The PMRW officers and staff, Fr. Savino Bernardi and Michael Rioja of AOS-Manila; Carmelita Nuqui of DAWN; Fr. Fabio Baggio of SMC; and Maria Celeste Marasigan of PMRW , met with Sec. Dante Ang, Atty. Golda Roma and Ms . Jennifer Gonzales at the Commission on Filipinos Overseas office along Quirino Avenue in Manila. Due to unavoidable circumstances Fr. Edwin Corros of CBCP-ECMI, Ellene Sana of CMA and Marjorie Vidal of SCPM were unable to join the meeting.

The purpose of the meeting was to introduce the Philippine Migrants Rights Watch ( PMRW ) and its members to Secretary Ang.

After each one gave a short introduction about themselves and the organizations they represented, Carmelita G. Nuqui then started the discussion by expressing their concern on the current situation of the women in Japan.

The continued deployment of entertainers in Japan exposes more women to the risk of being exploited. The women go out of the country with the hope of becoming entertainers but arrive in Japan only to find out they will be doing far more than entertaining guests. Our government still sends our people for overseas work. But once they become victims or abused, upon repatriation they were referred to NGOs.

There is a need for the recognition that this is happening to the Filipino women going to Japan and it is advised that local employment be improved in order to stop the departure of our women. Nuqui asked the Secretary to relay the message to the President that more than the jobs, the dignity of women should be protected. The Secretary agreed with the protection of the women and asked if the group has a program proposal that he can support.

In line with the Sikhay program of DAWN, where the women returnees create handmade products to generate income to support their Japanese-Filipino children and their families, it was proposed that CFO can initiate an expansion of such a business. A bilateral agreement can be made where Japan can purchase products made by former Japanese entertainers. Fr. Baggio suggested conducting a survey or feasibility study on the products made by these women returnees or entertainers and matching them with the other products that are out in the market. Instead of sending Filipino women to Japan , they can produce our products and the Japanese can purchase them. In this way exploitation can be avoided. This project can also be extended to other countries.

The next topic discussed was the issue of international marriages that seemed to have increased a significant number in the past year. In Korea for example, it increased by 68 percent from 2002 to 2003. It was recommended that together with CFO a survey can be conducted to find out more about this phenomenon. The Secretary agreed that this is a situation to be watched out for, however, to wait for a joint undertaking between the agency and PMRW might slow down the process. He suggested going through the study even without CFO but still collaborate with them when the results have been released.

During the discussion it was mentioned that part of the screening process of international marriages is counseling. The group found out that CFO no longer provides this service before marriage takes place and has signed an agreement with the Good Shepherd sisters to handle and provide such service. It was also recommended that it might be easy for Filipinos if there were more areas that can provide counseling service. On the other hand, the sprouting of counseling centers might encourage more Filipinos to engage in international marriages. It was suggested that the counseling provided for the applicants must be closely monitored and regular follow-up visits be conducted to the couples.

Finally, the new immigration policy that affects the foreign missionaries was presented to the Secretary. He asked for a copy of the letter sent to the President regarding the matter and he will raise the issue personally.

The meeting was adjourned at 4:00pm with Secretary Ang's willingness to support the causes for OFWs especially the ones advocated by PMRW .

Maria Celeste A. Marasigan