Direct Support and Development Program (DSDP)
Applies an integrative, gender and empowerment-based approach to case management that includes the following:
- Feminist Counseling – for women subjected to violence abroad. Counseling is offered to her family as well, to help see her through the crisis and ease her reintegration. It is also extended to women who have been deprived of economic support by husbands working abroad.
- Legal Assistance – for victims of illegal recruitment and trafficking, contract violations and unjust working terms and conditions. The Center has a pool of dedicated volunteer lawyers practicing Developmental Legal Advocacy (DLA). Migrant workers take action with lawyers and paralegals towards the resolution of their cases. Meta-legal tactics are employed as needed.
- Welfare Assistance – for prospective migrant workers or returnees and their families with medical, livelihood, transportation and other welfare needs. The Center assists them through limited financial assistance, referral to clinics, hospitals, other NGOs and government agencies.
- Education and Training – gives emphasis on migrant worker’s self-growth and sexual equality. To equip them with sufficient knowledge and skills on how to better protect their rights and welfare, Kanlungan offers courses such as Basic Migration Orientation Seminar (BMOS), Migrant Rights and Legal Remedies (MRLR) and Gender Awareness and Sensitivity Training (GST).
- Community Outreach – organizing communities of ex-OFWs and their families and establishing community-based Structures of Care (SOC) to alleviate, resolve and prevent from happening again the adverse consequences of international labor migration, like violence against women (VAW) migrants.
- Temporary Shelter – houses women undergoing counseling or therapy. Women returnees pursuing legal cases may also avail of the shelter services. Volunteer psychologists/psychiatrists are tapped for counseling through our referral network.
Resource and Advocacy Program (RAP)
Takes charge of advocacy & campaigns, research, information & publication. The program develops and produces resource materials to deepen the analysis of trends and issues in labor migration.
Advocacy – focus of the legislative advocacy is the amendment of Republic Act 8042 or the Overseas Filipinos and Migrant Workers Act of 1995 to give OFWs and their families more protection while its policy advocacy centers on the Alternative OWWA (Overseas Workers Welfare Administration) Management. Cases of violence against women migrant workers are brought out in the open, through discussion groups and various media, to influence public opinion and policy makers.
Research – provides data bank of relevant information accompanied by analyses for program development and policy advocacy.
Information and Publication – Kanlungan website (www.kanlungan.ngo.ph) contains migration data and analysis, position papers and activity updates of the institution. RAP produces and disseminates regular publications such as Trends, News and Tidbits (TNT), Fast Facts & Figures, and other popular education materials.
Library and Documentation – develops and maintains an information monitoring system that includes a modest collection of books and various publications on labor migration to serve researchers, academics and NGOs.
Community Extension Services Program (CESP)
The extension office in San Fernando, La Union was established in May 1996. It aims to organize multi-level (barangay till the provincial and regional levels) formation/alliances of returned migrant workers and families towards engagement in local governance as a distinct sector of Philippine society and establishment of Structures of Care (SOC) in the locality. Direct organizing and partnership with existing organizations in the community facilitate the formation of SOCs.
Kanlungan helped form Bannuar Ti La Union (Heroes of La Union), a province-wide federation of OFWs, returnees and their families. Kanlungan and Bannuar Ti La Union continue to challenge the Local Government Units (LGUs) in La Union to craft and implement policies and programs for OFWs and their families. Bannuar ti La Union is now a partner of Kanlungan in setting-up OFW Action Centers in their respective areas to respond to the needs of the sector.
Local Economy Development (LED) Program
In 2003, Kanlungan started its Local Economy Development Program in Naguilian, La Union to help build the local economy of the municipality as alternative to overseas employment. LED project is in partnership with the LGUs, micro-finance institutions, government line agencies, and enterprising migrant workers and their families.
Activities include: organizing OFW families, educating them on how to productively utilize savings and remittances, how to engage from traditional to non-traditional income-generating projects and establishment of enterprises that meet food security and are environment- friendly and sustainable.
K-Organics
In June 2004, Kanlungan established its business arm, a store selling organic/all-natural products called K-Organics (Kanlungan ng Kalusugan or Haven for Health). Proceeds of the store support Kanlungan’s services for OFWs. K-organics also aims to provide information on alternative healthy lifestyle as an option for overseas Filipino/a communities, advocates and development workers for their physical, mental, spiritual and social well-being.
K-organics is located at the Maginhawa Center, 97-A Unit 4 Maginhawa St. Teachers Village, Quezon City with telephone no. 436-7274. It is open to serve its customers daily except Sundays. |
