PASTORAL MANAGEMENT EXPOSURE: PAMPANGA ARCHDIOCESAN MIGRANTS’

DESK (PAMD)

Sem. Fiel Louie N. Pareja

I. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The researcher would like to thank the Pampanga Archdiocesan Migrants’ Desk particularly its
current director, Rev. Fr. Arnulfo Magdaleno F. Serrano for the time he gives so that this
research paper will be materialized. Also, to Rev. Fr. Joseph Mary Bacay for giving this
opportunity to know this emerging important apostolate of the Church. This paper would not
be completed without the help and time of those directly involved in this ministry.

II. INTRODUCTION

Each year, the number of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) increases. Moreover, when one
speaks of the growing number of workers abroad, one cannot take for granted the growing
number of families who are left behind, separated from their loved ones. Paying the great price of
separation is one of the difficulties that both entities face. Hence, this necessitates the building
up of a unique apostolate for migrants and their families. Bishop Buenaventura Famadico of San
Pablo said: "If there's one thing that the Catholic Church should do for migrants, it is to
strengthen its support mechanism to shield them." The Church in fulfilling the mandate coming
from our Lord Jesus to “love one another” is being materialized by this emerging apostolate for
the migrants, itinerant and moving people.

Every year, at least a million Filipinos leave to work abroad, or about 4,500 Filipinos every day,
according to data from the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA). It
estimates 12.5 million Filipinos currently work or reside abroad, sending home in 2017 about
US$32.8 billion, a 4.5 percent increase on 2016. The Philippines is the third biggest remittance-
receiving country in the world, after India ($65.4 billion) and China ($62.9 billion), according to
the World Bank.

The current head of the Episcopal Commission on the Pastoral Care for Migrants and Itinerant
People in the Philippines is Bishop Ruperto Santos of Balanga. He said that "there is sadness and
pain every time (migrants) leave the country." Thus, the ministry of taking care for the families
and OFWs are being adapted by each dioceses of the Philippine Church.

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The Archdiocese of San Fernando, Pampanga founded its own Pampanga Archdiocesan
Migrants’ Desk in the year 2004 in the hope to cater the needs of the poor OFWs who work to
find greener pastures for their families.

This paper is an attempt to revisit the current migrant’s apostolate of the Archdiocese of San
Fernando, Pampanga. Hence, its history, vision-mission, goals, services and programs, its
organizational structure will be discussed. Also, it tries to critique its existing programs arriving
to humble pastoral recommendations.

III. HISTORY

In 2004, the Commission on Family and Life Apostolate, then headed by Bishop Roberto C.
Mallari, D.D., felt the need to extend the commission’s pastoral care programs to the families of
OFWs in the archdiocese of Pampanga. This move gave birth to the creation of the Pampanga
Archdiocesan Migrants’ Desk (PAMD).

Prior to the launching of assigning this ministry to Nelson Pastor T. and Mirasol M. Ajos, the
couple were sent to the 4th Wave EXODUS: An Asian Seminar on the Pastoral Care of Migrants
and the Itinerant people, attended by most Heads of the Commission on Family and Life all over
Asia. The rest was history.

The ministry came to life and full action after it was fully filled with lay volunteers, who
themselves were former OFWs or had families abroad. Rev. Fr. Arnulfo Magdaleno F. Serrano
served as the ministry’s Spiritual Director after Bishop Roberto C. Mallari, D.D.

In 2008, to speed up the services of the Migrants and to avoid duplicity of functions among
government and non government agencies, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines
(CBCP) in coordination with the Episcopal Commission for the Migrants and the Itinerant
People (ECMI), spearheaded the organization of the Pampanga Inter-Agency Council for
Migrants’ Concern (PIAMCO). The group is composed of the Regional Heads of the different
agencies in the Archdiocese of Pampanga. The existence of this group was further strengthened
by the passing and approval of executive order 18 issued by then Gov. Ed Panlilio. The office
today, with the leadership of the new governor , Gov. Lilia Pineda, PIAMCO has acquired a
status of working hand in hand with our Church thru the Pampanga Migrants’ Desk (PAMD).

IV. VISION-MISSION STATEMENT

Vision: We envision the Migrants, Itinerants and People on the Move together with their families
(MIPFs) living life in its fullness.

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Mission: We, in the Pampanga Archdiocesan Migrants’ Desk (PAMD), commit ourselves to:
 Facilitate and monitor the setting-up of migrant’s organization in the parishes,
schools and communities.
 Organize and sustain integrated programs that would address the present
condition of the MIPFs.
 Establish local and international linkages and partnership in support of the needs
of the MIPFs.
Goals:
 To provide formation programs geared towards building-up of MIPFs.
 To facilitate provision of services and welfare assistance to MIPFs.
 To conduct research and educational activities that would concretize its advocacy.
 To promote organizational and membership development through linkages and
networking.

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 V. PAMPANGA ARCHDIOCESAN MIGRANTS’ DESK ORGANIZATIONAL
STRUCTURE

ARCHBISHOP

DIRECTOR

PAMD COUPLE
COORDINATOR

VICE COORDINATORS

SEA BASED RETURNEES

LAND BASED

SUB MIN. HEADS

PARALEGAL REINTEGRATION EDUCATION COUNSELLING

ANTI-HUMAN SDO
TRAFFICKING

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 VI. ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE EXPLAINED

The Pampanga Archdiocesan Migrants’ Desk (PAMD) is an ecclesiastical organization

established by the archdiocese of San Fernando, Pampanga. Hence, like any other diocesan
commission, the head is the Roman Catholic Archbishop, the Most Reverend Florentino G.
Lavarias, D.D.

The current Director of PAMD is Rev. Fr. Arnulfo Magdaleno F. Serrano. He is the direct chair to
be approached regarding the sole management of the office. Thus, he is the man appointed by
the Roman Catholic Archbishop.

The organizational structure of PAMD is unique for having a Couple Coordinators. Ever since
the establishment of the said commission, these coordinators have been active in recruiting
trainors and beneficiaries. Hence, they are the direct contact of the PAMD director. The current
couple coordinators are Bro. Pat Ajos and Sis. Sol Ajos.

The Vice Coordinators are composed of three distinct branches that functions hand-in-hand: the
Sea-Based, Land-Based and Returnees. The head of the Sea-Based is in-charge of the Over Seas
Filipino Workers who are working on sea board or maritime. The Land-Based coordinator, on
the other hand, manages OFWs who work by land. The Returnees’ head works on our brothers
and sisters who after working abroad returned for good to their family here in the Philippines.
He gives assistance for them to start their life again.

The Sub-Ministries are divided into four branches that cater different apostolates: Paralegal,
reintegration, education, and counselling.

The Paralegal head is concerned with the legal affairs of the OFWs and their families here in the
Philippines. One of the pressing needs of our brothers and sisters is the legal assistance; most of
the time, they become victims of human trafficking in and outside of our country. With this
growing need to fight human trafficking, the PAMD formulated a distinct apostolate under its
paralegal apostolate – the Anti-Human Trafficking. This new apostolate is being handled in
cooperation with the Social Action Centre of Pampanga (SACOP), the Catholic Women’s
League (CWL), the Archdiocesan Commission on Youth, representatives from each parishes and
schools.

Just like the upper branch of Returnee on the Vice Coordinators, the Reintegration apostolate
functions the same according to Fr. Arnulfo. He is concerned with the well-being of our OFWs
after their work abroad.

The PAMD is very much active in giving scholarships to those children of OFWs. Hence, the
commission established the Sons and Daughters of OFWs (SDO) wherein with the help of some
private schools, deserving students who are poor children of OFWs are given free education.

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Some of its current school collaborators are: Holy Family Academy, Chevalier School, Holy
Angel University, Angeles University Foundation, and University of the Assumption, St. Mary’s
Academy of Guagua, St. Augustine Academy, Holy Rosary Academy of Lubao.

The commission gives counselling to those OFWs and families who need it. This said branch
works hand-in-hand with the Holy Rosary Parish Counselling Office located at adjacent to the
parish in Angeles City.

In general, the organizational structure of the PAMD is composed of different apostolate that
cater different aspects of the life of our brothers and sisters working abroad and their family left
here in our country.

VII. ORGANIZATIONAL BEHAVIOR

In reality, the commission has many branches of apostolate that needs enough human resources.
The distinct personalities on the commission are the RCA, the director and the Couple
Coordinators. Proper orientation about their job descriptions are given to them the moment
they assumed their offices. The presence of the PAMD in the archdiocese is minimal. Lay people
can hardly recognize the commission. The director and the couple coordinators are the ones who
do the major tasks in the apostolate.

VIII. HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGEMENT

All of the PAMD staffs are volunteers. They do not receive remuneration or salary from the
archdiocese. The apostolate itself has a declining number of active volunteers. To be exact, as per
the researcher’s interview, it only has seven active volunteers, small to cater the whole
archdiocese and fulfil the different offices in its organizational structure. Also, for the record,
these volunteers are already in their old age and sick.

Those who facilitate the apostolate on SDO on schools are teachers being paid by the school and
not by the PAMD.

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 IX. OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT

Even if the presence of the PAMD is minimal and hardly recognize by lay people, still the
apostolate tries to work silently with their planned goals and programs. To mention, the
national migrant’s desk of CBCP sees the PAMD as one of the most developed migrant’s
apostolate in the entire country. Other dioceses do not have such apostolate; hence, the
programs of PAMD are considered first class even compare to the programs of the national
migrant’s commission. The following are its programs and services:

1. Community Building and Formation Program (CBFP)

 Creation and Formation of Parish Migrants’ Desk

 Building Communities of Migrant Families.
 Sons and Daughters of OFWs Solidarity Group

2. Direct Services and Welfare Assistance Program (DSWAP)

 Migrant Family Counselling (PAMD, HRPCO)

 Paralegal Needs Assistance (PIAMCO)
 Livelihood and Entrepreneurship Skills Enhancement

3. Research, Education and Advocacy Program (REAP)

 Information campaign
 Policy reforms and Advocacy
 Newsletter and Publication
 Radio Program
 Migrant Situationer-Local analysis
 Survey and Data Gathering

4. Organizational and Membership Development Program (OMDP)

 Linkages and Networking

 Trainor’s Training
 Capability Building
 Retreats and recollection
 Migrant family Encounter
 Migrant Family Assembly and Solidarity Day

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Some of the programs stated above are not yet properly implemented. However, those programs
which are already on their existence are being implemented well and the beneficiaries are
satisfies with the projects like the scholarship program for the SDO.

X. STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT

Strategic management involves two processes: first, the process of identifying specific goals for a
firm and designing strategies to achieve those goals, and second, the process of implementing
those strategies. The PAMD, first and foremost, has a set of Vision-Mission that is already in
existence since its foundation. With this vision and mission, the commission set programs and
services that are in line with their general objectives.

During the researcher’s interview, the director of PAMD, Fr. Arnie humbly admit that there are
certain parts of their vision-mission and goals that are not implemented or fully executed. Some
of which are:

The Vision-Mission, Goals and Programs The Vision-Mission, Goals and Programs
and Services : THE IDEAL and Services : THE REAL

Mission:
What are those which are not implemented? What are
We, in the Pampanga Archdiocesan Migrants’ the probable reasons why they are not fully
Desk (PAMD), commit ourselves to: implemented?

 Facilitate and monitor the 1. The setting-up of migrant’s organization on

setting-up of migrant’s each parishes, schools and communities.
organization in the parishes,
schools and communities. Up until now, there is no single vicariate or
parish and community that has a PAMD office.
 Organize and sustain integrated
programs that would address According to Fr. Arnulfo, parish priest are not
the present condition of the participative in this endeavour.
MIPFs.
NB: it is only implemented in some schools.
 Establish local and However, the schools mentioned above are
international linkages and only private/catholic schools; there is no single
partnership in support of the mention of a public school.
needs of the MIPFs.
2. The establishment of international linkages
and partnership in support of the needs of the

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Goals:
 To provide formation programs geared not fully implemented?
towards building-up of MIPFs.
 To facilitate provision of services and 1. The plan of providing a formation programs
welfare assistance to MIPFs.
 To conduct research and educational
activities that would concretize its This goal is not materialized as of the moment.
advocacy.
 To promote organizational and
membership development through
linkages and networking.
Programs and Services of PAMD
1. Community Building and Formation
Program (CBFP)
 Creation and Formation of Parish
MIPFs.
The rationale of setting-up of international
linkages is for the reason of funding. Up until
now, PAMD has no international linkages only
on the local government level.
The director, Fr. Arnulfo sees the importance
of registering PAMD to the Security and
Exchange Commission to gain its credibility
and personality. He added that the difficulty in
having international linkages lies on the fact
that it is not registered on the SEC.
What are those which are not implemented?
What are the probable reasons why they are
geared towards building-up of MIPFs.
The commission is having the difficulty to
gather all the families and beneficiaries. Also,
the number of volunteers who are committed
to this task is limited. The main plan for the
formation program for MIPFs is through Basic
Ecclesial Communities. However, according to
Fr. Arnulfo, BEC in itself is a huge
responsibility to adapt upon the commission.
It needs proper surveillance to maintain its
consistency.
2. Because of lack of budget and volunteers,
PAMD is having a hard time to conduct
research and educational activities.
3. Linkages and networking is being done on
the local level. However, the goal to have an
international partnership is not yet
materialized.
List of programs and services that are not implemented
as of the time being:
 Creation and Formation of Parish
Migrants’ Desk
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 Migrants’ Desk
 Building Communities of Migrant  Building Communities of Migrant
Families. Families.
 Sons and Daughters of OFWs
Solidarity Group  Livelihood and Entrepreneurship Skills
2. Direct Services and Welfare Assistance Enhancement
Program (DSWAP)
 Migrant Family Counselling (PAMD,  Information campaign
HRPCO)
 Paralegal Needs Assistance (PIAMCO)  Newsletter and Publication
 Livelihood and Entrepreneurship Skills
Enhancement  Linkages and Networking (no
3. Research, Education and Advocacy Program international linkages)
(REAP)
 Information campaign
 Policy reforms and Advocacy
 Newsletter and Publication
 Radio Program
 Migrant Situationer-Local analysis
 Survey and Data Gathering
4. Organizational and Membership
Development Program (OMDP)
 Linkages and Networking
 Trainor’s Training
 Capability Building
 Retreats and recollection
 Migrant family Encounter
 Migrant Family Assembly and
Solidarity Day

If one observes the table being presented above, one sees that there is a big gap on the ideal
versus what is really happening in the ground. Even if the apostolate lacks in human resources
and funding (even support from parish priests) still its creativity is evident. Example, because
there is no support or minimal support given by parishes, PAMD redirect its attention to other
areas like schools wherein outreach ministries and scholarship grants are established.

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 XI. FINANCE MANAGEMENT

The PAMD sole source of budget is the second collection of each parish for migrants. Looking at
the organizational structure of this apostolate, it has no treasurer. If the apostolate has a project,
it usually collaborates to government agencies and offices to lessen the expenses of a certain
project. Example, during migrant’s celebration wherein families of the OFWs are gathered to
celebrate Migrant’s Sunday, it taps OVERSEAS WORKERS WELFARE ADMINISTRATION
(OWWA) and the local government unit. It also seeks sponsorships to big companies like PLDT
so that the families can have a free call overseas.

XII. ANALYSIS, SYNTHESIS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

The Pampanga Archdiocesan Migrants’ Desk is a good example of the Church’s concrete
response in responding to the signs of the time. The number of our brothers and sisters who
work abroad increases per annum; hence, the Church cannot just give a blind eye to this kind of
pastoral need. As the number of OFWs increases yearly, it is equivalent to say that the number
of families who are left here in our country increases too. With PAMD’s concrete pastoral
program, concerns regarding this growing reality are somehow being addressed.

With all the information and findings mentioned above, the researcher humbly recommends the
following to hopefully help the apostolate to mobilize more efficiently.

First, the apostolate must have a good number of volunteers to do all these tasks. The researcher
notices that what separates the ideal from the reality of this commission lies on the reality that
the apostolate itself has no enough human resources. If one looks at the organizational structure
of the PAMD, there are twelve offices that need a head. Unfortunately, there are only three
offices that are actively functioning; nine offices are still vacant. The director and the couple
coordinators as of the moment do all the tasks of the apostolate. The other volunteers of PAMD
are getting sick and old already.

Second, the apostolate can expand its network on the Sons and Daughters of OFWs (SDO) by
reaching out to public schools where majority of enrolees are under poverty line. As of the
moment, only eight school beneficiaries are included on the SDO program and they are all
private/ catholic institutions.

Third, one of the goals of the apostolate is to have Parish Migrant’s Desk on each parish.
Although this program can easily solve the issue of recruitment of the families OFWs on each
parish, it still remains an ideal task. As mentioned on the strategic management ideal-real
findings above, less support is being given to this apostolate by parish priests. Priests, though
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speculative, does not participate on this endeavour because of tasks flooding; one can rationally
say that a priest will focus first on the basic projects of his parish like catechism and the liturgy.
With this, the researcher recommends for the establishment of at least one PAMD office on each
vicariate and not each parish which will be the PAMD main office satellite.

Fourth, the suggestion of the PAMD director is rational for the apostolate to have its credibility
and personality. Hence, the move to register the apostolate to SEC is considered by the
researcher.

Lastly, the researcher sees the need to reintroduce the apostolate to the people. The researcher
made a concrete random survey to church goers and seminarians asking them if they know the
PAMD; the general response was they do not know it. Reintroducing it means widening the
apostolate’s information campaign. It is already mentioned on one of its programs to
“information campaign” the researcher thinks that if people know the existence of such
apostolate, more volunteers and beneficiaries or even benefactors will support such endeavour.
However, such proposal needs to consider the first recommendation stated above.

These are the concrete and humble recommendations of the researcher on the
commission/apostolate to maximize all the resources be it present or future.

XIII. LEARNING EXPERIENCES REGARDING THE PRIESTLY MINISTRY

Our Overseas Filipino Workers are considered as new living heroes. They are heroes because
they promote the sustenance of their families’ lives. They are also modern-day martyrs for they
sacrifice their lives as expressions of their love for their families and country. In return, with all
the hardships they go through each day, the Church takes the responsibility in taking good care
of their families who are left behind. Our Lord Jesus and his family experienced flying to Egypt
to seek refuge; there they experience the difficulties of life.

As a mandate of Jesus to love one another, the local Church in Pampanga acknowledges the need
to establish an apostolate to meet the growing needs of our brothers and sisters who flew
abroad finding lives for their love ones.

At first, I have no idea that our archdiocese has this apostolate for the migrants, itinerant and
moving people. It was indeed a surprise and joy to discover that we have such an apostolate.
With my pastoral exposure at the Pampanga Archdiocesan Migrants’ Desk, I have learned that
sometimes we need to acknowledge the big gap between what is ideal and the real. We can
always plan a good program; however, we must also acknowledge the limitedness of our sources.
It is disheartening to know that even if you laid a good program for our OFWs brothers and
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sisters, if it is not supported by others, it will not materialize. Nonetheless, even if there is
minimal support from others, with conviction and commitment to the pastoral ministry that
was entrusted to your care, you must go on and always think of other’s sake. With that
conviction and philosophy, it becomes value-added. Putting all your efforts and heart to it will
make a difference even if there is less support and resources.

PAMD is a good ministry to consider in the near future as I embrace this life as a priest. It is
indeed challenging, however, God’s grace will always be there to sustain me.

XIV. BIBLIOGRAPHY

1. Pampanga Archdiocesan Migrant’s Desk Pamphlet

2. Personal Interview of the researcher dated February 20, 2018, 3:00pm

3. https://www.ucanews.com/news/apostolate-for-filipino-migrant-workers-to-focus-on-
kin/81580

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