Bohol 2003 International Conference on OFW Savings, Remittance and Economic Potential: A challenge to Governance, Partnership and Development
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE
ON OFW SAVINGS, REMITTANCE AND ECONOMIC POTENTIAL:
A CHALLENGE TO GOVERNANCE, PARTNERSHIP AND DEVELOPMENT
28-30 October 2003
Tagbilaran City, Bohol, The Philippines
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE
ON ECONOMIC SECURITY FOR PINOY SEAFARERS
ATTY. JOSEPH SEDFREY S. SANTIAGO, PSAP CONSULTANT
Do you sometimes feel that you have lost hope in our country? There is hope. And a big part of that hope lies in values-formation by OFWs. “Values-formation” of course includes economic values.
The Conference, held on 28-30 October 2003 in Bohol, was organized by PSAP jointly with the Asian Migrant Centre (AMC, Hong Kong); the Forum of Filipino Reintegration and Savings Groups (FFRSG, Hong Kong); Unlad-Kabayan Migrants Services Foundation (Unlad-Kabayan); the Philippine Council on Comprehensive Reintegration (PhilCore); and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA). The Conference was attended by at least 150 participants coming from different parts of the Philippines and of the world like Taiwan, Japan, Ireland, Switzerland, Hong Kong, and the Netherlands, and represented OFW organizations and OFW families, non-government organizations (NGOs) advocating OFW rights, civil society like inter-faith groups, the academe, and national and local government units.
The Conference was held at the Bohol Tropics Resort Club in Tagbilaran.
A happy group poses for a shoot at the end of the programme.
It is perhaps not accidental that Bohol was chosen as venue. For one thing, the earliest recorded OFWs hailed from Bohol. In the 1800s, skilled Boholanos were recruited to Australia to work as pearl divers.
The Conference was welcomed by the Governor of Bohol, Erico Aumentado, and the Mayor of Tagbilaran City, Jose Torralba. Virgilio Angelo, the OWWA Administrator, and Danilo Cruz, DOLE Undersecretary for Reintegration and the Informal Sector, also gave opening messages through their representatives.
Presented during the Conference were the existing initiatives on OFW savings and the use of remittances for economic activities.
Two OFWs in Hong Kong shared their experiences – Thelma Gelicame on the FFRSG-AMC projects, and Zeta Rose Pasuit on FAMDEV, an agricultural enterprise in Bukidnon, Mindanao. Sari Cañete of Unlad-Kabayan explained what the Migrant Savings and Alternative Investments (MSAI) Program was about. Mai Dizon-Añonuevo of Atikha/BalikBayani described the “OFW One-Stop Center” in San Pablo City, an initiative which combines both income-generating activities, such as insurance plans and retirement havens, and social services like counseling and similar programs for OFWs and their families. Nonoy Ty of PASALI, a seafarer’s cooperative based in the Netherlands, presented his group’s experience of providing support to MUKRISVA (an association of Muslim and Christian vendors in General Santos City in Mindanao.
For the government presentations: Mayor Exuperio Lloren of Jagna, Bohol, highlighted the crucial role that local government units (LGUs) can play in the success of OFW economic endeavors. Ms. Leonor Mabagal, OWWA Region 10 Director, discussed the “Regional Comprehensive Reintegration Programme Formation” under her jurisdiction. Last but not least, Dr. Roberta Lauzon of the Leyte State College of Agriculture outlined business possibilities for OFWs in food production and processing.
The conference also marked the launching of two artistic creations: the premier showing of Avic Ilagan’s documentary film entitled “Homebound,” a work commissioned by the AMC; and the introduction of a new mascot for OFWs, Miggy Migrante.
After the presentations and workshops, the Conference adopted the Bohol Statement of Principles and Action Agenda, which lays down the conclusions of the meeting and gives a practical blueprint for follow-up action by relevant stakeholders. PSAP was part of the Drafting Committee that developed this consensus document.
The Conference participants … during plenary and a workshop session
Throughout the Conference, PSAP assumed a key leadership role in dynamizing and bringing together the participants representing seafarers’ interests. The solidarity established among these participants will definitely lead to many initiatives that would be beneficial to seafarers and their families. As such, the Conference is another land-mark achievement for seafarers. Congratulations to PSAP!
Bohol Declaration 2003: Bohol Statement of Principles and Action Agenda
Bohol Declaration 2003: Bohol Statement of Principles and Action Agenda – in PDF format (18 KB)
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