The southwestern tip of the Philippine archipelago has mostly seemed like a separate territory, primarily because of extreme religious and cultural differences. Decades of strife and armed conflict here ended when the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) was formed in 2019. Unfortunately, the region still faces a myriad of challenges. It houses some of the poorest provinces in Mindanao and its geographical location also makes it an enticing corridor and back-door exit of migrant workers to nearby countries. These combined factors make it a vulnerable hotspot for illegal recruitment and trafficking.
We partnered with Blas Ople Policy Institute and Training Center to contribute to advancing enabling policies and practices for safe and fair migration; strengthen community-based innovative tools and strategies on safe and fair migration in BARMM; and support direct services for sustainable reintegration of migrant workers. In a joint effort to fight trafficking in the region, our project not only engages migrant workers from BARMM and their families, but also local grassroots organizations, non-governmental organizations, and key government agencies working in the region.
My motivation for getting involved in this project stems from the alarming rise in human trafficking and illegal recruitment in the Bangsamoro region. Working with AWO International enables us to provide vital support to local actors who help migrant workers and their families. This issue is particularly close to my heart, as I am committed to raising awareness of safe migration practices, which I believe are crucial to a safer community.
Haniejoy Paguital, Project Specialist in our project with Ople Center
Milestones and future plans
In light of the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) commencing operations in 2023, the increase in human trafficking in Southeast Asia and the ongoing stabilisation process in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), our project has refined its objectives and realigned its resources.
In BARMM, we have raised migrant workers' awareness of their rights and further developed an integrated case management system (ICMS). This system provides government and civil society actors with relevant data on current and former migrant workers, enabling a rapid response to support needs. In future, local use will be further improved to ensure smooth, sustainable operation.
We have also supported returning migrant workers in setting up income-generating activities, such as the processing of traditional foods and the use of local textiles, including inaul. Around half of the participants implemented their business ideas, which is an important step towards greater economic stability.
In partnership with the Ople Center, our project helps returning migrant workers to build new career prospects. To this end, we provide training courses and basic equipment to help them start or develop their own businesses.
A digital empowerment training course equipped government employees and civil society organisations with the skills to use social media for their advocacy work against labour crime. Participants learned about the importance of social media as an effective tool for raising awareness, building networks, and exerting political influence.
By processing local textiles into new products, women are strengthening their economic independence.
A local government employee who took part in one of our projects talks about her experiences of working with abused women and draws attention to gaps in the system.
Projectinfo
| Place/Region | Cotabato and Marawi City, Buluan, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi, Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao, Philippines |
|---|---|
| Partner | Blas Ople Policy Institute and Training Center www.blasople.com |
| Activities |
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| Duration | 01 January 2024 to 31 December 2026 (cooperation since 2021) |
| Budget | 208,000 EUR (3 years) |
| Sponsor | German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) |
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