QC to open Migrant Resource Center

August 24 ------ QUEZON City Mayor Maria Josefina "Joy" Belmonte announced that the local government, in partnership with the International Labor Organization (ILO), is set to open the Migrant Resource Center (MRC) within the City Hall compound.

Belmonte said the proposed MRC will become the first-ever one-stop shop destination for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and their families in the National Capital Region (NCR). She said the establishment of the center was part of the implementation agreement signed by the city government and ILO to boost QC's migration and development governance, program implementation and service delivery. "We are elated about this partnership as this means, finally, the implementation of our existing ordinance that pushes for the creation of an MRC. From then until now, our goal is to honor our OFWs by taking action and leading them to a future where they will be met with a positive, profitable, and successful cross-border journey," Belmonte said.

The local chief executive was referring to Ordinance SP 2500, series of 2016, or "An Ordinance creating the Quezon City Migrants Resource Center," which she passed when she was still the vice mayor during the 19th City Council. Under the measure, the MRC will cater to all types of migrants, as well as permanent, temporary and undocumented workers. Likewise, various migration programs and services from the city and other partner groups will be brought under one roof. It will provide assessment and referral services, local employment facilitation, psycho-social first aid and information on migration through the OFW Help Desk. Case handling and legal aid services will also be made available as well as reintegration services such as livelihood skills training, re-skilling, and re-tooling for those returning to the city and seminars and training for OFWs and their family circles, Belmonte said. In keeping with the city government's strong advocacy for women's empowerment and gender equality, the center will be tasked with developing gender-sensitive activities for migratory women, with the local Public Employment Services Office (PESO) serving as the secretariat.

PESO Manager Rogelio Reyes said the move is a testament that the city is stepping up as a partner of the national government in protecting the rights and welfare of OFWs. "This time, we are implementing at the local level some of the key functions of the national government, and we are filling critical gap areas in policy and program implementation and service provision," Reyes said. Khalid Hassan, director of the ILO Country Office in the Philippines, said establishing the Center is a landmark step for OFWs, as Quezon City is recognized as one of the top places of origin for the OFWs.

Source: manilatimes.net