Creation of an Inter-Agency Committee for the Celebration of the Month of Overseas Filipinos and International Migrants Day

October 10, 2007

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 202

CREATING AN INTER-AGENCY COMMITTEE FOR THE CELEBRATION OF THE MONTH OF OVERSEAS FILIPINOS AND INTERNATIONAL MIGRANTS DAY IN THE PHILIPPINES

WHEREAS, Proclamation No. 276, issued by President Corazon C. Aquino in 1988 declared December of every year as "Month of Overseas Filipinos", to give recognition to Filipinos abroad and encourage their participation in development activities in the country; AEIDTc

WHEREAS, a United Nations' General Assembly Resolution adopted on 4 December 2000, proclaimed December 18 of every year as "International Migrants Day", calling all member states, as well as intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations, to observe this occasion through the dissemination of information regarding the fundamental rights and freedoms of migrants, and the formulation of policies and program of action to ensure their protection;

WHEREAS, the Philippine government recognizes the significant role of Filipino migrants in national development;

WHEREAS, the Philippine government recognizes the "Month of Overseas Filipinos" and the "International Migrants Day" as avenues for collective action to promote the welfare of Filipino migrants, recognize their role in nation building and national development, strengthen their ties with the Philippines and raise public awareness on various issues concerning migrants;

WHEREAS, the Philippine Migrants Rights Watch (PMRW) is an umbrella organization of 12 migrant civil society organizations working for the recognition, protection and fulfillment of the rights of Filipino migrants in the Philippines and abroad, through policy advocacy and constant collaboration with fellow advocates and various stakeholders in the field of migration;

WHEREAS, the Commission of Filipinos Overseas (CFO), an agency under the Office of the President, is mandated to strengthen the ties of Filipinos overseas with the Philippines, as well as promote their interests in the Philippines and abroad, and has, since its establishment in 1980, developed and implemented various programs recognizing Filipino individuals and organizations overseas for their exceptional achievement and invaluable contribution to the country, including the bi-annual Presidential Awards for Filipinos and Filipino Organizations Overseas.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby order the creation of an Inter-Agency Committee (IAC) for the celebration of the "Month of Overseas Filipinos" and the "Philippine International Migrants Day."

SECTION 1. Chair and Co-Chair. — The Philippine Migrant Rights Watch (PMRW) shall be the Chair of IAC and the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) shall be its Co-Chair.

SECTION 2. Composition. — Together with the PMRW and the CFO, the IAC shall also include, but not limited to the following agencies:

1. Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)

2. Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA)

3. Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA)

4. Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA)

5. Department of Tourism (DOT)

6. Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)

7. Office of the Press Secretary (OPS)

8. Philippine Migration Research Network (PMRN)

9. Migrant Forum Asia (MFA)

SECTION 3. Role of the Inter-Agency Committee. — The IAC shall:

1. Prepare an integrated inter-agency program to commensurate the "Month of Overseas Filipinos" and the "International Migrants Day", in December and December 18 of every year, respectively, with the end in view of promoting the welfare of Filipino Migrants, recognizing their role in nation-building and national development, strengthening their ties with the Philippines, and raising public awareness on various issues concerning migrants.

2. Oversee the implementation of the various programs and activities for the two aforesaid occasions, and encourage the widest participation of overseas Filipinos and the larger Philippine community.

3. Organize working groups to coordinate and supervise matters related to the commemoration of the aforesaid occasions.

4. Mobilize private sector participation in all aspects of the celebration.

5. Undertake other activities as may be necessary for the achievement of the objectives enumerated in Sec. 3.1, hereof, within the periodic parameters of the two occasions.

SECTION 4. Assistance. — The IAC is hereby authorized to call upon all other agencies and instrumentalities of the Philippine government, as well as non-government organizations catering to Filipino migrants and their families, whose assistance and support may be deemed necessary to the effective dispatch of the role of the IAC. The departments, agencies, and instrumentalities called upon by the IAC for assistance are hereby directed to extend their full cooperation.

SECTION 5. Funding. — The IAC may seek grants, and accept donations from other entities to finance or support its relevant projects, programs and activities.

SECTION 6. Separability Clause. — Should any part or provision of this Administrative Order be held unconstitutional or invalid, the other parts or provisions hereof which are not affected shall continue to be in full force and effect.

SECTION 7. Effectivity. — This Administrative Order shall take effect immediately.

DONE in the City of Manila, this 10th day of October, in the Year of Our Lord, Two Thousand and Seven.