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Let us Support the Creation of the Department for OFW

This blog strongly supports the creation of a government department to look after the welfare of our Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW). This proposal is a brain child of Sen. Manny Pangilinan.

Information
Definition of OFW - Overseas Filipino Worker
Health Advisory Influenza A (N1H1)
Conversion $ = Php
$1.00 (US) = PHP
Currency data courtesy coinmill.com

Thank You Global Pinoy

[ Friday, March 9, 2012 | 0 comments ]

Who is the modern day Filipino hero?
 

He’s no Andres Bonifacio nor is he a Jose Rizal. But even without a sword, a gun or a pen, his sacrifice for the country is no less valiant. After all, he carries the aspirations of his family and the country’s economic security on his back.

Aptly called as the modern day hero, these 11 million overseas Filipino workers have earned the trust and admiration of employers all over the world. Something we as their countrymen should all be proud of. With this reason, the Commission of Filipinos Overseas, Duty Free Philippines, and Kraft Asia pay tribute to the Global Pinoys that have showed excellence not only in their careers, but also in the initiatives to help their fellowmen in the country, through the Thank You Global Pinoy Awards.

The Thank You Global Pinoy Awards is an initiative to search for the most outstanding global Filipino workers who deserve the gratitude not only of their loved ones; but also of the nation as a whole. It was primarily led by the Commission of Filipinos Overseas, the government agency tasked to promote and uphold the interests of Filipino emigrants and permanent residents abroad. The online nominations ran from October 2011 to February 2012, and 10 outstanding overseas Filipino workers have been chosen and will be announced during the Awards Night on March 15, 2012.

The Thank You Global Pinoy Awards is our way of saying thank you, and giving recognition to Global Pinoys. We are proud to announce the names of the individuals, who have shown their outstanding contributions to both their employer, and their country,” says Imelda Nicolas, CFO Chairperson.

“In its tradition of being the thank you and pasalubong chocolate from overseas Filipinos, Toblerone has initiated this project in order to give back, and give each and every Global Pinoy what they truly deserve—a sweet thank you,” shares Jaya Singh, Region Director, Middle East and Asia Pacific, Kraft Foods World Travel Retail.

Be part of a grateful nation. Join the rest of the country as it honors the ultimate global Pinoy, whom a grateful nation will say a resounding thank you to. For more information, visit www.thankyouglobalpinoy.com
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ABOUT KRAFT FOODS
Kraft Foods Inc. (NYSE: KFT) is a global snacks powerhouse with an unrivaled portfolio of brands people love.  Proudly marketing delicious biscuits, confectionery, beverages, cheese, grocery products and convenient meals in approximately 170 countries, Kraft Foods had 2010 revenue of $49.2 billion.  Twelve of the company’s iconic brands – CadburyJacobsKraftLUMaxwell HouseMilkaNabiscoOreoOscar MayerPhiladelphiaTang and Trident – generate revenue of more than $1 billion annually. On Aug. 4, 2011, Kraft Foods announced plans to divide and create two independent public companies:  a high-growth global snacks business and a high-margin North American grocery business.  The transaction will take at least 12 months to complete, during which time plans regarding the structure, management, governance and other matters will be announced.  A leader in innovation, marketing, health & wellness and sustainability, Kraft Foods is a member of the Dow Jones Industrial Average, Standard & Poor's 500, Dow Jones Sustainability Index and Ethibel Sustainability Index.  Visit www.kraftfoodscompany.com and www.facebook.com/kraftfoodscorporate.
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Let us Support the Creation of the Department for OFW

[ Wednesday, February 22, 2012 | 1 comments ]
This blog strongly supports the creation of a government department to look after the welfare of our Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW). This proposal is a brain child of Sen. Manny Pangilinan.

I totally believe in him that this is not an emotional appeal but this is now a reality that OFW should be given ample protection. It has been known to us that there are many OFW who needs upmost attention and support.

OFWs play an important role in our economic growth. Our economy received more than $18 billion in remittances from OFWs last 2011. The remittances from our dear OFW save our economy from complete devastation.

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Why a department for OFW's

By SENATOR MANNY B. VILLAR

October 25, 2011, 11:43pm

MANILA, Philippines — Last month, the remains of an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) arrived in Manila and official reports declared her death a year ago in Saudi Arabia as a suicide. But, when the body was embalmed, the family learned that some of her internal organs were missing.

In March of this year, three OFWs were executed in China for drug smuggling. News reports, citing government data, said about 500 other Filipinos were languishing in various jails abroad for drug-related crimes and that there thousands more for other offenses.

Some people may say that the number of OFWs in jails in other countries is just a small part of the 10 million Filipinos working and living abroad. And they may treat my proposal for an executive department to handle OFW issues as nothing more than an emotional appeal.

I disagree. There are other factors which have prompted me to propose a Cabinet-level agency to handle OFW affairs.

Why, in the first place, do we have three press secretaries with Cabinet rank but we cannot have one for OFWs? I am not even asking for an increase in the number of the departments in the Executive Branch. What I am proposing is a re-prioritization, because many decades ago, when the departments were being organized, there were only a few Filipinos working abroad. The term overseas Filipino worker came later.

Now, setting aside the emotional or social concerns regarding OFWs and their families, let’s talk about the country’s economy and the role that OFWs play in its growth.

Our economy received more than $18 billion in remittances from OFWs last year, notwithstanding the conflicts in the Middle East, the disasters in Japan and the economic problems of the US and Europe.

According to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, remittances for the eight months to August this year totaled $13.02 billion, up 6.9 percent from the same period last year. Last August alone, the remittances amounted to $1.67 billion, up 11.1 percent from $1.5 billion in the same month last year. This was the fastest pace of growth in 18 months.

The BSP said it expected OFW remittances, which fuel domestic consumption and support the peso and the balance of payments, to grow by 7 percent this year despite the anticipated slowdown in overall economic growth.

These OFW remittances are in cold cash, not loans that need government debt service. On the other hand, we got less than $2 billion in foreign direct investments last year, and we’ll be lucky to get more this year given the slump in the global economy.

We have a growing tourism industry, but it is beaten by OFWs for which we should have an executive department, from a purely financial point of view.

As I have said we have 10 million OFWs. On the other hand, we got about three million tourists a year. OFWs also beat the information and communications technology (ICT), which has been taken out of the Department of Transportation and Communications, in line with proposals for its elevation into a department level.

I’m not against having departments for tourism and ICT because we need to promote these industries, too. But I firmly believe that OFWs deserve no less better treatment considering their contributions to the economy.

Less we forget, the remittances from OFWs saved our economy from collapse not once but several times, from the first oil crisis in the seventies, the debt moratorium in the early eighties, the Asian financial crisis in 1997 to the global crisis in 2008.

About two-thirds of the world, including the United States and Japan, went into recession in 2009, and yet the Philippines managed to grow about 1% because the OFWs kept on sending precious dollars home which fueled consumption.

In fact, the remittances continue to drive the growth of the retailing, services and real estate industries and allied businesses. The remittances are also the main reason why the Philippine peso has remained strong in the currency markets.

Clearly, right now the single biggest thing going for our country is our OFWs.

With the growing fears that the global economy may enter another period of recession, our economy will continue to rely on the remittances of our OFWs to keep it afloat and, hopefully, sustain growth.

Viewed from any perspective, our OFWs deserve a Cabinet-level secretary to look after their interests.

Perhaps, some agencies, or even a department, may be dissolved to make way for a department for OFWs, our modern-day heroes.

(For feedback: mbv_secretariat@yahoo.com)
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OFW Job Search

[ Sunday, April 3, 2011 | 1 comments ]
Because of under employment, unemployment, job scarcity and economic crisis here in the Philippines many Filipinos are aspiring to work abroad for greener pasture. The first step, to that OFW goal is – JOB SEARCH.

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

Philippine Overseas Employment Administration’s (POEA) – you may check their website for job postings (http://www.poea.gov.ph) . Likewise, you can also check list of accredited agencies including approved job order. POEA approved job orders from POEA accredited are definitely legit. Also check POEA’s own government placement which are usually posted in their bulleting board.

INTERNET – it is a vast source of job search information. With the advent of the new technology, local legit recruitment agencies are using the Internet for their job posting. But applicants should be watchful and wary since many scrupulous and illegal recruiters are also using the Internet for helpless victims.

Below are some local Internet sources for job search:

- Work Abroad (Philippines) is an overseas job portal for Filipino jobseekers, top companies abroad and some local recruitment agencies advertise job openings on websites.

- JobStreet.com offers a comprehensive suite of interactive recruitment services. International and local Asian corporations recruit from JobStreet.com's ever-increasing pool of top talent and manage their recruitment process through uniquely developed software applications via the Internet.

- Other sites: JosDB.com, Monster.com


NEWSPAPER ADS – not all market are tapped by the Internet, still the good old print media do wonders.

Below are some sources of newspaper job posting for your reference:

- The Manila Bulletin
- The Philippine Daily Inquirer
- The Philippine Star
- People’s Tonight
- Tempo


Referrals - Job opening and information coming from friends and family members. These vacancies may not necessarily be listed in POEA job order. This is what you called direct employer.


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Disclaimer: all the information listed above is subject for your further verification to check for its legality.
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Informatics offers FREE TRAINING for OFWs and their Dependents

[ Saturday, July 24, 2010 | 0 comments ]
This is a good news for OFWs and their dependents. Informatics is offering FREE TRAINING.

Informatics Philippines intends to train more OFWs and their families through the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration’s Skills for Employment Scholarship Program (SESP). The program aims to develop highly-skilled and more employable workers thru career-enhancing technical and vocational courses. It is offered free of charge by OWWA to its active OFW members or their designated dependents.

For more information visit Informatics website and the nearest Informatics training center nearest you

OWWA e-flyer copy

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OWWA - Overseas Workers Welfare Administration

[ Saturday, January 30, 2010 | 0 comments ]

The OWWA

The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), an attached agency of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), is the lead government agency tasked to protect and promote the welfare and well-being of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and their dependents.

OWWA Mandate

The agency has two-fold mandate:

a. Delivery of welfare services and benefits; and
b. Ensuring capital build-up and fund viability

Objectives:
a. Protect the interest and promote the welfare of OFWs in recognition of their valuable contribution to the overall development effort;

b. Facilitate the implementation of the provisions of the Labor Code concerning the responsibility of the government to promote the well-being of OFWs;

c. Provide social and welfare services to OFWs, including insurance, social work assistance, legal assistance, cultural services, and remittance services;

d. Ensure the efficiency of collection and the viability and sustainability of the fund through sound and judicious investment and fund management policies;

e. Undertake studies and researches for the enhancement of their social, economic and cultural well-being; and

f. Develop, support and finance specific projects for the welfare of OFWs.

Vision and Mission

OWWA develops and implements responsive programs and services while ensuring fund viability towards the protection of the interest and promotion of the welfare of its member-OFWs.

OWWA is the lead membership welfare institution that serves the interest and welfare of member-Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs).

OWWA commits to a fund stewardship that is transparent, judicious, and responsive to the requirements of the member-OFWs.

OWWA Logo

The LOGO was designed in 1981 by Mr. Paeng Asuncion using a Greek capital letter Delta, a triangle or a pyramid which symbolizes CHANGESthat increases rapidly and progressively step by step on a broadening base that supports a concomitant upward trend.

The three (3) major points of the triangle is coherent with the concept of "trinity", meaning the union of key stakeholders: the government in partnership with OFWs and the private sectors.

The red, white and blue represent the colors of the Philippine flag which emphasizes the true spirit of the world class Filipino citizen workers.

The inner ring represents the world destinations of the Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs). It features the half-size of a rising sun (upper portion) and the pouring rain (lower portion).

The sun represents energy, life-giving force, warmth and sustenance. The rain represents the sun's complement in the life-giving force. The sun and the rain also represent the favorable and adverse conditions encountered by the OFWs in the overseas job-sites. Both sun and rain symbolize the gains and pains of OFWs ... it symbolizes the concern on the WELFARE of OFWs and their families.

OWWA serves as a potent force in providing timely and responsive interventions: 24 hours, seven days a week with assured quality standards.

It goes with the theme: "UMULAN MA'T UMARAW.... ANG OWWA AY MAASAHAN".



For more information of the benefits and services and other information visit the official website of OWWA: http://www.owwa.gov.ph/
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Hotline Number for Families of OFW in Haiti

[ Saturday, January 16, 2010 | 0 comments ]

As of this writing, the number of death from the deadly earthquake that hits and devastated Haiti is already approximately 100,000 and the death toll continues to rise.


The Philippine government has already issued the documented count of the Filipinos based in Haiti : There are 462 Filipinos in Haiti, 290 civilians and 172 military-police peacekeepers. Majority of the 290 civilians are working in telecommunications, and power generation industry.


Government agencies such as the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Red Cross has set up several hotline numbers for the families of the Haiti based Filipinos.


DFA thru Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs (OUMWA).
Hotline number : +632 834-4996.

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in Camp O'Donnell, Tarlac. The center will provide the latest news as well as answer questions regarding the Filipino contingent in Haiti. The hotline number : +639198776728.

The Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC) would provide help by means of contact tracing, repatriation, and psychosocial support. The PNRC also expressed willingness to provide temporary shelters for the victims.

Hotline numbers of PNRC’s Operation Center:143, 527-00-00, 524-57-87, 666-50-34, and 994-05-03
Moreover, The Philippine National Red Cross has also set up a Tracing Program for Haiti Earthquake Incident.

Photo Credits : http://i.dailymail.co.uk/ and Reuters

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OWWA OFW E-Card

[ Thursday, August 20, 2009 | 0 comments ]
The OFW Electron Card (E-card) is an identification card issued by the Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) through its attached agencies, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) and the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA). The card is a multi-function card containing information about the OFW which he will need in dealing with government institutions, locally and abroad.

The card is issued for free. Security features contain the following:




  • Photo card.
  • Digital signature on card face with matching signature at the back
  • Tamper proof signature panel
  • Magnetic stripe with security code
Several benefits may be derived upon activation of the E-card at all Equitable banking institutions:

  • Serves as proof that cardholder is a legitimate OFW and an OWWA member
  • Provides a permanent ID card number that will link OFW''s information necessary in dealing with various government and private agencies
  • Facilitates availment of OWWA benefits and services
  • Can be used as a remittance card and ATM or a debit card at the option of the OFW
OWWA is now in the process of negotiating with other institutions for percentage sales discount/other freebies to cardholders.

Resource :
Dole Website
Equitable PCI Bank Website Read the full story »