18 July 2016 - Ambassador Cecilia B. Rebong, Permanent Representative of the Philippines to the United Nations and Other International Organizations in Geneva, conferred the Presidential Citation to the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in a dinner hosted by the Philippine Mission at the Richmond Hotel in Geneva on July 13.  The Citation was received by the IOM Director General, Ambassador William Lacy Swing.

The Philippine envoy conveyed to Ambassador Swing the Government’s sincerest appreciation for IOM’s immense support and assistance to the country during the administration of former President Benigno S. Aquino III.  IOM’s most significant efforts include:  1) the PHP 3.08 billion worth of projects and programs in the fields of migration, emergency response to natural disasters and conflicts, rehabilitation of communities adversely affected by typhoons and flooding, development of tracking support for the displaced persons in the Bangsamoro area in support of the peace process, and health-related services through the rehabilitation of free birthing facilities;  2) assistance in the repatriation of overseas Filipino workers in war-torn areas such as Libya, Yemen, Syria and Iraq;   3) conduct of capacity-building training programs for labor and welfare attachés and assistance-to-nationals personnel; and  4) support in raising awareness about trafficking in persons and illegal and unethical recruitment practices.

Meanwhile, Ambassador Swing acknowledged the Philippines as a model country for its remarkable efforts in managing the temporary migration of overseas Filipino workers.  He noted the establishment of insurance system for OFWs as a benchmark program. He concluded by expressing the keen interest of IOM in monitoring the developments of the Philippine initiatives and programs in the area of migration and IOM’s continuing support to the present administration. END