Mainstreaming Migration, Development and Remittances at the Country Level H.E. Mr. Libran N. Cabactulan Permanent Representative of the Philippines to the UN

GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS Definition of ‘migrant’ covers permanent, temporary (voluntary) & refugees (involuntary). Also ‘documented’ or ‘undocumented’, as well as, ‘internal’ or ‘international’. For many countries, the term may be associated with local realities – developing countries refer to ‘migrant workers’; developed countries may look at those coming in to settle permanently. According to the UNDP Human Development Report 2009, there are many misconceptions about migrants – in fact, most migration is internal, also most international migration occurs within countries of same level of development.

PHILIPPINE CONTEXT For the Philippines, migration primarily refers to movement outside its borders. Around 10% of RP population of 90 million are abroad either on a permanent or temporary basis, found in almost 200 countries and territories and on the high seas. Top 5 country in annual net out-migration One of the top 10 migration corridors (RP- US)

PHILIPPINE CONTEXT Mainstreaming Migration General Framework General Framework Government Institutions Government Institutions Philippine Overseas Employment Administration Philippine Overseas Employment Administration Overseas Workers Welfare Administration Overseas Workers Welfare Administration Commission on Filipinos Overseas Commission on Filipinos Overseas DFA, OUMWA, DOLE DFA, OUMWA, DOLE TESDA, Seamen training TESDA, Seamen training Legal framework Legal framework Domestic laws Domestic laws Magna Carta for Filipino Migrant Workers Magna Carta for Filipino Migrant Workers International International International Convention on the Protection of International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of all Migrant Workers & Members of their Families Bilateral Agreements Bilateral Agreements

PHILIPPINE CONTEXT Development and remittances RP is in Top 10 recipients of migrant remittances (no. 4), and in top 20 of % of remittances to GDP. (WB 2009) Remittances are greater than ODA and FDI. Remittances continue to increase through the economic & financial crisis. Efforts are exerted to channel remittances to domestic investments (business and real estate) rather than to pure consumption.

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