The 16 th CCOFW meeting was held at POEA on March 6, 2006 . PMRW members and other NGOs were present. Admin. Rosalinda Baldoz of POEA presided over the meeting. POEA Deputy Administrator Viveca Catalig, Dir Noriel Devanadera and Dir. Felixberta Romero also of POEA, Philhealth Vice President of Membership and Contributions, Gregorio Rulloda, Fiscal Elizabeth Santos of the DOJ, Mr. John Macalincag of OWWA, Atty. Edna May Lazaro and Ms. Estrella Roman of DFA-OUMWA, Ms. Mariel Quizon of ILAS and Hazeline Barroso of the BID were also present.

The meeting continued the discussion of issues raised in the previous meetings. The following issues were discussed:

•  Mandatory PEOS – For PMRW, the issue with PEOS is how it can reach the grassroots. The program must be intensified in order to reach more people. PMRW suggested tapping schools, TV and radio programs. According to Admin. Baldoz PEOS is not mandatory, until the Board decides otherwise. POEA will be conducting a joint action planning meeting with government agencies around the third week of March to discuss how to maximize the PEOS.

•  Amendments to RA8042 – Changes were suggested by PMRW and the rest of the Body on the draft resolution made by the CCOFW Secretariat. The corrections were noted and a new draft will be finalized and will be endorsed to the Office of the Secretary of DOLE for appropriate action.

•  Cases of Human Trafficking – Atty. Edna May Lazaro explained the preventive campaigns taken by IACAT in the different hot spots in the country. PMRW inquired on what IACAT is doing to prevent local and international trafficking. The Administrator noted the following to be included in the IACAT agenda: actions taken on the issue, regular progress report on trafficking cases, and a proposal to have a watch list of agencies engaged in human trafficking

•  OPAS in Japan – There is said to be a significant decrease in the deployment of entertainers to Japan . PMRW asked for the figures because they were informed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Tokyo that there are almost 60,000 Filipinas in Japan and was wondering where the said 70% drop in 2005 is based. POEA said the drop was not 70% but 50%. PMRW also endorsed the case of a 17-year-old trafficked victim in Tokyo .

•  OPAS in Korea – POEA will start closely monitoring the deployment of workers to Korea because it was pointed out that there are many performing artists there as reported by PMRW. POEA was also tasked to coordinate with the labor atta ché to inspect the venues where the performing artists are working. DFA reported that the Korean Ambassador recognized that they had been lax in the issuance of entertainment visas and assured the Undersecretary of DFA that their President has taken a keen interest on the issue. PMRW also recommended that the government must have records of where Filipinos are, especially the unauthorized ones. Another recommendation was a 24-hour hotline that migrants can access.

•  Deployment of one million workers – PMRW insisted that the government go beyond the deployment of workers and assure their protection.

•  OWWA Medicare transfer to Philhealth – VP Rulloda explained that they made a consultation on their medium term development plan to solicit how to enhance their services to the OFWs. PMRW questioned if the workers on site are already aware of their Philhealth benefits. An information campaign on the transfer and how migrants can avail of their benefits was suggested. Admin. Baldoz suggested that rules and regulations on availment will be helpful. VP Rulloda took note of all the suggestions.

It was also reiterated that the government consider how much sacrifice and costs are inflicted on Filipinos who have to come to Manila in order to process their documents if they want to go abroad. It was recommended that the agencies have offices in provinces to stop the constant flow of people in Manila . The Administrator considered it as subject for recommendation to the Board.

To discuss the issues further PMRW suggested inviting the board members of POEA, OWWA and Philhealth. Admin. Baldoz asked the secretariat to prepare the agenda along with specific details from the previous meetings to be sent to them.

PMRW also pressed that OWWA and other government organizations must have an annual report for purposes of discussion. OWWA as a welfare agency has stated in its mandate to have a sustainability of funds. The question was unanswered because Admin. Marianito Roque of OWWA was not present. PMRW noted the sectors involved in CCOFW must be properly represented to ensure fruitful discussions.