The 15th Consultative Council for OFW (CCOFW) was convened on February 6, 2006 at the OWWA Multipurpose Hall. In attendance were members of the PMRW and other migrant NGOs. On the government side, the DOLE was represented by Usec Danillo Cruz who presided over the meeting. The OWWA and POEA were represented by Directors and other staff, with the POEA delegation led by Deputy Administrator Viveca Catalig. Undersecretary Esteban Conejos Jr led the DFA-OUMWA team.

Many issues and concerns were raised during the meeting. Some were clarified, some were not.

•  OWWA Medicare transfer to Philhealth – PMRW questioned the lack of information to OFWs regarding the availment of Philhealth benefits considering hasty transfer to Philhealt two years ago. There were also reports that collection of Philhealth membership fees on-site was stopped. OWWA Director Abet Valenciano informed the body that Philhealth and OWWA have yet to agree on a set of guidelines concerning the collection of Philhealth membership fees on-site.

•  To hasten the legislative process of repealing the deregulatory provisions as contained in sections 29 and 30 of RA 8042, the CCOFW agreed to pass a resolution to request the President to certify as urgent the passage of a consolidated proposed bill.

•  Deployment of Overseas Performance Artists to Japan –Undersecretary Cruz reported that there was a 42% drop in the number of OPAs deployed to Japan in 2005 following the implementation of Japan 's stricter measures. Japan also suspended the verification process of documents at the Philippine embassy in Tokyo . In response, the POEA has been instructed to study and conduct consultations in regarding the possibility of suspending the deployment of OFWs to Japan .

•  OPAS in Korea – PMRW's Mel Nuqui and Fr. Edwin Corros visited Korea last year and they met with women working in different clubs. They asked about of the increasing number of OPAS in Korea in a meeting with Labor Attache Reynaldo Regalado. They also met with several Filipino workers to know about their situations and problems, as well as to discuss the “Bayad Ko ‘To” campaign of PMRW. POEA clarified that OFWs who go to Korea are those under the EPS (Employment Permit System). POEA clarified that deployment of OPAS to Korea is still restricted per PMRW's request to Korea to stop the issuance of entertainers visas to dancers and singers performing near the American bases.

•  OWWA's One percent Incentive to POEA – OWWA Director Valenciano clarified that the reported P40M “perks” that OWWA gave to POEA is covered by a board resolution of OWWA in 1998. The one percent incentive is the donation of one percent from the total collection of OWWA fees by POEA. OWWA further said that the arrangement is anchored on EO 292 or the Administrative Code of the Philippines . PMRW, however, objectedto the arrangement on relation to the illegal collection of the US$25 under the OWWA Omnibus Policies.

•  OFW Representation in the Board of OWWA and the Governing Board of POEA – PMRW requested transparency, democracy and representative consultations with the migrant sector in the selection process by which the OFW representatives to the POEA and OWWA board are chosen.

•  The POEA reported the highlights of its 2005 performance:

•  Deployment of 981,677 OFWs

•  Number of new licenses issued – 77

•  Number of agencies delisted – 67

•  Disputes settled through voluntary arbitration – 55% increase

•  Cases disposed through compulsory arbitration – 63%

•  Introductions of E-link project/ Quality management system

POEA's thrust in 2006 and beyond: A million decent jobs; POEA connects to the world; and Filipino worker, the world's number one.

POEA aims to facilitate one million decent jobs for skilled and professional workers; further develop a technology-based interactive service delivery program through easiser interconnectivity with 12 government offices involved in the documentation of OFWs; enhance the PEOS-AIR Program via quality PEOS and more agreements with LGUs; and, improve the disposition of cases.

PMRW lamented and questioned POEA's thrust, which is the overall policy thrust of the current government. PMRW maintained that the government must not promote overseas employment as a development strategy. For one, it runs counter to the provisions of RA 8042. More importantly, PMRW upheld the principle that a sound domestic economic policy hinges on the full utilization of its rich human resources base, not in the export of human labor, and that migration must be one out of choice and not out of necessity.