Introduction 1. This second report of the Philippines on the implementation of the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of their Families was prepared in accordance with the list of issues prior to reporting (CMW/C/ PHL/Q/2) identified by the Committee on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of their Families. The present report provides specific information on the implementation of articles 1 to 71 of the Convention, including with regard to the previous recommendations contained in the Committee’s concluding observations and covers the measures and progress in the implementation of new and old policies since the submission of the State party’s initial report in 2009. 2. The information used in this report was provided by the respective Philippine government agencies and inter-agency committees44. 3. Civil society partners and non-government organizations were consulted and the Commission on Human Rights of the Philippines (CHRP) provided independent views to enhance the report. I. general information 1. In light of the recommendations made by the Committee in paragraphs 14 and 50 of its concluding observations on the initial report of the Philippines (CMW/C/ PHL/CO/1), please provide information on the measures taken to improve the capacity of the State party’s institutions for effectively implementing the Convention by: (a) Simplifying and streamlining the institutional structure dealing with migration issues 4. For the last five years, the State party further strengthened its normative framework for the promotion and protection of the rights of migrants. It enacted the Amended Migrant Workers’ Act (RA 10022) in 2010 that further strengthened the protection mantle for the OFWs and their families and the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act (RA 10364) in 2013 which provided, among others, additional protection to victims of trafficking and service providers. It has also ratified the ILO Convention on Domestic Work (C 189) in 2012 and enacted the Domestic Workers Act (RA 10361) in 2013 that institutionalized policies for the protection and welfare of Filipino domestic workers. 5. Under the current administration of President Benigno S. Aquino III, the State party, guided by the President’s Social Contract with the Filipino people, continuously endeavours to create jobs at home so that working abroad will be a choice rather than a necessity and when citizens choose to be overseas Filipino workers (OFW), their welfare and protection will still be the Government’s priority. Consistent therewith, the State party initiated policy and procedural reforms to strengthen coordination and effectiveness of service delivery as follows: 1. Created the Overseas Preparedness and Response Team (OPRT), a high-level, ministerial team chaired by the Executive Secretary45. It facilitates maximum coordinated responses to remove OFWs from immediate hazards and risks 44 These agencies included the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Department of Justice (DOJ), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), Bureau of Immigration (BI), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Philippine National Police (PNP), Philippine Commission on Women (PCW), Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT), Presidential Human Rights Committee (PHRC), Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) and other relevant national government agencies. The DOLE and POEA State Report Preparation Team led the consolidation and finalization of this report. 45 Created by Executive Order 32 on April 2011, the OPRT is composed of the Secretaries of Foreign Affairs, Labor, Defense, Interior, Justice, and Budget, and the Presidential Adviser on OFW. 81