The Sub-committee on Migration and Development (SCMD) of the RDC2 – Social Development Committee conducted its reorganizational meeting on November 25, 2019. It was actively participated in by the Regional Directors of Commission on Population and Development (POPCOM) and National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), and representatives from Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) and Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

The organizational meeting discussed the sub-committee’s functions, structure, membership, and internal operations. It was agreed that NCIP and OWWA be made a regular member, recognizing their vital role in migration and development.

The body also discussed the Work Program of the sub-committee for CY 2020. Aside from operational concerns, activities to jumpstart migration and development initiatives in the region were identified such as the conduct of a regional dissemination on the results of migration surveys and studies to drum up collective regional action to address migration concerns in the region.

The re-organized SCMD is composed of DILG, DOLE, NCIP, OWWA, PSA, PSAI, and RASUC, with NEDA and POPCOM as chair and co-chair, respectively. Its on-call members are DepEd, DFA, DOH, DSWD, POEA, all provincial/city governments, and all state/universities and colleges in the region. Specifically, the sub-committee shall provide planning and policy directions and coordinate migration and development efforts of the national, regional and local governments and the private sector.# JESSIELYN R. BALTAZAR, NEDA2-PMED