Philippines Shares Migration Experience to Portugal’s Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum

L-R: AIMA Director of International Relations Services Mr. João Aires Rodrigues de Jesus, AIMA Member of the Board of Directors Dr. Marta dos Reis e Campos Alegrias Feio, the Philippine Ambassador to Portugal H.E. Paul Raymund P. Cortes, and DFA Assistant Secretary for Migration Affairs Mr. Robert O. Ferrer, Jr.

LISBON 24 September 2024 – Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Assistant Secretary for Migration Affairs Mr. Robert O. Ferrer, Jr. and Philippine Ambassador to Portugal H.E. Paul Raymund P. Cortes discussed the Philippines’ migration governance and practices with officials of the Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum / Agência para a Integração Migrações e Asilo (AIMA) on 11 September 2024 at the headquarters of AIMA in Lisbon, Portugal.

Dr. Marta dos Reis e Campos Alegrias Feio, Member of the Board of Directors, and Mr. João Aires Rodrigues de Jesus, Director of International Relations Services, shared the beginnings of AIMA as a new government agency born out of the dissolved Foreigners and Borders Service / Serviço de Estrangeiros e Fronteiras (SEF). AIMA handles administrative functions related to foreign documents, migrants, and asylum, which include the issuance of documents and promotion of immigrant integration.

The Philippines similarly highlighted the role of the DFA as lead in strategic policy direction of the Philippines on migration, under the Office of the Undersecretary for Migration Affairs (DFA-OUMA), parallel to the efforts of the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) in upholding of international labor standards and managing the deployment and promoting welfare of overseas Filipino workers. The DFA officials likewise stressed its strict policies to ensure Filipino migrants’ safety amidst situations that can make them susceptible to irregular migration.

The meeting further explored possible areas of interest and cooperation, including cooperation in migration management, data collection and integration of Filipino citizens into Portuguese society. The mainstreaming data of migrants, policies on migrant integration and talent attraction in Portugal, as well as Philippines’ initiatives to avoid ‘brain drain’, and family reunification visas, among others were highlighted. 

Assistant Secretary Ferrer also stressed that the Philippines owes Portugal for introducing Christianity to the Philippines through Portugal’s illustrious son Fernão de Magalhães in 1521, and stated that Filipino migrants to Portugal are bearers of that shared heritage and history.  This could lead both countries to undertake joint projects to advance both countries’ shared values, such as reconstructing the old Magellan monument which used to be prominent in Manila’s waterfront until destroyed during World War II.

Both the Philippines and Portugal are among the first few countries to become Champions of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM). The migration policies of these countries serve as references in its own regions as it aims for full integration of migrants in national development. 

At the end of the meeting, Ambassador Cortes presented the AIMA officials with a copy of the Noli Me Tangere by Dr. José Rizal translated into Portuguese. END

Meeting of officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines and Portugal’s Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA) in Lisbon.