The Technical Working Group (TWG) under Sub-Committee on International Migration and Development (SCIMD) of the Regional Development Council Region 6 met on July 20,2018 for the proposed regional version of this BalinkBayan Website, a portal that responds to the need for Diaspora Driven Development as an access and a gateway for overseas Filipinos to engage in various ways in an effort to contribute to a prosperous and developing Philippine economy.
The TWG is composed of provincial Migration and Development focals and representatives from the academe and migrants groups. The Province of Iloilo through Public Employment Service Office (PESO) spearheads the TWG along with the provinces of Aklan and Antique and the city of Iloilo, all of which are maintaining local BalinkBayan websites in partnership with the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO).
The proposed website will be the first in the country and the CFO has commended the efforts of Western Visayas in uniting the provincial and city BaLinkBayan websites.
Under the proposed portal, regional statistical data on migrants will be made available consisting registry and demographics of migrants and consolidated provincial migration and development activities. It will also include access to national and regional agencies programs and activities, relevant national and international laws and policies and SCIMD updates. The TWG will also be working for reporting and referral mechanisms to assists migrants in need of assistance.
Meanwhile, provincial and city websites will retain its features and improve localization particularly on the contents of government service tab.
According to NEDA 6, the Department of Information, Communications, and Technology (DICT) will provide the hosting and domain services while the CFO will design the theme for the website.
Here are the links of the existing BaLinkBayan websites in Western Visayas:
- ILOILO PROVINCE – http://iloiloprovince.balinkbayan.gov.ph
- ILOILO CITY – http://iloilocity.balinkbayan.gov.ph
- AKLAN PROVINCE – http://aklan.balinkbayan.gov.ph
- ANTIQUE PROVINCE – http://antique.balinkbayan.gov.ph
