Global Forum on Migration and Development
Published on the Global Forum on Migration and Development Web Portal (https://www.gfmd.org)


Date Shared: 
Wednesday, August 14, 2019 - 10:44
Title: 

Overseas Filipinos' Online Portal for Diaspora Engagement

Countries and areas: 
Philippines
Partner(s): 
National Government of the Philippines (Commission on Filipinos Overseas)
Thematic Area: 
Diasporas, Remittances
Tags: 
Portability of Social Benefits, Remittances, Return and Reintegration, Sustainable Development , Brain Drain and Brain Gain, Diaspora Empowerment and Engagement, Diaspora Investment and Entrepreneurship, Mainstreaming Migration into Development Planning, Local Development
Summary: 

The Government of the Philippines created a communication platform BaLinkBayan for Filipino returnees, which functions as a one-stop online portal for diaspora engagement. BaLinkBayan is a means to connect Filipino individuals and communities to the Philippines through the Diaspora to Development (D2D) program of the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) BaLinkBayan focuses on the five of the D2D: diaspora investment and entrepreneurship, diaspora philanthropy, brain gain program, educational exchange, and medical mission coordination. 

BaLinkBayan is a one-stop online portal dedicated to the overseas Filipino.

With the steady inflow of remittances to the Philippines and the growing awareness of its potential for sustenance and development, the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) recognized the need to establish BaLinkBayan. A quip on the Filipino word balikbayan (a returning overseas Filipino), Balinkbayan is a means to connect Filipino individuals and communities to the Philippines through the Diaspora to Development (D2D) program of the CFO. This program promotes and supports diaspora-driven initiatives such as investment, philanthropy, and technology and skills transfer.

In line with the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2011-2016, BaLinkBayan serves as the perfect platform to ensure better services for the overseas Filipino. BaLinkBayan's long term pursuit for inclusive and sustainable growth is driven by the collective strength of overseas Filipinos that can serve as catalysts to fuel Philippine economic development. Through this ongoing pursuit, BaLinkBayan strives to make an impact by encouraging our overseas Filipinos to participate and help achieve the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (UN-MDGs) such as the eradication of hunger and poverty, achievement of universal primary education, the reduction of child mortality, improvement of maternal health, and environmental sustainability.

GFMD Source: 

GFMD 2008 - Background Paper RT 1.2 "Empowering Migrants and Diasporas to Contribute to Development"

GFMD 2012 - Report of Proceedings

GFMD 2016 - Background Paper RT 1.2 - Connectivity and Migration

GFMD 2019 - Background Paper RT 2.2 "Communicating Effectively with Migrants"

GFMD 2019-Thematic Workshop on Narratives on Migration: Toward evidence-based Communication

Link: 

For more information:

  • https://balinkbayan.gov.ph/

Source (retrieved on 12/29/2025 - 01:38): https://www.gfmd.org/pfp/ppd/11294