In 2005, Imelda wrote to the federal Parliament’s Joint Standing Committee on Migration, for its inquiry into overseas skills recognition, upgrading and licensing. Drawing on her work as a solicitor and registered migration agent, she set out how the system was holding back skilled Filipino migrants, and what could be done about it.
The submission was prepared by Imelda as President of the Filipino Migrants Forum, together with the Filipino Communities Council of Australia (FILCCA) and the Philippine Community Council of NSW. Its main recommendations were:
- Update the outdated guide. Assessing bodies relied on the 1995 edition of The Philippines Country Education Profile. Universities not listed in it, including every institution in the province of Ilocos Sur, should be assessed and added.
- Recognise board exam results. Results in the Philippine Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) board exams should be accepted as an alternative way to recognise qualifications.
- Give clear reasons. When a trade skills assessment fails, applicants should be told why in plain English, not through a tick-box form.
- Open fairer pathways for nurses. More places in NSW assessment programs for overseas-qualified nurses, credit for overseas hospital experience, and paid supervised training.
- Make processing transparent. Visa applications should be acknowledged within 7 days, with regular progress updates.
Imelda’s advocacy for the recognition of Filipino migrants’ skills and qualifications was later recognised with the 2012 Philippine Presidential Award.