SFA-AGR-079-08                                                                                                                            

PHILIPPINE EMBASSY IN ANKARA ORGANIZES FORUM ON MIGRATION

21 February 2008 – Philippine Ambassador to Turkey Bahnarim A. Guinomla reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs that some 70 members of the Filipino migrant community in Ankara participated in a forum on migration organized by the Philippine Embassy on 10 February at the embassy premises. 

In his welcome remarks, Ambassador Guinomla said that “the forum was conceptualized by the embassy in order to focus on the hosting by the Philippines of the Global Forum on Migration and Development (GFMD) in October 2008”.  “We need to create awareness of this landmark event to highlight the country’s advocacy of the rights and welfare of our migrant workers,” the Ambassador told the forum participants. 

Guest speaker Maurizio Busatti, Chief of Mission of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Turkey, explained the various issues concerning migration and ways for victims of exploitation, sex crimes, and other offenses against migrants to cope with their problems.  He urged migrants to be aware of the risks of exploitation and to be familiar with the relevant rules, regulations, and legislations relative to migration.  Mr. Busatti then praised the “highly evolved system of monitoring” being practiced by the Philippines to assist its migrants.  He also lauded the Filipino migrants’ high level of education and excellent qualifications.  He also said that distressed migrants can call 157, a hotline created for migrant workers who are victims of exploitation and other offenses. 

As part of its counter-trafficking program with the Turkish Government, the IOM Turkey launched in 2005 the 157 helpline for rescue and assistance of trafficked individuals and a nationwide information campaign on human trafficking.  The 157 helpline has so far provided directed assistance to more than 200 victims of trafficking. 

Following his speech, Mr. Busatti answered questions from the audience.  The participants commended the embassy for its initiative in organizing the forum which was moderated by Consul General Alfonso Ver and emceed by Vice Consul Leilani S. Feliciano.  Ambassador Guinomla issued certificates to the participants and hosted a lunch to conclude the forum. 

With the success of the forum, Ambassador Guinomla announced that the embassy will hold a similar program for Filipino migrants in Istanbul in the near future.  END

/wingret