OFW Middle East

Seven new rules in UAE as new year starts

2012-01-05T00:23:00.000+08:00

In the United Arab Emirates where more than 200,000 Filipinos reside, seven new rules will be implemented, a report of Gulf News said.

The report said the new rules include:

(1) ID cards now a must

Gulf News said the card is now mandatory across the UAE except in Dubai. The card will be used to access Ministry of Interior services including that of the Traffic Department.

The rule began in four emirates — Umm Al Quwain, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah in November 2009. Dubai will implement it in mid-2012.

The report said Emirates Identity Authority started issuing cards to Emiratis in 2006 and to expatriates in 2008.

October 31, 2011 was the deadline for renewing all identity cards expiring on that date. The delay attracts a Dh20 fine per day, up to a maximum of Dh1,000.

(2) Child safety campaign

A safety awareness campaign is being implemented to protect children in high-rise buildings because of the rising number of child victims who figured in such accidents.

The Municipal Council of Sharjah said local authorities will soon launch a safety awareness campaign to protect children in high-rise buildings.

The report said the UAE government is also considering setting new set of construction and safety codes to promote child safety.

3. Traffic fines

A discount will be given to traffic violators who will pay in full their accumulated traffic fines.

The deadlines set are the following:
When: Abu Dhabi: no deadline set
Dubai: by January 12
Sharjah: by April 30
Ajman: by February 29
Ras Al Khaimah: by April 30

4. IBAN
What: The International Bank Account (IBAN) number, is a 23-digit long, internationally recognized code, required for conducting any local or international transactions.

The IBAN number is mandatory for all UAE bank account holders

This aims to ensure efficient and speedy payment transactions and lessen the risk of transcription errors in cross-border transactions, the report said.

5. Rent registration

Tenants in Dubai are required to register rent contracts with the Dubai Land Department (DLD) through Ejari.ae.

Gulf News said this will be a pre-requisite to accessing other government services.

The failure to comply will result in a penalty.

6. Unified car purchase contract

Gulf News said the new unified auto purchase contract states the rights of the customers and dealers' obligations in terms of warranties, after-sales service and maintenance, among others.

Officials expect disputes between car dealers and consumers to drop by 30 percent when the unified contract is implemented.

Gulf News said the new ruling will help the UAE's automobile sector by making buying and selling activity more transparent.

7. Fake mobile phones
Gulf News said UAE telecommunication service providers etisalat and du will suspend all services to mobile phone subscribers who use counterfeit mobile handsets.

Officials say fake phones could be hazardous as they may not meet safety standards.

The users of fake mobile devices will be contacted by their service providers and all phones that are not type approved will be disconnected from all telecom services, the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) said.

Source: gmanetwork.com

DFA exec: Most of over 4,500 Pinoys in Syria undocumented

2012-01-04T00:46:00.000+08:00

Majority of Filipinos in strife-torn Syria are undocumented, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) spokesperson Raul Hernandez said Tuesday.

In a text message to GMA News Online, Hernandez said "90 to 95 percent" of the 4,557 Filipinos in the Middle Eastern country are working there without proper documents.

"Many of them went there with wrong information provided by illegal recruiters," he said, adding that most of the undocumented Filipinos are household service workers.

Statistics from the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) show that 710 Filipinos were deployed to Syria in 2010—a significant growth from only 200 in 2009.

Out of this number, nearly 550 were women who fell under the “domestic helpers and related household workers” category.

In a separate interview over radio dzBB on Monday, Hernandez said the government will help repatriate the undocumented Filipinos but they may not be entitled to the benefits it will provide.

Hernandez told GMA News Online that the average cost of repatriation—including refund of deployment cost—is around US$3,000 (or over P131,000).

Asking Syrian officials’ help

After raising the crisis alert level in Syria to "4"—which demands mandatory repatriation—the DFA is currently intensifying its efforts to send home all the Filipino workers there.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario arrived in Syria on Monday morning to personally oversee the repatriation efforts there.

He also tapped the Syrian government for assistance in updating the database of the Philippine Embassy in Damascus.

"This is in order to supplement the determination of the exact location and other information of other Filipinos deployed throughout Syria's 13 governorates," the DFA said in a statement.

Repatriation

Last week, Del Rosario appealed anew to the Filipinos remaining in Syria "to remove themselves out of harm's way while there's still time by getting themselves repatriated back to the Philippines."

The Philippine government has repatriated 490 Filipinos from Syria since March 2011, 56 of which arrived over the New Year weekend.

The 56 Filipinos arrived in two batches at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) last Saturday, a report over radio dzBB said on Monday.

Del Rosario said they expect to repatriate at least 200 more Filipinos in the next two weeks.

Meanwhile, the DFA said the hotline of the Philippine Embassy in Syria is 00-963-116-132626. Families may also e-mail their requests and concerns through the Embassy's e-mail address pe.damascus@gmail.com, it said.

In Manila, the DFA also activated hotline numbers for families of Filipinos based in Syria, at 834-3245 and 834-3240.

Source: gmanetwork.com

OFWs in Saudi Arabia forced to sell their blood

2011-10-17T11:27:00.002+08:00

Manila (Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN) - A number of jobless and undocumented overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Saudi Arabia are selling their own blood to hospitals just to survive, according to Migrante-Middle East (M-ME).

M-ME regional coordinator John Leonard Monterona said undocumented OFWs who had previously sought assistance from the group confirmed to him that they had to sell their blood either to raise funds for their daily sustenance or to send money to their families back home in the Philippines.
Monterona cited the case of 30-year-old "Roy" from Tondo, Manila, who arrived in Saudi Arabia in 2009 to work as a glass cutter.

"After months of working and not being paid his salary, he was forced to run away from his employer and has since become undocumented," said Monterona in a statement.
Monterona said that like many other undocumented OFWs, Roy was jumping from one part-time job to another.
"It's hard because I have no permanent job, it's hard to be a TNT (tago ng tago). That's why every month, I sell my blood just to have money which I can send to my family back home," Monterona quoted Roy as saying.

Miko, another OFW, also had the same experience, Monterona said.
Miko, 38, used to work as a store merchandiser in Riyadh. But he was forced to resort to blood-selling when he was terminated from his job and could not find another one for three months.
Monterona said there was nothing wrong with donating blood. "It is in fact a noble and humanitarian act," he said.

He noted that some hospitals in Riyadh had urged Saudi nationals and expatriate workers to donate blood. In return, donors receive an "honorarium."

Source: ph.news.yahoo.com

Pinoy engineer abducted in Yemen freed — DFA

2011-05-08T22:30:00.000+08:00

The Filipino engineer kidnapped in Yemen last month was released by his abductors Friday, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on Saturday.

In a statement, the DFA expressed appreciation to Yemeni authorities for their help in facilitating the release of Ramon de Castro.

The 46-year-old Filipino is now with his employer Aggreko-Yemen, and his departure from Yemen is being arranged, the DFA said.

“[We] are making arrangements for his wife and brother-in-law to proceed to and meet him in Dubai," the department also said.

De Castro, together with his Sri Lankan colleague, was abducted by a local tribe group on April 18, while on their way to Sana’a – Yemen’s capital – for a vacation.

De Castro was based in the province of Ma’arib, where this employer’s power plant is located. Ma’arib is 200 km east of Sana’a.

Aggreko-Yemen, an international power generator rental company, learned about De Castro’s abduction two hours after the incident.

The abductors demanded from Yemen some government services such as jobs, schools, and electricity supply, the DFA said.

During his visit to Yemen last April 30, Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario sought the assistance of the Yemeni government for De Castro’s release.

At the time, Al-Sadi Group of Companies, the local agent of Aggreko-Yemen, assured Del Rosario that it is doing everything for the Filipino’s release.

Also, Yemeni Foreign Minister Abu Bakr Qirbi told Del Rosario that Yemeni’s security forces will spare no effort to facilitate the Filipino’s release and ensure his safety.

The DFA said the Yemeni government, some tribal leaders in Ma’arib, and other provincial leaders helped convince the local tribe to release De Castro.

Source: www.gmanews.tv

Release P24M for stranded OFWs in Saudi, Aquino urged

2011-05-04T00:55:00.001+08:00

MANILA, Philippines - A migrant workers' rights group has called on the Aquino administration to release the P24 million for the airfare of over 1,000 overseas Filipino workers in Saudi Arabia.

Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator John Monterona said the promise of Vice President Jejomar Binay to work on the repatriation of the 1,084 stranded OFWs in Jeddah might only be lip service.

Last April, Binay visited stranded OFWs at the Al-Mina hajj terminal which serves as a temporary shelter to waiting for the formalities of their repatriation.

During the visit, Binay vowed to work for their repatriation and upon his return to Manila.

“Majority already have their travel documents ready. What’s preventing them to be repatriated is that they don’t have airplane tickets,” Monterona said.

He noted most of the stranded OFWs run away from their abusive employers whose work permit or visa had already expired.

To be repatriated, a stranded OFW needs to acquire an exit clearance from their sponsor-employer otherwise they will not be allowed to travel without the required travel document.

Source: www.philstar.com

Review of deployment ban sought as Bahrain situation calms down

2011-05-02T00:15:00.000+08:00

Citing the improving situation in Bahrain, an overseas Filipino worker advocacy group urged the government to review its ban on the deployment of Filipinos there.

Migrante Middle East said Nepal and Sri Lanka had already lifted their respective deployment bans on workers to Bahrain.

“The lifting of [deployment] ban by the Nepalese and Sri Lankan governments have been made on the basis of the recent peace-and-order situation assessment in Bahrain, which is relatively peaceful now and did not anymore pose a great risks on their nationals to travel in Bahrain as compared to last [month's] situation," Migrante Middle East coordinator John Monterona said in an entry on the group's blog site.

The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs raised the alert level in Bahrain to "2" last March.

Under Alert Level 2, Filipinos in Bahrain were advised to:

* Remain calm.

* Actively monitor ongoing developments.

* Keep communications lines open with the Embassy and with designated community coordinators.

* Inform the Embassy or Filipino community coordinators of their whereabouts.

* Refrain from going outdoors.

* Stock at least a two-week supply of food and water. Prepare needed medicines, flashlights, candles, mobile phones, and radios.

* Make sure that important documents such as passports and driver's licenses are readily available.

* Be sensitive to local culture, customs and traditions, and religious beliefs in Bahrain. Avoid making comments or actions that may be considered politically sensitive.

But Monterona said it may be prudent for the Philippines to follow the cue of most governments sending workers to Bahrain, which he said appeared to have reassessed the situation there.

“If other labor-sending governments have already lifted their self-imposed travel ban on its working nationals in Bahrain, then it would be prudent on the part of the (Philippine) government to reassess the current alert level 2, downgrade it, and thereby allow our OFWs, returning and new hire, to travel to Bahrain," he said.

Last April 22, Migrante-Middle East and OFWs' groups initiated an online signature campaign based on the request from returning OFWs and new hires, seeking a reassessment of the alert level there.

As of April 24, the online petition had gathered 114 signatures.

“Aside from securing our workers’ safety, the government has the obligation to ensure that there are enough jobs to employ mass of workers but since it could not create decent jobs amid grinding poverty, Filipino workers are forced to look for overseas jobs," Monterona said.

Source: www.gmanews.tv

OFWs call for lifting of OFW deployment ban in Bahrain

2011-04-29T22:17:00.001+08:00

MANILA, Philippines - A group of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) yesterday demanded the full lifting of the government’s deployment ban in Bahrain to enable more Filipinos to work there.

John Leonard Monterona, Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator, said other countries have already lowered the alert level previously issued on Bahrain, so the Philippine government must do the same and allow new hires to leave.

“The lifting of the travel ban by the Nepalese and Sri Lankan governments has been made on the basis of the recent peace and order situation assessment in Bahrain, which is relatively peaceful now and does not anymore pose great risk to their nationals... as compared to last month,” Monterona said.

He said the government should send a team to reassess the situation and eventually lift the partial deployment ban in Bahrain.

“If other migrant-sending governments have already lifted their self-imposed travel ban on its working nationals in Bahrain, then it would be prudent on the part of the Philippine government to reassess the current alert level 2, downgrade it, and thereby allow our OFWs, returning and new hire, to travel to Bahrain,” Monterona explained.

The government previously banned the sending of workers to Bahrain due to escalating tensions there, but eventually lowered the alert level and allowed workers to return.

According to the OFWs, a lot of Filipinos are now suffering from underemployment and unemployment and the government could address the problem by lifting the partial deployment ban in Bahrain.

An OFW currently working in Bahrain said the situation there is already back to normal.

Monterona said the government should see and understand the dire economic standing of the returning and newly hired OFWs bound for Bahrain who need a job to earn a living for their struggling families in the Philippines.

The government has already reported a decline in deployment of Filipino workers abroad as a result of the political turmoil in several countries in the Middle East.

Source: By Mayen Jaymalin | www.philstar.com

Government halts OFW deployment to Syria

2011-04-29T22:13:00.000+08:00

MANILA, Philippines - Filipino workers were stopped from going to Syria yesterday.

However, Labor Undersecretary Danilo Cruz said the deployment ban only covers newly hired workers, not those returning to their previous employment.

“Since it’s just an alert level 2, returning workers are still allowed to leave the country,” he said.

Cruz said the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) has already ceased from processing the deployment of workers to Syria.

“With the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) already raising the crisis alert to level 2, the POEA immediately issued the advisory restricting deployment of workers to Syria,” he said.

Cruz said POEA is now checking recruitment agencies that have deployed a large number of workers so they could help locate Filipinos working in Syria.

“We need the help of the agencies to locate the Filipinos, as well as in shouldering the cost of repatriation in case the need for it arises,” he said.

Cruz expressed confidence that the government would be able to work out a plan for their immediate repatriation.

However, as of yesterday the POEA has not received any request from Filipinos in Syria for repatriation, he added.

Based on government records, over 800 out of the estimated 17,000 Filipinos in Syria are members of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA).

A majority of Filipino workers in Syria are undocumented.

The DFA raised yesterday the crisis alert level in Syria to alert level 2, which entails restriction of movement in Syria, avoiding large crowds and areas of protest, and encouraging Filipinos to voluntarily relocate or leave at their own cost if they have no pressing need to remain.

Non-essential and non-urgent travel is discouraged, including travel for tourism purposes.

Only returning workers will be allowed to fly to Syria.

The Philippine embassy has been closely monitoring developments in the country.

It has briefed the Filipino community on the embassy’s contingency plans.

Ambassador to Damascus Wilfredo Cuyugan said they have asked Filipinos in Syria to actively monitor developments.

“Keep their communication lines open with the embassy and their community coordinators, and inform them of their whereabouts, as well as restrict their movements only to those which are necessary,” he said.

“We also asked them to stock up on basic necessities such as food, water, and prescribed medicine, as well as have flashlights, mobile phones and radios available and in good condition. They should also have important documents such as passports and money handy.”

Around 17,000 Filipinos are in Syria.

The embassy has updated contingency plans for community members.

These plans can be readily activated during times of crisis.

Source: By Mayen Maylin | www.philstar.com

Pinoy parents in KSA seek over P10M to save sick child

2011-04-28T16:19:00.000+08:00

A Filipino expatriate couple in Saudi Arabia is appealing to the public for help for their 12-year-old son who is suffering from leukemia.

According to a report of Arab News, John Andrew Jacinto, born in Riyadh, was diagnosed with leukemia in March 2010 and needs a bone marrow transplant that will cost SR900,000 (P10.364 million).

“It is heartbreaking to see our son patiently waiting, praying and wishing that God sends him good Samaritans to come to his rescue," said his mother Elenita, a Filipino nurse at the Prince Sultan Cardiac Center in Riyadh.

The report said more than SR500,000 (P5.758 million) had been spent on John’s treatment and his insurance coverage ended last month.

She said John has been absent from school due to his illness.

Elenita, who has four other children, said a charity group shouldered the cost of her son's treatment from March to May this year.

“Our worry now is what happens when that is over? We have to raise money to keep his chemotherapy going uninterrupted to prevent him from relapsing," Elenita said.

“If he relapses, the chances of remission will be minimal according to his doctors. We are stretched to the limit and I am pleading to those compassionate and generous people to help our son beat this disease," she added.

The Arab News report said the prognosis for John is good, with a more than 80-percent chance of survival as he is young. His younger sister is a full-match donor.

His parents hope that the transplant can be done at the King Fahd National Guard Hospital where he is currently being treated.

Source: www.gmanews.tv

Pinoy in 2009 UAE food poisoning case denies charges

2011-04-28T16:17:00.000+08:00

A Filipino restaurant supervisor and two others linked to the food poisoning deaths of two children in 2009 received an extended bail from a United Arab Emirates (UAE) court as they maintained their innocence.

The prosecutors had charged the 33-year-old Filipino along with a 46-year-old Iraqi woman doctor and a 25-year-old Nepalese cook with negligence leading to the deaths of two children: Nathan D'Souza, 5, and his sister Chelsea, 7.

On Tuesday, the three accused persons denied before the Dubai Appeals Court that they had anything to do with the deaths of the children, the news site Khaleej Times reported on Wednesday.

Presiding Judge Mahmoud Fahmi Sultan extended the bail of the three defendants, who were earlier fined Dh10,000 (P117,543) each for negligence and mistakes believed to have caused the deaths.

The Misdemeanors Court had also ordered them to jointly pay blood money to the victims' parents.

The doctor's advocate, Mohammad Rashid Al Suwaidi, and lawyer Hussain Al Bannai, who is defending the cook and the supervisor, appealed the judgment and are seeking to acquit them.

According to the arraignment sheet, the cook and the supervisor were charged with flouting Dubai Municipality's public health requirements for hygienic storage of food.

The doctor was charged with negligence in providing medical care to the children when they were admitted to the hospital after eating a meal from the restaurant.

However, Al Suwaidi earlier argued that there was a possibility of foul play in the deaths.

"The forensic doctor who carried out the autopsy confirmed that there was Lidocaine toxicity in the children's bodies. Lidocaine is a form of anaesthetic. The medical reports from the two hospitals where the children were admitted confirmed that they were not given Lidocaine," Al Suwaidi said.

The judge adjourned the case until May 10.

Source: www.gmanews.tv

DFA: 110 Pinoys in Syria's conflict area; repatriation fund ready

2011-04-28T01:23:00.000+08:00

At least 110 Filipinos are living in the conflict-affected area in troubled Syria, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Wednesday.

But DFA spokesman Eduardo Malaya said there has been no report of any of Filipinos being hurt there so far because they are not being targeted by the warring parties.

“Yung sentro ng kaguluhan ay nasa Daraa, ito ay southern part ng Syria ... Hindi naman karamihan ang mga Filipino doon mismo sa Daraa, ang nasa ating talaan mga 110," he said in an interview on dzBB radio.

He also maintained the government has enough funds to repatriate them if the need arises, noting the DFA’s Assistance to Nationals (ATN) fund has been recently replenished.

The DFA estimated some 17,000 Filipinos are living in Syria.

“Walang Pilipinong nasugatan, nasawi at hindi naman tina-target ang mga Pilipino (So far there has been no report of any Filipino being killed or injured. They are not being targeted)," he said.

Last Tuesday, the DFA raised the crisis alert level in Syria to “2" amid the continued political tension there.

With the raised alert level, the DFA discouraged nonessential travel to Syria and has asked Filipinos there to actively monitor developments and keep communication lines open, and restrict their movements.

Also the DFA advised Filipinos there to avoid large crowds and areas of protest, and encouraged them to voluntarily relocate or leave the country at their own cost if there is no pressing need for them to stay.

Also, the DFA asked them to also stockpile on basic necessities such as food, water, and prescribed medicines, as well as mobile phones, flashlights, and radios that are in good condition.

In a separate interview on dwIZ radio, Malaya said most Filipinos in Syria are female household service workers.

He said the Philippine Embassy in Syria continues to coordinate with Filipino community leaders there.

Meanwhile, he said the Philippine embassy in Syria has “fine-tuned and updated" its contingency plans.

“May pondo sa DFA, kare-replenish ang ATN funds. Ang pagkakaalam ko P200 million uli ang ating pondo (We have funds for that in the DFA," he said in the dwIZ interview.

Source: www.gmanews.tv

Filipinos urged to leave Syria

2011-04-27T01:10:00.001+08:00

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine government on Tuesday called on its 17,000 citizens in Syria to leave, in the face of growing violence there.

"The Department (is)... encouraging Filipinos to voluntarily relocate or leave the country at their own cost if they have no pressing need to remain," the Department of Foreign Affairs said on its online site.

Those who cannot leave or prefer to stay should remain indoors, limit their movements, stock up on food and other provisions and stay in touch with the Philippine embassy in Damascus, it added.

The alert covers all of Syria and not just the cities directly affected by the protests, the department stressed, while adding Manila would start offering them free plane journeys out if the situation deteriorated further.

So far, there have been no reports of any Filipinos being hurt in the violence surrounding the pro-democracy protests in Syria.

More than 13,000 Filipinos fled Libya earlier this year amid the civil war there, while Manila also asked its 1,400 citizens in troubled Yemen to leave.

About 9 million Filipinos work around the world, earning more money in a wide range of skilled and unskilled sectors abroad than they could in their homeland.

Source: Agence France-Presse

DFA: Alert level 2 raised in Syria

2011-04-27T01:08:00.000+08:00

MANILA, Philippines – The escalating political tension in Syria has prompted the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to raise its crisis alert level to 2.
“We have asked our nationals in Syria to actively monitor developments, keep their communication lines open with the Embassy and their community coordinators, and inform them of their whereabouts, as well as restrict their movements only to those which are necessary,” Philippine Ambassador to Syria Wilfredo Cuyugan said.

The alert level advises Filipinos to restrict their movements around the country and to avoid large crowds and areas of protest.

Filipinos are also encouraged to voluntarily relocate or leave the country at their own cost if they have no pressing need to remain.

Non-essential and non-urgent travel is likewise discouraged, including travel for tourism purposes, and only returning workers will be allowed to go back.

The Embassy has been closely monitoring developments in the country, and has briefed the members of the Filipino community on the Embassy’s contingency plans.

“We also asked them to also stock up on basic necessities such as food, water, and prescribed medicines, as well as have flashlights, mobile phones and radios available and in good condition. They should also have important documents such as passports and money handy,” he added.

There are around 17,000 Filipinos in Syria.

The Embassy has updated contingency plans for community members. These plans can be readily activated during times of crisis.

On Monday (April 25), the United States and the United Kingdom issued advisories on travel to Syria in light of the escalating violence there.

Source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

PHL embassy in Saudi warns vs new email scam

2011-04-26T01:38:00.000+08:00

Philippine officials in Saudi Arabia have issued a warning against an email scam using the Philippine Embassy's name to victimize overseas Filipino workers.

The Philippine Embassy in Riyadh said the latest scam used the name of the embassy in Muscat (Oman), asking for the target OFW's personal data.

"All Filipinos under the jurisdiction of the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh are therefore cautioned and reminded not to give out personal information or follow instructions as stated in such kind of emails, especially those that are purportedly promising cash prizes and using Philippine government offices as channels, without verifying their authenticity with the help of the proper authorities," it said.

It said that in the Oman incident, an OFW approached the Philippine Consulate General in Saipan after receiving an email allegedly from the Philippine Embassy in Muscat.

The supposed email claimed the OFW won a bonanza of 500,000 pounds (P35.596 million) and asking him to send his personal details in reply to receive the prize money.

“Let us try to raise our awareness and be on guard against unscrupulous and insidious cyber criminals who will try all sorts of trickery to steal other people’s identities or swindle their hard earned money," Philippine Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Antonio Villamor warned.

He said any email scam or incident of similar nature can be brought to the attention of the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh at its official contact details:

Telephone: 01-482-3559
Fax: 01-488-3945
Email: filembry@sbm.net.sa

Villamor noted scammers may be exploiting the "credibility and high approval ratings" of the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Philippine Foreign Service.

Source: www.gmanews.tv

DFA allows passport extension for delayed releases

2011-04-26T01:36:00.000+08:00

The Department of Foreign Affairs has authorized all foreign service posts to extend the validity of machine-readable passports if there is a delay in passport delivery.

An article posted on the website of the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh (Saudi Arabia) said the policy took effect last April 19.

"Effective 19 April 2011, the extension of the validity of Machine Readable Ready Passports for free, if there is a delay in passport delivery and the delayed passport has not arrived at Post within (30) calendar days from date of passport application and data capturing," it said.

It said the extension is a temporary arrangement in view of technical adjustments in the implementation of the Philippine ePassport.

Such adjustments have led to delayed passport deliveries to the foreign service post, it added.

Philippine Charge d’ Affaires Ezzedin Tago advised all Filipinos who have travel schedules to take note of this announcement.

Last March 14, the DFA Office of Consular Affairs said maintenance work and equipment upgrades in the ePassport Personalization Center at the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) facility are ongoing and may delay passport releases.

"As a result, delays in passport releases are to be expected, especially in Regional Consular Offices (RCO) and at various Embassies and Consulates General. The delay could last for a few more weeks," it said at the time.

It also said the adjustments coincided with the seasonal increases in passport applications as a significant number of Filipinos are travelling abroad for the summer season.

At present, it said applicants would have to wait an additional 10 working days before their passports could be released.

"The DFA will work hard to ensure that those with urgent travel, especially overseas workers, are accommodated," Assistant Secretary for Consular Affairs Jaime Victor Ledda said.

"We would like to request those without immediate travel plans to defer their applications until the situation has normalized. Those with expiring passports who cannot forego their travel may opt to apply for an extension of the validity of their existing passports instead of applying for renewal," he added.

Source: www.gmanews.tv

DFA chief meets 6 Pinoys rescued by PHL Embassy in Libya

2011-04-26T01:32:00.000+08:00

Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Albert del Rosario has met with the five Filipino nurses and one Filipino engineer rescued by the Philippine Embassy reaction team in Tripoli, Libya.

The six Filipinos were trapped in Misurata for 23 days amid the battle between the government and pro-democracy forces.

They were rescued by the Philippine Embassy reaction team in Zitlin, the town closest to Misurata, and brought to Tripoli.

Those rescued will join 28 other Filipinos, which include nine nurses recently brought out of Tripoli through the Tunisian border. A total of 34 more Filipinos will fly out of Djerba on April 25.

Del Rosario, on orders of President Benigno Simeon Aquino III, proceeded to Tripoli and Misurata to bring out Filipino workers there who wish to go home to the Philippines.

The DFA said it will continue to help Filipinos wanting to go out of Libya, and ensure their safety and welfare.

Source: www.gmanews.tv

Palace monitoring situation in Syria

2011-04-26T01:29:00.001+08:00

Malacañang continues to closely monitor the situation in Syria to make sure Filipinos in the tension-plagued country are not affected by the violent incidents there.

Deputy presidential spokeswoman Abigail Valte said the Palace expects the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Philippine Embassy there to secure the safety of the Filipinos there.

“Mino-monitor natin ito, hopefully ang kababayan natin will not be affected. We are closely monitoring the situation (We are monitoring the situation closely. We hope our fellow Filipinos in Syria will not be affected)," she said on government-run dzRB radio.

Several pro-democracy protesters had been killed by security forces following protests across Syria. Activists coordinating the demonstrations said regular forces and gunman loyal to President Bashar al-Assad shot dead at least 88 civilians on Friday.

Various groups had staged demonstrations demanding political freedoms and an end to corruption in the country of 20 million people.

On Saturday, Philippine ambassador to Syria Wilfredo Cuyugan said the Filipinos there are safe and that the situation is not as grim as it is portrayed by some media outlets.

For her part, Valte said the government is ready to take whatever measures are necessary to secure the safety of Filipinos there.

“Handa tayong gawin ang nararapat to secure the safety ng ating kababayan doon (We are ready to take the needed measures to secure the safety of our fellow Filipinos there)," she said.

Source: www.gmanews.tv

POLO help sought for 13 abandoned OFWs in KSA

2011-04-22T09:20:00.000+08:00

A militant migrant workers' advocacy group asked Philippine authorities in the Kingdom Saudi Arabia (KSA) Friday to help 13 Filipino workers allegedly abandoned by their employer.

The Kapatiran sa Gitnang Silangan (KGS) said the officials will ask the previous company owner, Saeed bin Salman, to intercede on behalf of the workers.

“We approached [the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) in Riyadh] for help last Tuesday because the new owner of the company had asked the 13 Filipinos to vacate their [employer-provided] accommodations, saying that it will be occupied by new staff," KGS chairman Eric Jocson said in an interview posted on Arab News Friday.

Jocson said that while the previous owner had asked the new owner to give the 13 Filipinos seven days to find a place where they could stay, the new owner did not agree.

Instead, he asked the Filipinos to vacate the place, he said.

The KGS said it was to meet the Filipinos in Sulay district in Riyadh on Friday to discuss where they could stay.

“There are quarters where they could stay temporarily. These belong to another company. However, this does not solve their problem," Jocson said.

Also, he cited problems if the previous employer agrees to send the workers home.

“Assuming that he agrees to send them home, the iqamas of some of these workers have expired, and there has been no move to renew them," he said.

Migrante Middle East, an affiliate of KGS, said the Filipino workers have filed a case with a Saudi labor court against their employer who appeared at the past two hearings.

“The third hearing will be on Sunday, and if the previous employer won’t appear again, Migrante and KGS will urge POLO to request the court to summon him and ask him to settle his obligations to the 13 workers who are now virtually stranded," said Migrante Middle East coordinator John Monterona.

Source: www.gmanews.tv

Pinoys, over 1,000 others flee strife-torn Misrata, Libya

2011-04-22T00:10:00.001+08:00

Having fled the besieged Libyan city of Misrata, 24 Filipinos along with more than 1,000 other migrant evacuees are expected to arrive Thursday in the eastern city of Benghazi, an international organization said Thursday.

In a statement, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) said the Ionian Spirit — the third IOM-chartered ship for this purpose — left Misrata on Wednesday night with the evacuees including 586 Nigeriens, 239 Libyans, 92 Nigerians, 26 Bangladeshis, 16 Pakistanis, and others hailing from Egypt, Chad, Algeria, and Ukraine.

The ship is also transporting the bodies of award-winning photojournalists Tim Hetherington and Chris Hondros, who died Wednesday in a rocket-propelled grenade attack in Misrata. Also being repatriated to Benghazi is the body of a Ukrainian doctor.

Calling for a ceasefire, the United Nations on Tuesday reported that at least 20 children had died in attacks staged by government forces on rebel-held parts of Misrata.

900 migrants

In Benghazi, the IOM is preparing to assist a group of some 900 migrants who were evacuated Wednesday from Misrata onboard a Turkish ship.

Including nationals from the Philippines, Niger, Egypt, Tunisia, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Sudan, the migrants were evacuated from the harbor area, which remains exposed to the threat of mortar and sniper fire.

The organization said it is also planning a fourth trip to evacuate migrants from Misrata. Red Star One, another IOM-chartered ship, is being loaded in Benghazi with some 500 tons of food and medical supplies for Misrata.

So far, IOM said it has evacuated over 3,100 people from Misrata, partly funded by the European Commission’s Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection Office, Britain’s Department for International Development, and the German government.

The group however noted the need for additional funding “as increasing numbers of desperate stranded migrants and third country nationals are expected to make their way the harbor area in Misrata in the hope of being evacuated."

Source: www.gmanews.tv

Transsexual Pinoy in UAE pleads guilty to posting lewd Facebook pics

2011-04-22T00:05:00.000+08:00

A transsexual Filipino waiter admitted before a court in the United Arab Emirates last Sunday that he had enlarged his breasts and posted his photos on social networking site Facebook to attract men to have sex with him.

The waiter pleaded guilty to cross-dressing and offering sexual services for Dh1,000 (P11,765) a night, the news site Gulf News reported on Monday.

“Yes, I am guilty as charged," he said before the Dubai Court of First Instance on Sunday, the Gulf News report said.

Judge Al Saeed Mohammad Barghout will pass a verdict on April 24.

The prosecutors charged the waiter, 30, of cross-dressing. An undercover policeman arrested the waiter for posing as a prostitute during a sting operation.

According to prosecutors, the waiter worked as a male prostitute, misused the Internet by posting indecent photos of himself so he could entice men to have sex with him. He was also charged with cross-dressing.

For his part, an Emirati policeman testified that an informant alerted them, and police arranged an appointment between the waiter and the informant.

“The informant met (the waiter) in a hotel in Naif. Police raided the hotel's lobby and arrested the defendant while he was going up to the room for the purpose of the deal. He took out from a women's purse the money which he collected from the informant. The suspect looked like a woman..." the policeman claimed.

An Iranian policeman testified that the accused had posed as a prostitute at nightclubs as well.

A Dubai Police forensic doctor, who examined the accused, reported that the waiter is male but has enlarged his breasts using special injections.

Prosecution records showed, however, that the accused had not had recent intercourse when he was detained.

The Criminal Evidence's report mentioned that the waiter's mobile phone contained naked and indecent photos of him as well as text messages inviting men to have sex with him.

Source: www.gmanews.tv

Report: Pinay sues Syrian man for sexual harassment

2011-04-21T01:13:00.001+08:00

A restaurant supervisor in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) was brought to court over a threatening “joke" on a Filipina co-worker earlier this year.

The supervisor was accused of threatening to kill the female co-worker if she did not have sex with him, the news site Khaleej Times reported on Wednesday.

“He said that he did it before to another Filipina woman in the International City. He claimed that he was not scared if I complained against him," the report quoted the Filipina as saying.

When he appeared in the Court of First Instance on Tuesday, the 28-year-old Syrian man was charged of threatening the complainant, a 22-year-old Filipina accountant, who had been working in the restaurant since April last year.

She said the defendant worked there and kept on proposing a marriage to her but she turned him down.

Eventually, she reported him to their superior who later scolded the Syrian man.

The accused also sent her an e-mail proposing a marriage to her once again, prompting her to report him to their superior for another time.

The defendant later threatened to kill her if she did not have sex with him, she alleged.

A Syrian waiter confirmed that he saw the defendant threatening the woman by placing a nail in front of her eyes.

“It was during a verbal brawl between them in which he claimed to be a dangerous man," the waiter told the prosecutor.

While the defendant laughed later saying it was a joke, the woman filed a police complaint on March 6.

Source: www.gmanews.tv

48 jailed OFWs hopeful of pardon

2011-04-19T23:56:00.000+08:00

MANILA, Philippines – After an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) sentenced to death by beheading in November 2009 for his involvement in smuggling shabu into Saudi Arabia was freed Sunday, at least 48 jailed Filipinos at the Malaz Central Jail also expressed hope that they too could be granted pardon by the Saudi King and eventually be released.

According to Migrante-Middle East, those jailed Filipinos at cell numbers 13, 14 and 17 all claimed that have already completed their jail terms and embassy officials could not properly arrange their repatriation.

Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator John Leonard Monterona said these inmates have already formed their own organiation so that once they are released they will also provide assistance to the family of other jailed OFWs in Saudi Arabia

"Farouq Hadji Malik Bayabao, the leader of the 48 OFW inmates who formed their own group –the Zalam Brotherhood International, requested me to follow their case and the status of the pardon since they are not certain if their names are included in the list that was submitted to the Saudi pardon committee,” Monterona pointed out.

Source: mb.com.ph

BSP cuts OFW remittance growth forecast

2011-04-19T15:29:00.001+08:00

MANILA, Philippines - The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has slashed the projected growth in the amount of money sent home by Filipinos abroad this year and sees further slowdown next year due to the ongoing tensions in Middle East and North African (MENA) states as well as the magnitude 8.9 earthquake and killer tsunami in Japan.

BSP Deputy Governor Nestor Espenilla Jr. said in a speech delivered on behalf of BSP Governor Amando Tetangco Jr. at the economic briefing organized by the Security Bank that monetary authorities expect remittances from oversees Filipino workers (OFWs) growing by seven percent to a record level of $20.1 billion this year from $18.76 billion last year.

This was lower than the original growth target of eight percent to about $20.2 billion this year.

“Remittances in 2011 are expected to remain resilient amid possible downside risks such as the turmoil in the MENA region and natural disasters in Japan,” Espenilla stressed.

He clarified that while remittances from Japan account for 4.7 percent of the total remittances, the natural calamities in Japan may even encourage greater demand for OFWs once reconstruction efforts commence

He added that the impact on actual remittance flows could be limited if conflict in the MENA is contained to those currently affected.

For 2012, Espenilla added the monetary authorities expect OFW remittances to grow at a slower pace of five percent to about $21.1 billion.

The revised projections, according to him, were presented to the BSP’s Monetary Board last April 14.

OFW remittances posted its slowest monthly growth in nine months in February after expanding by 6.2 percent to $1.5 billion from $1.41 billion in the same month last year.

However, the monthly growth recorded in February was the slowest since May last year when remittances posted a monthly growth of 6.5 percent. The growth in OFW remittances has likewise slowed down for the third straight month after posting a 10.5 percent growth in November to 8.1 percent in December, to 7.6 percent in January, and to 6.2 percent in February.

Despite the slowdown, the BSP is confident that remittances would remain robust this year as monetary authorities penned an eight percent growth in the amount of money sent home by Filipinos abroad to their loved ones in the Philippines.

In the first two months of the year, the BSP chief said the amount of money sent home by overseas Filipinos climbed 6.9 percent to $2.98 billion from $2.78 billion in the same period last year as remittances from sea-based Filipino workers jumped 12.7 percent while that of lnd-based workers grew 5.5 percent.

Filipinos in the US, Canada, Saudi Arabia, Japan, United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates, and Italy accounted for 80.2 percent of the total remittances in January and February.

In fact, the state-run Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) processed 43,360 job orders for service, production as well as professional, technical, and related workers in the first quarter of the year for deployment in Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, and Taiwan.

OFW remittances went up by 8.2 percent to a new record level of $18.76 billion last year from $17.35 billion in 2009 exceeding the revised eight percent growth forecast set by the BSP for 2010. Originally, the BSP penned a six percent growth for OFW remittances last year but revised the target due to the strong demand for skilled Filipino workers abroad.

Source: Lawrence Agcaoili | www.philstar.com

Saudi pardons 'drug mule'

2011-04-18T23:01:00.000+08:00

MANILA, Philippines – An overseas Filipino worker (OFW) sentenced to death by beheading in November 2009 by a tribunal of three judges for involvement in smuggling shabu into Saudi Arabia was pardoned and freed Sunday, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) announced Monday.

The DFA declined to disclose the identity of the OFW in deference to the request of his family for privacy.

The Filipino “drug mule” was apprehended by Saudi law enforcement agents in February, 2008 after he received a postal package with shabu hidden inside.

Smuggling and selling of illegal drugs in Saudi Arabia are crimes punishable by the death penalty, the DFA said.

Following his arrest, the Philippine embassy in Riyadh exerted utmost efforts in ensuring that his legal rights were respected during the investigation process and in trial.

In November, 2009, the OFW was sentenced to death by a tribunal of three judges.

Through the Philippine embassy, the OFW filed an appeal.

Two members of the tribunal, on the basis of the appeal, reduced the penalty from death to 15 years imprisonment, 1,500 lashes, and a karama (fine) of Saudi Riyals 100,000.

Citing the new ruling, the Embassy included the OFW’s name in the list submitted to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz al Saud, for the grant of Royal Clemency.

“The Embassy's efforts were favorably acted upon, and he was ordered released after serving a total of three years in detention,” the DFA said in a statement.

The OFWs repatriation to the Philippines has been arranged by the Embassy and he is due to arrive in Manila shortly.

He is the third Filipino sentenced to death in Saudi Arabia whose release was successfully secured by the Embassy.

Michael Roque was released from prison in February, 2011, while Nonito Abono was released in November, 2010.

Enough funds

Meanwhile, Malacañang is ready to provide ample funds for the repatriation of OFWs in Saudi Arabia as requested by Vice President Jejomar C. Binay.

The government has two sources of repatriation funds for documented and undocumented Filipinos abroad – one from the Overseas Workers’ Welfare Administration (OWWA) and other from the Department of Foreign Affairs, according to Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda.

Binay had earlier requested the Palace to release P24 million to bring back to the country over a thousand Filipinos, particularly those housed at the Hajj Terminal in Jeddah.

The funds will reportedly be used to buy plane tickets for the stranded Filipino workers in Saudi Arabia. The government reportedly pays P172 daily for every Filipino worker at the Hajj terminal.

“There is no problem with the funds. We can easily provide that,” Lacierda said in a news conference at the Palace when asked about the fund request of Binay.

“There are two kinds of funds. For documented workers, there is the OWWA fund. The Assistance to Nationals Fund from the DFA is for the undocumented workers who need help,” he said.

While insisting the government is not the cause of the delayed return of these Filipino workers, Lacierda said there are some difficulties in securing plane tickets and exit documents of these workers.

“I understand that it is slow to secure the tickets. We have to make sure we can buy the tickets. We are not the cause of the problem,” he said. (With a report from Genalyn D. Kabiling)

Source: ROY C. MABASA | mb.com.ph

Applying for a passport

2011-04-18T16:08:00.006+08:00

PASSPORT REQUIREMENTS FOR FIRST-TIME APPLICANTS:

Personal Appearance is required.
Duly accomplished application form.Birth Certificate (BC) in Security Paper (SECPA) issued by the National Statistics Office (NSO) or Certified True Copy (CTC) of BC issued by the Local Civil Registrar duly authenticated by NSO.
Proof of identity / Supporting documents indicating full name, date and place of birth and citizenship.
Other Supporting documents.

Additional Requirements:

For married women, who want to use surname of their spouse
Marriage Contract (MC) in Security Paper issued by NSO or Certified True Copy issued by the Local Civil Registrar duly authenticated by NSO.
For married women who would like to revert back to their maiden name.

If already widowed: Death Certificate of the deceased husband;

If marriage is annulled: Certified true copy and photocopy of the first page and the dispositive portion of the judgment on annulment and NSO-issued MC with the annotation on the annulment decree;
If divorced: Certified true copy and photocopy of the first page and the dispositive portion of the judgment on divorce secured by foreign spouse authenticated by the Philippine Embassy or Consulate where the divorce is obtained.

For Minors (below 18 years old)

Personal appearance of either parent (if minor is of legitimate status).
Personal appearance of mother (if minor is of illegitimate status).

If minor is NOT traveling with either parent:

Original and photocopy of DSWD Clearance.
Affidavit of Support and Consent.

If both parents are abroad:

Affidavit of support and consent (must be authenticated by the nearest Philippine Embassy or Consulate General if not executed before a Consul).
Special Power of Attorney (must be authenticated by the nearest Philippine Embassy or Consulate General if not executed before a Consul designating the representative by name and authorizing him to apply for a passport on behalf of the minor).
Passport and photocopy of the passport of the traveling companion of the minor.Identification Card and photocopy thereof of the duly authorized person.

For Muslim applicants

For those whose births were registered:

Please refer to requirements for first time passport applicants.

For those whose births were not registered:

Late registered Birth Certificate (BC) in Security Paper (SECPA) issued by the National Statistics Office (NSO).
Original and photocopy of Voter's Affidavit or other supporting documents indicating date and place of birth and citizenship, identity and tribal affiliation.
Certificate from the Office on Muslim Affairs (OMA).

PASSPORT FEES
Regular Processing (ePass)- P950 (25 working days)
Expedite Processing- P1200 (15 working days)

Source: dfa.gov.ph

OFW sentenced to death in Saudi pardoned, freed

2011-04-18T14:39:00.000+08:00

An overseas Filipino worker (OFW) earlier sentenced to death for a drug-related case in Saudi Arabia was granted pardon and freed Sunday, the Department of Foreign Affairs said Monday.

The DFA said the Philippine Embassy is arranging the repatriation of the OFW, whose identity it withheld, to Manila soon.

"The Embassy is not releasing his name, in deference to the request of the OFW's family for privacy. The OFW was earlier sentenced to death by beheading in November 2009 by a tribunal of three judges for involvement in smuggling the illegal drug shabu into Saudi Arabia," the DFA said in a news release posted on its website Monday afternoon.

It said Saudi law enforcement agents arrested the OFW in February 2008 after he received a postal package with methamphetamine hydrochloride (shabu) inside. Smuggling and selling illegal drugs in the Kingdom is a crime punishable by death.

Following his arrest, the Philippine Embassy exerted efforts to ensure his legal rights were respected during the investigation process and in trial.

"Through the Embassy's efforts, an appeal was filed on the original decision. Based on the appeal prepared by the Embassy with the assistance of counsel, two members of the tribunal reduced the earlier penalty from death penalty to 15 years imprisonment, 1,500 lashes and a karama (fine) of SR100,000 (P1.154 million)," the DFA said.

Subsequently, the Embassy included the OFW's name in the list submitted to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz al Saud for the grant of Royal Clemency.

The DFA said the Embassy's efforts were favorably acted upon, and he was ordered released after serving a total of three years in detention.

"Upon release, he tearfully thanked the Embassy for its relentless efforts at working for his release from prison," the DFA said.

It said he OFW expressed gratitude to Charge d'Affaires (CDA) Ezzedin Tago for the Embassy's tireless efforts on his case.

Vice Consul Roussel Reyes, legal officer Jerome Friaz and interpreter Jamel Haris worked relentlessly for his release, the DFA added.

The OFW vowed to pursue a different course in his life as a freed man with his family in the Philippines.

"His release is testament to the hard work and tireless dedication of the men and women of the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh in safeguarding the welfare of every Filipino in Saudi Arabia," Tago said.

The DFA said the OFW is the third Filipino sentenced to death in Saudi Arabia whose release was successfully secured by the Embassy.

Earlier, Michael Roque was released from prison in February 2011, while Nonito Abono was released in November 2010.

Source: www.gmanews.tv

UAE officer accused of enslaving Pinay babysitter

2011-04-18T14:15:00.000+08:00

NEW YORK – A military officer from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) was arrested in New York on Tuesday for human trafficking.

Colonel Arif Mohamed Saeed Mohamed Al-Ali and his wife reportedly lured Filipina domestic worker Elizabeth Cabitla Ballesteros to work in the United States and then failed to pay her wages.

Reports show that Al-Ali came to the US in 2010 to study at the US Naval War College’s international program and brought Ballesteros with him to care for his youngest child.

Ballesteros’ lawyer Ivy Suriyopas said, “However, upon their arrival here, they kept her passport. They forced her to work long hours everyday. They did not allow her to leave the household. They did not allow her to talk to anyone outside the household and she was intimidated.”

Ballesteros is seeking unpaid wages and damages from Al-Ali.

Al-Ali has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Source: abs-cbnnews.com

Binay asks Palace for P23M to repatriate 1,084 OFWs from Saudi

2011-04-18T00:26:00.001+08:00

The government will need at least P23.640 million to repatriate over a thousand overstaying Filipinos in Saudi Arabia, specifically those currently housed at the Hajj Terminal in Jeddah, according to Vice President Jejomar Binay.

Binay, who is also the presidential adviser on overseas Filipino workers’ affairs, has already requested for the fund in a letter to President Benigno Aquino III.

There are currently 1,084 Filipinos that need to be repatriated at the Hajj Terminal, Binay said, adding that the government is paying 15 Riyals (P172) daily for every OFW housed at the Hajj Terminal.

“The Saudi Arabian government is extending full cooperation in providing necessary travel clearances, but we need to provide the air tickets to bring them (OFWs) home to the Philippines," Binay wrote in his letter, excerpts of which were posted on the Office of the Vice President website.

He said the P172 being spend on every Filipino at Hajj Terminal every day creates a “serious drain on the limited resources" of the Philippine Embassy in Saudi.

He said the amount — P23,640,030 — may be sourced from the President’s Social Fund or any funding source to buy plane tickets for the OFWs staying at the Hajj Terminal.

“The President has previously authorized this funding, as requested by the Department of Foreign Affairs. But the (Department of Budget and Management) simply referred to it back to the DFA. This will not solve the problem," Binay said.

“The DFA’s Assistance to Nationals (ATN) Fund is limited to specific programs and is now depleted, and cannot possibly be tapped to fund this repatriation without disabling those programs," he added.

Binay noted the DFA absorbed a 40-percent budget cut from P19 billion in 2010 to P10.98 billion this year, thus reducing its ATN Fund from P200 million to P109.3 million.

The fund is used for items like repatriation, shipment of remains, and medical assistance.

Last March, Binay went on an official mission to Saudi Arabia and secured the Kingdom’s approval to facilitate the repatriation of the 4,500 OFWs, most of whom are staying in private homes.

Source: www.gmanews.tv

112 repatriated OFWs from Kuwait arrive home

2011-04-15T01:53:00.000+08:00

At least 112 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who availed of amnesty from the Kuwaiti government arrived home on Wednesday afternoon.

Vice President Jejomar Binay welcomed the OFWs upon their arrival at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, radio dzBB's Nimfa Ravelo reported.

Binay had facilitated the repatriation of the Filipinos, who stayed at the Filipino Workers Resource Center (FWRC) in Kuwait.

He helped secure amnesty for the OFWs from Kuwaiti Amir Sheik Sabah Al-Ahmed A-Jaber Al Sabah.

Binay said he expects the repatriation of other OFWs to commence once the required travel documentation is completed, and the concerned OFWs acquire plane tickets.

Earlier, Binay hand-carried an appeal from President Benigno Aquino III seeking amnesty for the OFWs, who were charged with minor offenses.

The appeal, which also sought pardon for those detained, was made when Binay attended Kuwait’s celebration of its 50th year of Independence, the 20th anniversary of its Liberation from Saddam’s occupation forces, and the fifth anniversary of the ascension to power of its present Amir.
Source: www.gmanews.tv

1,131 OFWs from Libya have new jobs overseas

2011-04-13T01:04:00.003+08:00

MANILA, Philippines – A total of 1,131 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who have been repatriated from Libya have found new jobs in other countries, Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz said.

"Based on the latest report of the DOLE Task Force Middle East, 1,126 OFWs repatriated from Libya have found jobs outside of Libya. They are now in various stages of processing their documentation prior to deployment," Baldoz said in a press statement.

The number brought to 2,396 the number of OFWs from Libya who want to return overseas.

Their respective licensed recruitment agencies (LRAs) are already looking for principals who will hire them, Baldoz said.

"In fact, some employers, like Bonatti, have sent representatives to Manila to inform its 78 former workers to wait until April 30 for their recall. Bonatti gave each worker an allowance of US$250 while waiting," she added.

SNC Lavalin, another employer, plans to recall all of its Filipino workers for overseas assignment, she said.

Baldoz said the 1,131 workers who have found new overseas jobs are those of Batangueño Human Resource, Inc. (18); Eastwest Placement Center,Inc (39); Krona International Service Systems, Inc. (11); ABCA International (6); Asian Construction and Development Corporation (938); STB-DJL (14); and LBS Recruitment Solutions Corporation (105).

Source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

PHL Embassy launches online registration for KSA-based Pinoys

2011-04-13T00:49:00.000+08:00

An online registration was launched for Filipinos in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as part of the Philippine government’s contingency plans for them.

The link to the online registration is available on the websites of the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh and the Philippine Consulate General in Jeddah.

“The Embassy encourages all Filipinos to register with the Embassy, and assures that the information on the database shall not be shared with the public," the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh said.

It said Saudi-based Filipinos can access the form at the Embassy and the Consulate General in Jeddah.
According to the Embassy, the online registration system was done with the help of Global Pinoy Solutions (GPS), a Filipino community organization in the Eastern Region led by president Rodrigo Madrid Jr.

The online registration form will help Philippine officials build a database of Filipinos in the Kingdom and contact them in times of emergency.

The information requested in the registration forms include:
Region, province/city
Name
Passport number, place of issue and date of issue
Iqama number and validity
Complete address in Saudi Arabia
Phone, mobile and email contact information
Names, addresses, and contact information of employers
Names, addresses, and contact information of relatives in Saudi and in the Philippines.

Source: ww.gmanews.tv

PHL Embassy in Bahrain closed April 21-23

2011-04-13T00:40:00.000+08:00

The Philippine Embassy in Bahrain announced on Monday it will be closed to the public from April 21 to 23.

In a notice posted on its website, the Embassy said it will resume office on Easter Sunday, April 24.

"The Embassy will be closed to the public on 21 April 2011, in observance of Maundy Thursday. Office will resume on Sunday, April 24."

April 21 and 22 are considered regular holidays in the Philippines for 2011, by virtue of Proclamation 84.

It did not indicate if its regular phone numbers or email can be reached in an emergency.

According to the embassy's website, it can be reached at the following contact details:

Telephone: 1772-1234
Fax: 1772-0827
Email: manamape@batelco.com.bh

The Philippine Overseas Labor Office- Overseas Workers' Welfare Administration’S contact details are as follows:

Telephone: 1774-0951; 1772-1908
Fax: 1774-0829

But it pointed out Assistance To Nationals (ATN) Services "are provided on a 24/7 basis, even on weekends and legal and religious holidays."

It said the ATN's regular telephone line is (+632)857-6900.
Fax: 1774-0829
Source: www.gmanews.tv

Bodies of 6 OFWs still to be repatriated from Saudi

2011-04-12T14:38:00.001+08:00

MANILA, Philippines - The bodies of six overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who died in Saudi Arabia have been frozen for nearly a year in different morgues, a migrant workers’ group said yesterday.

Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator John Leonard Monterona said one of the bodies is that of Romilyn Eroy-Ibanez, 22, who died seven months ago. He said Ibanez’s remains are at the morgue of the King Fahad hospital in Al-Khobar.

On Sept. 2, 2010, Ibanez was reportedly rushed to the hospital after a staff of the Red Crescent found her at the kitchen of her employer's house, soaked in her own blood.

“Until now, we don't know what the status of her case is. Does the (Philippine) embassy already (have) the required police report? Who are the suspects? Is there a criminal charge already filed in court? These are among the questions until now left unanswered,” Monterona said.

Monterona said Ibanez’s family claimed the Philippine embassy in Saudi Arabia have not given them information on her case despite repeated requests.

“Thus, we can't avoid doubting that the embassy is trying to hide valuable information from the family and the public. We don’t want to think that the embassy is a party trying to cover up this case,” he said.

Aside from Ibanez, Migrante said the bodies of Eduardo Vidal Jr., Eduardo Mendoza, Rodrigo Lampa, Leonido Reyes, and Allan Custodio have yet to be repatriated.

According to Monterona, the Philippine embassy said the repatriation of Vidal, Mendoza, and Reyes’ remains is “under process” and officials are “fulfilling the formalities required. Lampa’s body, is being examined because he allegedly committed suicide, while the embassy could not give an update on Custodio’s body.

Source: www.philstar.com

Pinay household workers in Saudi Arabia seek pay hike

2011-04-09T20:36:00.000+08:00

Filipino household workers in Saudi Arabia are seeking higher salaries from their employers amid reports that no more maids are coming to the Arab country.

No more household workers from the Philippines come to Saudi Arabia, Saudi-based news site Arab News reported Friday.

“My maid told me that there are no longer recruitment of Filipino maids. She made me choose between giving her more money and letting her go," said Ibtisam Shalaby, a 53-year-old homemaker.

“Of course, I chose to give her an increase because it’s really hard to get a new housemaid and train her in this country," she added.

But Abu Ahmad, an employee at a local recruitment office, said the demand for a salary raise is only from Filipino household workers who live and work illegally in the country.

Ahmad said those working legally have already “agreed-upon contracts."

“We cannot control or make illegal workers sign agreements with employers on fixed salaries. Those housemaids who work with no iqama [work or residency permit] make their demands according to their whims," he said.

Long recruitment process

Recruitment offices see a very long process to recruit a household worker from the Philippines because of employees’ requests.

“When we apply to bring new maids from the Philippines we usually get a list of demands. Maids ask about the houses they will be working in, the size of the house, the number of people in the home, the kind of job they will be offered, and the amount of salary they are going to get paid," said Abu Saleh, a recruitment office manager in Riyadh.

He said some of them also ask for health insurance, a mobile phone, and a weekend holiday.

“This process can take up to three weeks if not more for all the paperwork to be done and until the maid is finally here to proceed with her work," he said.

Employers’ rejection of the requirements means that no new contracts could be processed, the Arab News report said.

Last week, Vice President Jejomar Binay visited Saudi Arabia and discussed recruitment issues with the Kingdom’s officials.

Binay said the Saudi officials objected in particular to a requirement that prospective Saudi employers provide a sketch and photograph of their houses.

Another rule being objected to was the imposition of a $400 minimum monthly salary, he said.

Source: www.gmanews.tv

Yemen accepts Gulf Arab states' call for talks

2011-04-08T22:10:00.000+08:00

SANAA — Yemen on Tuesday accepted an invitation by Gulf Arab states to hold talks on its weeks-old political crisis in Saudi Arabia as a drive to oust President Ali Abdullah Saleh from his three-decade rule gathered pace.

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) invited the Yemeni government and opposition representatives to talks in Riyadh in a bid to end the crisis, but a date has yet to be set.

"We welcome the GCC invitation and the government is ready to discuss any ideas from our Gulf brothers to solve the crisis," Abubakr al-Qirbi, Yemen's acting foreign minister, told Reuters.

Aides to General Ali Mohsen, a key military leader who recently threw his weight behind the tens of thousands of protesters calling for Saleh's departure, said the general also accepted the call for talks in Saudi Arabia.

But leaders from core political opposition groups had yet to give a response, saying they would only give an answer when they received details of the proposed talks in Riyadh.

Source: www.gmanews.tv

PHL, ASEAN embassies map evacuation plans in Yemen

2011-04-08T22:05:00.000+08:00

Philippine diplomats have joined their Southeast Asian counterparts in Yemen in mapping out out possible evacuation plans as the political unrest there continues.

Consul General to Dubai Benito Valeriano said he will be in Yemen for a week to assess the situation of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and Filipinas married to Yemenis.

Valeriano left for Yemen April 1 to assume temporarily the senior post and to assess the situation of Filipinos there, the news site Khaleej Times reported on Wednesday.

Earlier, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) in Manila raised the alert level in Yemen from Level 1 (heightened alertness) to Level 2 (restriction of movements).

So far, Valeriano said no Filipino expatriate has left Yemen although the DFA already called them to depart voluntarily from the country due to mounting tensions.

Some 1,400 Filipino expatriates are residing and working in Yemen, particularly in Sanaa and Aden.

Other nationalities

Indonesian Ambassador Wahid Supriyadi said Indonesians in Yemen have already been alerted to proceed to their embassy in Sanaa immediately for evacuation if the situation gets worse.

“We have very few workers in Yemen. Our expatriates there are mainly students," he said. Indonesians in Yemen can be found in Sanaa, Hudaidah, Aden, and Sa‘ada.

There are 3,259 Indonesian nationals in Yemen, including 1,700 students taking up Islamic Studies and mostly studying in Mukalla, some 754 kilometers (km) northeast of Sanaa, and Tarim, both in Hadramaut Province.

Lely Meiliani, Indonesian First Secretary for Information and Cultural Affairs in Abu Dhabi, said 39 workers of three oil and gas companies in Yemen, comprising 29 from Medco, seven from Galo and three from Total Company volunteered to leave the country.

“They took an Emirates flight to Dubai from there and proceeded to Jakarta. We still have 476 students in Sanaa University, 76 of whom are female, and 62 students at Al Aidros Institute in Aden City. Most of our students have already left Yemen," Meiliani said.

Source: www.gmanews.tv

PHL consulate in Dubai: Jailed Pinay surprised by rumors of rape

2011-04-07T22:33:00.000+08:00

The Philippine Consulate General in Dubai said the Filipina who is currently imprisoned in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) was surprised about rumors that she was maltreated and raped in prison.

In a report to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), the Consulate said the woman was unaware that news reports were circulating in the Philippines about her being maltreated and sexually abused.

According to a DFA statement issued on Thursday, the Filipina is jailed in the Al-
Muraqqabat prison on charges of immorality or unauthorized liaison with the opposite sex, which is strictly prohibited under local laws.

Pinay's family

The Filipina told visiting Consulate representatives on Wednesday that she did not tell her mother of any rape while in detention.

She also said the last conversation she had with her mother was last week and was unable to speak with her since then.

The Filipina also told the Consulate representatives that she was being properly treated by prison authorities.

In the presence of Consulate representatives, the Filipina called her sister to ask why rumors have spread about her being raped in prison.

The Filipina reassured her sister that she was not being sexually abused while in detention, is being treated properly by prison officials.

According to the DFA statement, the Filipina's sister said it was their mother’s decision to approach the media about alleged maltreatment and sexual abuse while in prison.

The mother was hoping that by having such an issue highlighted, there will be an early resolution of the case, the DFA said.

However, the Filipina told her sister about the embarrassment that she would have to endure because of the false rumors, the DFA said.

Consulate representatives informed the sister that it has been closely monitoring the case and exerting all efforts to facilitate the immediate resolution of the Filipina's case.

Earlier, the Consulate also stated that it is highly unlikely that the Filipina is being raped in prison because male and female detainees have a separate spaces.

The prison is also well-guarded and closely supervised by all-female prison personnel, the DFA said.

Pinay's ordeal

According to the DFA, in December 2010, the Filipina was raped by an Iranian whom she met at a party and a Pakistani who was posing as a police man.

Her money, mobile phone and camera were then taken from her, and she was told that she can recover them at the Al-Murqqabat police station.

However, when she arrived at the police station, police authorities took her into custody on charges of immorality or unauthorized liaison with the opposite sex, which is strictly prohibited under local laws.

The Filipina sought assistance from a friend who is with the local Criminal Investigation Division police, who assisted in identifying and apprehending the Pakistani suspect.

The latter is currently in jail on rape charges, while the Iranian suspect is still being sought by authorities, the DFA said.

The DFA has instructed Consulate General officials to extend all assistance, including securing her release and facilitating the arrest and prosecution of the two suspects.

Source: www.gmanews.tv

Binay: 2,000 OFWs from Saudi may be repatriated soon

2011-04-05T15:59:00.001+08:00

Saudi Arabia may repatriate some 2,000 jailed Filipinos there soon, according to Vice President Jejomar Binay, citing information from Saudi Labor Minister Adel Fakeih.

Binay said the Filipinos will be repatriated if they fall under the general guidelines of the latest amnesty issued by the Saudi King.

Statistics from the Philippine Embassy in Saudi showed that the most common complaints of Filipino workers there are delayed and unpaid salaries, followed by overworked condition and maltreatment. Other complaints are sexual harassment and rape.

Binay’s visit to Saudi aims to clarify the Philippines’ recent labor policy imposing strict procedures for Saudi employers of Filipino household service workers. The rule prompted Saudi to suspend the processing of working permits for Filipino household service workers.

On Saturday, Binay met with Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal, Labor Minister Adel M. Fakeih, and Trade Ministers Ahmad Zainal Reza.

“The ministers were one in their praise of the 1.6 million OFWs (overseas Filipino workers) in Saudi Arabia and in their resolve to have any problems resolved in the best interest of the host government and the workers," said Binay in a statement on Sunday.

Filipino workers in Saudi comprise the fifth largest expatriates group there after the Egyptians, the Bangladeshis, the Pakistanis and the Sri Lankans.

In Qatar, 25 jailed Filipino workers have been granted amnesty as a result of Binay’s two-day visit there that aims to improve the bilateral relations between the Philippines and Qatar and ensure better working conditions for Filipinos there.

"We are grateful to the government of Qatar for extending amnesty to our kababayans. This underscores the strong ties between the two countries which will be even stronger in the coming years," Binay said.

Binay, who is also the presidential adviser on overseas Filipino workers’ (OFWs) concerns, has instructed the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to expedite the repatriation of the workers.
Source: gmanews.tv

Qatar hiring more Filipino workers

2011-04-02T14:05:00.001+08:00

MANILA, Philippines -- The government of Qatar is looking forward to hiring more Filipino workers in the coming years, Vice President Jejomar C. Binay.

Binay in his two-day visit in Qatar had met with the kingdom's high officials and discussed ways to facilitate the deployment of Filipinos.

During his meeting with the Minister of Social Affairs and Acting Labor Minister Nasser bin Abdulla Al Hamaidi at the Ministry of Labor, the Minister expressed his eagerness to see a greater Filipino labor presence in Qatar as it prepares to host the World Cup tournament in 2022.

OFWs working in Qatar has gone down to about 160,000 from as high as more than 200,000 last year, after some workers had completed their contracts with construction companies.

Crown Prince Sheik Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, who also welcomed the Vice President and his small delegation at his offices in Amiri Diwan, said: “Filipinos are always welcome in Doha. Our doors are open to them. They are hard-working, disciplined, highly skilled and very professional, and they have become part of our culture.”

After the meeting, Binay then went to the Philippine School Doha to meet with the Filipino community in order to personally hear about their concerns and answer questions from the 120 organizations present.

Incidentally, Qatar's Emir, His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al Thani would be visiting the Philippines next month (May), Binay announced.

Binay also led the Filipino community at a mass for the three departed OFWs inside the Philippine Embassy compound, presided by a Filipino Franciscan priest, Father Zachary Para.

Before leaving Manila for Doha on Tuesday afternoon, Binay sent a last minute appeal to China seeking commutation of the death sentence of the three Filipino

Source: mb.com.ph

Binay underscores Mideast trip

2011-03-31T12:17:00.001+08:00

MANILA, Philippines – Vice President Jejomar Binay underscored Wednesday the importance of his two-nation trip to the Middle East as it would give him the opportunity to tackle head-on the issues affecting overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) there.

Binay, who acts as the Presidential Adviser on OFW concerns, left for Qatar on Tuesday night. From there, the official will proceed to Saudi Arabia on Friday, April 1.

“As you very well know, at least 1.5 million OFWs are in Saudi Arabia, and some 200,000 in Qatar, mostly in Doha. Since I became the chief presidential adviser on OFW Concerns, the leaders of the Filipino communities in these countries have been asking for this visit. It has always been my intention to personally seek the views of our OFWs on issues affecting them in order to provide our President with policy recommendations guided by the sentiments of our kababayans (countrymen),” he said.

Binay said that President Aquino gave him special instructions to take up with the leaders of Saudi Arabia and Qatar the “wide-ranging issues of mutual importance to our respective countries, and with special emphasis on matters related to the well-being of our Overseas Filipino Workers.”

Saudi Arabia has the largest number of OFWs in any single country in the Middle East. Binay said the oil-rich nation has been a major ally in the efforts to bring peace and development to Muslim Mindanao.

The Vice President said that recent developments such as the unrest in countries across the Middle East and North Africa made his trip even more pressing.

“Amid the unrest that has shaken the Middle East and North Africa, Saudi Arabia continues to provide the necessary stability and leadership in the region. Our government is happy to support Saudi Arabia, not only for the sake of the region but also for the sake of our countrymen who have chosen to make Saudi Arabia their second home,” he said.

Binay said that he would also be extending the deep appreciation of the President and the rest of the Filipino people to King Abdullah bin Abdul-Aziz for his benevolence in extending Royal Pardon to Filipino nationals in the past years.

“It is our hope that a similar pardon will again be extended by his Excellency this year.”

Meanwhile, Binay said he is aware of the concerns raised by the Saudi government on certain labor policies covering OFWs. “My visit will afford us the opportunity to discuss these concerns with the intent of further strengthening our relations and addressing issues affecting Filipino workers.”

He further said that Qatar, the first stop in his trip, is equally important as Saudi Arabia.

Binay is scheduled to return to Manila on April 5, his spokesperson Joey Salgado said.

Source: mb.com.ph

Saudi stops hiring domestics; strict labor requirements cited

2011-03-30T01:00:00.001+08:00

MANILA, Philippines - The Saudi Arabian government has stopped hiring Filipino domestic helpers, citing the strict requirements imposed by the Philippine labor office.

''For one is the requirement asked by the Philippine Overseas Labor Offices in Saudi Arabia requiring employers to submit a detailed sketch of their house address before a job order could be approved, the aim of which is to pinpoint exactly whose household our OFW (overseas Filipino workers) is working for and that she could easily be traced and rescued in case she has been a victim of abuse and maltreatment,'' Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator John Leonard Monterona said in a statement issued Monday.

The Saudi government recently issued a ''Note Verbale'' to the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh saying ''processing and verification of household service workers have been stopped until further notice.''

According to Monterona, prospective Saudi employers convey their opposition to the Saudi National Recruitment Committee (Sanarcom), an organization of recruitment agents, on the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) requirement sometime on January.

''In fact, the Sanarcom had written the Philippine embassy and POLO in Riyadh expressing their opposition to this policy and threatened to stop hiring OFW-DH (OFW-domestic helpers) if this will be made as a requirement as it violates Saudi employers rights to privacy as stated on the host government's local laws,'' the OFW leader pointed out.

A report by the House of Representatives baring supposed abuses by Saudi nationals was also cited as a reason for the ban.

As this developed, Monterona is urging the Philippine government through the Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) to consider sending a high-level labor diplomatic team to discuss with its counterpart the ban imposed by the host government and negotiate taking into account the OFWs well being, rights, and welfare.

Last month, the Committee on Overseas Workers Affairs (COWA), chaired by Rep. Walden Bello, recommended to the Philippine government the immediate decertification of Saudi Arabia as it noted that the country is unfit to receive Filipino domestic workers.

According to Bello, continuing to send Filipino domestic workers to Saudi Arabia is like ''selling them to virtual slavery in households where rape, sexual abuse, and physical attacks are rampant.''

Bello pointed out that until such time that the Saudi government accepts the responsibility of policing their nationals and protecting the rights, and ensuring the welfare of household service workers, ''it is incumbent upon the government to suspend the deployment of Filipinas to Saudi Arabia.''

Monterona said the move by the Saudi government to stop the hiring of overseas Filipino domestic workers exposes the dilemma of the Philippine government's ''lucrative business of peddling its cheap human labor sans protection of their well-being, rights, and welfare.''

Source: mb.com.ph

OFW evacuation in Libya accomplished, says DFA

2011-03-08T01:21:00.001+08:00

Amid complaints from overseas Filipino workers (OFW), the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on Monday it has accomplished its target of repatriating Filipinos from conflict-torn Libya.

In a press release Monday, the DFA said it was ab;e repatriate Filipinos from Tripoli, Benghazi and other areas in Libya affected by violent protests.

“We have accomplished this, with the pick-up of our Filipino nationals from Misuratha and Brega, as well as the voyage of the MV Ionian Queen from Tripoli," DFA Undersecretary for Administration Rafael Seguis said in the transcript of a press conference department released Monday.

“We were able to get around 12,000 Filipinos in Libya out of harm’s way," Seguis said.

As of Friday, 11,867 Filipinos have exited Libya. A total of 4,222 people have already in Manila as of March 6.

He added that this week the DFA and DOLE will be on “mop-up operations" and get in touch with Filipinos in other areas who wish to be repatriated.

Alert level raised to 4

Despite having “accomplished" its target, the DFA has raised its alert level for Libya to alert level 4, saying it will seek out Filipinos who may still want to be repatriated until Saturday next week as part of its “mop-up operations."

Seguis, however, clarified that the department will not forcibly repatriate Filipinos who wish to remain in Libya.

“It is not mandatory. We cannot force people to get out. We still use the word repatriation," Seguis said in the same press conference.

He cited the cases of nurses in some hospitals in the area, who are unable to leave their work sites due to the nature of their jobs.

“May pinirmahan sila na provision na in times of emergencies, hindi sila basta-basta makakaalis (The nurses signed a contract with a provision that states they cannot just leave in times of emergencies)," Seguis explained.

He added that while the Philippine Embassy in Tripoli will try to appeal to the hospitals' administrations, the hospitals may not be forced to release their Filipino nurses because of the said employment contract.

Employers to rehire OFWs

For her part, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) administrator Carmelita Dimzon assured repatriated workers that Libyan companies have signified their interest to take them back as soon as the situation there stabilizes.

“The positive side is, the employers in Libya would like to get our OFWs once the situation stabilizes because they are professional and highly skilled," Dimzon said in the same conference.

Meanwhile, she said about P300 million has already been spent for the repatriation effort in Libya.

She admitted that a “big number" of workers were repatriated by their employers.

Dimzon also said more funds will still be made available as the need arises. The government earlier allocated P525 million for repatriation efforts.

She added that as of Monday morning, 2,523 beneficiaries have been given the P10,000 financial assistance from the government amounting to over P25 million.

More left to be repatriated

According to the DFA, there are about 26,000 Filipinos in Libya but the Philippine Red Cross estimates the number to be about 32,000.

According to the DFA, more than 200 Filpinos from Brega and nearby areas were picked up Sunday (Manila time) by the DFA- Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) field augmentation team.

The group was led by DFA-Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs (DFA-OUMWA) Executive Director Ricardo Endaya, DFA-OUMWA Principal Assistant Maynard Maleon, personnel from the Philippine Embassy in Tripoli.

Some of the evacuated Filipinos are now in Benghazi, the DFA said.

They will travel by land on Monday (Manila time) to Al Sallum, a border town in Egypt, where officials of the augmentation team stationed at the Al Sallum border are waiting for them.

The government-chartered vessel MV Ionian Queen also arrived Sunday midnight (Manila time) in the port city of Crete with 1,038 passengers, including Filipinos, an Algerian family of five and a Myanmar national.

A DFA-DOLE reception team in Crete welcomed Filipinos, who will be flown to the Philippines in chartered planes.

In Malta, 22 Filipinos arrived from Misuratha and are currently being scheduled for flights to Manila.

A total of 1,291 Filipinos meanwhile arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) on Sunday (Manila time) in three chartered flights and 12 commercial flights.
Two of the chartered flights came from Dubai and one from Djerba, explained the DFA.

In the last five days, the augmentation team in Tunisia evacuated 2,349 Filipinos, while the team in Egypt was able to monitor some 2,222 Filipinos who escaped Libya through the As Sallum border, the DFA said.

In various interviews, repatriated OFWs and even those still in Libya lamented they had been unable to reach the Philippine post in Libya for assistance, and scored what they deemed the government’s slow response in taking them out of Libya in light of the escalating violence there.

Their relatives in the Philippines likewise criticized the DFA for acting late in evacuating their loved ones, as reports came in of armed protesters storming work sites to steal their food, vehicles, and other valuables
Source: www.gmanews.tv

15 Middle East countries on DFA 'unrest' watch list

2011-03-08T01:14:00.000+08:00

MANILA, Philippines –The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has placed 15 countries on a watch list because of the unrest that may affect overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

Four countries – Yemen, Algeria, Oman, and Bahrain – are in the “cause for concern” category.

Eleven countries – Tunisia, Egypt, Iran, Lebanon, Morocco, Jordan, Syria, Qatar, Kuwait, UAE, and Saudi Arabia – are “for careful monitoring,” according to the DFA.

DFA spokesperson Ed Malaya said Philippine posts in these countries are now on alert, and contingency plans will be implemented should conditions worsen.

He added that OFWs’ assembly points, evacuation routes, exit points, and relocation sites have been identified in case of an evacuation.

These assembly points include embassies, Philippine schools, Catholic churches, and Filipino Community Association offices.

Malaya added that the DFA is studying a plan to form a formal organization similar to the National Disaster Disk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) that will handle international crises involving Filipinos overseas.

He said the DFA may lead the group, along with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration, and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration.

DOLE Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said the Middle East has the largest labor market for OFWs.

She added that it will be a serious problem if the crisis in Libya spreads to other countries.

More than 2.3 million OFWs in the region, particularly in Saudi Arabia, which hosts around 1.8 million Filipinos, could lose their livelihood, Baldoz said.

The DOLE chief has met with recruitment agencies and asked them to look for job vacancies in other countries outside the Middle East.

She said many multinational companies are operating in Europe and other regions.

Those who want to stay in the country can get skills retraining through government programs, Baldoz added.

OFWs can also get help through livelihood assistance programs if they want to start a business, she said.
Source: abs-cbnnews.com

Over 200 Pinoys in Kuwait get amnesty after VP Binay’s visit

2011-03-07T01:45:00.000+08:00

Over 200 Filipinos in Kuwait charged with minor offenses were granted amnesty, following the one-week special visit of Vice President Jejomar Binay in the troubled Middle East region.

“As a result of the (Kuwaiti) Amir’s amnesty, 79 wards at the Filipino Workers Resource Center (FWRC) with plane tickets will now be repatriated to the Philippines," said Binay, who is also the presidential adviser on overseas Filipino workers’ (OFW) concerns.

He added the rest of the more than 200 Filipinos staying at the FWRC will likewise be repatriated as soon as their plane tickets are arranged.

Meanwhile, in Abu Dhabi and Dubai in the United Arab Emirates which the Vice President also visited, efforts are underway to repatriate some 80 Filipinos currently stranded there.

“We are most grateful to the governments of Kuwait and UAE for this accommodation. We are hopeful that the Amir of Kuwait would soon grant Amiri pardon to 13 Filipinos now under detention," Binay said.

Earlier, Binay failed to secure an audience with the King of Saudi Arabia, where some 1,200 OFWs are likewise jailed for petty offenses according to OFW group Migrante-Middle East.

This was after Binay wasn’t able to get entry visa to the Kingdom, when the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh failed to schedule him for a meeting with Saudi Arabian King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud. (See: PHL Embassy fails to secure Binay audience with Saudi King)

Binay upon his return to Manila revealed, however, that a few hours before his flight back to Manila, he received word that the King was ready to receive him and his delegation.

But Binay said he had to ask for the meeting to be rescheduled as he had “pressing official duties" back home.

Binay was President Benigno Aquino III’s representative to Kuwait’s celebration of its 50th year of Independence, the 20th anniversary of its liberation from Saddam’s occupation forces, and the 5th anniversary of the ascension to power of its present Amir, Sheik Sabah Al-Ahmed A-Jaber Al Sabah.

Binay said he carried with him an appeal from the President asking the Amir for amnesty for OFWs charged with minor offenses, and to consider pardon for those presently detained.

36 OFWs from UAE also going home

In a related development, a UAE-based news site reported that at least 36 distressed OFWs who fled from their employers due to alleged maltreatment and abuse will be repatriated to the Philippines this coming week.

The workers – 28 from Dubai and eight from Abu Dhabi – are booked for a flight home on Monday, March 7, UAE-based news site Khaleej Times reported Saturday. Binay announced the repatriation, according to the article.

The workers had sought shelter at the Philippine Overseas Labor Office since fleeing from their employers.

A separate story on Gulf News quoted Binay as saying some of them arrived in the UAE on visit visas and took jobs while others did not have proper documents to stay and work there.

After his consultation with Filipinos there, Binay said, “By and large, 90 per cent [of OFWs] are happy here. The negative reports would be isolated cases."

Binay’s visit to the UAE is also to reinforce his government’s commitment to combat human trafficking and illegal recruitment to the UAE, as the chairman on the anti-human trafficking council and on illegal recruitment.

He cited the conviction of three Filipinos who were involved in human trafficking in Abu Dhabi last year. The convicts lured women to the UAE with the promise of proper jobs but forced them into prostitution.

“They are now at Al Wathba jail. One is incarcerated for 13 years and two for three years. All the victims were repatriated. We were happy with the outcome of the case," Philippine Consul General Adelio Cruz said in the same article.

Source: gmanews.tv

Libyan dinar-peso exchange to start Monday, says BSP

2011-03-07T01:38:00.000+08:00

Starting Monday, overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who were repatriated from Libya due to the political turmoil there could exchange their Libyan dinar to Philippine pesos at all banks and Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) offices nationwide.

Each OFW would be allowed to exchange a maximum of P10,000 Libyan dinars, the BSP announced over the weekend.

The offer is limited only to OFWs who were displaced by the current situation in Libya, the BSP said.

The exchange shall be allowed only within seven banking days from the date of arrival of the OFW or from the date of issuance of the implementing BSP Memorandum to All Banks.

Also, the OFWs will be required to present documents such as passport or valid travel papers issued and signed by the Philippine Embassy and stamped with the date of the their arrival in the Philippines.

Data from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) showed that there are about 26,000 Filipinos in Libya, most of them migrant workers.

In approving the Currency Exchange Facility, the BSP’s Monetary Board (MB) took into account the crisis situation in Libya that prevented OFWs from converting their Libyan dinars to other acceptable foreign currency.

BSP officer-in-charge Juan de Zuniga Jr. has issued Memorandum to All Banks No. M-2011-012 dated March 3, 2011 establishing the guidelines of the CEF for Libyan dinar as approved by the Monetary Board through MB Resolution No. 307 issued on the same date.

The Philippine government has earmarked P130 million for the repatriation of about 13,000 OFWs displaced by the conflict in Libya.

Source: gmanews.tv

OWWA assures help for Libya OFWs

2011-03-07T01:35:00.003+08:00

MANILA, Philippines - The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) assured on Friday that it will provide financial help to overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) from Libya.

The agency said it is acting on a directive from Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz on the issuance of relief assistance to the Filipino workers.

Many of the OFWs have already availed of the P10,000 assistance upon their arrival, the OWWA said in a press statement.

The agency added that as of 1:30 p.m. on Friday, more than P10 million have been disbursed to claimants.

This assistance is granted to those OFWs who were displaced from work due to the political conflict and natural calamities of their host countries, OWWA said.

The government’s crisis management and quick response team has been coordinating closely with the companies and the Filipino groups in Libya to help those who want to go home.

Malta, Crete and Cairo are the 3 hubs of take-off points of transport for OFWs, the OWWA said.

The Tripoli-Tunisia border closed Thursday as the Tunis people fear that they may become vulnerable to the disturbance in Libya.

Those OFWs who are still in the Tunis border will be transported to the neighboring city of Cairo, according to the agency.

OWWA said assistance for the displaced OFWs includes psycho-social counseling, skills training and upgrading, referral and placement assistance for local and overseas employment, entrepreneurial and management training, and business loans in coordination with the Land Bank of the Philippines and Development Bank of the Philippines.

Source: abs-cbnnews.com

POEA defers deployment of OFWs to Bahrain, Libya and Yemen

2011-02-22T18:25:00.000+08:00

The POEA has issued an advisory suspending the processing and deployment of all OFWs bound for Bahrain, Libya and Yemen until the political and security conditions in the said countries have normalized. ADVISORY NO. 6. Administrator Carlos S. Cao, Jr. also instructed recruitment agencies deploying Filipino workers to the 3 countries to submit to POEA situation reports including a contingency plan of principals for their affected OFWs.

Source: www.poea.gov.ph

DFA advises Pinoys vs travel to Libya, Bahrain, Yemen

2011-02-21T14:28:00.000+08:00

The Philippine government on Monday advised its citizens against traveling to Libya, Bahrain and Yemen, where violent protest actions aimed at ousting their respective leaders are raging.

In a statement, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said the concerned Philippine embassies have likewise advised some 57,000 Filipinos in the three countries to be "alert" when they are in public places or on major roads.

The Philippine posts in Tripoli (Libya), Manama (Bahrain), and Riyadh (which has jurisdiction over Yemen) have earlier said that they are on heightened alert but that the Filipinos in those countries were safe.

The posts have likewise reportedly established 24-hour crisis monitoring teams.

The DFA said the Philippine Embassy in Tripoli communicated with the human resources manager of SNC Lavelin Company about the situation of some 1,800 Filipino workers at an airport construction site in Benghazi city, the center of protest actions in Libya.

However, the DFA said Filipino construction workers reportedly have accommodations, ample food and water, and are safe within the work site which has its own "security complement.

A Reuters report said some 100 protesters had died in Benghazi based on figures given by New York-based Human Rights Watch. The protesters aim to oust Libyan strongman Muammar Gaddafi, who has been leading the country for four decades.

The Philippine post added that the Thai, Indonesian, Pakistani, Indian and Bangladeshi embassies— which also have sizable populations in Libya —have not announced any evacuation plans so far.

On the other hand, the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh said it has communicated with members of the Filipino community in Yemen, who told them that they are "relatively safe" and that malls and all transportation facilities had normal operations.

The Philippine Embassy in Manama, for its part, issued an advisory to Filipinos there to remain calm and avoid joining or going in places of protest actions.

As of June 2010, there are around 31,000 Filipinos in Bahrain, 26,000 in Libya, and 1,400 in Yemen.

Source: gmanews.tv

26 Pinoys home from Egypt; 2nd batch expected Wednesday

2011-02-07T11:47:00.000+08:00

Twenty-six Filipinos who availed of the Philippine government's voluntary repatriation program arrived from conflict-hit Egypt Sunday afternoon.

The Filipinos arrived at 4:15 p.m. on board an Emirates flight from Dubai, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said in a statement Sunday.

It said the first batch included 14 women, 10 minors and two men — Filipino scholars from Al Azhar University and their families, three nurses from Dar Al Faoud Hospital, and household service workers.

DFA Undersecretary for Migrante Workers Affairs Esteban Conejos Jr. and DFA-Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers' Affairs Executive Director Ricardo Endaya led DFA personnel in welcoming the Filipinos.

The DFA said a second batch of Filipinos availing of voluntary repatriation will leave Egypt for home on Tuesday and is expected to arrive in Manila on Wednesday.

This developed as the DFA said the situation in Egypt has improved, with food and water supplies now steady and banks having reopened.

“There are now steady supplies of food and water in Cairo. Banks have reopened, and people can withdraw money from automated teller machines," it said in a news release Sunday afternoon.

On Saturday, DFA spokesman Eduardo Malaya indicated in an interview on dzBB radio that about 20 Filipinos may make up the second batch.

Citing an earlier report of Charge d’Affaires Eduardo Pablo Maglaya, the DFA said most Filipino community members consider themselves relatively safe in their residences and neighborhoods, and are hopeful that the current political impasse will be resolved soon.

The DFA also said the Philippine Embassy still sees no need for forced evacuation.

“In the Embassy’s assessment, there is no need for mandatory evacuation of Filipino community members at this time. There have likewise been no reports of Filipinos attacked or injured in the ongoing protest actions," it said.

But it said Filipino community members who feel that their safety is at risk can avail of the Embassy’s voluntary repatriation program.

It said the Embassy continues to reiterate to the Filipino community the government’s willingness to provide assistance. It also reiterated its advice to the Filipino community to stay indoors, steer clear of public places-especially sites of mass protest - and avoid involvement in political actions.

The DFA added the Philippine government is focused on the safety and welfare of Filipinos in Egypt.

Earlier, the DFA directed the Embassy to make immediate arrangements for the repatriation of Filipinos who wish to come home.

It also directed the Philippine Embassies of countries near Egypt to make representations with their host governments to allow the safe passage of Filipinos from Egypt, in case a repatriation or evacuation by land becomes necessary.

The DFA has set up a 24-hour hotline number at the DFA-Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs (DFA-OUMWA) for relatives of Filipinos in Egypt who would like to inquire about their relatives. The DFA-OUMWA hotline number is 834-4580.

Source: gmanews.tv

PHL Embassy in Egypt sends food, water to trapped Pinoys

2011-02-06T13:01:00.000+08:00

While no Filipino has been reported hurt so far amid the ongoing political tension in Egypt, some are "trapped" and are getting food and water supplies from the Philippine Embassy in the troubled country.

Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Rafael Seguis said the "trapped" Filipinos are those who could not buy their food provisions for lack of cash as many banks are closed.

"May walang pera dahil ang mga bangko sarado. Ang sinumang di makabibili, pinabibigyan ni Pangulong Aquino ng food assistance sa pamamagitan ng embassy natin doon (President Benigno Aquino III had ordered the embassy to provide food to those who cannot withdraw money from the banks)," Seguis said in an interview on dzBB radio Friday.

"The Philippine Embassy will bring bread and water to Filipinos who phone for help. The water in the area is not potable," he added.

So far, he said, no Filipino has been killed or hurt in violent confrontations there.

Also, he said relatives of Filipinos in Egypt can now contact their loved ones as mobile phone and Internet services there have been restored.

"The violence may be starting to subside. There has been no remarkable recent development," he said.

1st batch of repatriates

Meanwhile, Seguis said the first batch of at least 26 Filipinos from Egypt is due to arrive in Manila on Sunday.

"May parating sa Linggo sa Feb. 6, mga 26 sila," he said, adding the repatriation is voluntary because most Filipinos in there still do not want to leave the country.

While Seguis hinted there may be a second batch of repatriates, they may wait for this group to reach 200 before sending another flight.

But a DFA press release updated Thursday night said 27 and not 26 Filipinos are expected to return home – 13 women, nine minors and five men.

"Three are nurses from the Dar Al Fouad Hospital, while the rest are household service workers and Filipino scholars at the Al-Azhar University. The scholars will be joined by their families," the DFA's updated press release said.

It said 16 Filipinos are from Cairo's Maadi area, three are from the Dar Al Fouad Hospital in Giza, five are from Nasr City and one from Zamalek.

Two are already at the Embassy's Filipino Workers Resource Center.

"The Embassy received assistance in making arrangements for the repatriates' flights from the International Organization for Migration offices in Cairo. The Filipino community organizations are also active in assisting the repatriates," the DFA said.

Source: gmanews.tv

PNoy SONA 2010

2010-07-26T22:06:00.006+08:00

Watch President Noynoy SONA, courtesy of ABS CBN and GMA. Leave your comment about PNoy SONA.

ABS CBN

GMA

Source: PinoyPCTV

2 Pinays brutally killed in Kuwait in two separate incidents

2010-07-26T16:39:00.000+08:00

Two overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Kuwait have been brutally murdered in two separate incidents in the past week, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) disclosed on Tuesday.

Astria Samad Abdul, a Maguindanao native, was tortured to death by her Egyptian-born Kuwaiti employers last week, the DFA reported in a news release posted on its website on Tuesday.

Abdul’s body was left in the Kabd desert area after the torture and was recovered by the police last July 17, according to the DFA.

Abdul’s employers, identified by the Philippine Embassy in Kuwait as spouses Abdulaziz al Falekh and Rabagh Mustafa Sahata, already admitted to the crime and are currently facing criminal charges for the murder of the Filipina employee.

Another OFW, Norhaisa Nasa Andaw from Cotabato, was allegedly stabbed 31 times by her Egyptian husband in the suburban area of Jabriya last week, the DFA said in the same release.

Andaw’s husband, Atallah Mohammad, stabbed her due to jealousy.

Mohammad allegedly fled right after committing the crime, and Kuwaiti courts have already issued a warrant of arrest and a hold departure order against the slain OFW’s husband.

The bodies of the two murdered Filipinas will undergo forensic examination before they are repatriated, the DFA said.

Likewise, Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo has ordered the Philippine Embassy in Kuwait to secure the services of private law firms to assist local prosecutors in handling the cases of the slain OFWs.

According to latest government records, more than 20,000 Filipinos are currently working in Kuwait, mostly as domestic and production-related workers.

Source

OFW gets royal treatment from Saudi employer

2010-07-26T16:25:00.000+08:00

Amid tales of abuses against Filipino workers in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, a Filipina worker has returned to the Philippines telling the story of the royal treatment she had enjoyed from her Arab employer despite her illness.

Marilou Lorenzo Ramirez, 41, returned to the country over the weekend after undergoing an operation for a brain hemorrhage, with her expenses shouldered by her boss.

“We are very grateful for the support of Ramirez’s sponsor and the good doctors for not giving up on her case," said Philippine Embassy official in Riyadh David Des Dicang, in an article posted on Saudi-based news site Arab News.

In 2008, Ramirez was hired as a housemaid by Khaled Abdul Qader, a senior planner at Saudi Basic Industries Corp. (SABIC) in Jubail.

She worked in the household for a year and won the hearts of Abdul Qader’s family with her dedication and hard work, but a brain hemorrhage paralyzed her five months ago.

Abdul Qader first took her to Al-Mouwasat Hospital and shouldered the expenses for her treatment.

He then requested the Ministry of Health to get her treated at a government-run hospital. Ramirez was transferred to King Fahd Hospital in Hofuf where doctors felt there was an immediate need to conduct an operation on her, but they needed the permission from Ramirez’s relatives in the Philippines.

Abdul Qader contacted Ramirez’s daughter, Saramy Amando, in Antipolo City in Rizal province east of Manila.

The daughter gave her consent, and the doctors, consulting neurosurgeon Abdul Mohsen Nasser Al-Mulhim and neurosurgeons Ahmed Zaitoni and Essam Mohammed, performed the operation successfully.

“The doctors said it was a very difficult and delicate operation, and its success was nothing short of a miracle," said the head nurse at the hospital.

“The Filipino medical staff at King Fahd Hospital has nothing but praise for the hospital management, doctors and her employer for not giving up. It is our prayer that Ramirez will get closer to her full recovery with each day that goes by," Dicang said.

Ramirez left for the Philippines from Dammam on Saturday night via Saudi Arabian Airlines with two nurse escorts.

Abdul Qader paid for the fare – in business class - and also paid for medicines and a wheelchair.

“As per our office request, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) in Manila coordinated with the family of Ramirez to provide her special airport assistance upon arrival in the Philippines and also to see how she can be covered with disability and medical benefits back home," Dicang said.

Dicang saw Ramirez off at Dammam’s King Fahd International Airport.

For his part, Abdul Qader said he was happy to see Ramirez smile.

“I am happy to see her smile. She will take some time to recover. Whatever we did, we saw it as our duty to help her in her difficult times," he said.

“She is a wonderful person. I have three children. They are all grown and are abroad. My wife and I were the ones she was helping. We felt bad when she fell ill," he added.

“I have tried my best to provide all possible help. As per her daughter’s advice I will send her dues to her daughter. I wish her well. The doctors at the hospital did a wonderful job. Alhamdulillah! She survived, and we wish her complete recovery," he said.

Source

Aquino-Binay Oath Taking and Inauguration Speech (GMA 7)

2010-06-30T21:09:00.001+08:00

Aquino-Binay Oath Taking and Inauguration Speech (GMA 7), click read more to watch.

To watch more free pinoy shows, visit pinoypctv.blogspot.com

Comatose OFW’s repatriation urged

2010-06-22T21:16:00.000+08:00

RIYADH: The case of 50-year-old Augusto A. Butaran who has been in a vegetative state for nearly five years in a Taif hospital after suffering a stroke has been referred to the Philippine Embassy.

“I am begging for help. All I want is his repatriation to the Philippines,” Butaran's wife told Arab News on Monday. Ambassador Antonio P. Villamor has asked her to send him details of the case.

Butaran is currently at the Chest Hospital where he was transferred after a month-long confinement at another hospital due to stroke on July 5, 2007. “He can open his eyes but doesn’t know anything at all. He breathes through a tank and urinates in his bed through a catheter,” said his wife, who has been following up on his case with the consulate in Jeddah.

She visits him two or three times a week. “I visited him on Sunday but there was no improvement in his condition. I hope the embassy or the consulate works out his repatriation soon,” she said.

To see his father, one of Butaran’s two children, Joseph, applied to work as a waiter at a restaurant in Jeddah. He arrived in the Kingdom a year ago and has visited his bed-ridden father once in Taif.

The Philippine Consulate in Jeddah had earlier been coordinating with Butaran’s employers who promised that they would provide the SR31,000 needed for his repatriation, which also includes a plane ticket for a nurse who would accompany him to his hometown in Cavite province, south of Manila.

Butaran is also due to receive SR15,000 in benefits and unpaid salaries. “One year after his stroke, his employers said he could be repatriated immediately and be paid the amount due to him in eight months,” said Butaran’s wife.

But the employers had difficulty raising the amount. They requested the case officer at the consulate to negotiate a lower amount with an airline company. “The consulate told me that the previous employers would keep the promise but until now, the promise remains a promise,” said Butaran’s wife, a beautician in Taif.

Butaran had been working as a binder for the National Printing Press on Babalria Street in Taif for nearly 20 years before suffering a stroke. No one from the Philippine Consulate was available for comment.
Source: arabnews.com

Smoking banned at airports

2010-06-22T20:46:00.000+08:00

JEDDAH: The Council of Ministers urged the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) to ban smoking at all airports and their facilities in the Kingdom on Monday. It also advised GACA to impose a fine of SR200 on people who violate the new regulations.

The Cabinet meeting, chaired by Crown Prince Sultan, deputy premier and minister of defense and aviation, approved the recommendations of the 150-member Shoura Council.

Although the Kingdom passed anti-smoking regulations in August 2003, the habit is growing among its population. There are six million smokers in the country who puff away SR8 billion every year. According to one report, smoking-related diseases kill at least 33 people in the Kingdom each month.

Saudi Arabia ranks fourth in the world in terms of cigarette consumption and 41st in terms of population. As many as 13 billion cigarettes are imported into the Kingdom every year.

About 10 percent of the Kingdom’s total smokers are women and 19.3 percent are teenagers. Studies have shown that 13 to 15 percent of young men and women live with smokers and are subjected to passive smoking.

The Cabinet meeting reviewed the current foreign tour of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah and hoped his visits to Canada, the United States, Morocco and France would produce results.

The Cabinet referred to the launch of Ghazal-1, the first Saudi car designed by King Saud University students, adding it boded well for the Kingdom’s decision to invest in a knowledge economy.

The Cabinet decided to sign an accord with South Africa for the repatriation of convicts and accused in criminal cases.

It also approved the contracts that were signed to carry out a major housing project in Jazan, accommodating people displaced as a result of attacks by Yemeni intruders last year. The project includes 6,000 housing units, 31 mosques, 35 schools, five health centers and infrastructure facilities.
Source: arabnews.com

Pinoy to stand trial over girlfriend’s killing in UAE

2010-06-19T12:16:00.000+08:00

DUBAI — A man has been referred by the Public Prosecution to the Court of First Instance on the charge of killing his girlfriend.

The defendant allegedly used a belt in his car to commit the crime.

Youssef Foulaz, Chief Prosecutor of Deira, requested the court to award the defendant, a Filipino, capital punishment as he is accused of premeditated murder.

According to the arraignment sheet, the defendant, who worked as a driver, was with the victim, his girlfriend — a Filipina — on March 31.

The couple, both 40 years old, had a fight over money and she threw sand in his face so he stepped off and sat in the back seat. He then pulled the waist belt she was wearing and then strangled her to death with it.

After making sure that she was dead, the defendant drove up towards Al Tawar, where he dumped the body outside a villa. He had stripped the clothes off the body and took the victim’s belongings so that it would be hard to identify her. He fled the scene. Authorities found out that the defendant and the victim had violated the residency law. It was difficult for the police to track the suspect down.

Dubai Police gathered 421 people of different nationalities, who had violated residency laws, to whom they showed the victim’s picture.

One of them, a woman, recognised the victim and told the police about her acquaintance and friends. The defendant was one of them.

During investigation, he admitted to having killed the woman. According to the forensic report, the victim had been strangled from behind.

The marks on her neck showed that the pressure and violence marks indicated that she had been attacked from behind. Accordingly, the Public Prosecution framed the charge as premeditated murder.

Source: khaleejtimes.com

Go jump off building, official allegedly tells OFW in distress

2010-06-19T11:41:00.004+08:00

Repatriated overseas Filipino workers (OFW) renewed their call to remove a welfare officer in Riyadh from his position, this time for allegedly advising a caregiver in distress to jump off the building when she sought assistance.

The complaining caregiver, who was repatriated just this week, was accompanied by other repatriated OFWs and migrant rights’ group Migrante International when she went to the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) on Friday.

The caregiver who requested anonymity formally filed charges of grave misconduct and neglect of duties against welfare officer Nestor Burayag of the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh.

“Tinawagan ko si Mr. Burayag para magpasaklolo dahil hindi ko na matagalan ang pang-aabuso ng employer ko sa akin. Pero sinabihan niya lang ako na tumalon mula sa third floor ng aming building para raw may dahilan para matulungan niya ako," the caregiver said in a statement released through Migrante.

(I called Mr. Burayag to ask for help as I can no longer tolerate my superior who has been abusing me. But he only told me to jump from the third floor of our building so he’ll have a reason to help me.)

The caregiver said she was abused several times by her site manager since January, and complained that her mobile phone and ATM card were likewise confiscated.

She reported her plight to the management of Annasban Group which deployed her but never received help. It was then that she decided to seek help from the Philippine officials there.

No such advice, says Burayag

However, in a separate interview Burayag denied having made the remark but said the caregiver indeed sought assistance from his office.

“Hindi ako nagpayo na tumalon siya mula sa building (I did not advise her to jump off the building)," Burayag told GMANews.TV over the phone.

“Humingi siya ng tulong sa amin, sabi ay inaabuso raw siya. Sabi ko, gumawa siya ng paraan para makalabas ng building (She asked for help, saying she was being abused. I told her to find a way to get out of their building)," he added.

Burayag likewise admitted that the Embassy’s Repatriation and Assistance Division, which he heads, was unable to assist the caregiver as she allegedly could not decide then whether to file formal charges against her superior.

The caregiver’s colleagues, also women caregivers of Annasban, earlier filed before OWWA a separate complaint against Burayag for allegedly neglecting OFWs in distress.

They accused him of delaying their repatriation by not securing exit visas from Annasban, as well as failing to provide them food, water and medicine during their stay inside a company-owned facility when they stopped working.

The workers also claimed Burayag forced them to pay 2,500 to 6,500 Saudi riyals (about P31,000 to P80,000) each for their repatriation, instead of negotiating with Annasban to waive deployment costs, shoulder their airfare, and provide compensation for supposedly violating their employment contracts.

They likewise demanded the speedy repatriation of some 30 more OFWs who have stopped working and are still stranded in a facility owned by Annasban.

OWWA defends Burayag

In a separate interview, OWWA administrator Carmelita Dimzon defended Burayag and said he was able to set some of the remaining OFWs in Annasban for repatriation.

“He was able to schedule the workers for repatriation, including two who are reportedly sick. We are now booking the tickets for 18 workers," Dimzon told GMANews.TV.

Since neither Annasban nor the workers’ recruitment agencies have agreed to shoulder their airfare, OWWA will pay for the tickets in the meantime, she said.

She added that the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) will be asked to compel the company and the agencies to reimburse the cost.

Dimzon added they will still investigate the latest accusation lodged against Burayag, but expressed doubts that Burayag indeed told the caregiver to jump off the building.

“I’ll have to get the facts straight from the post. Burayag should be given a chance to be heard, (but) do you really think Burayag can say such things?" Dimzon explained.

Burayag refused to comment on the first complaint filed against him.

Migrante meanwhile scored Burayag’s alleged neglect of OFWs in distress, saying his attitude is reflective of the government’s general disregard for the welfare of OFWs

“They really do not pay attention to the well-being of our kababayans. In truth, many of them connive with foreign employers such as Annasban in subjecting Filipino workers to dire conditions. They treat OFWs as commodities and are only after the remittances of these overseas workers," said Migrante chairperson Garry Martinez.

Source: gmanews.tv

OFW Diaries (feat. OFW's in Saudi Arabia)

2010-06-19T10:48:00.002+08:00

OFW Diaries (feat. OFW's in Saudi Arabia). To watch, click read more.

Video courtesy of GMA (embed only).

237 unpaid RP medical staff in KSA get help

2010-06-16T09:40:00.002+08:00

While Philippine officials in Saudi Arabia are keeping tabs on their plight, Filipinos there are giving support to some 237 Filipino staff members of a Jeddah hospital who have not been paid for over six months.

The Filipino workers are from Al-Ansar Hospital, which was closed down last week after the workers went on strike.

"Our primary concern is to make the owner of the hospital comply with the instructions of the Governorate office in Jeddah and hand over all the passports to workers so they can look for other jobs and get their iqamas transferred to other hospitals," Philippine Consul General in Jeddah Ezzedin Tago said in an article posted Monday on Saudi news site Arab News.

Tago said the transfer was approved by the Ministry of Labor, as he noted that most of the affected Filipino hospital staff members are nurses.

He added that the Filipino community in Jeddah has joined hands to provide assistance to the workers.

Dr. Sami Badawood, spokesman for the Department of Health Affairs in Jeddah, earlier said the hospital would remain closed until the payment issue is resolved.

The Ministry of Health had voiced concern about patients’ welfare and the services provided to them.

Badawood said strict action would be taken against the hospital if it was found violating rules and regulations.

On the other hand, Tago said the situation now is a humanitarian one because the workers cannot even meet their basic needs here and support their families back home.

Tago added they have taken up the issue with many government departments, including the Ministry of Labor and Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Hospital officials were not available for comment, the Arab News report said.

Source: www.gmanews.tv

Fake marriages among Filipinos down: Embassy

2009-12-04T16:11:00.001+08:00

DOHA: With authorities making it mandatory that marriage certificates be authenticated by government agencies back in Philippines, the practice of some Filipino men and women living-in together by organising fake marriage certificates is on the decline, says the embassy of the Philippines.

The certificates were illegally obtained, Vice-Consul at the embassy Jabbar Adiong told The Peninsula yesterday. For more than a year authorities here and in the home country have been trying to bring this illegal practice to an end.

The new policy requires married women working here to have their marriage certificates endorsed by the National Statistics Office, the Department of Foreign Affairs and even from the Office of the Philippine President in Malacañang.

It is no secret that some Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) arranged spurious marriage documents to cover up illicit relationships. The practice has been a social malady not only among overseas Filipinos in Qatar but in other GCC and Middle Eastern countries as well.

Adiong, however, said rarely did a spouse in the Philippines of a ‘fake marriage practitioner’ here lodge complaints with the embassy in Doha about the use of fake public documents when certificate authentication requirements had not yet been strictly enforced.

Before the new policy set in there were alarming cases of some OFWs using questionable documents, especially marriage certificates, in Saudi Arabia. The Philippine diplomatic missions there had warned overseas Filipinos to avoid such illegal practices.

Embassy officials in Saudi Arabia were alarmed by the issuance of fake public documents and thought some OFWs might be falling prey to fixers and syndicates in Manila.

Meanwhile, Adiong said there has been a decline among single Filipinos getting married at the Embassy here last month as compared to the same period last year. He said during peak periods like July, November and December, marriages solemnised at the Embassy shot up to an average seven a week.

He said during normal months, he usually solemnised marriages at the Embassy at an average of 20.

Source: thepeninsulaqatar.com

1,205 OFWs in Mideast take special licensure exam

2009-12-04T15:58:00.001+08:00

JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia - A total of 1,205 Filipino workers in the Middle East have taken part in the first special licensure examinations given by the Philippine government on a bigger scale for engineers, architects, accountants and master electricians.

Two teams of examiners from the Philippine Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) administered the exams simultaneously in Jeddah and Alkhobar in Saudi Arabia last Nov. 27 to 29, said Romulo Bani, chairman of the Western Region chapter of the Philippine Professional
Organization (PPO).

Of 135 examinees in Jeddah, 22 took the test for mechanical engineers, 33 for civil engineers, 20 for electrical engineers, 32 for architects, 15 for accountants, and 13 for master electricians, Bani said.

He said 270 OFWs participated in the Alkhobar exams, but no details were available.

From Saudi Arabia, the examiners proceeded to Doha in Qatar and Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates, where a total of 800 Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) took the test scheduled on Dec. 2 to 4.

Bani said around 350 OFWs in Qatar and 450 more in the UAE took the test.

Exams have been held intermittenly for overseas Filipinos, starting in 1995 when then President Fidel V. Ramos directed the PRC to gave licensure exams for hundreds of teachers working as maids in Hong Kong.

This year, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo ordered the PRC to make it a regular program in countries with big OFW populations.

Of an estimated 6.5 million Filipinos contractual workers abroad, thousands are degree holders who have not had the chance to take the licensure examinations in the Philippines in their rush to seek employment overseas.

During the registration period at the Sofitel Hotel on Palestine Road in Jeddah last week, PRC officials explained that the special examinations would be given yearly provided that the minimum number of examinees would be met.

The examiners were headed by PRC lawyer Diosdado Anselmo Q. Lalusis. Its members include Apollo S. Enriquez from the Board of Examiners for Civil Engineers; Angeline Chua Chiaco from the Board of Examiners for Architects; and PRC special collecting and disbursing officer Mirriam S. Dela Cruz.

Anselmo said the PPO chapter in the Western Region is planning to include teachers and unlicensed nursing in future exams.

Bani's group comprises the Western Region chapters of the Philippine Society of Mechanical Engineers (PSME) headed by Julius Caringal, the Institute of Overseas Filipino Architects (IOFA) headed by Jose Genonangan Jr., the Institute of Integrated Electrical Engineers (IIEE) headed by Elizer Repollo, the Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA) headed by Joey Villanueva, and the Association of Filipino Civil Engineers (AFCE -KSA).

Genongan said President Arroyo's order was crucial because the PRC's expenses for the exams are now included in its yearly budget. In the past, the professional organizations have to solicit financial assistance from the Philippine Congress to cover the expenses.

The exams are conducted in cooperation with the Philippine embassies and consulates.

Source: gmanews.tv

Remittances to hit record high due to typhoon aid

2009-12-04T15:54:00.000+08:00

Remittances are expected to reach a record high this year after overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) are seen to send more cash home to assist their families whose houses have been damaged by typhoons.

From last year’s $16.426 billion, remittances are expected to grow by $500 million to $1 billion to an unprecedented $17 billion this year, the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) said.

The increase in remittances will be used for “recovery spending" and housing repairs of OFW families and beneficiaries whose homes were either flooded or washed away by waters that submerged the Philippine capital.

Tropical cyclone Ondoy brought record amounts of rainfall, engulfing whole villages for weeks, in September.

Weeks later, typhoon Pepeng also unleashed furious winds and rain, damaging not only houses but farms, crops, poultry, and livestock.

Citing data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), OFWs sent home $12.789 billion through formal banking sectors from January to September this year.

This is up by 4.21 percent from the same period in 2008.

Earlier, the TUCP had projected remittances to drop by 10 percent this year due to the economic slump in the US which leads to job cuts.

Remittances coursed through channels in the US from January to September this year have plunged by 9.71 percent or $5.360 billion from $5.937 billion in the same period in 2008.

But TUCP secretary-general Ernesto Herrera said this was easily offset by the remittances from Filipinos in Canada and Japan.

Filipinos from Canada, where many Filipino migrants are highly-paid professionals, sent $494.22-million while some $212.43 million was sent from Japan.

The surge in remittances from Japan is due to the increased hiring of Filipino seafarers.

Source: gmanews.tv

(5) PHYSIOTHERAPISTS Wanted in Saudi Arabia

2009-12-01T12:02:00.000+08:00

QUALIFICATIONS:
BSPT Graduates
With Board License
With at least two years hospital work experience
Not more than 45 years of age

Deadline of submission is on: 20 November 2009
QUALIFIED APPLICANTS may personally submit a detailed resume with job
description, school credentials, employment certificates, original and photocopy of the
first page of the passport and six (6) pieces 2X2 recent picture at the Manpower
Registry Division, Window M, Ground Floor, Blas F. Ople Building (Formerly POEA
Bldg.), Ortigas Avenue corner EDSA, Mandaluyong City or REGISTER ONLINE at
www.poea.gov.ph or www.eregister.poea.gov.ph
Present original documents, if submitting requirements personally. Those who will register online will be
asked to present original documents for authentication of written information before forwarding the
resume to the employer.
Source: poea.gov.ph

Saudi requires prometric exam for foreign nurses

2009-12-01T12:00:00.000+08:00

The Saudi Council mandates all foreign nurses to pass the Prometric Exam before working in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. In the Philippines, the accredited testing center is THOMSON PROMETRIC, Ateneo Professional Schools, 130 H. Dela Costa St., Salcedo Village, Makati City. Telephone No.: (632) 892-0383, Website: http://www.prometric.com
The examination is scheduled Tuesday up to Friday, with a fee of US$90.00. A prometric exam is similar to the licensure exam for nurses given in the Philippines.
Source: poea.gov.ph

Dubai debt crisis: Should Filipinos worry?

2009-12-01T11:56:00.000+08:00

MANILA - The Philippines is watching 3 key areas that may take a hit from the ongoing Dubai debt crisis: volume of remittances, foreign exchange rates, and the cost of foreign borrowings sourced from global bond market.

The 3 indicates the Philippines’ possible areas of vulnerability when a global economic or financial event ensues.

Dubai shocked creditors last Wednesday when it asked for a 6-month delay on billions of dollars of debt issued by the flagship firm Dubai World conglomerate and its property subsidiary Nakheel, builder of luxury homes on 3 man-made, palm tree-shaped islands.

The news has rattled global capital and financial markets.

Should we be concerned as well?

Filipinos in Dubai

A major global exporter of labor instead of goods, the Philippines depends on over $16 billion worth of remittances from an army of overseas working Filipinos deployed worldwide.

The ability of rich countries to absorb Filipinos who want to work overseas has been put to test when the host countries’ economies almost skidded to a halt in the aftermath of the subprime mortgage debacle in 2008.

Dubai is host to between 200,000 and 250,000 Filipinos, a fraction of almost 10 million overseas Filipino workers (OFW). Dubai has been highly dependent on foreign labor to pursue glitzy business free zones, financial centers, advanced infrastructure built at breakneck speed.

Dubai, however, is just one of the 7 emirates that compose the United Arab Emirates, which hosts a total of 250,000 to 350,000 OFWs employed in service and construction activities. About 30% are in Abu Dhabi, the political capital, and the rest are in other emirates.

According to the latest data from the Philippine Overseas Employment Agency, the United Arab Emirates was the destination of some 193,810, or 20%, of almost one billion newly hired and re-hired OFW who left the country in 2008.

In the Middle East, the United Arab Emirates is the second top destination of newly hired and re-hired OFWs next to Saudi Arabia. In 2008, 28% or 275,933 OFWs departed for Saudi Arabia.

At the onset of the global financial crisis in 2008, which led to the drying up of credit worldwide, construction activities have already been slowing down in the UAE.

Around the same time, other Middle East destinations, like Qatar, which aims to replicate or even surpass Dubai’s successes, have become more attractive destinations for job-seeking Filipinos. Dubai’s high cost of living, including prohibitive rental rates, reduced the appeal of working in Dubai.

Updated figures on OFW deployment to Dubai for 2009 are not yet available, but another good indicator of the impact of the UAE to the Philippine economy is the trend in the remittances flowing from that part of the world.

Remittances

The money sent home by OFWs to loved ones in the Philippines is a pillar of domestic spending, which in turn fuel growth of real estate, retail, and telecommunications revenues. Through the years, inward remittances have become a more reliable source of dollars than export receipts or direct investments by foreign firms.

Annual remittances from the UAE have been the fifth or sixth highest among different OFW destinations. The UAE accounts for over one-fourth of the total petrodollars coming from the Middle East region.

This year, however, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas data showed that January to September remittances from UAE has only reached $471 million—slightly lower than the $474 million sent home in the same period in 2008.

Remittances from Qatar, on the other hand, posted a whopping 44% growth. In the first 9 months this year, money sent home reached $125 million. In 2008, it was only $92 million.

Funds coming from Saudi Arabia, grew a modest 5% in the same period—from $1.05 billion in 2008 to $1.11 billion this year.

In both Qatar and Saudi Arabia, construction activities and allied services have remained robust.

Given this remittance picture, Qatar and Saudi Arabia have already been cushioning the declining remittances from Dubai even before Dubai World’s debts became an issue.

BSP governor Amando Tetangco had previously expressed confidence that the Dubai debt issue “would not have a significant adverse impact on flows to the country in the near term."

Financial system, foreign exchange

In an interview with ANC’s Business Nightly, University of Asia and the Pacific economics professor Victor Abola noted that the Dubai firms’ debts will hit big global banks.

A Reuters report showed that HSBC, Standard Chartered, Barclays, ABN AMRO, Arab Bank and Citigroup lead the list of foreign banks with the biggest loan exposures in the UAE. However, loans extended by each foreign bank to Dubai World and Nakheel are yet to be determined.

Philippine banks, which lack the scale and capital to compete in multibillion-dollar global deals, have nothing to worry. But just for good measure, Tetangco said the local banks have no direct exposure to Dubai World and Nakheel.

With the local financial system spared, Abola said he does not see a similar contagion as what occurred during the Asian financial crisis in the late 1990’s that “affected countries as a whole.”

However, movements in the global financial system impact on the value of the local currency, which in turn determines the peso equivalent of funds sent home by OFWs to their loved ones at home.

Banco de Oro Unibank chief market strategist Jonathan Ravelas told Business Mirror that the Philippine peso could re-test the P47.50 level against the US dollar after falling 0.2% to P47.205 on Friday.

Ravelas previously forecasted that the peso-dollar exchange rate will be at P47.75 by yearend.

The peso strengthens against the dollar as the Philippines approach the Christmas and New Year holidays. This is one of the seasonal periods of the year when OFWs send more money home as family and relatives, most of them predominantly Christians, celebrate these festive seasons.

However, typhoons that battered the country could have led OFWs to send money home earlier than the usual.

The effect of the Dubai crisis on the peso is yet to be tested as the foreign exchange market deals with possible volatilities.

Global investors are also assessing the possibility of another global systemic crisis arising from the debt problems in Dubai. So far, the announcement of the United Arab Emirates central bank on Sunday to set up an emergency liquidity for commercial banks has somehow calmed the frayed nerves of investors—as of now.

RP foreign debts

Another direct impact of the Dubai debt problems on the Philippines is the higher cost of foreign borrowings.

The Philippines, one of the most active emerging markets global debt issuer, relies on the global bond markets for a portion of its foreign debts.

These debts help plug the national budget deficit, which has widened this year as the global economic slowdown took its toll on tax and customs collections.

Abola said the spread on—or the cost of—the Philippine sovereign bonds, as well as those of other emerging markets could temporarily widen in the wake of the Dubai debt problems.

Last Friday, Philippine sovereign bonds due in 2016 were trading at 115 and 117 basis points.

“The national government may also have to postpone its global bond offering to time it well. [The monetary officials may want to wait until] markets have normalized a bit,” Abola noted.

Source: abs-cbnnews.com

Paramedics/Nurses, Physicians needed in Saudi Red

2009-11-23T19:18:00.000+08:00

The Saudi Red Crescent Authority (formerly Red Crescent Society) based in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia needs a total of 300 male Paramedics/Nurses (200), Physicians (100).

Minimum Qualifications:
Paramedics/Nurses:

* Male, preferably with BS Diploma
* With at least 2 years diploma after high school
* Worked as member of an ambulance team
* Mastery of resuscitation techniques and medications
* Not more than 50 years old

Physicians (Specialists and Consultants in Emergency, Medicine, General Surgery, Traumatology, Anesthesia and Intensive Care):

* Male
* Doctor of Medicine Graduate
* With Board License
* With at least 2 years training in Emergency Medicine and Intensive Care
* Not more than 50 years old

Interested and qualified applicants may personally submit the following documents in a long folder:

* detailed resume with job description,
* photocopy of school credentials/records,
* employment certificates (past and present),
* photocopy of the first page of the passport
* six (6) pieces of 2×2 photo taken within ten (10) days from date of advertisement

Submit the above requirements at the:
Manpower Registry Division, Window I,
Ground Floor, Blas F. Ople Building (Formerly POEA Bldg.),
Ortigas Avenue corner EDSA,
Mandaluyong City

You may also register online at www.poea.gov.ph. Original documents must be presented upon registration. Start of registration is on November 16, 2009.

Source: poea.gov.ph

Isang tanong the GMA 7 2010 Presidentiables Forum

2009-11-23T16:25:00.001+08:00

Watch the Isang tanong of the GMA 7 2010 Presidentiables Forum. Ikaw anong tanong mo?

Source: pinoypctv.blogspot.com

Ramos opens Filipino food outlet

2009-11-20T04:38:00.000+08:00

DOHA: Former Philippine president Fidel V Ramos led last night in the grand opening of Chowking, the first outlet launched here of the famous Filipino food chain, with top executives of Ahmed Hassan Bilal Enterprise of companies and Chowking Food Corp. and other important guests also gracing the occasion.

The new Chowking store in Qatar is the 427th outlet of the food chain worldwide and the 15th in the Middle East. There are now 35 outlets outside of the Philippines aside from the 392 stores back home.

Other important guests who graced the event were Hussain Alfardan, CEO of Alfardan Group of Companies, Philippine Ambassador to Qatar Crescente Relacion, other executives of Bilal group and Chowking.

Ahmed Hassan Bilal, CEO of Bilal group and local partner of Chowking, said the new restaurant was established after careful planning that extended up to six months of product and market assessment. “That makes our partnership with Chowking very promising,” Bilal said in his opening remarks.

He assured guests and hundreds of Filipinos who came to witness the opening event about the great dining experience their customers would get. For his part, Chowking president Erwin Elechicon, said customers will be offered with great tasting food and superior value with the same tradition of authentic tastes back in the Philippines and other parts of the world.

Chowking officials said they are looking forward to open two to three more stores in Qatar next year and targeted a total of 10 outlets in the next five years.

Starting today, Chowking will be open to serve its customers at 12:00 pm to 10 pm and 12:30 pm to 10 pm on Fridays.

Already, hundreds of Filipinos came to witness last night’s grand opening ceremonies as they patiently took the long queue just to satisfy their gastronomic craving for the famous Filipino and Chinese foods.

Since its soft launch last Sunday, the new Chowking stores has been filled up with thousands of customers mostly Filipinos who were excited about the opening of the famous Filipino food chain.

Bilal said there were about a thousand who came on Sunday, 1,200 on Monday and 1,500 on Tuesday. Aside from the fan

Chowking has been famous for its Lauriat, Solo and Salo meals, soups and dimsum including desserts such as halo-halo and leche flan are particularly enjoyed by diners for competitive prices ranging from as low as QR6 to QR30.

Located on Salwa Road, the first Chowking can accommodate up to144 persons and has two function rooms for gatherings.

Source: thepeninsulaqatar.com

Pinoy nurses can register online for UAE employment exams

2009-11-16T15:41:00.000+08:00

Filipino nurses can now apply for work at the United Arab Emirates online, as a shortage of nurses there has prompted it to set up an online recruitment system for such caregivers.

A report on UAE-based Khaleej Times said the UAE Ministry of Health now allows applicants to register for entry exams online rather than in person.

“We launched the new registration system on the ministry website six months ago, and we have been getting hundreds of applications everyday," said Dr Fatima Al Rifaee, Director of the Federal Nursing Department in the ministry.

Of the nurses working in UAE, 40 percent are from India, 30 percent Filipinos and the remaining 30 percent are local nurses and those coming from other Arab countries.

Local nurses comprise merely 4-7 per cent.

A UAE national nurse is paid around Dh6,000-7,000 (P77,674 to P90,620), while an expatriate nurse gets Dh4,000-5,000 (P51,783 to P64,729).

International standards require one nurse for every five patients, but UAE hospitals average one nurse for every 10.

Such a trend prompted the Ministry of Health to fuel recruitment from abroad by allowing applicants to register for the entry exams online.

But while the system allows applicants to register for exams from abroad, the candidate still has to appear to sit for the exam in person.

Some 23,000 nurses and midwives are currently working under the ministry of whom only 25 are men.

Recently, the ministry recruited 242 nurses for the school health departments in Dubai and the Northern Emirates on a war footing to manage H1N1 cases in schools.

The online system also aims at reducing burden on the customer service desk at the ministry.

“We had several people enquiring about the exams and the registration process daily," said Abdullah Nuaimi, Section Head of the Registration and Regulation Department at the ministry.

“Introduction of the website has streamlined this procedure," he added.

Candidates can take a suitable appointment online to register for the exams that take place five times a year except for the midwifery exam that is held once a year.

However, Nuaimi registration alone does not make a candidate eligible to sit for the exams.

“We have to verify forms, certificates and licences before the nurses are allowed to appear for the exams," said Nuaimi.

The ministry also holds exams for registered nurses and midwives in English while for practical nurses, the exams are held in both English and Arabic.

Also, the officials said that despite the huge number of nurses getting registered in the UAE, those actually taking up jobs are a few.

“Several countries readily accept UAE-registered nurses, so we are actually a kind of bouncing board," he said.

Low-salary structures, skyrocketing prices of basic commodities and the spiraling cost of housing are some reasons why many nurses opt to leave the UAE and take up jobs in the West.

Trends also showed nurses from the region migrate to the United States and European countries that offer family and immigrant visas.

Source: www.gmanews.tv

Aspiring Filipino singers give audition for contest

2009-11-14T16:59:00.000+08:00

DOHA: Excitement builds up as the longest running annual singing competition for Filipino expatriates kicked off yesterday with an audition held at the Philippine School Doha (PSD).

Aspiring singers 18 years old and above impressed the judges, belting out English and Filipino songs acapella to secure a spot in the contest which searches for the best singer not only with the most impressive voice quality (40 percent) but also unparalleled voice control (20 percent) and diction (20 percent) and striking personality (20 percent).

“Most Filipinos carry an innate ability in singing, since they are inclined into the activity, which has been a favourite pastime in most households in the Philippines,” said Aladino Bulan, Project Head of the competition hosted by Pag-Iribang Bicolnon Qatar (PIBQ), who are organizing the search for the fourth consecutive year.

“This God-given talent is brought by Filipinos wherever they go around the world,” said Bulan, himself a veteran in singing tilts both here and in the Philippines, including prestigious ones like ‘Bagong Kampeon’ and ‘Pasikatan sa Trese’.

Attractive prizes await the winners among which are cash awards worth QR3,000, QR2000, and QR1,000 for the top three contestants.

“Proceeds of the event will go to the ongoing projects of PIBQ and the calamity fund which is allotted for helping Filipinos stricken by various disasters such as typhoons,” said Dulce Tingzon, one of the officials of PIBQ.

Since its launch in 2003, Sing Out Doha has been one of the most awaited spectacular event that enthrall thousands of Filipino singing buffs all over Doha.

Out of dozens who auditioned yesterday, ten official contestants were chosen to compete in the Elimination Round on Friday. They are Michael Vergel Grenas, Joey Ausan, Ernesto Banzuela, Jr., Rommel Espinosa, Rico Martizano, Jr., Joey Ilagan, Judith Layco, Jennylyn Lopez, Magiting Carbungco and Rocky Rakiin. The ten contestants will be trimmed down into seven during the semi-final round in which five will qualify for the finals to be held on December 11.

Source: thepeninsulaqatar.com

Filipino expats eagerly await Manny’s bout

2009-11-14T16:58:00.000+08:00

DOHA: Thousands of Filipino boxing lovers in Qatar are happy to pay QR80 to watch the live boxing match of their ring idol Manny Pacquiao against reigning welterweight champion Miguel Cotto on Sunday early morning in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Wyngard Aligaga, country manager of The Filipino Channel (TFC) in Qatar, said as of last night there were already about 15,000 subscribers who paid for pay-per-view live telecast of the boxing championship.

Millions of Filipinos back home and worldwide have been eager to see the highly popular Pacquiao taking another crack for the seventh weight division title of which a win would make him one of the greatest boxers in the world alongside Muhammad Ali.

Since Monday, the TFC office in Qatar has been receiving battery of calls and walk-in clients to subscribe for the pay-for-view telecast just to catch up within the cut-off period yesterday to activate the decoders of their television sets at home and accommodations for the Pacquiao-Cotto fight billed as “Firepower.”

Aligaga said the match scheduled to be aired around 5am on Sunday have surpassed the previous live telecast of the fight between Pacquiao and British boxing sensation Ricky Hatton with 4,000 more subscribers who availed of the pay-per-view broadcast.

There were many others taking the live cast over the internet at the HBO website. Ronald Manalo, 24, a sales associate of H & M Boutique at Villagio, said he and his flat mates will watch the fight via the HBO online broadcast since they find it cheaper for only QR65.

Manalo has forecasted that Pacquiao would knock down Cotto in three to four rounds since he believed the Filipino ring idol has become deadlier with the more rigid training he saw in the television.

“Cotto might be bigger than Manny but I think the Puerto Rican champion is no match to Manny’s powerful punch and speed,” Manalo said.

Some others would just wait after the match and watch it from CDs worth QR10 they bought from the enterprising countrymen who would record and burn the live telecast.

It is expected that lowly-paid Filipino workers at the Industrial area would jam pack flats and accommodations of their countrymen who subscribed for the live telecasts since, unlike in the past, there are no Filipino restaurants offering customers a free viewing of the fight.

Source: thepeninsulaqatar.com

Philippine Job Agencies Face Action for Duping Workers

2009-11-10T15:56:00.000+08:00

DUBAI — More than 30 Philippine-based manpower agencies, many of which have business partners in the UAE, are facing the prospect of suspension or cancellation of their licences for allegedly duping job seekers.

The Philippine Overseas Labour Office (POLO) in Dubai has recommended to the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) in Manila to initiate action against the errant agencies.

Last Sunday, POEA cancelled the licences of seven recruitment agencies and suspended the licences of five others who were involved in the trafficking of 137 Filipino bus drivers to Dubai for non-existent jobs.

Labour Attaché Virginia Calvez sought action against more than 30 recruitment agencies who had processed their papers with POEA in Manila for cleaners and other jobs, but the job seekers ended up as household helpers in Dubai.

“These agencies are circumventing the law in hiring Filipino workers for deployment abroad. The victims, who are now in the custody of POLO-OWWA in Dubai, are among those marked for reprocessing,” she said.

Calvez told Khaleej Times that although the cancellation and suspension of licences of the manpower agencies involved in duping the 137 drivers was already reported in the media, POLO did not receive a copy of the 71-page order issued by POEA Acting Administrator Hans Cacdac.

Cacdac revoked the licences of CYM International Services and Placement Agency, SGA-Sahara International Manpower Services, Across Universe International Manpower Agency, Jenvic International Manpower Services, BML Worldwide Manpower Services Inc., Richfield Overseas Employment Co., and Al Anwar International Manpower.

Suspended and fined were Vigor International Manpower Services (six months, P60,000), Bridgewood Human Resources Co. (eight months, P80,000), Expert Placement Agency (13 months, P130,000), Dreams Manpower and Recruitment Agency (18 months, P180,000), and Hana Star Corp. (26 months, P260,000).

It may be recalled that CYM, the main recruiter, publicised the supposed 4,000 job openings for bus drivers in Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority.

Cacdac said that the duped job seekers will get refunds for whatever they had paid or given the recruiter or RJ Lacaba lending agency, which loaned them out P150,000 (Dh15,000) for recruitment fees.

“The refunds will be charged against the escrow deposits of each agency,” he said.

The case came to light during the visit of Philippine Vice-President Noli de Castro in April this year when some of the drivers attended the meeting of workers in distress at the POLO-OWWA office.

During the meeting, De Castro was told that some drivers were forced to resort to scavenging at dump sites for recyclable items that they could sell.

When fellow Filipinos in Dubai learned of their situation, they donated food, water and other items to them. Most of them have since returned home.

But, more than 30 have found jobs with the Emirates Catering Services.

Source: khaleejtimes

Filipino Community Set To Celebrate Bayanihan Festival

2009-11-07T15:05:00.002+08:00

DUBAI — The ‘One Filipino Spirit’ that motivated the Filipino community in Dubai and the Northern Emirates to help the typhoon victims in the Philippines, will be celebrated with the Bayanihan Festival set for December 11 at the Megabowl, Zabeel Park.

‘Bayanihan’ or the spirit of working together will be celebrated once again in the year-end programme. It will be a celebration of the heroic deeds not just of the leaders and members of the more than 60 Filipino organisations accredited with the Philippine Consulate General but also of the ordinary Filipino workers in the UAE, who contributed for the cause.

Robert Ramos of the National Association of Mapua Alumni, chairman of the Organising Committee of the Filipino Community, told Khaleej Times that this year’s celebration will be somewhat different from last year because it will highlight the innate goodness and helpfulness of every Filipino in the UAE, particularly those based in Dubai and the Northern Emirates.

Now on its second year, the Bayanihan Festival this year carries the Theme, ‘Together We Made A Difference’.

The event will be a whole-day affair of fun games and exciting presentations of martial arts, cheering squads, dance exhibition, public speaking and songs.

It will start at 8am with a mini-bazaar and a special show to be presented by TV personalities from Manila.

Ramos said Philippine schools in Dubai and the Northern Emirates will participate in the cheering squad presentation while the other units will render their own performances.

The event will be free, although there will be a Dh5 fee park entrance.

Source: khaleejtimes.com

RP eyes amendments in labor pacts with UAE

2009-11-07T14:47:00.000+08:00

In a bid to strengthen protection for overseas Filipino workers (OFW), the Philippine government is eyeing amendments in its labor agreement with the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

A report on UAE-based Khaleej Times said Rep. Rufus Rodriguez made the disclosure after a dialogue with distressed
Filipino workers in Dubai.

“We have found out some of the agents in Manila with partners in UAE registered at (the Philippine Overseas Labor Office) POLO as foreign principals are into human trafficking who forced our workers into prostitution," said Rodriguez, who chairs the House of Representatives
committee on overseas workers affairs.

He said other issues involve contract substitution and holding of Philippine passports by employers, based on the accounts of distressed workers and legitimate documented reports.

Under Philippine and UAE laws, Filipino passports should not be surrendered to anyone except to legitimate authorities like the court and police.

“But our workers here have been stranded at the POLO-OWWA because their passports have been kept by their employers who refused to turn them over to the Immigration or cancel their work permit unless our workers refund their expenses," said Rodriguez.

He said 15 distressed Filipino workers at POLO are stranded because their employers refused to turn over their passports unless their expenses were refunded.

Rodriguez also said there is a need to set aside Dh80,000 (P1.043 million) to pay for this refund request and the fines for those whose work permits have been cancelled by their employers but their passports have been withheld.

Also, he said the Philippine government is currently considering a law that will enforce stricter measures for the accreditation of manpower agencies that hire Filipino workers.

Labor attaché Virginia Calvez said less than 50 manpower agents are pre-qualified and accredited with POLO in Dubai.

Source: gmanews.tv

Filipinos ready major relief shipment

2009-11-07T14:45:00.000+08:00

DOHA: A Filipino community group has readied a 40-foot container for the shipment of relief goods for the victims of flood-prone areas that have been battered by three successive storms that hit the Philippines in past few months.

The shipment spearheaded by Samahang Batangueno in Qatar (SBQ) will be the biggest shipment so far since the relief assistance drive has been initiated by various community groups.

Banjo Patron, SBQ President, said they would hold a meeting today to finalise their plans taking into consideration a close coordination with other Filipino organisations in Qatar since a large volume of relief goods is needed to fill up the container.

SBQ has worked out for a major sponsor of the 40-footer container as officials agreed they would rather send one single major shipment, mostly clothing they have collected from individuals and groups.

Patron said as this would be a big shipment, they would ask other groups to join them in a two-day activity of packing and segregating the relief boxes before loading the container.

“This would be an opportune time for other groups to join us in this activity especially those who are still generating funds for the shipment cost of the relief goods,” Patron said.

SBQ officials have decided to course through the relief goods with “Sagip Kapamilya”, the charitable arm of major Philippine TV network ABS-CBN.

Meanwhile, the local chapter of Foundation of Filipino Workers Worldwide has already dispatched some 13 boxes of relief goods to the flood and landslide victims in Northern Luzon in coordination with Al Delta OCW Cargo Forwarders and Cordillera Peoples Alliance. Manny Camato, FFWW chairman, said the relief boxes were sent on Tuesday after Al Delta had offered them free shipment.

Source: thepeninsulaqatar.com

Manila To Hire Lawyer for Battered Filipino Maid

2009-11-03T14:04:00.000+08:00

DUBAI — The 24-year-old Filipina, Marilyn Vinluan, who was allegedly assaulted by her Lebanese woman employer in August this year, will be represented in court by a Philippine government-hired lawyer.

Rufus B. Rodriguez from the House of Representatives in Manila, who arrived in the UAE with a four-member team on Monday, told Khaleej Times that the Philippine government will definitely fund the hiring of a lawyer to pursue her case in a UAE court.

He said a new law passed recently in the Philippines sanctions funding for lawyers to defend overseas Filipino workers who have been charged with theft, or whose services have been terminated, or who have been raped, maltreated or have been subjected to verbal abuse.

Rodriguez assured that he would take care of the swift release of government funds for Vinluan’s lawyer and conferred with Consul-General Benito B. Valeriano, who instructed the team to include in the chargesheet non-payment of salary for 19 months to Vinluan. She has been in the custody of the Philippine Overseas Labour Office-Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (POLO-OWWA) for three months while waiting for the verdict in her case.

Vinluan was turned over to POLO-OWWA after spending 12 days at the Sheikh Khalifa Hospital in Ajman. She has received free treatment for her blurred vision by Palestinian eye specialist, Dr. Ali Dabbagh of Oyoomi.

Dr Mohan Rangaswamy, a cosmetic surgeon at Dubai Welfare Hospital, treated her deep scars that she suffered as a result of the constant beatings with electric extension wires.

Rodriguez, who is a former chief of the Bureau of Immigration in the Philippines, is heading a fact-finding mission of the Committee on Overseas Workers in the House of Representatives to Dubai and Abu Dhabi in UAE, Amman in Jordan, Riyadh and Jeddah in the Kingdom of Saud Arabia. Dubai is their first leg of the week-long mission.

Source: khaleejtimes.com

Special board exam for OFWs in December

2009-11-03T13:57:00.002+08:00

DOHA: After many years of hard work, hundreds of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) are now looking forward to finally getting their professional licences through a special board exam to be conducted here in December by the Philippine government’s Professional Regulation Commission (PRC).

The special board exams was realised through an executive order issued by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo which will be conducted every year for qualified OFWs in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, UAE and other Middle East countries that have diplomatic relations with the Philippines.

In Qatar, the board exam hopefuls have been undergoing review classes on weekends over the past few months. The classes were made possible through the organised groups of Filipino architects, engineers and accountants.

Officials of Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants-Qatar Chapter (PICPA-Qatar) have welcomed President Arroyo’s directive saying this will finally realise their efforts to let more than half of their members become licensed accountants.

Rod Punzalan, PICPA-Qatar media coordinator, said they have lobbied for the PRC exam to be held here during President Arroyo’s visit to Qatar in December last year and since then they were conducting review classes aside from the regular seminars to upgrade the expertise of their members. “The president’s order has turned our efforts into the next level and would encourage more of our members to take their board exams,”Punzalan said.

Renante Mislang, an architect at the Petra Designs Co., said the board exam should have been done in the past but he welcomed the move because many of his colleagues who graduated a degree in architecture never had the chance to take the test after working abroad.

Mislang who has been an OFW for the last 14 years said he and about a hundred other members of United Filipino Architects in Qatar have been preparing for the December exam since they were undergoing a rigid review in the past months.

Source: www.thepeninsulaqatar.com

A little information for OFW's about Qatar

2009-11-03T03:37:00.001+08:00

Watch this video for those OFW's who want's and interested to work in Qatar, you can get some information about Qatar after watching it.

OFWs can now take RP board exams in Mideast

2009-11-02T17:52:00.002+08:00

Filipinos working in the Middle East will no longer need to go back to the Philippines to take licensure examinations. President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has ordered government agencies to hold yearly special board exams for Filipinos in the said region in Southwestern Asia.

Mrs. Arroyo recently issued Executive Order 835, directing the Philippine Labor department through the Professional Regulations Commission (PRC) to conduct Special Professional Licensure Board Examinations for qualified overseas Filipino workers (OFW) in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, United Arab Emirates and other Middle East countries that have diplomatic relations with the Philippines.

The PRC will hold the exams in coordination with the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs, Philippine Bureau of Immigration, and the Philippine Professional Organizations (PPO) in Saudi Arabia.

The exams will be held once a year starting December 2009.

The designated government agencies will work on the required permits from the host countries, the provision of the venue of examinations, and the travel documents for those who will give the board exams, according to Mrs. Arroyo.

She said the expenses for the holding of the special exams would be charged against the budget of the PRC.

The Philippine government recognizes the important role of professionals in nation-building and the need to “maintain the reservoir of our professionals whose competence has been determined by honest and credible licensure examinations and whose standards of professional service and practice are internationally recognized and considered world-class," according to the President.

“It is the thrust of the national government to encourage qualified OFWs to take and pass the licensure board examinations abroad as it would greatly enhance their edge and competitiveness in the labor market, and it would spare them from expensive travel expenses and rigorous travel permits form their employers and/or host countries," she added.

There are more than a million OFWs working in the Middle East, majority of them in oil-rich Saudi Arabia.

Source: www.gmanews.tv

Filipino Expats to Clean Up Al Mamzar Park , Beach

2009-10-25T14:33:00.001+08:00

DUBAI — Nearly 300 Filipino expat organisations from Dubai and the Northern Emirates will be seen in a clean up campaign at Al Mamzar park and beach on Friday, October 30.

Myrna R. Anderson, president of Lightform International Photographers, told Khaleej Times that the organisation with the ‘Highest Collected Garbage’ will be awarded cash at this year’s 6th Clean Up Day. “At stake for the participating organisations are cash and trophies. The cash award is put up by supporters of the Dubai Municipality to motivate residents of Dubai to work hand in hand with the government in their own small ways as Dubai is our second home.”

She is expecting more Filipino organisations to stand up and join the cause to clean up Al Mamzar, which will start at 7am until 10am during which the organisations with the Highest Number of Collected Garbage will be awarded.

“Last year, we had 1,000 participating organisations but half of these were organisations of other nationalities. This year, the Dubai Municipality has given Al Sufouh park and beach for their Clean Up area set also on same day,” she said.

Participants in the Clean Up Day event will be given T-shirts, caps and refreshments. Interested individuals, clubs or organisations, can email to pres.lightform@gmail.com for details.

Anderson said the annual Clean Up Day is the Filipino Community’s simple way of helping the Dubai government in drumming up awareness to “Preserve our Environment and Natural Resources for a Sustainable Living.”

She said that a total of 1,000 tons of garbage was collected during the Clean Up Day initiated by Lightform International Photographers, whose 500 members captured the environment through their lenses.

The organisation has been coordinating closely with Hassan Makki, director of Waste Department at Dubai Municipality, in all its environment efforts.

After the next Clean Up Day, the organisation will hold an Environment Awareness Photo Competition on November 20.

It is open to students of the Photography Sessions conducted by the Lightform International Photographers.

“So far, 200 students from the Sharjah Women’s College, American University and the Men’s College have registered for the competition,” she added.

At stake is Dh3,000 for the first prize, Dh2,000 for second place and Dh1,000 for the third best entry courtesy sponsors supporting the Dubai Municipality in its environment awareness drive.

“Our organisation will provide the trophy,” Anderson said.

Source: khaleejtimes.com

Buhay OFW sa Middle East

2009-10-24T00:36:00.000+08:00

Sari-saring lahi nakakatrabaho
iba-ibang amoy ang masisinghot mo
may amoy Arabo may amoy Indiano
at merong ding amoy kambing na barako

'Pag araw ng Biyernes itong matitikman
na mga putahe sa Gitnang Silangan
biryani at kabsa doon sa restoran
saka yung sour milk, kung tawagi’y laban

Oh kay laking suwerte kung makainan mo
isang restorang na cook ay Pilipino
mayroong sinigang at saka adobo
para kang tumama ng milyon sa Lotto

Subalit ito nga’y bibihira naman
mas madalang pa nga sa patak ng ulan
kaya ikaw nama’y magtitiis na lang
para lamang merong ilagay sa tiyan

At higit sa lahat, ang kanilang klima
ang init at lamig ay hindi matimpla
'pag summer ang init ay grabe talaga
meron pang sandstorm na laging kasama

Kapag winter naman ay sobra ang lamig
ngatog ang baba mo, ngipi’y nanginginig
'di makapag-shower kung hindi mainit
ang gagamitin na pampaligong tubig

'Pag Ramadan naman bawal ding kumain
sa labas 'pag araw kahit hindi Muslim
uminom ng tubig pinagbabawal din
pagka may mutawa, ika’y huhulihin

Ang lahat ng ito’y sadyang tinitiis
ng OFW dito sa Middle East
para lamang sila’y merong mai-remit
kada b’wan sa ‘Pinas, sa piso’y ipalit!

Source: gmanews.tv

Pinoys in KSA warned vs solicitations

2009-10-23T23:32:00.001+08:00

Philippine officials in the Saudi Arabia have warned generous Filipino expatriates against donating to some inconspicuous groups soliciting donations for victims of tropical cyclones Ondoy and Pepeng.

In a statement, the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh said it has not authorized any individual or group in the kingdom to solicit or collect donations.

The embassy has received reports that some groups have began asking Filipinos living and working in the kingdom, as well as corporations to donate for the victims of the twin calamities that hit the country.

“The embassy has not authorized any individual or group in Saudi Arabia to undertake solicitations for the victims of typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng in the Philippines," it said.

With news of the twin devastation of Ondoy and Pepeng, overseas Filipino communities are pooling their resources to donate to storm-hit victims in Metro Manila and nearby provinces.

But the Philippine Embassy maintained that individuals or establishments interested in lending their support and assistance to typhoon victims may contact the Embassy through the following numbers: (01) 4823559, 4801918, 4824254, 4823615, 4821577, 4820507 and 4821802; send a fax at (01) 4883945; or e-mail at filembry@sbm.net.sa.

Source: gmanews.tv

Are you a victim of illegal recruitment?

2009-10-18T03:05:00.002+08:00

The following are considered acts of illegal recruitment as defined by RA 8042 and are basis for filing illegal recruitment cases:

Recruiting and charging or accepting fees without proper license or authority to recruit.
Furnishing or publishing any false notice or information or document in relation to recruitment or employment.
Giving any false notice, testimony, information or document or committing any act of misrepresentation for the purpose of securing license or authority under the Philippine Labor Code.
Inducing or attempting to induce a worker already employed to quit his employment in order to offer him to another.
Influencing or attempting to influence any person or entity not to employ any worker who has not applied for employment through his agency.
Recruiting workers in jobs harmful to public health or morality or to the dignity of the Republic of the Philippines.
Obstructing or attempting to obstruct inspection by the Secretary of Labor and Employment or by his duly authorized representative.
Substituting or altering to the prejudice of the worker, employment contracts approved and verified by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) from the time of actual signing thereof by the parties up to and including the period of the expiration of the same without the approval of the DOLE.
Withholding or denying travel documents from applicant workers before departure for monetary or financial considerations other than those authorized under the labor code.
Failure to actually deploy worker(s) without valid reasons as determined by the Department of Labor and Employment.
Failure to reimburse expenses incurred by the worker in connection with his documentation and processing for purposes of deployment, in cases where the deployment does not actually take place without the worker’s fault.

File your complaints at:
Legal Assistance Division
Anti-Illegal Recruitment Branch, 4th Floor, POEA Building or the nearest POEA/DOLE regional office; NBI, PNP, Police Authorities in your area.

Source: poea.gov.ph

How to Avoid Illegal Recruitment

2009-10-18T02:53:00.000+08:00

1. Do not apply at recruitment agencies not licensed by POEA.

2. Do not deal with licensed agencies without job orders.

3. Do not deal with any person who is not an authorized representative of a licensed agency.

4. Do not transact business outside the registered address of the agency. If recruitment is conducted in the province, check if the agency has a provincial recruitment authority.

5. Do not pay more than the allowed placement fee. It should be equivalent to one month salary, exclusive of documentation and processing costs.

6. Do not pay any placement fee unless you have a valid employment contract and an official receipt.

7. Do not be enticed by ads or brochures requiring you to reply to a Post Office (P.O.) Box, and to enclose payment for processing of papers.

8. Do not deal with training centers and travel agencies, which promise overseas employment.

9. Do not accept a tourist visa.

10. Do not deal with fixers.

Source: poea.gov.ph

Pinoys in Jeddah use 'bayanihan' spirit to give aid for typhoon-hit RP

2009-10-18T02:40:00.000+08:00

JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia - Following the surge of foreign aid that the country has been receiving, Filipino groups in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia have also sent some assistance to the victims of typhoons “Ondoy" and “Pepeng" in the Philippines.

“It’s very nice to see our fellow OFWs uniting for a common cause of helping our distressed kababayan in our homeland,.I hope this will continue forever," said Rizaldy Javing of the Circulo Ilongo in Saudi Arabia.

Javing’s group is one of the many organizations that went to the DHL Warehouse in the Sulaymania District to send their donations to the Philippines in the past week.

Among the groups involved were Migrante Saudi Arabia, the Kasapi Congress, the Overseas Filipino Workers Cooperative Council, Tau Gamma Phi Jeddah Council, Desert Falcons Chapter of the Philippine Guardians Brotherhood Inc., Hawak Kamay group, and some religious groups.

“Today we come here not as a member of organizations but as Filipino individuals to give our assistance to the victims of the recent typhoons that hit our country," said Jauhari Usman of the group Ating Gabay OFW.

Kasapi Chairman Vic Aguila thanked international cargo forwarder DHL for providing free air shipment of relief goods for the typhoon victims. “In behalf of the Filipino community aside from DHL, we also thank Wilson Casquejo for his contributions to the success of this campaign," he said.

Casquejo, DHL's operation supervisor, in turn thanked the Filipino community for responding to the calls to help the victims. “It is our obligation to help our kabayan who are victims of this strong typhoon that hit our country and DHL is always available to help." He said.

He said the Filipino community donated a total of seven containers of assorted relief goods.

In addition to the groups mentioned above, among those that donated relief goods for the typhoon victims were the medical and nursing staffs of Abuzinadah Hospital, the Alhekma International School, Gems International School and King Abul Aziz Hospital.

The others were Philippine Institute of Certified Accountant (PICPA), WFA group, Laparilla Resturant, Vic Aguila, Corlito Obtinalla, Mat Bubong, Ali Nasser of UBC, Soler Garlan of Baloi, Freddie Ermitanyo, Philipp Luyun and John Adey from the National Commercial Bank.

Ed and Gigi Santos of Friends in Jeddah Music Club, Saudia City Tennis Club, Jauhari Usman, Pizza Hut, LOREMI, El Khereiji Company, Dr. Bagedo Erfan Hospital, Migrante International, Bag-ong Bicol Saro, Atoy Esguerra, Rizaldy Javing, Saudi Cable Company, Tau Gamma Phi Jeddah Council, El Maghraby Medical Company, Dessert Knights Demolay and dad Alumni Chapter Jeddah;

Philippine Guardian Brotherhood Inc., Makati Express, Merex forwarders, AlMabani Company, Raymond Saudi Arabia Ltd., Danube Co., PGBI under Founder Mel Gamit, and the Philippine Consulate.

In addition, Metrobank provided breakfast for the Filipino community while the Laparilla Restaurant and other cargo companies like the Skyfreight Forwarder served as drop-off points for the transport of the relief goods.

Earlier, the Department of Foreign Affairs reported that Filipinos in Hawaii, Israel, UAE, Switzerland, Australia, and the United Kingdom have also sent home donations.

Source: gmanews.tv

Pinoy worker in Jeddah returns $320,000 find

2009-10-14T14:22:00.001+08:00

JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia - A Filipino worker who returned a huge amount of money he found in northern Saudi Arabia to its rightful owner has become an instant celebrity among fellow expatriates.

The new hero is Lark Michael B. Colegado, a 34-year-old family man from Tacloban and Misamis Oriental in the southern Philippines, who works as an automated teller machine (ATM) maintenance technician for Al-Hamrani Universal in Jeddah.

In an interview, Colegado narrated that he was sent to the northern city of Tabuk last week to do preventive maintenance and fix an offline ATM because his Pakistani colleague responsible for the place was on vacation.

At an ATM located in a gasoline station, he was looking for a place to seat to do his work when he saw a small box beside the machine. When he checked, he found that there was money inside the box.

Without hesitation, he called his superior, who then informed officials of a bank that owned the ATM. Bank officials found that the box contained 1.2 million riyals, equivalent to US$329,000 or 15 million Philippine pesos.

He said he informed his Pakistani helper of his find and he immediately sent an e-mail to his superior to inform him about the money.

In an e-mail to Colegado, his managers said they were proud of having an honest person in their team and thanked him for doing the right thing. He said he was promised not just an appreciation letter but also a “bonus."

Colegado asked media people who interviewed him not to identify the bank, saying he has made a commitment to his superiors to keep the information confidential.

Word of what he did, however, spread like wildfire among members of the Filipino community.

During a get-together at the Laparilla Restaurant in Jeddah, leaders of different various organizations came to marvel at Colegado, and some in the audience said what he did was a feat not easy to duplicate.

“What Colegado did is very timely. At this time when we have lots of compatriots facing financial problems in this country, here comes a man returning a very big amount of money he found with no regret," said community leader Jauhari Usman, a past president of Kasapi Congress.

“Honestly speaking the huge amount is really tempting. If it was somebody else who found that money, I do not know if it would have been returned. What Colegado did is really admirable and it boosts my morale as a Filipino," Usman added.

Rudy Castro, chairman of Overseas Filipino Workers Cooperative Council (OFWCC), said: “It is worthy to note that in spite of the very bad situation in our country, there are still people like Colegado doing a great thing. It is really an honor for all of us as Filipinos to show to the world that we are a trustworthy people, notwithstanding the problems being caused by some of out kabayan."

Joey Villanueva, chairman of Jeddah chapter of the Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants, said in remarks addressed to Colegado: “We are proud of you and in behalf of PICPA and the Filipinos here in Jeddah, we congratulate you. Your honesty shines in spite of the flood left by Ondoy and Pepeng ... I’m proud to be Filipino because of you."

Gina Casino of Hawak Kamay group said Colegado “makes us proud once again to be a Filipino; what you have done is more than heroism."

Omar Salvacion of SAM Foundation described Colegado as a fine example, and Ricky Guiang of Metrobank wished many more Filipinos would emulate his great act.

Consul Leo Tito Ausan Jr. of the Philippine Consulate General said in a telephone interview that Colegado’s “heroism will boost the morale of the Filipinos not only in Saudi Arabia but around the globe."

In an interview, Colegado said he was touched and inspired by the community response to what he did.

“I’m very happy, I am proud that in spite of the huge amount it did not come to my mind of taking this opportunity to take something that did not belong to me," said Colegado, who has a lone daughter with his wife, who works at the Saudi German Hospital inJeddah.

“I could have been richer if I kept that money but I was raised by my family to be an honest person so it did not enter my mind, although I was really scared when I found that box," he told GMANews.TV.

“My parents raised me to be a good and a God-fearing person I am not perfect as nobody is perfect but I’m very happy for what I did not only to me but for my family and for God," he added.

Source:

Accountant to be Jailed, Deported for Arson

2009-10-14T14:17:00.002+08:00

DUBAI — The Court of First Instance sentenced on Tuesday a Filipino accountant to two years in jail for setting two offices at his workplace on fire by using fuel.

The court also ordered his deportation after serving his jail term.

Meanwhile, the court referred the embezzlement charge to the Court of Misdemeanours.

The female director of the company where he used to work accused him of embezzling Dh10,000. She also accused him of setting her office and his office on fire.

She alleged that he was badly behaved and frequently absconded from work.

The Filipino allegedly admitted to the fire incident during the investigations.

The Criminal Evidence report confirmed that the violence marks on the safe where the money, passports and files were kept, happened before the fire.

Source: khaleejtimes.com

Piolo Pascual, John Lloyd Cruz and Sam Milby Live in Qatar on October 30, 2009

2009-10-13T20:43:00.008+08:00

ABS-CBN The Filipino Channel presents Heartthrobs Live in Qatar with Pokwang and other special guests this coming October 30, 2009. Among the ABS-CBN Kapamilya Heartrobs who's coming to Qatar are Piolo Pascual, John Lloyd Cruz and Sam Milby.

Buy your tickets on or before October 2 and get these special discounted rates:

Ticket Price:
VVIP (Regular: QAR 350) (PROMO: QAR 300)
VIP (Regular: QAR 300) (PROMO: QAR 250)
PATRON: (Regular: QAR 200) (PROMO: QAR 150)
GENERAL ADMISSION: (Regular: QAR 100) (PROMO: QAR 75)

For Ticket Reservations and Event Sponsorship, please contact:
TFC Qatar Office: Wyngard Aligaga: +974 685 51 12
wyngard.aligaga@abs-cbnme.com

TFC Head Office (Dubai): Taymund Romero: +97155 493 8174
raymund.romero@abs-cbnme.com

Filipino rock trio mesmerises fans

2009-10-11T18:02:00.001+08:00

DOHA: Three Filipino rock icons kept hundreds of Filipinos rocking to the beat of their music till midnight as they played some of their famous songs during the ‘Rakabayan 2009’ at the Philippine International School Qatar (PISQ) on Friday night.

Rock artistes Alamid, Rico Blanco, and Brownman Revival featured the four-hour long annual rock event whose proceeds would be donated to the PISQ for the construction of the school’s multi-purpose hall, and extend assistance to distressed Filipino workers here and flood-hit Filipinos back home.

Video Source: youtube.com

Gary Ignacio, Alamid’s vocalist, impressed Filipinos including other nationalities who are followers of the rock genre, with his exceptional vocal range and versatility in singing some of the songs which catapulted the group into stardom in the 90s.

‘China Eyes’, ‘Your Love’ and ‘Sama-sama’ in addition to a medley of songs popularised by the best Flipino bands of the 90’s were some of the items performed by Alamid which brought the crowd in frenzy.

Due to popular demand from his fans here, Rico Blanco who has just staged a successful concert here in June, made a well-received comeback, serenading the audience with his chart-topping songs such as ‘Elise’, ‘Bye-Bye Na’ and ‘Himala’.

Blanco’s skill in holding the crowd’s attention from his first till last song was truly impressive, proving him deserving of many performing awards.

Brownman Revival, the final performer of the night, made history in their singing career as they staged their first international performance singing their signature reggae type of music. The nine-member band breathed life into Filipino hits of the 60s and 70s such as ‘Bininbini’, ‘Sorry Na, Pwede Ba’, ‘Paniwalaan’ and ‘Ikaw Lang ang Aking Mahal’ with exceptional passion making them favourites among party-goers in the Philippine club scene.

The natural charisma and good looks of the premier reggae band’s vocalist Dino Concepcion coupled with unique timbre of voice matching the band’s type of music brought down the house.

Apart from the artistes, this year’s Filipino rock event which was organised by Supernova Entertainment left the audience in awe with superior light and sound system.

Article Source: thepeninsulaqatar.com

How OFWs in Middle East can take board exams in the host country

2009-10-10T22:18:00.000+08:00

If you or someone you know is currently working in the Middle East region as a professional but without a license that can boost their career overseas, there is good news. The Philippine Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) announced that they will go to different cities in the Gulf States where there are many Filipino workers to conduct special licensure examinations.

This news will surely benefit many Filipinos in the Middle East that are employed as accountants, architects and engineers. Many of them wants to take the board exams but the distance and time constraint makes it impossible. From the application procedure to finding the time to attend a review class, it is so difficult if they can only take care of this when they go on a vacation to the Philippines.

The PRC special examinations will be held in the city of Al Khobar and Jeddah on the following dates: November 26, 27 and 28, 2009. The next schedule will happen on in Doha, Qatar and Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates on December 2, 3 and 4, 2009. This initiative is a fulfillment of an order that was issued by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo (PGMA) during her most recent state visit in the Middle East territory.

Those who want to take advantage of this opportunity should submit the following documentary requirements:

General documentary requirements (for first time applicants and repeaters for architects, CPAs, civil, electrical, electronic and mechanical engineers):

1. Original & Photocopy of Transcript of Records (TOR) with scanned picture and remarks “For Board Examination only"
2. Original & Photocopy of Certificate of Live Birth issued by the National Statistic Office (NSO) in security paper.
3. Four (4) pieces of passport-size pictures with complete nametag
4. Photocopy of Philippine passport

Additional documentary requirements for architects:
1. College diploma (for first time applicants)
2. NBI Clearance
3. PTR IAPOA Number of Mentor
4. Two years of diversified experience after graduation
5. Logbook of Diversified Experience (can be secured from U.A.P)
6. Affidavit of Experience signed by a registered architect with updated PRC professional ID

Additional documentary requirements for CPA
1. NBI clearance
2. Certificate of refresher course (for those who failed twice)
3. Must be Bachelor of Science in Accountancy graduate (for first time applicants)
4. BSC/BSBA graduates who are repeaters can apply for the examination. BSC/BSBA graduates who are first timers will not be allowed to apply

General Documentary requirements for Certified Plant Mechanic (for first time applicants)

1. Vocational or Trade School Transcript of Records.
2. Certification of Employment or Service Record of at least one year of work experience.
3. Certificate of Experience of one year or more in PRC Form No. 104 and to be signed by a registered Mechanical Engineer or professional mechanical engineer and duly notarized / under oath.
4. Certification of Detailed Description of Equipment in PRC Form No. 105.20. 1-A and to be signed by the company general manager or personnel manager and the immediate supervisor.
5. Affidavit of Competency which should be under oath.

General Documentary requirements for Registered Master Electrician (for first time applicants)

1) Transcript of Record of BSEE with scanned picture and remarks for “Board Exam Purpose"
2) Certification of Employment or Service Record of at least one year of work experience.
3) Certificate of Experience of one year or more in PRC Form No. 104 and to be signed by a registered Electrical Engineer or professional electrical engineer and duly notarized / under oath.
4) Transcript of Records of the Electrical Engineering Technology course.
5) Certification of Employment or Service Record of at least three years of work experience.
6) Certificate of Experience of three years or more in PRC Form No. 104 and to be signed by a registered Electrical Engineer or professional electrical engineer and duly notarized / under oath.
7) High School diplomas or transcript of records.
8) Certification of Employment or Service Record of at least five years of work experience.
9) Certificate of Experience of five years or more in PRC Form No. 104 and to be signed by a registered Electrical Engineer or professional electrical engineer and duly notarized / under oath.

Qualified applicants are advised to contact their respective professional organizations (UAP/MBAP/IOFA- Architects, PICPA, PICE, IIEE, IECEP, PSME) in Al-Khobar, Jeddah, Riyadh, Doha, Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

Applications must be submitted to the professional organizations on or before September 30, 2009 for transmittal to PRC- Manila on or before October 9, 2009.

Applicants whose documents are in the Philippines may present them to the Application & Qualification Evaluation Division for evaluation on or before September 15, 2009. Application forms can be downloaded at www.prc.gov.ph

The Philippine Embassy in Jeddah will also accept applications but the venue is yet to be announced.

Source: www.gmanews.tv

Saudi-based OFWs push for post-arrival orientation

2009-10-01T17:27:00.001+08:00

Overseas Filipino workers in Saudi Arabia want Philippine officials to hold orientations for them once they arrive in their host country, and not before they leave the Philippines.

OFW support group Kasapi Congress presented the suggestion to President Arroyo Monday night, when she met with representatives of OFWs in Riyadh.

"Instead of the pre-departure orientation being given in the Philippines to departing housemaids and family drivers, a post-arrival orientation in the Kingdom should be conducted for all domestic helpers, family drivers and other OFWs," Kasapi Congress adviser Jauhari Usman said in an interview with Jeddah-based Arab News.

Usman said Labor Secretary Marianito Roque could negotiate the proposal and have it approved by the Kingdom through his local counterpart, Labor Minister Ghazi Al-Gosaibi.

Under the proposal, all newly arriving OFWs, regardless of profession, would report to the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) office at the Philippine Consulate before reporting to their respective employers.

“Before releasing the workers, the OWWA will also take note of the location of their work so that it can verify from time to time their work conditions and also review their contracts," he said.

Mrs. Arroyo and her delegation were due to return to the country Thursday afternoon, bringing along some 120 OFWs who ran into trouble in Saudi Arabia.

Last Monday, she and her delegation held talks with key officials of the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry headed by Abdul Qader Al-Fadel and discussed ways to strengthen trade ties between the Philippines and Saudi Arabia.

Meanwhile, the United Bangsaranao Council (UBC), an umbrella organization of 32 civic and sports associations of Filipino Muslims, protested the Philippine bid for observer status at the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC).

Last year, UBC called for an immediate cease-fire in Mindanao after the displacement of 600,000 people due to “the fighting between the military and Muslim freedom fighters."

Source: gmanews.tv

OFW 'abused' after mistaken Facebook post on Ondoy

2009-10-01T15:48:00.006+08:00

A controversial statement allegedly made by a Filipina overseas worker in Dubai that mocked Filipino victims of tropical storm Ondoy sparked negative reactions among many Pinoys here and abroad.

Jacque Bermejo has been the target of hate threads from Filipinos after someone used her identity to post a very offensive statement against Pinoys affected by the onslaught of tropical storm Ondoy on social networking site, Facebook.

Video Source: YouTube

“buti n lng am hir in dubai! maybe so many sinners bak der! so yeah deserving wat hapend (sic),” the comment read.

The said statement generated more than 1,000 responses from Filipino Facebook users.

The comments included hate messages, accusations and threats from fellow Filipinos.

A user named “Ondoy” posted on September 28, 2009: “Hambalusin na yan!”

Anonymous said: “don’t worry dadalaw tayo sa burol ni jacq bermejo. titingnan natin kung talagang patay siya! (sic)”

Jay-ar said: “meron ba kaung pix ng taong yan? baka kasi makasalubong ko sya mabigyan lang ng mag asawang bitch slap! grrrr...!! (sic)"

Srub09 commented: “sana sya na lng ang inanud ng baha!!porke nakapunta na ng ibang bansa.kung sino na makapagsalita...sipain ko yang mukha mo! (sic)”

Pusa said: “naloka ako sa mga comments sa kanya sa multiply... kasi naman in times like this we should all unite and do our best to help and we don’t need negative thoughts. (sic)”

Alyssa stated: “she's pathetic and lacks good moral. dummy.(sic)”

Several new accounts on Facebook were also created under her name by irate users.

‘A victim too’

However, in an exclusive interview with ABS-CBN Middle East News Bureau, the person behind the controversial name maintained her innocence.

Bermejo denied posting the insulting remarks on Facebook. The marketing executive is saddened by the comments she receives from fellow Filipinos for something she says she did not do.

“Pero naman kung ako siguro ang nakakita sa post na yun, mag iisip naman ako na, bakit naman niya gagawin iyan. Bakit niya ilalagay ang picture niya? Bakit niya ilalagay ang real identity niya? Parang bine-bait niya sarili niya na, 'Ok, kill me',” said Bermejo.

She explained that someone hacked her Facebook account and manipulated its contents two years ago. This prompted her to deactivate her account.

Furthermore, she brought the incident to the Dubai Police who advised her to just open another account.

She also revealed that accounts under her name in other social networking sites like Multiply and Friendster were not hers.

The hacker continued to manipulate the said sites often posting negative comments against her friends.

The last post that insulted people affected by the typhoon alarmed her. She said that after the post, many people started issuing threatening statements against her.

“Pero after this, itong post na ito, unang-unang ginawa ko kagabi umalis ako sa bahay ko. Doon ako natulog sa bahay ng mga kapatid ko kasi natatakot ako,” she said.

Her close friends could not help but feel sorry for what happened to her. They said their friend is clearly an innocent victim. They also appealed to fellow Filipinos to put an end to the issue.

“Gusto ko naman ma-clear yung (name) niya dahil hindi naman ganun si Jacque. And, kung sino ang gumawa nun, he is, something talaga is wrong sa kanya, dapat sana stop na yung mga ganung things eh,” said her friend “Mel”.

‘Official statement’

A Facebook user posted Bermejo’s alleged official statement dated September 29, 2009 in the hopes of clearing her name.

She said that an unidentified source created the accounts using her name, her personal details, and pictures.

“Because of these incidents, I reported such abuses and sent my credentials to the administrators of such sites, particularly Facebook. I have been abused and am still being abused online in social networking websites such as Facebook, Friendster, Multiply etc,” Bermejo’s statement said.

Her friends called her up and informed her about the cruel “shoutout” on the Facebook account and the numerous comments from other users.

“These malicious statement(s) which are posted under account names Jacque or Jackie are not of my doing. It is unfortunate that such statements were maliciously attributed to me and I do sympathize and understand the adverse and somehow verbally violent reaction that has been elicited by such insensitive statements or posts. Rest assured, I have taken every legal step that can be done in this regard,” the statement added

“I am devastated and shocked at the extent my character, my personal information and private space have been violated,” she stated.

Bermejo has taken legal steps to address the problem. She sought the help of the Philippine Consulate in Dubai and the National Bureau of Immigration to identify the motive and person behind the moves to discredit her.

Article Source: abs-cbnnews.com

Livestream Disaster News and Chat on GMAnews.Tv

2009-10-01T15:12:00.003+08:00

Overseas Filipino Worker's can now watch livestream videos about disaster news and even chatting on GMAnews.tv provided livestream page. Thanks to gmanews.tv for providing livestreaming video. You can watch their livestreaming video by clicking here

You can also view and report your relatives, friends or any person that went missing during the storm ondoy at GMAnews.tv online MISSING PERSONS DATABASE.

To view online Missing Persons Data Base, click the links below.

FILE A REPORT OR INQUIRY ABOUT A MISSING OR 'FOUND' PERSON

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE MISSING PERSONS DATABASE

Source: gmanews.tv

Hundreds stuck at Manila airport

2009-09-28T16:20:00.000+08:00

DOHA: The Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in Metro Manila’s departure area was packed with all the flights leaving the city delayed due to the tropical storm Ondoy and ground handling operations had been chaotic, a Filipina nurse who arrived here yesterday recounted.

Amygail Torres, a nurse working at Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC), said NAIA was filled with stranded passengers as all the flights were either cancelled or delayed, and the ground handling operations had been in a state of utter confusion due to electric supply disruptions.

Torres, who arrived here yesterday on a Qatar Airways flight that was delayed for almost 11 hours, said there was power outage in all areas in Manila, and NAIA’s electricity was being operated through generators.

“There was no air-conditioner, there were problems with computers and the baggage handling system, and everything went on in slow motion… There were also a lot of people sleeping in almost every corner of the airport waiting for the announcement of the next flight leaving Manila,” she said.

Torres said it took her 11 hours to reach NAIA as she and her husband, who drove her to the airport, braved the traffic at the South Luzon Expressway during the massive flooding after Ondoy dumped the heaviest rainfall on Metro Manila in more than four decades.

“We left the house at 2 pm on Saturday, the fateful day… But because of the traffic at the skyway, we reached NAIA at 1:30 am on Sunday,” she said. Torres’ house is in Las Piñas, some two hours’ drive from NAIA.

Torres said it had been raining the entire day and night. “The water reached thigh-high; in some areas, it was waist-deep… I had a hard time getting out of the Las Piñas area alone and the traffic was terrible… We even had to pass the South Luzon Expressway,” said Torres.

She said she was apprehensive yet determined to reach the airport and catch her flight for Doha.

Equally determined to travel to Doha, Paul Kempis, an electrical engineer at HMC, said he had to wade through knee-deep water on the flooded roads of Manila for four hours to get a taxi to reach the airport.

He left his relatives’ home in Pasig City, where he stayed overnight having arrived from his hometown Leyte.

Pasig is some three hours’ drive from the international airport in Manila but after Kempis was lucky enough to get a cab, it took him almost eight hours to reach the airport after he left his relatives’ home.

“There was devastation all around. Entire localities were flooded and people could be seen fleeing their homes in hordes,” he said talking to this newspaper at the Doha International Airport early yesterday morning.

Torres and Kempis arrived on the Qatar Airways Manila-Doha flight which was delayed for almost 11 hours due to electric supply disruptions at the airport in the Philippines’ capital.

Source: thepeninsulaqatar.com

Hotline set up for distressed Filipinos

2009-09-28T16:06:00.002+08:00

The Philippine embassy in Qatar yesterday began receiving calls on a hotline it launched for members of the community who are unable to reach their relatives in Manila after tropical storm Ketsana inundated several parts of that country.

According to secretary to the ambassador Antonia Caba, the embassy, which has only received one call so far, forwards the “missing” person’s contact information to the Manila Action Aid in the Department of Foreign Affairs and asks them to conduct a search for that person. After the flood snapped telecom lines, many Filipino expatriates have been unable to contact their family members back home.

“Most people are giving the telecom companies the time to repair the damaged lines before they start calling us,” said Vice Consular Jabar Adiong.
The hotline can be accessed by dialing 25 after the embassy’s number (4831585).
Meanwhile, the Philippines appealed for international aid to help tens of thousands marooned by flashfloods, and apologised for the delays in rescue efforts to avoid potential political fallout from the crisis.

Disaster officials said the death toll from Ketsana that hit the main island of Luzon stood at 52 yesterday and more than 20 others were missing feared dead.
“We’re doing our best to get to all those people still trapped by the flashflood,” Anthony Golez, spokesman for the National Disaster Co-ordinating Council, told reporters, adding soldiers in rubber boats would evacuate them to safety.
“We’re sorry for the delays. We’re encounting difficulty in reaching flooded areas.
Hundreds remained on rooftops, waving and shouting for food, water and warm clothes as floodwaters began to subside in and around Manila yesterday.

Source: gulf-times.com

OFWs pin hopes on Arroyo visit to Saudi Arabia

2009-09-26T16:53:00.000+08:00

AL KHOBAR -- Some overseas Filipino workers based in the Middle East have pinned their hopes on President Arroyo’s visit to the region to resolve the many cases of distressed OFWs, including those on death row.

“We believe that the objective of our President is for the welfare of our less fortunate OFW lalo na iyong mga distressed OFWs, mga na-stranded sa Jeddah yung mga nasa deportation centers most especially iyong mga abused domestic help,” said Roberto Punzalan.

President Arroyo arrived in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on Monday for a three-day official visit. According to the website of the Office of the President, Mrs. Arroyo is expected to take up the welfare of the more than one million OFWs in Saudi Arabia and make a pitch for the Philippines as an attractive investment haven.

ABS-CBN Middle East News Bureau reported that there are 96 distressed OFWs housed at the Bahay Kaliya in Riyadh, 20 in the deportation area in Damman and 30 at the Saudi Welfare Agency in Damman.

“Ini-expect ko na sa pagpunta ni Presidente Arroyo ay matulungan niya iyong mga kababayan natin dito na nakakulong na, mapauwi na sila at saka iyong mga kababayan natin na nasa death row, sana mapagaan iyong hatol sa kanila,” said Ely Panahon, chairman, UFSA-DBL Basketball Group in Damman.

Correspondent Florante Catanus reported that an estimated 500 OFWs are currently detained at Eastern Saudi and Riyadh and 26 on death row.

Meanwhile, the All Filipino Community and Sports Commission (AFCSCOM) hope to bring to the President their concern about the “Embassy on Wheels”.

"All OFWs here in the eastern province are clamoring to have the ‘Embassy on Wheels’ na ipagpatuloy. Kami po sa AFCSCOM, we spearheaded a signature marathon kung saan ay we prepared a letter na iha-hand over natin sa pangulo,” said Max Bringula, AFCSCOM Deputy Over-all Chairman for Community Affairs.

Also included in the group’s petition is a request for additional personnel for the Philippine Overseas Labor Office that will focus on cases that are criminal in nature.

“Hinihiling po namin na sana po ay pagbigyan naman na maglagay din sila ng isang assistance to nationals empleyado dito sa eastern region na sana po ay isang vice consul o mas mataas. Itong mga police cases na hindi na po sakop ng labor ay sila po ang umasikaso, nang sa ganoon po ay ang ating taga-POLO ay makapag concentrate sa mga labor cases lamang,” said Reggie Montana, AFCSCOM over all chairman.

Source: abs-cbnnews.com

200 more stranded OFWs in KSA to fly home

2009-09-26T13:18:00.001+08:00

About 200 more overseas Filipino workers (OFW) in distress in Saudi Arabia will finally be able to end their ordeals and return home in the next few weeks after their exit visas are processed, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) said Friday.

“More or less 200 more will be repatriated, though not in one batch, pero tuloy-tuloy ang pag-poprocess niyan (but the processing of their repatriation is continuous)," OWWA chief Carmelita Dimzon told GMANews.TV.

She said the agency OFWs are waiting for the release of the workers’ exit visas or their No Objection Certificates (NOC). The difficulty of obtaining an NOC usually arises from the refusal of employers to issue the documents of runaway workers for various work-related issues.

On Thursday, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo brought home 120 stranded workers from the Kingdom.

Dimzon, supporting a previous Malacañang statement, said it was the President’s visit to Saudi Arabia that hastened the document processing of the repatriated and remaining Filipino workers there.

It is a policy in Saudi Arabia that only the King could overrule once a high level representation is made. In the case of these OFWs, it was Mrs. Arroyo who made the representation, thus expediting the release of their exit visas.

Like the 200 OFWs to be repatriated, the 120 Filipino workers were mostly runaways who suffered different undesirable working conditions like the non-payment of salary, lack of basic provisions, and physical abuse.

“Talagang mahirap kasi talagang nagkakasakit ka, walang pagkain (It’s really difficult, you get sick because you don’t get enough food)," OFW Jenalyn Corpuz told GMA News upon arriving in the country on Thursday.

Previous reports indicate that some of the runaway workers had lived under the Khandara overpass, along with other nationals such as Indians, Pakistanis, and Bangladeshis, who are also trying to attract the attention of Saudi police so that they would be brought to their countries.

But the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), in a statement released Thursday, said that even before the President’s visit to the country, they had already been working on how to repatriate the stranded OFWs in the Kingdom.

The DOLE also said that it was OWWA that advanced the payment of the air fares of the 120 OFWs. Under OWWA policies, however, the deploying firm is responsible for the repatriation of its distressed workers.

“We cannot blame them. We paid for the repatriation costs because it will be faster, but we will still go after them for the expenses," said Dimzon.

The Filipino community in Saudi Arabia is estimated to have reached 1.2 million last year and the figure continues to increase. It is also still the top destination among overseas Filipino workers, data from the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration showed.

Source: http://www.gmanews.tv

More abuses feared with revisions in OFW law

2009-09-13T19:53:00.002+08:00

An alliance of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) on Tuesday warned that some of the amendments to the Migrant Workers Act of 1995 that lawmakers are proposing could only lead to the continued abuse and neglect of Filipino migrants all over the globe.

Migrante – Middle East assailed the consolidated bills in the Senate (SB 3286) and House of Representatives (HB 5649) for being anti-OFW by continuing to promote labor as a “cheap" export while institutionalizing government-imposed fees and recruitment charges.

According to Migrante-ME regional coordinator John Leonard Monterona, contrary to the obligations and responsibilities of the government set out in the Migrant Workers Act, OFWs witness the government’s neglect on a daily basis.

“Six OFWs were already beheaded under the Arroyo administration, 59 more are awaiting their execution. Six to 10 bodies of OFWs are arriving at different Philippine airports daily; while the numbers of sexual and physical abuses, labor malpractices are increasing in an alarming proportion, in the Middle East alone averaging 5-8 cases everyday," Monterona said.

The House of Representatives has already approved on third and final reading the amendments to Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995 or Republic Act 8042.

HB 5649, titled "An Act Improving the Standards of Protection and Assistance for Migrant Workers," seeks to amend RA 8042 and impose stiffer penalty on officials and employees of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) who unlawfully allow the deployment of Filipinos to countries without any guaranteed protection.

Rep. Edgar Chatto (1st District, Bohol), one of the authors of HB 5649, said those who willfully and grossly violate the act shall be removed or dismissed from the service, and disqualified to hold any appointive public office for five years.

"If amply protected, they will continue to remit the needed income for the support of their families as well as contribute to the fiscal growth of the government," Chatto said.

Jackson Gan, vice president of the Federated Association of Manpower Exporters, supported the bill’s passage.

Should the bill become law, any OFW processed by the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) or any licensed recruitment agency would be covered by a compulsory employment liability insurance equivalent to three months of the worker's salary for every year of his contract.

According to Gan, the liability insurance plan for OFWs will also relieve the agencies of being burdened with money claims or damages sought by workers in case it has not been settled at the National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC). [See: Recruiters group urges Congress to pass OFW liability insurance bill]

Contradictions

Monterona cited Sec. 2 (c) of the consolidated bill that affirms “the State shall continue to create local employment opportunity and promote equitable distribution of wealth."

According to Monterona, this contradicts an earlier Administrative Order No. 247 by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo that ordered the aggressive marketing for OFWs abroad.

Monterona further said that while the consolidated bill affirms the state principle recognizing and encouraging “OFWs to participate in the decision-making process and to be represented in institutions," the appointing authority is still vested in the President.

Monterona also raised concern over the provision in the proposed consolidated bill, Sec 2 (i), which states that government fees and cost of recruitment is “free."

“This is vague as in Section 34 of the consolidated proposed bill, where it states that ‘fees shall remain at their present level,’ which we believe the government could increase anytime if they wanted to," Monterona added.

Another disturbing provision of the proposed consolidated bill, Monterona said, is the creation of an “Emergency Repatriation Fund," which would be sourced from the placement and recruitment agency contribution between US$50 and US$100.

“Just like the Overseas Workers’ Welfare Administration (OWWA) membership fee of US$25 supposed to be paid by the employer for the OFW, in reality it is being passed on and shouldered by the OFWs," Monterona said.

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Source: gmanews.tv

Stranded OFWs in Jeddah to be home soon

2009-09-13T19:37:00.001+08:00

Some 170 undocumented Filipino workers in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia will finally be sent home after more than a year of living under a bridge.

Philippine Consul General Ezzedin Tago said the group is now in a Saudi deportation center for the processing of their exit papers and would sent home as soon as possible.

The workers have been living under the Al-Khandara District Bridge in Jeddah under dismal conditions, often relying on donations from fellow countrymen for basic necessities.

The Al-Khandara District Bridge is a known “backdoor exit" for distressed foreign workers in the area, where immigrant workers congregate in large numbers, waiting for the Saudi authorities to take notice and deport the workers on the Saudi government's expense.

Tago said most of stranded Filipino workers ran away from their employers because they were required to work longer hours while their salaries remain unpaid.

In 2008, a total of 1,689 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) were repatriated to the Philippines from Saudi Arabia alone.

According to Filipino labor group Migrante, about 1,793 Filipino workers in Saudi Arabia had asked for help so they could return home since the beginning of this year. Of this number, 566 were runaways.

Those who ran away from their employers and have requested for repatriation were mostly victims of sexual abuse, improper payment and unsafe working conditions.