Commission on Filipinos Overseas commends UA&P book on Diaspora

The Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) recently released its review of “Working Overseas: Diaspora that Sustains a Nation,” a six-book series on Filipinos’ overseas migration concerns published by the Center for Research and Communication (CRC) of the University of Asia and the Pacific (UA&P).

CFO Usec. Mary Grace Ampil-Tirona acknowledges the books’ “reader-friendly” format and “highly informative papers” which “serves to de-mystify notions about migration, now a burgeoning industry, that are often traced to an apparent situation of “joblessness” and “extreme poverty,” factors often cited as responsible for pushing a never-ending stream of Filipinos overseas.”

“What makes this collection of value,” adds Tirona, “is its departure from the usual academic discourses around theory. Rather, the exchanges are drawn from praxis and over time. The facility that advances in information technology have introduced serves to strengthen the diverse perspectives, and, being “grounded”, leaves decision-makers with a good handle necessary for evidence-based policies, programs and services … What is also clearly put across is the message that human development and economic development are two sides of the same coin.”

“Working Overseas: Diaspora that Sustains a Nation” is penned by Dr. Bernardo M. Villegas, Director for Research of CRC, and Bansan C. Choa, Chairman and CEO of iRemit Corporation. The books are now available in leading bookstores. For additional orders, call Rio Quiza at [email protected] or at (02) 6345874 / (02) 6370912 local 350.