Atikha Projects
AusAID PACAP Project:
Mainstreaming Migration and Development Initiatives in LGUs and Schools with High Concentration of Overseas Filipinos
Project Goals and Objectives:
Long-term goal:
To contribute to reduced poverty and good governance by building the capacities of local government, educators, migrants and their families and other stakeholders in minimizing the social cost and maximizing the gains of migration to create jobs and economic opportunities in the communities.
Short-term objectives:
- Develop capacities of the city government of San Fernando Pampanga and Tarlac City, Tarlac in integrating migration in development planning and in setting-up OFW Migration Source Centers that shall implement programs and services to minimize the social cost of migration and maximize its development potential
- Develop capacities of teachers in Pampanga and Tarlac in integrating migration issues and financial literacy in the curriculum and in implementing school based intervention
- Develop and operate a regular TV program in Region 3 – “ Pinoy WISE” ( Worldwide Initiative for Savings Investment and Entrepreneurship) that shall be webcasted to Filipinos worldwide to promote savings consciousness and investment in rural development in partnership with local governments and OFW organizations of Pampanga and Tarlac.
The project will link migration with development by building the capacities of various stakeholders in areas with high concentration of migration in providing services to minimize the social cost and maximize the gains from remittances of migrants. It shall provide training in Integrating Migration in Development Planning and in Setting up Programs and Services for Migrants and Families Left Behind for LGUs and other organizations with migrants. It shall monitor and mentor the LGUs Pampanga and Tarlac and other stakeholders and ensure that relevant services for migrants are set-up. These 2 provinces were prioritized from among the other provinces since they have requested for assistance from Atikha and initial discussions on possible partnerships have already been discussed.
Aside from the LGUs, the Department of Education plays a vital role in inculcating the right information, values and attitudes with regards to migration. The project will also build on the initiatives of Atikha in Integrating Migration in the Curriculum. It shall develop further in partnership with the Curriculum Division and teachers of Social Studies, Values Education and Career Pathway for Technology and Livelihood Education (CPTLE) the Integration of Migration Issues in the Elementary and Secondary Education.
In addition to the various information education conducted by the LGUs and schools on minimizing the social cost and maximizing the gains of migration, community television will also be utilized in providing information and education among migrants and families left behind. Atikha will produce regular community Television Program on Migration. This will be done in partnership with the LGUs and other organizations working with migrants in the area. The television programs will also be viewed through the internet to reach a wider number of migrants.
Expected Results
Key Outputs
- 20 LGU staff and other stakeholders trained in setting up programs and services for migrants and family members
- 2 OFW Migration Centers established in Pampanga and Tarlac and 2 migration and development initiatives identified for pilot project and 500 migrants and families provided direct services
- 200 teachers trained in integrating migration issues in the curriculum
- 100,000 migrants and family members reached in the information and education activities
- 34 Episodes of OFW – “Pinoy Wise” (Worldwide Initiative for Saving Investment and Entrepreneurship) Program
Project Component & Methods. The project component and methodology will be:
A. Capacity building of LGUs and other stakeholders in Setting UP OFW center and in implementing programs and services for OFWs and families left behind. Series of training will be conducted for 20 staff of local government units and other stakeholders involved in setting up and managing the OFW Migration Resource Centers
The following capacity building will be conducted to the staff of the San Fernando City and Tarlac City and their partners:
A.1 Seminar on Setting up OFW Migration Centers – 4-day training which includes 2 day of lecture discussion on the nexus between migration and development; situation of OFWs and families left behind; integrating migration in development planning; requisites in setting up OFW Migration Resource centers and planning. The seminar includes a 2-day exposure to national government agencies involved in migration including OWWA, POEA, Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) and Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs (OUMWA) and also migration and development initiatives in Region 4.
A.2 Integrating Migration in Development Planning – this is a 3 day seminar to be conducted by NEDA Region Office with the key LGU executives on identifying migration and development agenda and initiatives that can be linked with migrant remittances. The result of the seminar is the development of migration and development project that can be linked with migrant investment and philanthropy that will create jobs and economic opportunities in the area. The seminar will also include inputs in mobilizing migrant savings and donations and linking with development initiatives.
A.3 Financial Literacy Training of Trainers and Peer Counseling Seminar – this is a 5 day hands on intensive seminar conducted to staff of LGUs, cooperatives and NGOs on budgeting, goal setting and financial planning and addressing family issues that drain resources for migrants and families left behind.
B. Setting up OFW Migration Resource Center in Pampanga and Tarlac. The 2 LGUs will be monitored and mentored so that they will be able to fulfill the legal, physical and financial requisites for the setting up of the OFW Migration Resource Center. The process for the setting up of the center will be the following:
B.1 Convene Multi-stakeholder Coordinating Network composed of representatives of the LGU, OWWA, DOLE, POEA, Social Welfare, PESO, Planning Officer, DTI, NGOs and other stakeholders working with migrants to map out initiatives and areas for partnership and coordination
B.2 Preparation of a Sanguniang Panlungsod / Pambayan Ordinance for the creation of the OFW Migration Center defining the task and functions, personnel and budget
B.3 Physical construction /renovation of the OFW Migration center
Project Partners
