PROTECT Project

25/04/2026

The message did not stop in the training rooms. It traveled into barangay halls, community spaces, and everyday conversations in Cotabato City.

Through the continued rollout of BARMM GABAY, the Blas F. Ople Policy Center and Training Institute Inc., with support from AWO International Southeast Asia, brought safe migration awareness directly to the people where it matters most.

What made these community rollouts powerful was not just the knowledge shared but the trust built. The discussions were open, grounded, and relatable. People asked questions they had long kept to themselves. Others stepped forward, realizing they could help guide their neighbors and families.

In these spaces, awareness turned into empowerment.

A mother now knows what to ask before her child leaves for work abroad.
A young dreamer now understands the steps to take and the risks to avoid.
A community now looks out for one another.

This is the heart of BARMM GABAY not just a module, but a movement. A movement that ensures that protection does not remain in policies or trainings alone, but is felt, understood, and practiced in every community. Because when knowledge reaches the grassroots, every dream of migration becomes safer, stronger, and more protected.

24/04/2026

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.

20/04/2026

In every community, there are stories often left untold, stories hidden behind statistics, waiting to be understood. In Cotabato City, those stories finally found their voice.

Through the Community-Based Monitoring System (CBMS) Part III: Data Presentation and Validation, the Blas Ople Policy Center, with the support of AWO International Southeast Asia, gathered local enumerators, government partners, and community stakeholders for a simple but powerful purpose: to ensure that data reflects reality, not assumptions.

As participants sat together reviewing pages of collected information, the atmosphere shifted from technical to deeply personal. Numbers turned into familiar faces. Data points became stories of families striving, workers persevering, and communities navigating everyday challenges.

There were moments of realization when participants recognized gaps, corrected inconsistencies, and affirmed truths that only those on the ground could truly understand. It was not just about validating data; it was about honoring lived experiences.

By the end of the session, what they held was more than validated data. They carried with them a renewed sense of responsibility and ownership knowing that the information they helped refine will guide interventions that matter.

Because in BARMM, data is no longer just collected.
It is understood. It is owned. And most importantly, it is used to build a future that reflects the true needs of its people.

27/03/2026

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.

19/03/2026

Empowering Returning OFWs Through Organizational Strengthening

CALATAGAN, BATANGAS | The Blas Ople Policy Center in partnership with AWO International Southeast Asia, successfully conducted a Session on Organizational Strengthening for returning Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), reinforcing their capacity to rebuild their lives with dignity and resilience.

The activity brought together 33 OFW beneficiaries, many of whom faced difficult reintegration challenges after experiencing job displacement, illegal recruitment, or exploitation abroad. Through interactive sessions on leadership, teamwork, and group management, participants strengthened their ability to function as organized groups capable of making collective decisions, resolving conflicts, and managing shared resources effectively.

More than just a training, the session became a safe space for rebuilding confidence and solidarity among OFWs.

“Hindi lang po kami tinuruan—pinakinggan din kami,” one participant shared, highlighting how the activity restored both their voice and sense of belonging.

With the continued support of AWO International Southeast Asia, the Ople Center is helping transform vulnerable returnees into organized, self-reliant groups ready to take control of their future.

16/03/2026

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.

28/02/2026

From Overseas Worker to Community Changemaker

At just 13 years old, Sittie Alea left home to work abroad driven not by dreams of travel, but by the need to help her family survive. For years, she worked overseas, carrying the quiet sacrifices that many migrant workers know too well. When she finally returned home, she had the courage to start again but like many returning OFWs, rebuilding a stable life was not easy .

That’s when hope found its way through the support of the Blas Ople Policy Center, in partnership with AWO International Southeast Asia. Through skills training and livelihood assistance, Sittie learned how to produce siopao, siomai, and native delicacies turning simple skills into a pathway for sustainable income.

But her journey didn’t stop there.

Together with fellow beneficiaries, Sittie helped establish the Al-Bhannat Overseas Workers Association a group built to support migrant workers and their families. What started as individual assistance grew into a shared enterprise that now generates income and opportunity for many.

Today, their products are recognized in local markets and even sold at Awang Airport in Cotabato City proof that with the right support, reintegration can lead to empowerment .

From a young girl who once left home out of necessity, Sittie is now helping others build futures at home.

This is the power of reintegration when compassion meets opportunity.

Through the partnership of the Blas Ople Policy Center and AWO International Southeast Asia, Sittie’s story reminds us that empowering one returnee can uplift an entire community.

17/02/2026

On January 20, 2026, 25 returning Overseas Filipino Workers gathered in Cotabato City for a follow-up activity under the PROTECT Project of the Blas Ople Policy Center and AWO International Southeast Asia. It was meant to check on their livelihood assistance. Instead, it became a moment of change.

At the start of the session, participants spoke about their struggles: unstable income, unclear plans, and fear that their small businesses might fail. But as the discussions continued, something shifted. They began sharing ideas, assigning responsibilities, and helping each other solve problems.

By the end of the day, the conversation changed from “What help can we still receive?” to “How can we grow together?”

Today, they track their earnings, plan collectively, and guide fellow returning workers in their communities. They are no longer just beneficiaries. They are becoming support systems for one another.

This is the heart of the PROTECT Project not only providing assistance, but building confidence, dignity, and protection against vulnerability. Because real reintegration is not a one-time aid. It is a journey we walk together.

Thank you for helping turn survival into stability.

02/02/2026

LOOK | 𝐁𝐄𝐒𝐎𝐀 𝐇𝐨𝐥𝐝𝐬 𝐐𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐲 𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐒𝐤𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐬 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐂𝐨𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐚𝐭𝐨 𝐂𝐢𝐭𝐲

𝘊𝘰𝘵𝘢𝘣𝘢𝘵𝘰 𝘊𝘪𝘵𝘺 - The 𝐁𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐬𝐚𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐨 𝐄𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐒𝐮𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐯𝐨𝐫𝐬 𝐎𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐬 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 (𝐁𝐄𝐒𝐎𝐀) conducted its in-person 𝐐𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐲 𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐒𝐤𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐬 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 on 𝐉𝐚𝐧𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝟐𝟎-𝟐𝟏, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 in 𝐂𝐨𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐚𝐭𝐨 𝐂𝐢𝐭𝐲, 𝐁𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐬𝐚𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐨 𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐌𝐮𝐬𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐨 (𝐁𝐀𝐑𝐌𝐌).

Full story here: https://ro12.dmw.gov.ph/?p=1289

02/02/2026

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!

23/01/2026

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).