CHAPTER 1

Introduction

1.1 Background of the Project

Labor Migration has long shaped the nature of societies and changed the global culture of

different countries. (definition of labor migration)

Many people from underdeveloped countries leave their homes and families to migrate

and seek better work in other countries. South-East Asia in particular, has attracted migrants

because of its fast-growing population and wide-spread poverty among its citizens. As a result,

more and more people seek better opportunities abroad and the trend seems to continuously grow

every year.

Currently, there are about 8 million Filipino workers living overseas. As one of the top

migrant-sending countries, ranking third behind China and India, overseas employment has been

a key feature of Philippine political economy for the past forty years (Franco, 2015). The country

has deployed 2.2 million Filipinos in 2013, according to the Philippine Overseas Employment

Administration (POEA).

With the Current globalization of the Labor Industry in the Country, and the upcoming

ASEAN Integration and GATS Integration, the Asia Development Bank- International Labor

Organization (ADB-ILO) projected that the labor migration of Filipinos is expected to increase

by 12 % annually in the coming years. (Lambino, 2017)

Some countries have established large and effective agencies to facilitate the temporary

out-migration of their nationals for employment. Philippines has been establishing institutions,

policies, and programs to reach to its emigrants in more than 200 countries and territories

worldwide. Government entities under Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) have been
established, namely: the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), and the

Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA). The Philippine government has been

building a huge bureaucracy catering to the different stages of migration cycle - from pre-

employment to reintegration (Franco, 2015). Submitting requirements, paying placement and

other fees, taking various tests and consume a considerable amount of effort and time. They go

through a very tedious process just to be able to secure all the work requirements. Ironically, there

are some who fall victim to abusive employers and end up coming back home in even worse

condition not only financially but physically, emotionally or mentally, as well.

Philippines ranks third among the worlds top labor exporters in terms of amount of

remittances received (World Bank Data). Workers' remittances are a significant part of

international capital flows, especially with regard to labor-exporting countries such as the

Philippines. Money transfers from Filipinos working all over the world account to as much as 8.5

percent of the countrys GDP. Cash remittance from Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) is an

important source of income for many Filipino families and thus a key driver of private

consumption in the country. Beyond all these, lies the truth that Filipinos face a lot of challenges

as they seek a better opportunity abroad. Overseas Filipino workers (OFW) are called heroes of

the new era, "Bagong Bayani" in Filipino, for a reason. This label ends up normalizing the risks

of migrating for work abroad and downplays the role of the state in labor export promotion; it de-

emphasizes how the government seeks to maximize remittances but fails to protect its migrants

abroad. Overseas workers lack facilities and government help to alleviate their lives and improve

their lot.
1.2 Statement of the Problem

Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) spend months or even years away from their loved

ones, and, on average, are given a month-long vacation, per year. The time given are spent with

their families and processing or renewal of documents and other paper works they need in order

to be able to work abroad.

Government Agencies and Institutions which attend to Overseas Employment are

scattered around Metro Manila. In effect, the process of securing the government related

documents is very time consuming and costly for the overseas applicants. Likewise, it reduces the

efficiency of the actual processing of the required work documents as - in most cases - the

documents are physically moved from building to building, either for review, authentication, or

approval. All these translate to additional time and resources.

Although the current administration has started developing one-stop-shops for OFWs,

current processing centers have insufficient facilities and lack of space due to the buildings not

really built for its purpose. As of 2017, there are 15 service centers nationwide where they can

avail of all government services.

As the countrys number one contributor to the economy with the remittances, overseas

workers lack facilities regarding ways to improve their situation. The country has become so

successful as a labor exporter that it has failed to develop and strengthen development processes

of its stakeholders. Knowing how much they contribute to the Philippine economy; proper

assistance and recommendation provisions for the OFWs and their dependents are seen to be

insufficient. Seminars and talks would help enhance the quality of life and help come together to

discuss ways to finally make more concrete actions to improve their lives like providing free

educational and medical assistance to the members of their family, establishing a bank of their

own, providing skill-enhancement programs or entrepreneurship . The project proposal is to cater

the needs of OFWs and their families. It aims to help improve their lives by giving assistance and

protection.

In essence, a proposal to construct a building that will house all the government offices

and institutions required to serve the needs of all overseas applicants, Overseas Filipino Workers

(OFW) and their families. This will also increase the efficiency in processing all the required

work and travel documents for the new and returning OFWs. Thus, a mixed-use overseas

employment center is proposed, an initial step for the betterment of the lives of our Overseas

Filipino Workers.

This thesis aims to answer the following problems in finding a solution to the development

of the Overseas Employment Center.

What specific concerns in terms of the current procedure of processing centers can be

addressed through architectural design?

What considerations should be focused on to enhance the well-being and quality of life of

the OFWs and their families?

What can this project offer to the country and the problems it will resolve?

What architectural style must be implemented for a government building to become a

landmark?

What modern technologies can be applied without complicating the process for the

people who are not accustomed with machineries?

1.3 Project Goals and Objectives

Goal

Given the lack of facilities governing overseas workers and their dependents, the provision of

a one-stop-service center for OFWs aims to design a faster way of processing documents that is

all relevant to OFWs, creating a systematic and hassle-free experience for the users.

Project Objectives:

1. To shorten time and effort spent on processing documents of OFWs and their families by

producing new systems on designing and planning government processing centers;

2. To change the status of the processing centers in the country that can serve as a model for

future similar projects, and:

3. To showcase the OFW culture and understand the ecological, physical and social needs

of the stakeholders

1.4 To Significance of the Project

The Philippines ranks third among the worlds top labor exporters with 8 million Filipino

workers living overseas. Now, with the Current globalization of the Labor Industry in the

Country, and the upcoming ASEAN Integration and GATS Integration, the labor migration of

Filipinos is expected to increase by 12 % annually in the next years. Building a One-stop-service

center for OFWs is a feasible and relevant project, and its significance is discussed in the

following:

1.4.1. Service

The development of the One-Stop-Service Center will be the answer to the lack of proper

processing center in the country by producing a more systematic procedure, redefining the
architectural design and plan of it. This will expedite the processing of documents allowing a

hassle-free, efficient and effective service for the OFWs.

1.4.2. Assistance

The Overseas Center protects and promotes the interest of member-Overseas Filipino

Workers. It develops responsive programs and services for the social protection of its members.

The program promotes comprehensive educational, medical, psycho-social and development

interventions in addressing the financial and psychological costs of migration. Also, a

reintegration program, where livelihood opportunities to OFWs, will be show cased.

1.4.3. Skill enhancement

The project intends training programs for OFWs and dependents to provide job-related

training in upgrading the knowledge, skills and develop expertise among Filipino. It will be in the

form of training assistance and seminars.

1.4.4. Leisure

Duty Free and Pasalubong shops will be added catering the families of OFWs. This is one

culture of an OFW family, which will be given importance in the project.

1.4.5. Technology

To ease the overall movements of the people inside the building, walk-conveyors, escalators and

elevators will be included in the design.

1.4.6. Design concept

Basically, a touch of different Filipino culture will be showcased in every floor of the building to

highlight the beauty of the many places where the OFWs come from.