PROTECT Project

For many Filipinos, leaving home to work abroad is an act of courage. It is driven by hope for better opportunities for family and for a brighter future. But for some, that journey begins without enough information and ends in hardship.

This is the reality that the Safe Migration and BARMM GABAY Module Rollout set out to change. Led by the Blas Ople Policy Center and with the support of AWO International Southeast Asia, the training brought together civil society organizations, government agencies, and community leaders in Cotabato City with one shared mission: to protect every migrant dream through knowledge and awareness.

The sessions led to conversations grounded in real experiences. Participants spoke about the risks many face: illegal recruitment, misinformation, and exploitation. For some, these were not distant issues, but stories they had witnessed or even lived. As discussions unfolded, so did a deeper understanding of what safe migration truly means. Participants learned how to recognize warning signs, navigate proper channels, and uphold ethical recruitment practices.

More importantly, they discovered how they can become advocates guiding others, raising awareness, and creating safer spaces for those considering migration. There was a quiet but powerful shift in the room. From awareness grew responsibility. From learning came purpose.

CALATAGAN, BATANGAS & CABUYAO, LAGUNA | In a significant step toward economic recovery and long-term reintegration, the Blas Ople Policy Center, through the PROTECT Project funded by AWO International Southeast Asia, provided material support for alternative livelihoods to returning OFWs.

A total of 15 individuals and organized groups received livelihood assistance tailored to their chosen business models enabling them to turn plans into action and begin rebuilding sustainable sources of income.

Returning OFWs often come home with limited savings and uncertain prospects, making them vulnerable to re-migration and further exploitation. This initiative directly addresses that gap by equipping them with tools to achieve financial stability within their own communities.

During the field visit and awarding activity in Cabuyao, Laguna, beneficiaries shared how the support will immediately impact their families:

“Ngayon po, hindi na namin kailangang umalis ulit. May pagkakakitaan na kami dito.”

The PROTECT Project continues to demonstrate that targeted livelihood support, when paired with capacity-building, creates lasting change not only improving income but restoring dignity and agency among migrant returnees.

With AWO International’s partnership, these small enterprises are seeds of resilient communities and safer migration pathways.

The Blas Ople Policy Center successfully conducted a Training on Skills (Livelihood) Development: Social Preparation on managing and sustaining a small business before the provision of start-up kits on February 25, 2026 in Calatagan, Batangas under the PROTECT Project, implemented in partnership with AWO International Southeast Asia.

A total of 23 OFW beneficiaries from Calatagan, Batangas participated in the activity. The training combined interactive discussions, workshops, and individualized mentoring sessions that allowed participants to assess their current capacity for entrepreneurship and refine their business proposals. Through these activities, participants gained practical knowledge in business planning, financial sustainability, and strategies to address potential challenges in managing livelihood projects.

One of the key components of the activity was the evaluation of individual and group business proposals, which enabled facilitators to assess participants’ readiness for livelihood support. Participants also engaged in one-on-one consultations, allowing facilitators to provide targeted guidance tailored to the specific needs and business ideas of each beneficiary. This approach ensured that the livelihood assistance provided would be responsive to the participants’ capabilities and local economic conditions.

𝐄𝐗𝐓𝐄𝐍𝐃𝐄𝐃 𝐓𝐀𝐘𝐎 𝐌𝐆𝐀 𝐊𝐀𝐁𝐀𝐘𝐀𝐍!

The 𝐋𝐈𝐊𝐇𝐀𝐧𝐠 𝐊𝐀𝐁𝐀𝐁𝐀𝐈𝐇𝐀𝐍 𝐁𝐔𝐒𝐈𝐍𝐄𝐒𝐒 𝐏𝐋𝐀𝐍 𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐏𝐄𝐓𝐈𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 is 𝐞𝐱𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝 until 𝟏𝟕 𝐅𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔, 𝟏𝟏:𝟓𝟗 𝐩𝐦.

To join, scan the QR code and ready yourself para sa kumpetisyong maaaring magbago ng buhay mo!

Tara na at sumali sa 𝐋𝐈𝐊𝐇𝐀𝐧𝐠 𝐊𝐀𝐁𝐀𝐁𝐀𝐈𝐇𝐀𝐍 𝐁𝐔𝐒𝐈𝐍𝐄𝐒𝐒 𝐏𝐋𝐀𝐍 𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐏𝐄𝐓𝐈𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍!

𝐄𝐗𝐓𝐄𝐍𝐃𝐄𝐃 𝐓𝐀𝐘𝐎 𝐌𝐆𝐀 𝐊𝐀𝐁𝐀𝐘𝐀𝐍!

The 𝐋𝐈𝐊𝐇𝐀𝐧𝐠 𝐊𝐀𝐁𝐀𝐁𝐀𝐈𝐇𝐀𝐍 𝐁𝐔𝐒𝐈𝐍𝐄𝐒𝐒 𝐏𝐋𝐀𝐍 𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐏𝐄𝐓𝐈𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 is 𝐞𝐱𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝 until 𝟏𝟕 𝐅𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔, 𝟏𝟏:𝟓𝟗 𝐩𝐦.

To join, scan the QR code and ready yourself para sa kumpetisyong maaaring magbago ng buhay mo!

Tara na at sumali sa 𝐋𝐈𝐊𝐇𝐀𝐧𝐠 𝐊𝐀𝐁𝐀𝐁𝐀𝐈𝐇𝐀𝐍 𝐁𝐔𝐒𝐈𝐍𝐄𝐒𝐒 𝐏𝐋𝐀𝐍 𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐏𝐄𝐓𝐈𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍!

Empowering our Barangays for Safe Migration! 🌍💪

Blas Ople Policy Center continues its mission to protect our migrant workers and their families in BARMM. Recently, we successfully conducted a series of Community Awareness Sessions on the BARMM Gabay booklet (Gabay sa Ligtas na Paglalakbay at Pagtatrabaho ng Overseas Bangsamoro Workers) across three locations:
📍Poblacion VII, Cotabato City, 📍Rosario Heights VIII, Cotabato City, 📍Awang Tenorio, Datu Odin Sinsuat in Maguindanao del Norte

Through these sessions, barangay officials and residents gained knowledge on:
✅ Services for returning OFWs and distressed individuals.
✅ Importance of safe migration and ethical recruitment.
✅ How to "Spot the Scam" and avoid illegal recruiters.

Knowledge is protection. ✨ Together, we are ensuring that no Overseas Bangsamoro Worker (OBW) is left behind.

This activity is part of a project being implemented by Blas Ople Policy Center with support from AWO International and funding from Bundesministerium für wirtschaftliche Zusammenarbeit und Entwicklung (BMZ).