QuestionsQuestions (EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 203)
EO 203 establishes the IAC-SGISM to enable government agencies to access and share relevant migration-related information, so they can address concerns of migrant workers and overseas Filipinos in a unified and swift manner.
Republic Act No. 8042, the “Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995,” which provides for the establishment of a Shared Government Information System for Migration.
The Inter-Agency Committee on the Shared Government Information System for Migration (IAC-SGISM).
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) chairs the committee, while the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is the vice-chairman.
DFA (Chairman); DOLE (Vice-chairman); Department of Justice; Department of Tourism; Bureau of Immigration; Commission on Filipinos Overseas; National Bureau of Investigation; National Statistics Office; Overseas Workers Welfare Administration; and Philippine Overseas Employment Administration.
Support agencies may be asked for assistance and support during implementation. They include DSWD, National Computer Center, National Labor Relations Commission, National Statistical Coordination Board, PNP, Office of the Presidential Adviser for OFW Affairs, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.
A technical committee created from among the IAC and support agencies will help in the development and implementation of the SGISM.
Phase 1: initially tap existing databases/files. Phase 2: link computer facilities to allow free-flow data exchange and sharing among concerned agencies.
It requires that such information/data be treated as confidential and used only for lawful and official purposes related to the usual functions of member agencies and purposes envisioned by RA 8042.
Access is limited to heads of agencies, their deputies/assistants, and officers directly responsible in implementing participation in the IAC-SGISM. Other staff may access selected data on a need-to-know basis and must obtain the appropriate security clearance from the head of agency.
They must formulate necessary guidelines defining levels of access and security rules for data sharing and access.
The IAC and support agencies must work toward promoting transparency on sharing data among themselves and with the public, and ultimately declassify data to promote public participation in policy making and program development.
The IAC and support agencies will convene to identify existing databases that can be declassified and shared only by and among member agencies.
Examples include: masterlists of Filipino migrant workers/emigrants/fiancees/spouses by country/state of destination and visa classification; inventory of pending legal cases; masterlists by age and sex of departing/arriving Filipinos; blacklisted foreigners/undesirable aliens; list of accredited recruiters and recruitment agencies; list of accredited foreign employers; and status of complaints for money claims and other legal cases.
These include a tracking system of gender-disaggregated cases, and lists of children issued travel clearance/for adoption/repatriation, and women and children trafficked.
For example: data on legal systems, immigration policies, and marriage laws/civil and criminal codes in destination countries; list of labor and other human rights instruments; treaties affecting migrant workers; and established protocols/guidelines for handling and adjudication of cases.
The IAC and support agencies must submit appropriate reports and recommendations to the President. They also provide relevant and factual information as a basis for the joint report to Congress by the DFA and DOLE.
The DFA provides a secretariat to provide administrative and support services to the Inter-Agency Committee.
An amount of Ten Million Pesos (P20 M) is allocated from the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office to carry out the provisions. Thereafter, the actual budget of the Inter-Agency Committee is drawn from the General Appropriations Act in accordance with Section 38 of RA 8042.
It takes effect immediately upon issuance (20 January 2000 as stated in the document).