September 2010 - Launch of the maiden issue of the Focus on the Global South Policy Review
September 19 - In Malaysia will be held the forum called "Regional
Strategy Meeting on Emerging Social and Cultural Concerns in ASEAN: Climate
Change, South East Asian Peoples’ Right to Information, Labor Migration and
Domestic Work and Platforms for Civil Society Engagement with the ASEAN." Focus Philippines will make a presentation on "Building
a Case for an ASEAN Protocol on Freedom of Information"
September 23 - 26 - Asean People's Forum in Hanoi, Vietnam. Fore more information, please send inquiries to the following: <apfhanoi-pc@aseanpeoplesforum.net>, <apfhanoi-ws@aseanpeoplesforum.net>. Ms Dorothy Guerrero, who is in the Bangkok office of Focus, seats in the Program Committee.
September 27 - October 1 - Freedom of Information Advocacy Week
September 23 - FOI Forum
September 27 - R2KRN will visit the Senate to renew the FOI campaign
September 28 - R2KRN will meet with Representatives of the Lower House
We are very pleased to share with you our Yearstarter issue, which sums
up developments in different thematic areas -- Mindanao, Trade,
Migration, and the Economic Crisis-- putting forward prospects and
propositions for 2009.
We are also happy to announce the release of our new publication
'Crisis and Change: FOCUS ON THE PHILIPPINES 2008 YEARBOOK. The
250-page yearbook contains analyses, commentaries, and reports on key
economic and political issues that took center stage in 2008. For more
information regarding the publication, email Qiqo Simbol (
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) or Aya Fabros (
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) or call 4333387. To download the book, click here.
We intend to go beyond the box in 2009 and as always, your feedback
is crucial. We look forward to hearing from you. Email us
fop-feedback(a)focusweb.org
Focus on the Philippines this month releases a very timely issue on agrarian reform and rural development. On December 17, the last session of Congress for 2008, Legislators will vote on House Bill 4077, seeking to extend and reform the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program. This vote will decide the fate of the unfinished business of agrarian reform in the Philippines, with funding for CARP, land acquisition and distribution as well as the provision of support services to beneficiaries, ending this year. This month's issue includes analyses on CARP performance and the need for meaningful reforms as well as a summary of an alternative agricultural roadmap.
Perspective:Standing on Tenuous Grounds
by Mary Ann Manahan
This month's FOP zeroes in on some critical dimensions, concerns and issues regarding migration. A number of high-level conferences and discussions, including the recently concluded Global Forum on Migration and Development held in Manila, show that migration has shifted from being a temporary stop-gap to a permanent component of the country's development thrust, significantly shaping the economic and sociopolitical landscape of the Philippines. Each year, over a million Filipinos leave the country for temporary work abroad, with Filipino migrants sending home at least $ 12 Billion in remittances, hard earned money that sustains families in the Philippines and 'keeps the economy afloat.' While the scale and contribution of migration is already quite established, there are gaps, consequences and related implications that still need to be fully examined and resolved. Probing the complex terrain of labor migration beyond 'maximizing the development benefits of migration', the articles here pose key questions and offer valuable commentary on important themes that are often relegated to the sidelines of key discussions. The lack of government protection and support to migrant workers, the absence of regulation and the massive gray area left to the market and private agencies, the sociopolitical implications and human rights dimension of migration, and the EU Return Directive are just some of the urgent themes that, for Focus and contributors from Kanlungan Center, Filipino Migrant Organizations in Europe, Migrant Networks in the Philippines, and the Transnational Institute, should be at the center of any debate and dialogue on migration.
Articles:
Perspective: Are OFWs falling through the cracks?: Between Unwieldy Regulation and the Middle-Men of Migration
by Julie de los Reyes
Political Round Up: In the Service of Overseas Filipino Workers
Kanlungan Center Foundation
Political Round Up: Did the Global Forum on Migration and Development really address migrants' issues?
by Marylou Malig
This issue, Focus provides several articles on trade and related negotiations. We find this particularly relevant in light of ongoing discussions, and the possible forthcoming ratification, of the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA), which is poised to become the Philippines’ first Bilateral Trade Agreement.
Also, we introduce a special section called FOP FORUM. For this first FOP virtual exchange, we gathered articles from respected analysts and activists from various fields and organizations in order to continue discussions on Mindanao.
The two themes, trade and Mindanao, underscore a critical mandate of government, particularly in terms of carrying out key, far-reaching negotiations in behalf of the Filipino people. This month’s FOP puts forward provocative points and analysis with respect to the practices, processes and possible implications of such negotiations. We hope the issue would capture the interest and imagination of activists, academics and more importantly, Filipinos at large.
We urge everyone to read on and send us feedback at
Perspective
The Road to JPEPA: How the Philippine government negotiated the controversial trade deal with Japan
by Joseph Purugganan
JPEPA Photo from Magkaisa Junk JPEPA
DOHA Protest Photo by Joseph Purugganan
FOP October 2008
Dear Readers,
This month's FOP looks at the Meltdown-- how we're affected and how to respond. The issue includes Walden Bello's Primer on the Wall Street Meltdown, analysis and proposals from Prof. Leonor Briones of Social Watch-Philippines, the Freedom from Debt Coalition and groups that participated in the Asia-Europe Peoples' Forum sessions. Also, to continue our Mindanao discussions, Eric Gutierrez shares an initial article, which probes the link between land issues and escalating conflict in Mindanao.
As months go by, more and more issues crop up, demanding our attention and action. We hope that this issue helps, as we contend with-- and create opportunities for intervention and change in-- yet another such crisis that has global and historical implications.
We look forward to your reflections and propositions:
Perspective
A Primer on the Wall Street Meltdown
by Walden Bello
Development Brief
The Global Economic Crisis: An Historic Opportunity for Transformation
An
initial response from individuals, social movements and
non-governmental Organisations in support of a transitional programme
for radical economic transformation Beijing, 15 October 2008
Newsletter 
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