OFWs Long and Winding Road, Leading to Which Door/Country?

Kaagapay Concerns
The Official publication of Kaagapay OFW Resource and Service Center, Inc.

Issue 2011

Editorial ======================== 2 WSF 2011 ===================== 3 Sahro Ramadhan ================ 4 Pagbisita ni Dr. Lydia ============= 5 What is the ILO ================= 6 Tales of Sendong ================== 7 Ibat-ibang Pagsasanay ============ 8 A Day of Solidarity =============== 9 Filipino Au pairs ================= 10 Campaign for the Rights ============ 11 Leading to Where? ================= 12 How Effective are Those?... =========== 13 Local and Overseas =============== 14 Their Long and Winding Road ========= 15 Inspiring Work ================== 15 Literatures ======================= 16 Reached-Out Communities ========== 17 Women OFW Crisis Center Update ====== 18

Editorial
OFWs Where to? After Two Years, Hope is Fading?
spending because of fear that the contracts entered into by construction firms with the past administration were tainted or had been corrupted. It was the remittances of the OFWs to their families that made the economy survived. In fact, the projected OFWs remittances in 2011 is 8% increase to $20.3 billion from $18.8 billion in 2010. And this happened in almost unimaginable manner. It should be remembered that the year 2011 was one of the most troublesome period in the world. It was during this period were the economic, financial, political and ecological crises have converged hitting even the most advanced countries like United States and Europe. Political instability erupted in the Middle East, Arab Countries and North African countries. In all these countries, the OFWs (documented and undocumented) which comprised almost 50% of the total working force of the country have been working. The countries hit by the crises now are those where many of the OFWs are located like in the United States, Middle East and Europe. In fact, the biggest amount of remittances by the OFWs have been coming from these countries. Thousands have come from these regions because of political instability but thousands more have replaced them even amidst the government prevented measures. But whatever happened these people could have done wonders because they were able to remit much more for their families and for their country. And in return what do these unsung heroes get from their own government? Almost nothing. As if it is the most natural for OFWs to undergo such perilous situation notwithstanding the social costs these plights have resulted to them and their families. The least the government can do for them is to protect them from their abusive employers and ensure that they get what they deserve in terms of salaries and compensation. These OFWs should be protected by the government against any form of discriminations especially in the current context of global crises where workers of the host countries blame the OFWs for their own predicament e.g unemployment. It will always sadden the nation when OFWs are executed in other countries which will be headlined in all news outlets but nothing has been done to prevent it to happen. Everybody knows that this crime starts from the recruitment, processing of document for employment and the role of the government can be very important here especially when these recruits leave the country through the airports or any port. And for their families left in the country, they are also left to fend for themselves fighting to cope up with their lives which are separated more than being united most of the times. Not a few of their children have gone into drugs, early pregnancy and uncertain future and worst the whole family is broken. As if all unimaginable sacrifices of
2

Two years and two State of the Nation Addresses have passed and the government of President Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III (PNoy) has yet to manifest its interest to the plight of the OFWs. There has been no new legislation made for the benefits of the OFWs. In the pending bills now in the Congress which Malacaang has identified as urgent for the current Congress to enact into law but nothing on the OFWs. While all the government administrations including the incumbent considered the vital role of the OFWs in making the country's economy afloat, they do not have coherent program and policy regarding the well being of the OFWs and their families. The current situation of the country in terms of its dismal economic performance is glaringly showing this picture. The 3.7% growth of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2011 instead of the much higher growth expectation (between 5 to 6%) is the result of the very minimum government
Kaagapay Concerns 2011

the OFWs in foreign and sometimes hostile countries have come to nothing. A very hard way of learning that not everything is about money when one builds a family. It is also political, emotional and psychological. And here the support system has to be strengthened by and with the communities, civic and religious communities but most important with the government. Building and strengthening the family will make a strong community and a great nation. When a disaster like the typhoon Sendong (Washi) hit the southern part of the country the abovementioned reality is once again highlighted. Not a few OFW families in the cities of Cagayan de Oro and Iligan were severely affected. Their already separated families (OFW phenomenon) have further been separated permanently because some members of their families have gone missing. One can just imagine the profound anxieties and extreme sadness befallen on the families of un-

sung heroes. One can just imagine the sorrows and longings of the OFWs who can not be with their loved ones during these agonizing moments because of fear of losing their employment contracts. They can not just go home to help finding the bodies of their loved ones. We expect more calamities both natural and man-made to happen and we also expect that the government should really function now and play its role in both words and in deeds. The third State of the Nation Address of the President is coming, we hope it will be different from the previous SONAS in terms of giving importance to the plight of OFWs and their families. In these times of global crises giving substance to the hope of OFWs and their families can be decisive in our nation building because when that hope fades, the nation starts to selfdestruct.

WSF 2011: Making Another World Possible

2011 World Social Forum was held in Cheikh Anta Diop University in Dakar, Senegal from 6 to 11 of February 2011. Like any other WSF in the past, it provided once again an open meeting place for various social movements, non-government organizations (NGOs), alliances and networks, and other civil society organizations (CSOs) that oppose to neo-liberalism and imperialism and which seek to build alternatives to neo-liberal policies through sharing of ideas and experiences, network building, and formulating proposals and actions. The year's forum had emphasized the struggles and resistance of the African people against oppression and domination and its commonality with the rest of the nations in the South. One of the themes that the forum had focused into is the issue of migration which is a socially-relevant issue among the African people. This then had opened an opportunity for Kaagapay to be part in the big international event through the assistance from the Catholic Committee against Hunger and for Development (CCFD) which sent about 120 partners, volunteers and personnel. Before the scheduled date of the forum, CCFD delegates had visited partners based in Senegal. One of its field visits was in M'bou, one of the largest fishing areas in Senegal, where an organization of fisherfolks-turned-migrants was formed after numerous fisherfolks in the community tried to cross the Canary Island with the hope that Spain could give them better living condition. Later they were repatriated and were given assistance by CCFD.

Though the program flow in general was quite disorganized, the event was still a venue for the diverse people to better understand the struggle of each other and build paths toward realizing ANOTHER WORLD.

A Glimpse on the Initiatives of IBP-Cotabato

Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) Cotabato Chapter has been extending its services to the community level for the people who have less access to free legal services in the area. Kaagapay, together with the other non-government organizations and peoples organizations based in Cotabato, is one of its con-

sistent partner-beneficiary. As a partner, IBP-Cotabato has just During the event of the forum, Kaagapay, through Goldy Omelio, was given a 15-minute intervention in which she briefly provided Kaagapay a space in its office every Friday morning to discussed about the Philippine experience of labor migration.
3 Kaagapay Concerns 2011

help in the facilitation of complaints of the family members of in mosques as well as the members of the organization and conOFWs. stituents in identified areas are served with sindol (a local FiliThe organization also sometimes become part of their mobile pino sweet delicacy of mixed ingredients). Members of the peofree legal services program (MFLAP) in going to remote com- ples organizations in different selected areas, including the munities of Cotabato City and some parts of the neighboring including the areas of Kagkalimwa OFW Federation, assisted in areas of Maguindanao. As a beneficiary, Kaagapay refers cases the distribution of sindol after praying TaRAWEEHThere were eight (8) mosques distributed with Sindol in the areas of Barangay Kabuntalan, Sultan Kudarat (3 mosques) which was assisted by the OFW organization in that area, Barangay Bulalo Extension Sultan Kudarat (1 mosque), Barangay Manday Bagua -2, Cotabato City (1 mosque), Mother Poblacion Buliao 1, Cotabato City (1 mosque) and Poblacion 1-RS-BUAN st. Cotabato City (1 mosque) including the School of Technology Institute (STI) in Cotabato City (150 cups of sindol). The objective of this activity is to show solidarity to the Muslim Ummah and to show the unity of the TRI-PEOPLE through being part of the celebration of Ramadhan. The network organizaof OFWs and OFW returnees to IBP-Cotabato through Atty. tion hopes to have justpeace in Mindanao through this kind of Noel Ben who at the same time is a public attorney. yan Program, Lakbay-Pagkakaisa Kasama ang mga NGOs at effort by showing that religious differences are not a hindrance The Ramadhan is an obligation for every Muslim UmTheir other services include Handang Maglingkod sa Mamama- in seeking unity and peace in the area. POs Tungo sa Mapayapang Bayan Program, Inter-agency De- mah and it is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, which velopment Program, Community Capability Development Pro- lasts 29 or 30 days and it is also one of the five Pillars of Islam. gram, at Environmental Care Program. In all these community Ramadhan is a special month of the year for over one billion oriented activities, IBP-Cotabato Chapter is trying to live up to Muslims throughout the World. It is time for inner reflection, the saying that those who have less in life should have more devotion to God and self control Muslims think of it as a kind of in law. tune-up for their spiritual lives, Month of Blessings marked by prayer, fasting and charity.

SAHRO RAMADHAN AL-MUBARAK Network Solidarity in Ramadhan Month!!!

by: Fats Lintang

Last August 2011 was another celebration for the Holy Month for Muslim Ummah to sacrifice through fasting. The network organization of Mindanao Peoples Peace Movement Maguindanao-Cotabato cluster, which Kaagapay is a member, once again organized a solidarity initiative every Ramadhan, the PASINDOL para sa Ramadhan wherein people who prayed
Kaagapay Concerns 2011 4

komunidad at maging sa mga myembro OFW returnees at kapamilya ng mga

Pagbisita ni Dr. Lydia Tansinsin: Isang Pagkakataon para sa Isang Bagong Simulain
by: Ging Gasa

ng organisasyon (OFW Organization of OFWs. Ang pangalawang komunidad na Kabuntalan) ang mga inisyatiba at pagsisi- pinuntahan ay ang Bagua 2 sa Cotabato kap kung paano masugpo at mabawasan City. Kagaya ng nangyari at napagang insidente ng human trafficking at ille- usapan sa Kabuntalan, naibahagi din ang gal recruitment sa kanilang lugar. Pag- kahalagahan ng inisiyatiba ng Kaagapay katapos ng malalimang talakayang ito, at VGIF. Sa pangalawang pagkakataon binahagi ni Dr. Tansinsin ang kahala- din ay nagbahagi si Dr. Tansinsin kung gahan ng water hyacinth (water lily) sa anu-ano ang mga gamit ng mga damo at paggawa ng mga gamit at gayundin ang gulay sa paligid na pwedeng pakinabanibat-ibang sari ng pagkain na pwedeng gan ng bawat isa. Ang pangatlo at gawaan ng preserbatiba para panghuling komunidad na binisita ay ang ibenta o pang-personal na kon- Poloyagan, Alamada, North Cotabato. sumo. Natapos ang mga pag-uusap Ang pagbisita at pag-uusap na ito ay nagna may ngiti sa labi ng bawat ing matagumpay na rin dahil sa tulong ng kasapian na dala ang pag-asa na mga iilang opisyales sa barangay. Sa may nakabahagi sa kanila ng panghuling pagkakataon, ibinahagi na ideya sa pagharap sa hamon ng naman ni Dr. Tansinsin ang kanyang mga buhay sa kabila ng krisis na kaalaman hinggil sa pagpapahalaga sa kanilang dinanas sa mapanirang mga tanim sa paligid. baha sa kanilang lugar. Sa pangkabuuan, ang pagbisitang ito ay kaalaman at

Ika-28 ng Hulyo 2011, dumating sa Cotabato City si Dr. Lydia Tansinsin, dating Assistant Secretary ng Department of Science and Technology (DOST), bilang isang volunteer evaluator para sa proyekto ng Kaagapay na pinunduhan ng Virginia Gildersleeve International Fund (VGIF)

hinggil sa pagpapalakas ng inisyatiba sa pagsugpo ng human trafficking at illegal recruitment.

Nagkaroon din ng pagkakataon at pana- naging napakainam na panahon upang hon si Dr. Tansinsin upang mabisita ang magbahaginan ng mga Cotabato Chapter, si Atty. Noel pangulo ng Integrated Bar of the Philip- matuto sa mga gawain ng bawat isa.

Sa unang araw ay sumabak na kaagad siya pines

kasama ang mga iilang staff ng Kaagapay Ben. Sa talakayang ito napag-usapan kung sa pamamagitan ng pagbisita sa isang ko- paano nagsimula ang samahan ng Kaagamunidad kung saan pinagdarausan ng pay at IBP Cotabato at kung paano magtuproyektong ito, ang Kabuntalan, Sultan tulungan sa mga programang may kaug-

Participation to the Diplomacy Training Program 2011 Bangkok, Thailand

Kudarat, Maguindanao. Kahit pa man sa nayan sa isat-isa. Dahil sa kakulangan ng Despite of the flood situation in Bangkok, hindi inaasahang aksidente sa pagbaba sa panahon ay hindi din nagtagal ang pag- Thailand, the Diplomacy Training Pro-

sinasakyang Bangka (kung saan nahulog uusap at tumuloy na si Dr. Tansinsin ka- gram of the Faculty of Law of the Universi Dr. Tansinsin), ay hindi siya nag- sama ang iilang Kaagapay staff sa re- sity of New South Wales (Australia) had alinlangan na ipagpatuloy ang pagbisita. gional office ng DOST 12. Ang pagbisita pushed through with the schedule of the Ang mga kasapiang dumalo kasama na at pag-uusap na ito ay nagbigay ng pag- 'Capacity Building Program on Human ang punong barangay ay natuwa sa pag- kakataon kung paano magtulungan ang Rights Advocacy and Migrant Workers tanggap sa bisita. Sa buong maghapon ay DOST 12 at Kaagapay sa pagbigay pro- in the Asia-Pacific Region' last 17-21 of napag-usapan kung paano nakatulong sa gram at serbisyo sa mga organisasyon ng October 2011. This training program
5

Kaagapay Concerns 2011

aimed in building the skills and knowl- Burma, Nepal, Jordan and edge of advocates in the Asia-Pacific re- Qatar. The training had disgion who are working to protect and pro- cussed in general the varimote the human rights of migrant workers ous international mechathrough using effectively the internation- nisms that are useful in proally agreed standards and mechanisms in moting and protecting the their advocacy works. This program also rights of migrant workers, provided opportunity for the participants a the role of Human Rights venue in sharing their knowledge and Institutions and strategies skills and in building support networks. Twenty-five (25) individuals, including Goldy Omelio of Kaagapay, had passed the application and participated in the program. These individuals are working in non-government organizations, trade unions and National Human Rights Institutions from countries such as Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Hong Kong, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Bahrain, India, Bangladesh, Cambodia, and methods which can be useful in lobbying and advocacy work convention or not is bound to comply with initiatives. In addition, the diverse per- the international standard set by the spectives and experiences of the partici- United Nations. pants had become part of the opportunity for everyone to learn and reflect that migrant worker's rights are human rights regardless of her origin, belief, gender preference, and race and among others. One also of the important learning from the program is the fact that all the countries in the world whether a signatory to a certain in the world of work. The success of the program was also made possible through the help, assistance and partnership extended by the Migrant Forum Asia (MFA), Asia Pacific Forum of National Human Rights Institutions (APF) and the Human Rights Development Foundation (HRDF).

What is the ILO Convention 189?

tract before crossing national boarders that

It applies to ALL domestic workers includes key terms of employment, and which sets standards for every State to regulation of placement agencies and pre-

ILO Convention 189 or the ILO Domestic take measures to ensure that domestic vention of reduction of fees paid to the Worker Convention was adopted in June workers like other workers generally, agency from the workers remuneration. 2011 at the 100th International Labor Or- should enjoy fair terms of employment Various migrants rights advocates considganization (ILO) Annual Conference. This (Article 6). Where the domestics workers ered this Convention a historic moment Convention recognizes domestic workers reside in the household for which they not just for the domestic workers but also as workers and sets standards for domestic work, they should also enjoy decent liv- for the workers in the informal sector who workers who must have the same basic ing conditions that respect the workers continue to struggle that their rights to labour rights as other workers. It reflects a privacy. decent work will someday be realized, for strong recognition of the economic and As for the migrant domestic workers, women who feminized this kind of worksocial value of domestic work. It is also a the convention addresses their specific force, and for the rest of the civil society call for action to address the existing ex- conditions and vulnerabilities in which it organizations who are still in struggle for clusions of domestic workers from labour sets obligations for the member states re- rights to work. and social protection. It is considered as garding their right to decent working and (Information under this entry are based on the an important step towards gender equality living condition, receipt of a written con- plomacy Training Program)
Kaagapay Concerns 2011
reading/resource materials collected from the Di-

Training of Trainers on Case Management, Dinaluhan!

by: Ging Gasa
Bilang isa sa mga stakeholders ng One Stop Resource Center (OSRC) sa Maguindanao, isang resource center para sa mga kabataan, migranteng manggagawa (OFWs) at kanilang pamilya na dumadanas ng ibat-ibang porma ng pang-aabuso, ang Kaagapay ay napabilang sa mga naimbitahang organisasyon na dumalo sa Training of Trainers on Case Management na ginanap mula ika-5 hanggang ika-9 ng Setyembre 2011 sa Cebu Business Hotel, Cebu City. Ang naturang pagsasanay ay dinaluhan ng humigit kumulang limampung (50) partisipante mula sa ibat -ibang organisasyon at lugar sa buong bansa. Kabilang sa mga nag-organisa sa pagsasanay na ito ay ang ATIKHA Overseas Workers and Communities Initiative, Inc. at International Organization on Migration (IOM) bilang bahagi ng MDGFJPYEM Joint Program on Alternatives to Migration: Decent Jobs for Filipino Youth. Sa limang araw na diskusyon at talakayan, ibat-ibang topiko ang napag-usapan tulad ng community-based case management approach na gagamitin sa paghawak ng mga kaso na idudulog sa OSRC na magbibigay ng maayos na serbisyo at epektibong sistemang referral. Ang isyu ng kasong napag-usapan ay may kinalaman sa mga OFWs at kanilang pamilya tulad ng trafficking, illegal recruitment, recruitment violation, repatriations, psychosocial disorder, distress at medical cases. Napag-usapan din ang paghawak ng psychosocial na kaso sa mga OFWs at kanilang pamilya tulad ng asawa, mga anak, at tagapag alaga, gayundin sa mga kasong may kinalaman sa pag-uwi ng mga OFWs. Mag-

makatawan mula sa Provincial Welfare, Provincial PESO, OWWA-ARMM, OWWA-CARAGA, POEA-Legaspi, POEAARMM, mga kasamahan sa akademya, gabay tagapayo, faithbases organizations, at mga non-government organizations na nagbibigay ng serbisyo sa mga kabataan at OFWs. Pagkatapos ng limang araw na pagsasanay, ang mga naabot ay ang mga sumusunod: Naintindihan ang ibat-ibang isyung psychosocial ng mga kabataan, OFWs at kanilang pamilya;

Lumawak ang serbisyong paralegal at psychosocial na pagpayo sa mga OFWs sa ibat-ibang paraan ng pagkabalisa sa kanilang kalagayan;

Napahalagahan ang ibat-ibang proseso ng community-based na pamamahala ng kaso; Naunawaan ang programa ng reintegration sa pagbibigay ng tulong sa mga bumalik na mga OFWs; Nakakuha ng kaalaman at kasanayan sa paghawak ng mga kaso at sa referral na sistema na batay sa program at naaayon sa proseso ng pamahalaan.

TALES OF SENDONG
by: Racma Nguda

The LIFE during SendongThe unforgettable incident to all the affected families during the days of Sendong (Washi)the loss of lives of some members of their families, relatives, daughters and sons, the lost of their livelihood, the lost of their properties, the damaged environment, and the lost of their hope to be successful in life Because of the unexpected incident in a minute all the treasures of their life were taken away by Sendong. The shocking incident of typhoon Sendong in ILIGAN

ing ang mga kasong kinasasangkutan ng mga kabataan tulad ng was learning lesson for everyone to be prepared anytime Love child labor, child trafficking and displacement, at problema ng and care for the environment is a priceless endeavor. mga out-of-school youth ay napagtuunan din ng pansin. Mahalaga ding napag-usapan ang paghawak ng mga Gawain at tungkulin ng mga frontline staff ng OSRC at maging ang tungkulin ng gobyerno at ng mga organisasyong tumutulong sa ibat-ibang kasong legal. The ACTION, after Sendong It was on December 18, 2011 when the DUYOG ILIGAN: Tri-peoples Solidarity for Sendong Survivors was conceptualized by RDRRAC (Ranaw Disaster Response and Rehabilitation Assistance Center) network
that joined forces to respond to the victims of disaster brought by Sen-

Maliban sa Kaagapay, ang mga partisipante sa ginanap na pagsasanay ay ang mga frontline staff ng OSRC tulad ng mga ku- dong. But it was on January 3, 2012 that I was directly involved in the
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Kaagapay Concerns 2011

initiatives for the Relief Distribution in different Barangays of Iligan. My first involvement was in the packing of relief goods from various donors for identified beneficiaries. In the following day, I was part of the relief distribution team in Barangay San Antonio of Iligan City where most of the affected people living there already returned to their houses while some are still in the ily staying in Barangay Hall while the evacuation camps because their houses third day was on January 06, 2012 in were totally destroyed. The second relief distribution that I was involved with was on January 05, 2012 in Brangay Bagong Silang of the same city where the people are temporarBarangay Lanipao. In the distribution process, one team of volunteers from Kaagapay had been very conscious that we were serving many families of OFWs. I was aware that these people have experienced profound impact especially psychoat ang mapalawak kaalaman

logically because they were not together with their loved ones when the disaster happened. The deep pain is surely felt by both those members working abroad (OFWs) and those who directly experienced the furies of typhoon Sendong. Our works during these scant period was our small and humble contribution to lessen these pain. I knew that my involvement only took a very limited day and time but I also knew that behind that limited duration of the day and time was a big pleasure of kindness and joy for every survivor who benefit from it.

Ibat-ibang Pagsasanay, Inilunsad!

by: Ging Gasa

kahalagahan

ng

or-

ganisasyon at ang mga responsibilidad na nakaatang sa bawat lider at myembro ng isang organisasyon. Naging Masaya at makulay ang partisipasyon at diskusyon sa pagsasanay na ito.

pederasyon.

Ang adhikain Ang Kaagapay, katuwang ang mga myem- ng pagsasanay bro ng Kagkalimwa OFW Federation, ay na ito ay para naglunsad ng ibat-ibang pagsasanay na tu- mapalakas at mugon sa mga pangangailangan ng mga mapalawak ang staff at myembro ng pederasyon. Ang mga kaalaman at

sumusunod na pagsasanay ay nagging mata- mapadali ang gumpay dahil sa suporta mula sa Catholic pag-tukoy ng direksyon at makagawa ng 2) Training on Handmade Paper-Making Utilizing Water Hyacinth and Other Committee against Hunger and for Develop- hakbang o plano na naaayon sa palisiya ng Fibrous Materials; 15-16 November 2011 ment (CCFD) at Global Fund for Women. organisasyon at para sa epektibong pagbibigay ng serbisyo ng staff at maging sa mga Ang pagsasanay na ito ay inilunsad sa tu1) Organizational Development and Management Training; 25-27 October myembro ng organisasyon. Ito din ay naging long ng regional office ng Kagawaran ng 2011 paraan na makita at matalakay ng lahat ng Agham at Teknolohiya (DOST) 12 sa Ito ay dinaluhan ng anim (6) na staff ng lumahok ang naging karanasan at hamon sa pamamagitan nina Gng. Babai Tagitican at Kaagapay at anim (6) na mga aktibo at pro- mga nakalipas na mga taon na maaring mag- Gng. Sapia Uka. Dinaluhan ito ng dalawamduktibong lider ng ibat-ibang organisas- ing gabay na aral sa mga susunod pang mga put dalawang (22) myembro mula sa pedyong myembro ng pederasyon. Ang adhi- taon. Ang resource person na si Mabel Ca- erasyon at apat (4) mula sa Kaagapay. Nakain ng pagsasanay na ito ay para mapalakas rumba ay nagpaliwanang at nagpaintindi sa glalayun ang pagsasanay na ito na mabigyan Kaagapay Concerns 2011 8

ng dagdag na kaala- staff ng Kaagapay at sampung (10) aktibong lider na mga kababaiman ang mga lider han na myembro ng Kagkalimwa OFW Federation. Ito ay naglaat aktibong myem- layong matutunan ng mga kalahok ang mga pangunahing konsepto bro ng Kagkalimwa at mahahalagang proseso ng kasanayan sa epektibong pamamaraan OFW Federation na ng tamang paggamit ng estratehiya sa pamamahala ng proyekto. pagyamanin gamitin ang at Dagdag pa dito, natutunan ng mga kalahok ang mga pangunahing mga kaalaman at mahalagang paggamit ng Results-Based Management ng bawat myembro ng Kagkalimwa at staff ng Kaagapay ba bagsilbing aral na mapalakas at mapagtibay matagalang pamamahala ng proyekto na magdudulot ng pagbabago sa buhay ng mga benepisyaryo. Isa sa lumabas na rekomendasyon ay para sa Kaagapay na pagtibayin ang manwal para sa pananalapi para matulongan din ang manwal ng para sa epektibo at pang-

hibla (fiber) ng mga (RBM). Dito din natukoy ang ibat-ibang kahinaan at kakulangan materyalis na makikita sa kani-kanilang bakuran sa komunidad. Ito din ay naglalayun na makatulong at maging daan upang magkaroon ng posibleng dagdag na pagkakakitaan ang organisasyon. Ipinamalas ng mga resource persons ang kahalagahan ng tamang paggamit sa mga likas na yaman kagaya ng mga hibla na ginamit sa pagsasanay tulad ng water lily (hyacinth), durian husk at iba pa. Ang pagsasanay na ito ay naging panimula para sa Kaagapay at DOST na mapaangat ang antas ng kaalaman at kapasidad ng mga myembro ng pederasyon at maging lubusan ang kahusayan sa ibat-ibang gawaingpangkabuhayan. 3) Project Management Training; 6-8 December 2011

Si Gng. Gittel Saquilabon ng Sumpay Mindanao ang nagging re- pederasyon at maging ang chart of account nito. source person ng pagsasanay na ito na dinaluhan ng anim (6) na

A Day of Solidarity for the Global Action for Migrant Workers

During the World Social Forum on Migration that was organized in Quito, Ecuador last October 2010, Kaagapay was one of the organizations that gave commitment to join the Global Day of Action for Migrant Workers for 18 December 2011 as a way of commemorating the International Migrants Day and the 21st year of the UN Declaration

erably not a strategic day for the projection of issues, Kaagapay had organized it instead on 16 December 2011. During this commemorative annual event, Kaagapay together with Kagkalimwa OFW Federation and its network organizations in Cotabato City had launched the event by start-

was able to give joy through parlor games ing a caravan that went around the city and gift giving as a way of acknowledging of the International Convention on the Prowhich was then followed by a program at the sacrifices and suffering of the families of tection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers Isangs Chicken Inasal. The program had OFWs and OFW returnees. and Members of their Families. Since 18 provided venue for everyone to discuss the December fell on Sunday and it is considhuman rights issues of migrant workers, and
9 Kaagapay Concerns 2011

Filipino au pairs travel ban bypassed

By: ANA OF ES, AMSTERDAM. Volkskrant 15 July 2011, page 4

problems. This spring, the IND found abuses by seven offices, two of which exclusively mediate for Filipino au pairs. These women are quite vulnerable to exploitation because of their cultural background, within assertion is not appreciated.

Au pair agencies are bringing Filipino au pairs to the Netherlands through Scandinavia and Arab countries. It's a new way to A growing number of agencies just swears by au pairs from the Asian archipelago."Filipino women are highly educated and bypass the travel ban that the Philippine government has set for speak fluent English," says Patricia van Son, founder of U-Au au pairs to protect them against abuses. Pair. "They are very sweet and dependable, the best assistant The agencies recruit Filipino girls in Norway, Denmark and the United Arab Emirates to work as an au pair or domestic help. With their residence permit for that country, they can apply for an au pair visa for the Netherlands. The Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) confirms that this practice is permitted by law. The agencies use this shortcut because for already fourteen years the Philippine government prohibits its nationals to travel to the Netherlands and a number of other European as an au pair, for fear of exploitation. Despite the travel ban almost one in three au pairs in the Netherlands comes from the Philippines. The IND does not recognize the Philippine travel ban. The "international route" is for the au pair agencies an alternative for to have to work with corrupt agents who bribe the customs in Manila. "Bribery is not in the interest of the girl," said Huub van Beusekom, owner of Happy Au Pair in The Hague. "If it goes wrong, she gets a stamp in her passport, that prohibits her to leave the Philippines for a year . Therefore, we do not get girls directly any more from the Philippines. If we bring them to the Netherlands through Denmark and Norway, there is no stamp in their passport." Scandinavian and Arab countries are used as intermediate staThat the girls mainly come from Scandinavia to the Netherlands, tions for girls to come anyway to the Netherlands. The IND acis no coincident. From their mother country they can come freely to Norway, Denmark and Switzerland as an au pair, because there they have strict rules that ensure their welfare. The au pair industry in the Netherlands, however, suffers with
Kaagapay Concerns 2011 A translation of the article: Dutch Newspaper Volkskrant 15 July 2011, page 4 Reisverbod Filipijnse Au pairs Omzeild Translated by Petra Snelders a member of RESPECT Network Secretariat 10

mother that you can wish." She too gets her au pairs for the time being from Denmark. According to the Philippine Embassy in The Hague, the authorities in Manila demands a national contract that guarantees the rights of au pairs. It's an eyesore for them that at least one level of mediation demands a deposit of the girls amounting to several monthly salaries in the Philippines, to prevent their escape from their host family. "This deposit must be off the table," said viceconsul Cynthia Pelayo. "We doubt that a standard contract will add something," says a spokesman IND. "Everything is already in legislation." The IND hopes that the Philippine authorities will accept the introduction of our new Modern Immigration Act, which regulates that agencies will get a substantial fine if they lack monitoring the welfare of au pairs. Would it not be better if the IND stop allowing Filipino au pairs into the Netherlands, while the travel ban still exists? Vice consul Pelayo hesitates. "Unemployment in the Philippines is high. Often it is in the interest of the girls themselves that they can come to the Netherlands. "

cepts this trick, it is legally allowed.

Campaign for the Rights of Undocumented Migrant (Domestic) Workers in Europe and Internationally
Problems faced by the Migrant Domestic Workers (MDWs) in Europe The work of domestic and care services in the private home is categorized mainly as unskilled and is therefore in many European countries not recognized as a category for immigration. Work in the private home is highly unregulated. In this context, the worker is faced with an unsustainable status as a worker and as a migrant. And because of this lack of legal security, it is notoriously open to abuse and to violate basic human rights, as has been well documented. The working and living conditions of MDWs are highly vulnerable and subject to systematic violation of their labour and human rights. Violations such as no written contracts, no social benefits, no health insurance, job insecurity, multiple part-time jobs when live-out, total availability when live-in, no work no pay, total dependency on the employers goodwill, psychological, physical and even sexual harassment, fear to protest, and living in a constant fear of apprehension, detention and deportation. Also for documented migrant domestic workers there are structural reasons why they are vulnerable, particu-

inspection and immigration control, and last members of our Network in Europe, we urbut not least creating local employment op- gently call your attention to the prevailing portunities in the countries of origin, so that situation of widespread violation of the rights of undocumented migrant workers in domestic workers migrate out of choice and Europe and internationally. We seek the not out of desperation. But much of these support of the office of the UN Committee assume that governments recognize and on Migrant Workers in addressing the root value domestic work as work. causes of this systematic abuse of undocumented migrant workers rights and bring to Some Concluding Points your attention the following recommendaGlobally, migrant Domestic Workers are the tions: least protected workers. This is even worsened by the hypocrisy of the host govern- 1. Recognition of Domestic work as ments that ignore and deny their accountproper work and the inclusion of all ability to guarantee the protection of the domestic workers (women and men, basic human rights of all workers including young or old, national citizen or mimigrant domestic workers. This hypocrisy grant, live-in or live-out) as an integral of the host governments is evident in the part of the work force, and an immigraenforcement of labour migration policies tion status that recognises migrant dowhich deny migrant workers their labour mestic workers. rights and human rights. Furthermore this hypocrisy is also shown in their refusal to 2. Comprehensive legal protections: Labour legislation that applies to all other ratify and implement the ILO Convention workers to be applied to the domestic 189 and the UN Convention for the Protecworkers to ensure equal protection untion of the Rights of All Migrant Workers der the law related to written conand Members of their Families (included in tracts, agreed wages, hours of work and the General comment no. 1, on the situation of rest, health insurance and other social Migrant domestic workers adopted by the Combenefits, freedom of mobility and to mittee on the Protection of the Rights of all Miform self-organisations and join trade grant Workers, and Members of their Families, unions, freedom to change employers, Thirteenth e session - Geneva, 23 November 3 as well as provisions covering the December 2010) Year of campaigning for the unique circumstance of live-in domestic rights of Domestic Workers by the workers workers regarding living conditions and themselves, Trade Unions and other civil privacy. society organisations has culminated in the Effective mechanisms of enforcement of labour legislation: This should include protection against unjust termination; against the risks of homelessness of live-in domestic workers; paid holidays and sick leave days. Effective protection for migrant domestic workers: Migrant domestic workers should have a work permit independent of their employer to ensure avoidance of abuse and violation of rights regularly experienced in tied employment. Effective protection for Domestic Workers in the employment of the Diplomatic corps: Domestic workers in the employment of the Diplomatic corps should be protected by existing and new labour legislation and be able to access legal redress in the case of unjust

larly when their immigration status ties agreement last July 2011 in Geneva of the them to a particular employer. To some ILO Convention 189 on Decent Domestic 3. extent domestic work is included in labour Work. This is a historic achievement but a laws and legislation and in most countries first major step in the recognition of domestic work as work and the fundamental rights the labour laws are in principle for every of Domestic workers which will now go into worker, regardless of immigration status. a Ratification process. Despite this, and until But only a few of the migrant domestic the ILO Convention 189 is ratified, the fate 4. workers will take advantage of their labour and dignity of the migrant domestic workrights, because of fear of deportation. All ers around the world remains in a serious these factors combine to make migrant do- and uncertain condition. They have to deal mestic workers documented and undocu- continuously with a series of blows to their human rights as workers, despite their valumented - a particularly vulnerable group of able contribution in the economy of the host migrants. The measures necessary to proand home country. They are vulnerable to tect migrant domestic rights are no secret. multiple types of abuse, discrimination, op5. These include extending equal protection pression and exploitation from their emunder labour laws, adopting and enforcing ployers. standard employment contracts for migrant On this occasion of the United Nations Hudomestic workers, removing restrictive and man Rights Council (UNHRC) Day of General Discussion on Migrant Workers, from the perdiscriminating immigration and labour spective of the RESPECT NL and other laws, a decoupling between labour

11

Kaagapay Concerns 2011

drug mules, or their various experiences country when the OFWs are in bad situaof discrimination, cultural repression, har- tion, where is the government? assments, and the likes are only few to 1. Effective protection for au pairs: This mention, and worst, in the extent of a What then this straight path is a particularly vulnerable sector of death row and death sentence situation. (Tuwid na Daan) is giving and promispeople who work in the private home. ing to the overseas Filipinos? Where is The au pair framework should thereDespite of these, the Philippine this leading to? fore be strongly regulated. government gives them less and limited attention. After the long painstaking The Philippine government con2. Provisions to protect domestic workers months and years abroad, at least they tinuously has been encouraging labor exagainst physical, sexual and psychowere able to support family members to portation while at the same time allowed logical violence: These provisions ingo to school and build houses and acquire contractualization at the local indusclude access to immediate and confiproperties. With uncertainties, they were tries. Yes, the first campaign is a success dential redress as well as support for able to pass the test of being away from presenting the latter. and access to legal redress. home and loved ones although in other Poor response from the governSome Excerpts from the Document Submitted cases led to broken homes and broken by RESPECT Network to the United Nations future. ment in favor of its citizens both within Human Rights Council Committee on and outside the country seems to be crysMigrant Workers (19 September 2011) Sendong, the OFWs and the common tal clear. More lives have been sacrificed people as caused by ineffective mechanisms, insufficient attention and at the same time Leading to Where? Many OFW family members suf- denying the people from justice and serby: Remo Bansa fer when on the night of December 16 vice. night and dawn of December 17, typhoon Prioritizing the exportation of Overseas Filipino Workers Sendong flashed away thousands of homes, lives and future that until today workers without drawing clear picture on (OFWs) have been caught in between their struggles for economic survival and many are still missing in the affected how to develop local employment source in the global political, economic, and eco- communities of the cities of Cagayan de is a social and economic suicidal tenlogical crises. This is only one facet of the Oro, Iligan and Dumaguete. The invest- dency. And by allowing mining operahardships that they are facing despite the ments for life of OFWs have been washed tions and land conversions for employfact that they are among the key contribu- out by the typhoon carrying those dreams ment are considerably a social and ecotors for Philippine economy to roll. The of family and relatives swallowed by the logical suicide and genocide. It has put government through the PNoy Aquino strong current of waters, mud and logs in the country dependent on external factors (political uncertainties in the Middle East administration has kept on presenting a few moments. put danger to millions of OFWs in terms good developments on the remittances Aside from them, many local of employment) and at the same time alevery month saying that remittances keep on soaring high. Of course it will! With workers, professionals, common people lowing the wanton destruction of the more than five thousand Filipino workers who have invested their lives to these countrys ecology because of mining and falling in line at the international airport communities also lost most of its founda- loggings that put the future of the present everyday and the numerous visa and pass- tions, if not everything, and are falling in generations and those to come in clear port applicants, nobody in this poor coun- line for help and assistance from local and danger. try will expect a decline to those remit- international donors that almost draw a picture of lost dignity and dehumanized. Now, where are we leading to? tances.
or abusive treatment. Diplomats currently invoke diplomatic immunity.

There were questions of who allowed these victims to build homes in the hazard zones, questions of the preparedness on disasters, questions on the forest denudations and dePrioritizing the exportation of workers structions, etc. Who should be blamed? And without drawing clear picture on how to on the later days, where develop local employment source is a Does everybody imagine how is the government? social and economic suicidal tendency hard the lives of the OFWs have in those The same quesstrange and distant countries? The abuses tion applies outside the among domestic workers, using them as However, did these considerably key economic contributors receive worthy program and services from the government in return? It should be a key question that the public and private institutions and agencies need to know the answers and ought to reflect on.
Kaagapay Concerns 2011 12

How Effective are Those?: A Review on the Initiatives of P-Noy's Administration in Addressing the Situation of OFWs
Year 2011 was another year full of various challenges for the current government administration of the country. One of those was the issues and problems that OFWs are confronted with. Below are the environmental and political crises that stroked in different parts of the world and on how the current government administration responded for affected OFWs and their families. of the most surprising statements that come from the concerned leading government agencies which received various condemnation and scornful testimonies from migrants rights advocates was the advice that OFWs should remain where they are until the government gave further instructions. This had resulted for some affected OFWs and their families to blame the government for its slow response when the situation became worst which in effect made some OFWs locked themselves up and experienced scarcity of food in the homes of their employers. However, the government had notable efforts such as repatriation, Php10,000.00 cash assistance for each OFW, and loan assistance program. Despite of these responsive efforts though, many OFWs have opted to remain where they are. For instance in Libya, and maybe the same case in other chaotic countries, OFWs had preferred the salary increases with as much as 300%, additional working benefits and job security compared to availing the government-sponsored repatriation program and of the possibility of not having jobs in the Philippines. In Syria, for example, many OFWs are still wary to be repatriated and would rather risk their physical and personal security for better job opportunities compared when they are at home where surely they will be jobless. The less number of repatriated OFWs from this country might be one of the reasons why the Philippine Ambassador to Syria Wilfredo Cuyugan was recalled from office during the height of the political crisis in late month of August and was replaced by Charge d'Affaires (CDA) Ricardo Endaya who is said to be an expert on repatriation. But thanks anyway to the Syrian revolution, otherwise, the 90% of the estimated 17,000 OFWs as undocumented Filipino workers would not have been disclosed to the public. Korea or North Korea, Dominica, East Timor or Timor Leste, Eritrea, Haiti, India, Iraq, Kyrgyzstan or Kyrgyz Republic, and Lesotho. The list shows that no countries in the Middle East were banned especially those countries where rampant abuses and maltreatments of Filipino domestic workers are reported. In the case of Kaagapay, for instance, majority of the facilitated OFWs are working in the Middle East countries (please see last page for reference). Does this mean that the reported rampant abuses are not enough to talk about how OFWs are adequately protected by the legal measures in the host countries? Does this mean that the Philippine government is not fully doing its obligation to respect, protect and fulfill the rights and welfare of OFWs? In this context, sufficiency and effectiveness of attention, response and initiative is deemed necessary for OFWs especially that they contributed much to the country and because of the fact that the government has nothing to offer for their economic survival aside from dole-out cash assistance and loan assistance program.

1. Japan's earthquake and tsunami On the 11th of March 2011, a killer earthquake and tsunami hit the northeastern region of Japan that brought shock not only to the Filipinos but to the rest of the peoples in the world. According to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), there are 305,973 Filipinos living in Japan and 224,558 of them are in the disaster affected areas. The agency at the same time admitted that they had no record of the contact numbers of Filipinos living in specific cities within the prefectures. Some Filipino students in Sendai City, on the other hand, complained about what they described as the slowness and inefficiency of an embassy team sent to their area, and its apparent lack of contingency plan and evacuation program, though media reports showed that there are repatriated Filipinos who had either availed the assistance of the government or the one offered by the discount fares of Philippine Airlines. 2.The Arab Spring Arab Spring is remembered to have started last 17 December 2010 at the country of Tunisia when a jobless graduate Mahomed Bouazizi sets fire to himself and later dies after the police seized his cart of vegetables that he was selling. It was then followed by several protests that lasted less than a month and caused President Ben Ali to bow out to protests and fled to Saudi Arabia. These protests have encouraged other countries in the North Africa to call for regime change. What happened to Tunisia also happened in Egypt and Libya while others such as Syria, Jordan, Bahrain, Yemen, to name a few, are still struggling nowadays. These political unrests have also brought unrest to the Filipinos both those working in the abovementioned countries and their families left in the Philippines. The Philippine government's readiness in securing the welfare of OFWs in the mentioned countries was put into test. During the first eruption of the Arab revolution in Tunisia and Egypt, one
13

4. Looking at the Local The situation in the Philippines should not be exempted from this review since it is considerably one of the biggest suppliers of labor forces in the world. What happened in the international arena is a contributory factor in the unending process of deployment and repatriation. Philippine deployment of labor is continuous because of the continuing overseas labor demand and the insufficient job prospects at the domestic level. But this should not be tolerated; otherwise, quality labor forces will be outnumbered in the Philippines, which, in fact, are already felt nowadays in public schools and hospitals. Hence, local DECENT 3. Abuses VS. Law Compliance jobs should be ensured and secured by the In late October 2011, the Philippine government. Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) had announced its issuance of deployOn the other hand, families of OFWs ment ban to 41 countries due to non- in the country have regularly suffered from compliance with the requirements set by Re- calamities. This should not be taken in by evepublic Act 10022 (Amendatory Act of RA ryone as opportunity to demand for the in8042) that OFW-host countries should have crease of the remittance and benefit from such adequate protection measures for foreign disaster to their already overworked relatives workers. These countries include Afghanistan, abroad. The national and local governments Lebanon, Libya, Antigua and Barbuda, Barba- should not address this concern with any podos, Cambodia, Cayman Islands, Chad, Croa- litical game but rather focus to the welfare of tia, Cuba, Democratic Peoples Republic of OFWs and their families.
Kaagapay Concerns 2011

Local and Overseas Employment and the Peoples' Struggle Behind Economic and Political Exploitations
Philippine experience of overseas employment has become The abuse of power has also something to do with the

a modern trend in the lives of Filipinos. They are economically problem of employment in a certain country. In the Philippines, the forced to choose whether to work in the country or outside the 20-year dictatorship of Marcos and his declaration of Martial Law country in which circumstances are waiting on its way. resulted to the financial instability of the country. As a response, This trend is an effect of various factors which are hardly the then government promoted overseas work to cover the financial observed though felt directly by the people. For over the years, peo- problem. In putting a comparison to the Arab countries that emple in general suffer from the abusive system of capitalism which is braced Arab spring, the long years of stay in power of prime minisexperienced in every country not only in the Philippines. Workers ters who at the same time have the economic power, had resulted to exerted countless efforts and contributed much to the profit and the revolt of the citizens. One of the seen factors of the revolt is income of companies. However, this effort and contribution is not their government's policy on importing labor force while their own recognized and is not given importance by those who benefit much, citizens have no jobs. instead, they are paid with cheap compensation which is consideraInstead of formulating a solution to the problem, the govbly insufficient for the daily financial needs. The situation becomes ernment of the mentioned countries formulated a program/policy worse when the financial crisis hit every corner of the globe which that suites best their interest in benefiting from the problem of the has more immense impact to the ordinary citizens and workers. labor force. The economic cost of the country's labor exportation is They were laid off from the jobs or are affected by the outsourcing the bounty of dollars of remittance of the OFWs. Enough reason for of companies whose primary concern is to save the financial stabil- the Philippine government to continuously deploy its people. Those ity of the company and profits of the capitalists. Good examples of in the Arab countries, on the other hand, are enjoying the result of which is the case of the Philippine Airlines Employees Association cheap labor of the migrant workers. Unfortunately, the Arab spring (PALEA), the displacement of the indigenous peoples from their had minimized it at some point in some countries. ancestral land due to mining exploration and activities, the exThis phenomenal problem of lack of economic opportuniploitative increase of deregulated prices of petroleum products ties should be seriously addressed. The Philippine government which greatly affects the transport sector and ordinary citizens, should address instead local employment and not rely on overseas continuous contractualization of employment in commercial estab- jobs to pacify the needs of the Filipinos since this will put at risk lishments, land grabbing that encroached to the development of the the number of quality human resources that the country has. At the ordinary farm sector. These, among others, are indicators of very other side of the coin, Arab countries and among other labor receivserious unequal distribution of wealth in the country. sioner on Human Rights), one of the reasons why people move is ing countries should ensure the balanced employment of both local From the perspective of community-centered development According to UNHCHR (United Nations High Commis- and migrant citizens as a way of ensuring stable political growth. because of this uneven distribution of wealth in their respective work, each government has the corresponding responsibilities and countries, which is very true in the Philippine experience of labor obligations in addressing the economic needs of the people, premigration. Since only few elite people are controlling the country's serving their values and upholding their rights and welfare. economic and political systems, other people who are controlled/ manipulated are forced to choose life that is more comfortable and most beneficial even if this means being away from their loved ones and their country. One cannot blame the Filipinos why they prefer seeking jobs overseas.
Kaagapay Concerns 2011 14

One cannot blame the Filipinos why they prefer seeking jobs overseas.

THEIR Long and Winding Road

This article shows about how relevant is the song, Long and Winding Road of The Beatles of the seventies to the lives of OFWs in particular and to the Filipinos in general today. The long and winding road That leads to your door Will never disappear Living in an almost hopeless country where prices of petroleum products soaring high because of deregulation, rampant land reform, land grabbing, improper realization of land reform, increasing prices of food products without decent increase of the workers' wages, job insecurity, and limited immediate response to disasters and calamities are in fact, will never disappear in the minds of every Filipino. The promised straight road was turned into long and winding road that leads to the door of those who are in power especially if the concern is directed to something else such as the punishing and impeaching people who are not befriend to them (Philippine government). as those what the people have experienced before. It seems that the promised road to take is the same as the road before. It seems that the suffering, anxieties and hardship of the OFWs are always leading to their door of interest and gain. Why leave me standing here? Let me know the way Despite of the reported and documented cases of abuses of OFWs particularly domestic workers in the Middle East countries, the government pays less and limited attention and response to their welfare, leaving them standing in a difficult situation without anyone responsible who can lead them the way. The government in fact is accountable to the realization of its obligations to respect, protect and fulfill the rights and welfare of its citizens where ever they are. Many times I've been alone And many times I've cried, Anyway you'll never know The many ways I've tried who are living in luxury of power and money. For often times the rich becomes richer while the poor becomes poorer; the reason they will never know the many ways the people have tried to struggle for social justice and freedom. And still they lead me back To the long and winding road You left me standing here A long, long time ago Despite of the promises said many times by various government administrations from the local up to the national level though in different way, and despite of the promises of what kind of road to take, still the situation is the same and still they lead the people back to the same road before. And this leads us to question once more, that why a country so rich in terms of natural and human resources but it is so poor in terms of economic, political and cultural? But this long and winding road will surely lead to the door of total human liberation and freedom if the people will take charge of their lives and future and the people should not leave such endeavor and directions to others

I've seen that road before It always leads me here The various situations that are experienced by Lead me to your door OFWs in particular and Filipino workers in Don't leave me waiting here It seems that the current situation is the same general are not able to experience by those Don't keep me waiting here

Inspiring Work Experience with OFWs in the First World

by: Hasmin Bayao

It was like a dream come true for me when I went to the first world country like The Netherlands. As I stepped down from the airplane, I felt the coldness of the weather that made me smile and felt excited. Their airport is a huge one and many nationalities of colored white, black and brown people that I met along the way. I rode on an extravagant taxi and a white European driver wore a uniform so formally, that I said to myself, this is the scene that I only saw in a television and now it is me driven by a white man to my destination. This experience will not be completed if I dont have the chance to see more of this country. I went to the other cities and I witnessed how beautiful and organized the places and the people are. I met many Filipino friends who work as domestic workers in which I had a good experience with them. They shared their own stories and lives on their work in the foreign country. One of them shared that working in a differ-

ent country is really a tiring and routinary one especially when she needs to wake up early in the morning to clean houses or offices. She is always in pressure to work, a reason for her to keep on catching the time not to be late. This is the everyday routine of work of a domestic worker in which one should move faster to clean more houses or offices in a day in order to earn more money. Others, on the other hand, said that even how hard they work such hardship is still not enough since their family back home keeps on asking them more money, a reason why sometimes they forgot their personal needs. The shared stories of those Filipinos were realized in my own experienced in the coming days. I woke up very early in the morning in order to catch up with the first train despite of the cold. I ran so fast to the station where I met the Filipinos who invited me to be part of their domestic work team. I was almost out of my breath and I kept on sweating despite of the cold. In starting the tasks, everyone in the team agreed to divide the tasks so we can finish it earlier and in spite of the fact that none of us took any bite for breakfast. When I started cleaning, they were always worried about me asking if I am still okay. They just didnt know that my biggest worries is not on how I adopt on the work but to

them on how they treated easily their work since they are not using gloves and mask despite of the strong cleaning chemicals they used. It was the same routine until the end of the day when I ate with them and accepted the share of the fruit of the days labor. I felt so happy for the first time to receive money that I knew I really work hard on from this strange country. For the first time, I felt that I became an OFW and I began to understand profoundly the works I have been doing back home. One important thing that I realized on this kind of work is its earning capacity for Filipinos there, but the big question that always keeps me thinking is, how long will it take? Yes, they are fully enjoying the beauty of the country and earning much money out of their work which enables them to send their siblings/ children to school. However, I have the fear for them if discovered by the police because many of them are undocumented. This is a reality that no one can deny and this is just the tip of the iceberg. I am grateful for all the Filipino whom Ive met there for giving me the chance to deeply understand what they are having through and capable to help their families back home.

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Kaagapay Concerns 2011

Literatures...
Munting Tahanan
by: mhineshinn

Layunin, Adhikain
ni tatay remo, abp

Buhay OFW
by : cathy

Araw ng aking paglisan Sa aking munting tahanan hinubog Dala ang panibagong pag-asa Na kaunting kaalaman ay tanging sandata Habang tinatahak ang daan Kasabay ang lungkot at galak Na wariy nanunumbat sa aking paglayo Ngunit ipinikit ang mata at binuksan ang puso Sa unang tapak sa bansang banyaga Nasilayan ko ang mga taong sa akiy ibang-iba Na di maintindihan ang wikang sambit Animoy pahiwatig ay lungkot at parusa Sa paglipas ng panahon Ang kanilang mga mababagsik na tinig Ay mistulang musika sa aking pandinig, Kailanmay hindi padadaig!

Ni minsan bay naisip magaganap ito Kailangan bang dumanas upang matuto Inakyat mga bubong sa gitna ng dilim Innanod mga buhay at pangarap natin Walang kinilalang mahirap at mayaman Lahat lahat na ay sinagasaan Iisang layunin, iisang adhikain Ngayon, kalikasan ating sagipin Bumalikwas sa kulturang sakim Singilin sabay ang mga ganid Huwag ikatuwang maraming pumanaw Sa hustisya kaluluway uhaw Iwagayway iisang layunin Paliyabin iisang adhikain Kalikasan oh inang kalikasan Sagipin, sagipin buhay natin Huwag hayaang magunaw na lang Anurin at lunurin nang tuluyan May magagawa pa, ikaw at tayong lahat Matat kaisipan ay imulat

Buhay na pinapangarap Tutuparin na maging ganap Lilipad kahit mahirap Sa ibang bansay magsisikap Labag man sa kalooban Mahal sa buhay ay iiwan Pagkalipas ng taon at buwan Ginhawa naman ang magigisnan Dahilan nitoy pamilyang maiiwan At di gumaya kay Eba at Adan Kapag tuksoy hinayaan at di napigilan Siguradong walang pamilyang babalikan Buhay OFW ibat-iba ang kapalaran Suwerte kadalasan, may bigo paminsan-minsan Mahalagay makabalik muli sa baying sinilangan Nang muling mayakap mahal na naiwan

Ang aking inaasam na pagbabalik Lilisanin na rin ang bansang umalipin sa akin Ngunit nagbigay ng panandaliang kaginhawaan Sa buhay na puno ng pasakit Ngunit ang kapalit ng paglayo Ay pagkawasak ng munting tahanan ko Kasabay ng pagguho ng aking buhay Ito ba ang kapalit sa aking pagsusumikap at paghihintay?

Kaagapay Concerns 2011

16

Reached-out Communities of ETO and LAC Programs for Orientation and Other Services for 2011

The programs of Education, Training and Organizing (ETO) and Legal Assistance and Counseling (LAC) had jointly conducted initiatives in providing awareness education and other services to various communities that have notable numbers of OFWs and their families. The table below only shows the new areas where the programs had reachedout and excluded those areas in Cotabato City, provinces of Maguindanao and North Cotabato that it regularly provided with different educational activities. Since Kaagapay had received in 2010 cases of complaints of OFWs whose place of origin is in Sultan Naga Dimaporo in the province of Lanao del Norte, the programs then conducted orientation on various issues and concerns that confronted OFWs and their families specifically about human trafficking and illegal recruitment in the said province. The same orientation was also conducted in Taguig City where some Kaagapay staff have different opportunities in reaching out in Metro Manila. Part of Maguindanao, the Municipality of Datu Odin Sinsuat, which is considered as a sending municipality, was also given with the same orientation. Out of these orientations in various areas and communities, it came out from the observations of both the beneficiaries and Kaagapay the need to have a half-way house in Metro Manila which would address the mental, emotional, and intellectual readiness of would-be OFWs from Mindanao before they are deployed to other countries and at the same time the need to debrief them to prepare the reintegration of OFW returnees before they return back to their provinces in Mindanao.

AREA Sultan Naga Dimaporo, Lanao del Norte Taguig City, NCR Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao

Number of Beneficiaries 288 15 23

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Kaagapay Concerns 2011

Women OFW Crisis Center Update

Kaagapay, through the OFW Women Crisis Center of the Legal Assis- Chart 3. Sex tance & Counseling (LAC) program, had served and facilitated once again OFWs and OFW returnees in 2011. For this year, 34 OFWs and OFW returnees benefited from the service of the program. This is illustrated below into various demographic categories. The cases/claims of these beneficiaries are obtained through drop-in, reach-out & referral system. Chart 1. CATEGORIES OF BENEFICIARIES In the whole twelve months of 2011, 94% (32) of the beneficiaries are females while only 6% (2) are males. Chart 4. Place of Origin

The first chart shows that 79% (27) of the beneficiaries are OFWs while 21% (7) are returnees who were extended with assistance for the year 2011. 35% (12) of the beneficiaries come from the province of Chart 2. CASE/CLAIM CATEGORY Maguindanao in Municipalities such as Datu Odin Sinsuat,Upi, Shariff Aguak, Tanuan, while the least 9% (3) come from the outside area of operation. Chart 5. Country of Destination

This chart shows that money claim is again the most received and facilitated cases of the program in 2011. 47% (16) of the beneficiaries have this claim while the least case is the mental disorder which is 2% (1). Kaagapay Concerns 2011 Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is again the top destination of the beneficiaries wherein 55% (19) of them work there. The least country of the beneficiaries, on the other hand, includes Taiwan and Oman. 18

Editorial Board
Francis Alolod Goldy Omelio

Contributors
Fats Lintang Ging Gasa Hasmin Bayao Remo Bansa Fe Jusay Racma Nguda Romilyn Cruz Goldy Omelio

Para sa inyong mga komentaryo, kontribusyon at suhestiyon, sumulat o magsadya lamang sa aming tanggapan sa 349 Ante Compound, Sinsuat Avenue, Rosary Heights IV, Contabato City o tumawag sa numero bilang (64) 4215024. Malugod namin itong tatanggapin lalo nat may kinalaman sa isyu at problema ng mga OFWs at kanilang pamilya.

Lay-out Design
RJ Gahum

Photo Selection
Romilyn Cruz

KAAGAPAY Overseas Filipino Workers Resource and Service Center, Inc # 349 Ante Compound, RH 4 Sinsuat Avenue, Cotabato City 9600 Mindanao, PHILIPPINES Email : kaagapaycotabato98@gmail.com Website : www.kaagapaycotabato.org Telephone # : (063) (064) 421-5024

Ang Kaagapay Concerns ay inilathala ng Kaagapay OFW Resource and Service Center, Inc. sa tulong pinansyal mula sa Comit Catholique contre la Faim et pour le Dveloppement at ng Global Fund for Women