DMW’s Ople: Research on climate change effects on labor migration needed

Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Susan "Toots" Ople underscored Tuesday the need for more research and published articles about the impact of climate change on labor migration around the world.

Ople mentioned this during her bilateral talks with International Organization on Migration (IOM) director general Antonio Vitorino in New York City. Ople is part of the Philippine delegation in President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.'s official trip to the United States.

“The Philippines is sadly very familiar with the effects of climate change and how it results in the displacement of people,” Ople said in a statement.

“We are also aware of the need to enhance multi-sectoral, multi-agency, and multi-country partnerships to mitigate the negative effects of climate change on migrant workers and communities,” she added.

For his part, Vitorino said the IOM is expected to tackle the need to support countries, which are more vulnerable to the effects of climate change, during the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 27) in November.

Ople said she is supportive of this initiative.

Meanwhile, Vitorino also acknowledged the role of the Philippines in championing the 23 objectives of the UN Global Compact on Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration.

United Nations (UN) Permanent Representative Antonio Manuel Lagdameo Sr. and Department of Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Multilateral Affairs and International Economic Relations Carlos Sorreta joined Ople in the bilateral talks. — Anna Felicia Bajo/RSJ, GMA News