HumanTrafficking.org | Philippines International Organization: International Organization for Migration (IOM)

A web resource for combating human trafficking

Philippines

International Organization for Migration (IOM)

Address

International Organization for Migration (IOM)
Units G & H, 25th Floor
Citibank Tower Condominium
8741 Paseo De Roxas,
Makati City
Philippines

Contact Information

If calling from Philippines:

Tel: 02 848 1260
Fax: 02 848 1257

If calling from overseas:

Tel: +63 2 848 1260
Fax: +63 2 848 1257

Activities

The IOM headquarters in Geneva has transferred some of its functions to the Philippines, making IOM Manila an IOM Administrative Center. IOM Manila has been entrusted by the IOM Administration with direct responsibility for various global administrative functions.

One of the projects that IOM runs in the Philippines is an educational video series called “The Power to Choose.” The first video in the series is “The Power To Choose – Self Defense.” In association with the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) Department of Labor and Employment's (DOLE) Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), IOM Manila has produced a video which aims to raise awareness of security issues and the importance of mental and physical preparedness before going abroad. OWWA intends to use this video in the Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar for all departing migrant workers in the Philippines as well as on their job sites.

The second video is “The Power to Choose – Health and Security.” In recognition of the urgent need for educational material on this topic, IOM, in collaboration with OWWA, intends to produce a new video which aims to improve the knowledge and attitudes towards relevant health issues – especially the dangers of contracting HIV/AIDS and then bringing the infection back home to the family.

Another trafficking related project is a Trafficking Information Mainstreaming Project - "We're so Syndicated Ma'am." Various information campaigns are already in place such as radio programs, Pre-Employment Orientation Seminars (PEOS) and Pre-Departure Orientation Seminars (PDOS) relating to international migration. Unfortunately, there are factors that diminish the effectiveness of these migration related information programs, such as the heavy reliance on lectures as the mode of information dissemination during the PEOS and PDOS. Through the use of alternative material, these programs could be enriched and, through the use of popular medium (e.g. movies, comics, magazines), could reach a wider audience.

A play by Teatrong Walang Bakod in cooperation with Kalayaan (Freedom), an NGO on sex trafficking concerns, entitled "Sex Trafficking: Yes, We're so syndicated Ma'am" has been presented in various urban areas and schools within Metro Manila, as well as other major cities such as Cebu and Davao. It is also part of the Pag-aabroad: Kaunlaran o Kapahamakan Para sa Kababaihan Project, a nationwide preventive education programme for women community leaders to affect policy advocacy in the local government units (barangay level).

Finally, IOM has implemented the Trafficking Information Mainstreaming Project - PSAs. This project is aimed at increasing public awareness of trafficking issues through information dissemination over a period of 12 months. Funded by the Government of Japan and the IOM Working Group on Gender Initiatives, two Public Service Announcements (PSAs), Child's Play and Shortcut, were conceptualized, developed, and later aired during the period of August 2000 - March 2001, with a total audience of 4,930,623 people.

IOM - Manila also focuses on the growing transnational crime of organ trafficking in Southeast Asia.