Miriam College to launch new research on migration

Source: CBCP News

MANILA, June 29, 2011—Miriam College Women and Gender Institute (WAGI) will publicize, June 30, its research about the social cost of migration in four (4) countries namely Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Ortigas Center, Pasig City.

Titled “Valuing the Social Cost of Migration: An Exploratory Study in Four Countries—Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam, the study had examined the social dimensions and impacts of migration and had identified the social cost of this social phenomenon.

“The study seeks to expand understanding of the impacts of migration beyond remittances and economic benefits [as] most current studies on migration are focused on these economic outcomes—how remittances from millions of overseas Filipino workers have contributed to the stabilization of the national economy. However as WAGI’s research suggests, this kind of analysis highlights merely the positive economic effects of migration, failing to take account the costs or negative effects of migration on human capital, political, social, psychological, and other forms of non-economic outcomes,” read WAGI’s statement.

One of the highlights of the said study, states WAGI, is the separations that are emotionally straining for family members left behind, especially felt among growing children.

WAGI also said that the paper, made possible with the support from UN Women, also highlighted how migration dramatically reconfigures family structures and alters family relationships, continuously changing the roles of parents and children.

The findings will be presented by lead researchers Prof. Aurora de Dios and Dr. Nanette Dungo, with Ms. Carmelita Dimzon of the Overseas Workers’ Welfare Administration (OWWA) and Prof. Malou Alcid of the University of the Philippines College of Social Work and Development as reactors.

WAGI said that the forum is open to all interested—government agencies, non-governmental organizations and international agencies that are working closely with migrant workers.

Inquiries can be directed to Mel Reyes of the Women and Gender Institute through email mmreyes@mc.deu.ph or through phone no. +632 4359229. (Noel Sales Barcelona)