people rather than too many babies. Ironically, the still relatively robust birth rate of the Philippines has served as a national social safety net, given population migration cum remittances.

Policy makers should exercise caution lest they succumb to the geopolitical goals of developed countries and the perceived post-Cold War era concerns about immigration pressures, national security and environmental degradation. Policy makers, especially politicians, should also resist the temptation of formulating judgments on what is good for families and making major decisions in the lives of the people.

GFN urges policy makers to focus on pro-growth policies, including dismantling the special interest obstacles to growth, rather than apply resources to misguided population policy.

This statement focuses on population policy in the context of poverty alleviation goals of the country. The main contention is the fact that population control measures are not effective in bringing down birth rates. The statement abstains from contentious debates relating to women’s rights, health issues, pro-life vs. pro-choice polemic, the religious stance, environmental impact, eugenics and nativism. Those important debates, which should be reserved for separate fora, do not directly relate to poverty alleviation.

GFN reflections on managing unity amidst diversity

These observations, prepared by Victor S. Barrios, Global Filipino Nation Convenor, are drawn from interfacing over the years with different global Filipino leaders and organizations all over the world. GFN acknowledges the contributions of many global Filipinos to the insights in this note. GFN is an association of global Filipinos, their onshore families and onshore Filipinos with a global mindset – all committed to good governance.

We are on the road to “Building the Global Filipino Nation”.
We have locked our sights on the final destination, conscious that the road is long, winding and traversed by freeloaders, obstructionists, opportunists and predators.
We have learnt lessons in consensus-building, which, if internalized and applied, would strengthen mobilization efforts to empower global Filipinos politically or otherwise.
We share constructive lessons, not intended to be “Sermons on the Mount”, but designed to energize the mobilization process:
1. It is productive of relationships if one faithfully, sincerely and transparently heeds Rotary’s Four-Way Test:

· Is it the TRUTH?
· Is it FAIR to all Concerned?
· Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
· Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?

2. Define and elicit acceptance of the stakeholder consultative process, which, when applied consistently, would lead to broad consensus.

3. Focus on issues of substance rather than trivialities and tittle-tattle that rattle the rational mind.

4. Encourage healthy discussions and bring out the substantive brilliance in everyone, without anyone’s self-esteem being wounded and sacrificing the truth.

5. Avoid argumentum ad hominem, the lowest form of logic and intellectual wit, including, in particular, pejorative attributions and name-calling.

6. At all times, respect the rights, prerogatives, sensitivities, and, importantly, the dignity of every person.

7. The test of leadership is to be “situational”, with the ability to listen, reformulate proposals that address legitimate issues and win over elements who obstruct the common good.

8. Where there is a diversity of opinion, there should be an effort to preserve unity and evolve a win-win mix for all; but where a vote needs to be taken, all should fully embrace the collective decision.

9. When a person cannot agree with another, they should, with civility, agree to disagree and revisit the issues in a future date – while keeping an open mind about changing one’s position.

10. In the heat of an argument, when all genteel efforts have failed, one can with certainty disarm a perceived adversary with the words: “God bless you” -- with grace prevailing over justice.

11. At the end of the day, after the dust has cleared, we should ask ourselves: “What have we contributed to our goal? Have we moved forward in ‘Building the Global Filipino Nation’”?

Group Banks on Social Enterprise for Peace to Sprout in Lanao del Norte

By Jeremaiah M. Opiniano

MANILA–It would take nearly a thousand kilometers, millions of pesos, and a year for peace to be sown in Lanao del Norte.That is the hope of Unlad Kabayan Migrant Services Foundation, a socio-civic group banking on a project to spur “social enterprises” in Kolambogan municipality.Social enterprise is an old concept yet to seep into the fabric of violence-riddled Philippine society.

According to the West Oxfordshire District Council of England, a social enterprise is a “local community acting together to provide services needed by the local population, particularly where the service cannot be provided through the market economy”. Simply put, social enterprises are geared more to plow profits back to the community through a business run nearly by the community.

That is what Unlad Kabayan’s project is aiming for in the municipality of Kolambogan in Lanao del Norte, some 790 kilometers south of the Philippines’s capital. The project called “New Lives for Old: Peace, Growth, and Good Governance through Social Enterprises” was one of 33 chosen during this year’s World Bank-sponsored Panibagong Paraan contest.

Unlad Kabayan won a grant of P1 million for the project that involves working with government officials and a cooperative in the municipality.Bernice Roldan explains Unlad Kabayan would have to work with Kolambogan Mayor Bertrand Lumaque and the Lanao Comrades Multipurpose Cooperative so that three pilot enterprises in the farming and coastal municipality start off within a year.

Roldan said Lumaque committed nearly P2.2 million while Unlad Kabayan promised to set aside P0.9 million for the project.With the grant via the World Bank contest, these enterprises would be started with P3.079 million ($69,977.30 at US$1=P44), merely ten percent of what the municipality received as internal revenue allotment in 2006.

Roldan told the OFW Journalism Consortium that Unlad Kabayan will start up an integrated bio-resource farming enterprise, a coco-coir processing facility, and setting up of recycled container gardens at some residents’ backyards.

The first two enterprises are among the enterprises that Unlad Kabayan had set up in other provinces, such as Bohol, Bukidnon, Surigao del Norte, and Davao Oriental, as well as in Davao City.

The container gardening business, meanwhile, was a request by local residents, Roldan said.

Unlad's Roldan, without citing actual figures, said “many residents went overseas” citing the peace and order situation, aside from lack of gainful income, as reasons for leaving Kolambogan.Kolambogan is one of 22 municipalities in this province tagged as the gateway to the four cities of the Mindanao island group.

According to its Website, Kolambogan was a small barrio inhabited by native Maranaos and Christians before American migrant settlers began harvesting timber.Currently, the fourth class municipality of the second-class province of Lanao del Norte has vast agricultural lands which are mainly planted to coconut.

The Website, however, cited that nearly 14,000 residents are poor and some 3,683 households “are not gainfully employed”.

The municipality’s 24,180 total people form five percent of the total population of Lanao del Norte at 473,062, according to recent government census.According to its latest report, a total of 17,269 OFWs were recorded by the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration in 2006 as coming from Lanao del Norte.

Government data that year also showed Lanao del Norte, located in central Mindanao, has 7,103 temporary contract workers (5,621 land-based and 1,482 sea-based).

Some 3,282 of registered overseas permanent residents from 1988 to 2005 also cited the province as their home town. While some residents have joined the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, even some OFW families have their own domestic problems that escalated into a public safety issue, such as the shooting incident between a returned seafarer and his wife, Roldan added.

“The disturbed peace and order coupled with labor disputes in Kolambogan’s biggest industrial firm was a major setback in its population growth,” its Website said.

News reports cited a dozen people were kidnapped by bandits mid-June this year, overshadowed only by the kidnapping in Sulu of television journalist Ces Drilon and two cameramen.

More than the money and the dream enterprises to be set up, Roldan said the project proponents will confront peace and order issues, as well as visible poverty, in Kolambogan.

Recently, a shuttered timber company displaced more than 2,000 workers while typhoons of recent years hit half of the population’s farmlands. Kolambogan farmers earn P1,500 monthly while fisherfolk earn less, at least P1,200 monthly.Kolambogan’s IRA reached some P25.636 million in 2003 to a high of P30.237 million in 2006.

The website said “limited resources” plague the municipality.

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Migrants Slam Treatment of OFWs as Commodities

A group of international migrant workers groups has asked the government to address not only the issues of increased remittances but also the responsibility of the country to uphold the rights of overseas Filipino workers wherever they may be found.

They confirmed that a meeting of migrant workers NGOs will convene in Manila on July 11 and 12 to launch the People's Global Action, which will group together hundreds of migrant workers' organizations that will campaign for the protection of their rights in the Philippines and in all other countries capitalizing on the OFW market.

The Global Call to Action is also organizing a parallel meeting in Manila to coincide with the 2nd Global Forum on Migration and Development, which the Philippines is hosting in October, to oppose perspectives being promoted by governments that "perpetuate migrants' exploitation, reinforce gender oppression, undermine human rights and surrender State responsibility for development."

The Philippine Working Group on GFMD and the Migrants' Rights International said in past meetings, governments focused on maximizing the development benefits of migration while reducing discussions on the human rights of migrants, the causes of massive migration like failed economic development programs and widespread poverty in many countries.

This time, according to the migrant workers' alliance, a broader framework would be set in place with a parallel forum that will call on governments and other parties involved to renounce the treatment of migrant workers as commodities.

The meeting of government officials in Manila should now veer away from the themes promoted by banks, remittance companies and corporate giants, which centered on treating migrants as sources of revenues and as financiers of social development programs.

"These are all consistent with the neo-liberal agenda of making the people bear the burden of development, reducing government responsibility and accountability and ensuring more profits for the companies," the organizers said.

"We oppose the perspectives of making the GFMD an extension of neo-liberal globalization so that it becomes an instrument of the World Trade Organization, the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank to promote corporate globalization, this time capitalizing on migrant workers," they said.

Organizers emphasized the Manila forum should be an opportunity for hundreds of delegates from all over the world to discuss the impact of migrant workers who remit more than $300 billion annually to their home countries.