The Quezon City government and the International Labour Organization (ILO) will launch the Migrant Resource Center (MRC), the first-ever one-stop shop destination for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and their families in the National Capital Region.
In line with the 144th birth anniversary of former President Manuel Luis Quezon or the Quezon City Day, the ceremonial signing of the agreement between Quezon City LGU and ILO took place on Aug. 22 at the Risen Garden, Quezon City Hall compound.
The partnership is supported by the International Labour Organization-United Nations (ILO-UN) Women Safe and Fair Programme and International Labour Organization-International Organization for Migration-United Nations (ILO-IOM-UN) Women Bridging Recruitment to Reintegration in Migration Governance (BRIDGE) Programme.
The MRC will be open to all types of migrants including permanent, temporary, and undocumented workers. It will provide various migration programs and services from Quezon City and other partner groups.
It will also take part in the assessment and referral services, local employment facilitation, psycho-social first aid, and the provision of relevant information on migration through the OFW Help Desk.
QC Public Employment Service Office (PESO) manager Rogelio Reyes said that the partnership is a step-up move initiated by the city in becoming the national government's steadfast partner in protecting the rights and welfare of OFWs.
Under MRC, OFWs are provided case handling and legal aid services.
They are also offered reintegration services such as life skills training, re-skilling, and re-tooling for OFWs returning to the city as well as seminars and training.
The BRIDGE Programme is jointly implemented by the ILO, United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) and International Organization for Migration (IOM), in collaboration with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Office of the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office (UNRCO) in the Philippines, according to www.ilo.org.
The program aims to facilitate fair and ethical recruitment and safeguard conditions for decent work and ensure safe and dignified return of migrants as well as sustainable reintegration. (Diann Calucin)