Global Bayaning Pilipino Awards - Japan 2012

INSTITUTION CATEGORY

Sagip Migrante (Country Winner)

• Nagoya, Japan

Sometimes, it is in the worst situations that we see the best of our fellow Filipinos.  It is in these situations that we find heroes.

In the aftermath of the 2011 earthquake in Japan, a group of overseas workers in Japan came together and founded Sagip-Migrante.  They came together to assist in the efforts of rescuing survivors, as well as provide a communication and information portal for those who were missing.  They were also able to bring together a group of volunteers to help out in the evacuation centers.

Through their collective efforts, they were able to visit affected areas and help the victims in Iwaki City, Fukishima City and Prefecture and other affected locations.  They strived to bring relief goods to the victims withstanding long drives and safety threats.

At present, they continue to extend assistance to their fellow Filipinos by holding consultation programs and still providing relief supplies in the affected areas.  Their efforts are now focused on rehabilitation and recovery to help the victims go back to their normal lives.

Sagip Migrante is a clear reminder of our bayanihan – the Filipino’s value of coming together for a cause.

Network of Filipino Social Dev't. Workers for Migrants in Japan-NETFIL (Country Winner)

• Tokyo, Japan

With the commitment of enabling migrants in Japan to realize their full potential to be active participants in building a harmonious, multi-cultural society, the Network of Filipino social Development Workers for Migrants in Japan (NETFIL) was organized.

NETFIL is composed of trained professional social development workers in Japan working towards creating a peaceful, multi-cultural society that upholds gender equality, human rights and equal opportunities am9ong migrants.  They aim to achieve this mission through advocacy, research, education, training, organizing counseling and case working.

Since it was formally organized, NETFIL has been conducting various programs designed for its vision of helping migrant workers in Japan.  Some programs are dedicated to the holistic development of families which include support for single-parent families and bi-cultural families.  These programs also promote the rights and welfare women and children.

The organization also conducts lectures, seminars, and workshops on family issues like parenting, sexuality, reproductive health and nutrition to fulfill its goal of educating, training and organizing Filipino migrant workers.  These are also supported with advocacy research and networking geared towards enhancing our cultural heritage.

After the March 2011 earthquake in Japan, the group focused its efforts on helping the victims through psycho-social interventions such as conducting counseling sessions for the Filipino evacuee.  In the succeeding months, NETFIL conducted critical incident stress debriefing and group work sessions coupled with masses in Tagalog for the Filipino communities.

With the growing number of Filipino migrant workers, it is comforting to know that there’s a group of Filipinos like NETFIL, who believe that it is their duty to look after their countrymen and who are committed to be of service to them.