IOM will tomorrow hold a multi-sectoral dialogue and workshop in
Davao City on "Harnessing the Development Potential of Remittances
with a Gender Perspective in Mindanao."
The event, which will be attended by officials from the
Departments of Labour and Employment, local government
representatives, NGOs and academics, is part of a European
Commission and IOM-funded project entitled "Improving Knowledge of
Remittance Corridors and Enhancing Development through
Inter-Regional Dialogue and Pilot Projects in South-East Asia and
Europe." 
The project aims to harness the development potential of
migration and remittances to bring benefits beyond individuals and
households to regional and local communities. 
At the Davao City workshop, the preliminary findings of an
on-going survey conducted by IOM in partnership with the Economic
Resource Center for Overseas Filipinos (ERCOF) on the
Malaysia-Philippines remittance corridor will be presented.
Some of the key findings include the fact that migration from
the Philippines to Malaysia is typically led by family ties that
reflect the geographical proximity between Mindanao and Sabah.
Some 40 per cent of the Filipino migrants surveyed in Malaysia said
having a relative in Malaysia was the main reason for choosing to
migrate there.
The report also shows that the average monthly income of the
respondents is about USD 228 and each remittance is about USD
110.  Some 74 per cent of respondents remit money every
month.
Most remittances are via the money transfer agency Western Union
(78 per cent). Only a few migrants currently use bank transfers or
informal modes of transfer, like carrying the money by hand.
"Most migration from Mindanao is informal, involving low-skilled
jobs. We need to critically assess the unique migration challenges
here to ensure that migration and remittances contribute to the
development of the region. Local government can play a key role by
building these elements into development planning," says IOM
project manager Aiko Kikkawa. 
"Financial literacy among Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs),
Filipino disapora groups and their families is another major factor
in redirecting remittances into savings, investments and
entrepreneurial activities," adds IOM programme officer Ricardo
Casco.
In the Philippines remittances represent some 10 per cent of
Gross Domestic Product, significantly alleviating unemployment,
underemployment and poverty in the country.  In 2009, they
reached a record USD 17.3 billion. An average of 3,500 migrant
workers leave the country every day for some 230 destinations
around the world.
For more information please contact:
Ida Mae Fernandez
IOM Manila
Tel. + 63.02 848 1260
Email:
"mailto:ifernandez@iom.int">ifernandez@iom.int 
or
Aiko Kikkawa
Tel. + 63.02 848 1260
Email:
"mailto:akikkawa@iom.int">akikkawa@iom.int