The Ateneo de Naga University-Center for Local Governance (AdNU-CLG) conducted the Training on Mainstreaming Migration and Development in Local Plans and Investment Programs on September 29-October 1, 2014 at Sorsogon Paradise Resort, Sorsogon City. It was attended by Public Employment Service Office Managers, Provincial, City, and Municipal Planning and Development Coordinators, and Representatives coming from the 12 Local Government Units in the Bicol Region namely: Provincial Governments of Albay, Camarines Norte, Sorsogon, and Catanduanes; City Governments of Naga, Legazpi, Iriga, Sorsogon, Tabaco, and Ligao; and Municipal Governments of Pili and Daet.

This training is the first one among the series of capacity building activities under the Joint Migration and Development Initiative (JMDI) Phase II Project in the Bicol Region of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) with funding support from the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation and the European Union in partnership with the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO), City Government of Naga, and the Ateneo de Naga University.

The said training involved workshops on the current reality relative to Migration and Development of participating Local Government Units, Shared Practical Visioning, Strategic Directions, and Planning and Budgeting. It also involved inputs, panel discussions, and open forum prior to the workshops. The presenters who provided the inputs were the following: Ric Casco of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), Marsmath A. Baris, Jr. of Community Based Monitoring System (CBMS) Network in De La Salle University, Jeremaiah Opiniano of the Institute for Migration and Development Issues (IMDI), Alex F. Ferrer of the Provincial Government of Pangasinan, Wilfredo B. Prilles, Jr. of the City Government of Naga, Regional Director Jocelyn Hapal of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA)-Region V, Environmental Planner Carmeli Chaves of the University of the Philippines School of Urban and Regional Planning, Provincial Director Arnel Madrideo of the Department of the Interior and Local Government-Camarines Sur Provincial Office, and Atty. Golda Roma of UNDP.

The objective of the training is for the Local Government Units to come up with a plan integrating Migration & Development and anchored it to their vision, among others.
The said training was facilitated by Dr. Malu C. Barcillano and Jay P. Abawag.

by Jay P. Abawag