WHY IT IS BETTER FOR SOME FILIPINO'S TO MOVE ABROAD?

Do you have a plans of working overseas, become an Overseas Filipino, work abroad from Philippines, or finally moving abroad, to start a new life in other country? It is not going to be that easy if this would be your first time to work and live outside the Philippines. You have to leave your family, friends, you are going to miss the foods and other stuffs. But living abroad is not a bad idea. It brings endless opportunities and despite the cons, there are still lot of reasons why you should consider the thought of moving abroad. Here are some of the reasons why:

1. You will develop a sense of independency. 

We Filipinos are known to have a close family ties and many families still follow the extended family structure wherein children still live with their parents even after marriage. It will be different when you move abroad, you will have to live on your own and figure lot things out on your own, without the help from your parents or other people who are close to you.

2. It will take you out of your comfort zone.

Because you are in other place, you have to do things different from your usual daily routines. You will be having lot of first time experiences. You have to deal with a different culture. But once you step out of your comfort zone, take the risk and make the most out of every experiences, you will one day realize that you are capable of doing lot of things because you try.

3. You will meet persons with amazing stories.

You will never know who are you going to meet when you live abroad. You might meet a person with a unique life perspective which can alter your mind and change your life for the better. Meeting new persons can give you the opportunity to look at life through others eyes and that's how you'll grow as a person. 

4. You will appreciate simple things more.

Appreciating the beauty of the new country you are in or just by talking to your new found friend and having a cup of coffee with this person can bring you so much joy. You will realize that happiness in life is not only gained by having expensive things but it also comes through the little things. 

5. You will always be a tourist.

When you have free time, you will have the opportunity to explore the new country you're in and you will have the chance to discover beautiful places and sceneries. It always feels so good to just appreciate the nature and the beauty of God's creations.

"Settling into a new country is like getting used to a new pair of shoes. At first they pinch a little, but you like the way they look so you carry on. The longer you have them, the more comfortable they become."

-Tahir Shah, In Arabian Nights

Again, living outside the Philippines will never be that easy, you will have to find Filipino jobs, or companies hiring Filipino workers and do OFW work but it will always be worth it. So when you'll have the opportunity, take it!

©2016 Pinoy Expats/OFW Blog Awards

Filipina OFW Tried to Abort Baby, Caught in Dubai Airport

Dubai International Airport’s paramedic teams rushed the 30-year-old Filipina maid, J.B., to hospital after she collapsed in pain and bled profusely due to the illegal abortion she attempted shortly before boarding a plane for her country in January.

Prosecutors charged the Filipina with having unmarried sex with her countryman, J., who left the UAE a few months back, and trying to get rid of the foetus after taking banned abortion pills.

J.B. entered a guilty plea and confessed that she tried to carry out the abortion herself when she appeared before the Dubai Court of First Instance on Sunday.

“Yes, I had consensual sex with J., who impregnated me. I also took abortion pills,” the Filipina told presiding judge Fahd Al Shamsi.

“We had sex several times. On the day of the incident, I went to the airport with my sponsor who had cancelled my residency and wanted me to go back home. A week before I collapsed at the airpor

;">Read the whole story at GulfNews

http://m.gulfnews.com/news/uae/maid-accused-of-attempted-abortion-1.1490519
©2015 Pinoy Expats/OFW Blog Awards

STARTING OCT 1, OFW WILL PAY P550 TERMINAL FEE

President Benigno S. Aquino III, Transportation and Communications Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya and Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) general manager Jose Angel Honrado. (Photo by: Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau).


One volunteer asked:

("According to Section 35, of the Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act 1995 (Republic Act 8042), OFWs shall be exempted from the payment of travel tax and airport terminal fee. Anong silbi ng batas na ito kung memorandum lang ay kaya palang palitan at patawan ang mga OFW ng babayarin? ")

EFFECTIVE ON OCTOBER 1, 2014 ALL OFWs who bought their ticket abroad and/or online will be paying an extra P550 Terminal Fee. Since OFWs are exempted of this scheme according to law, they are allowed to get a refund in the Philippines. Read the chronology of events and the processes, and requirements below.

COPY OF MEMORANDUM OF INTEGRATION OF TERMINAL FEE HERE

International Passenger Service Charge (IPSC) Integration Program

Initial scheme was Pay–all

All exempted pax PAY subject to refund

Dialogue with Government Stakeholders and Manning Agencies

On March 2014 there was a clamor to modify the pay-all scheme.

 

A.) IPSC  to be integrated by DEFAULT for tickets purchased ONLINE or ABROAD

B.)   IPSC will NOT  be collected for tickets purchased   from ticketing offices / travel agents  within the Philippines upon presentation of exemption certificate

On July 8, 2014  there was a Dialogue with DOLE, POEA, Land-based and NGOs including the Pinoy Expats/OFW Blog Awards, or PEBA, Inc.

July 21, 2014  :  Update concerned Government Agencies on the status of the   Integration of IPSC. DOLE and POEA requested for the exemption of OFWs at the point of sale even if purchased abroad or online. 

MIAA arranged a meeting between DOLE, POEA and Air Carriers to explore the possibility of exempting OFWs even if ticket is purchased online or abroad:

On August 20, 2014  there was an  Initial dialogue between DOLE   and POEA, PAL & Cebu Pacific and on August 28, 2014,  POEA had a dialogue with Air Carriers

 

  Air Carriers agreed to study the   issues raised by DOLE and POEA for incorporation in   phase 2 of the Integration program.

Refund Process

Location

1. Refund counters located after immigration counters on departure date at the MIAA Administration Building.

Documentary Requirements

At the Terminals (on departure date after clearing Immigration)

a) Submit copy of passenger ticket / invoice / official receipt or any other document which clearly shows that exempted pax has paid the IPSC.

b) Surrender original copy of Exemption Certificate (airport copy)

c) Presentation of Boarding Pass

Documentary Requirements

At the MIAA Administration Building (by representative or upon arrival)

  In all cases, refunds must be accompanied by the following:

  

a) Duly accomplished Request for Refund Form

b) Submit copy of passenger ticket / invoice / official receipt or any other document which clearly shows that exempted pax has paid the IPSC.

c) Original copy of Exemption Certificate (airport copy)

d) Presentation of original copy of boarding pass and submission of a photocopy thereof. If original copy of the boarding pass is not available, any of the following documents:

1.Presentation of passport showing the passenger’s identity and date of departure, or

2.Certificate from the Air Carrier of the departure date of the passenger/s (in the absence of the passport)

Documentary Requirements

If refund is thru a representative:

a) Documents enumerated above; and

b) Special Power of Attorney (SPA) executed in favor of the representative; and

c)Valid Government-issued ID of the passenger’s representative for the purpose of claiming refund

 Documentary Requirements

Group Refund

a) Documents enumerated above; and

b) Special Power of Attorney (SPA) executed by the Passenger Claimants designating an entity in possession of the Exemption Certificate to claim the refund; and

c) Valid Government-issued ID of the entity’s  representative 

Another volunteer said:

"May lapses kasi dito sa TERMINAL FEE na P550. May batas na libre ang mga OFW ng Terminal Fee. Bakit hindi sinusunod ang batas?

Una: Tadtad ng requirements para makapagparefund. As an OFW na nagmamadaling umuwi sa pamilya natin, we don't have time to fall in line and process for this, kaya expect na lolobo ang 'trust fund' nila.

2nd: Kung magpaparefund ka through representative dapat may Special Power of Attorney. Magkano pagawa ng SPF? Tapos paparefund mo P550 pamasahe pa ng relatives na magpaparefund so lolobo na nga ang 'trust fund'.

3rd: Yung mga kagaya namin na nasa labas ng bansa at kumpanya ang bumibili ng ticket, embedded na daw yung terminal fee, so walang kwenta na OFW kami at exempted kasi company naman ang nagbabayad, at dahil hindi namin pera, baka sakaling di na kami magpaparefund, so mapupunta ang pera sa 'trust fund'.

4th: Yung mga kagaya ng kakilala namin na binibigay sa kanila ang pera pambili ng ticket, mababawasan ng P550 ang kanyang perang pambili, o kung apat sila sa pamilya, mababawasan ng P2200. Kung ipaparefund nila punta sa MIAA Building, fill up ng forms, pipila, at ipapakita ang mga dokumento at kung may connecting flights sila, hindi na nila paparefund kasi hassle pa, so sa 'trust fund' mapupunta ang pera."

©2014 Pinoy Expats/OFW Blog Awards

BALIK MANGGAGAWA OEC APPLY ONLINE

According to Administrator of POEA, Hans Cacdac, 

"We are soft-launching our Balik Manggagawa (BM) Online System, which aims to streamline processing of overseas employment certificates (OECs). The idea is to provide access to an appointment facility or an OEC self-print out system at the BM's convenience.

The URL address to visit is: bmonline.poea.gov.ph ... Kindly read and follow the instructions.

Please note that some previously-issued OECs by PHL Overseas Labor Offices have still not been enrolled with the system, in which case the BM will be guided to the appointment system.

There will be a 100 PHP POEA fee and a 19.50 PHP service fee for use of the e-payment portal.

Comments and queries are welcome during this soft launch."

So we tried to log-in and follow the step by step process of applying for OEC online. You can also verify along the way if your current OEC is still valid.



FIRST CLICK THIS LINK OR GO TO http://bmonline.poea.gov.ph/

Step 1.

Register or Sign up by filling the blanks at the "NEW USER"

Step 2:

Go to your email to click the confirmation link.

Step 3:

Try to log-in using the newly confirmed account EMAIL ADDRESS and PASSWORD

Step 4:

A pop up will appear to VERIFY your current OEC number.

You can check the VALIDITY.

TO REMOVE THE POP UP

If you don't have OEC or you can't remember, click OK and ESC to escape the pop-up.

You are confirmed and you can input other data's and info's like

Passport Number

Expiration Date

Visa Number

Address

SSS Number

Philhealth Number

Pag-ibig number

Contact number

Beneficiaries

Employer Details

and hit the SAVE button

NOTE: THE COMPANY AND YOUR PROFESSION/POSITION IS AUTOMATICALLY AVAILABLE WHEN YOU INPUT THE NAME OF YOUR EMPLOYER/COMPANY

COMMENTS regarding the OEC online system:


1) VISA VALIDITY DATE is a requirement. Hindi ka makapag-input ng ibang details kasi hindi nasasave hanggat di ka nakapag-input ng VISA VALIDITY. My suggestion? Why not separate it so we, like me, who just arrive from vacation and there is no visa yet, but just wanted to register ay makapagupdate ng details ng passport, expiration, birth date and address. 

2. As Admin Hans, since I applied for OEC here abroad, my OEC Number is not yet found in the system.



PARA NAMAN PO SA BM APPOINTMENT APPLICANT ITO ANG MGA DAPAT IHANDA

  Documentation

Here are the documents to prepare:

For appointments applicant must prepare the following:

BMs Bound to Watchlisted Principal/Employer

1. Notarized Undertaking/Affidavit

2. Personal Letter REquest addressed to ADMINISTRATOR HANS LEO J. CACDAC

3. Photo Copy of Valid Work Visa, Passport details and Date of Arrival

4. OFW Record (6th Floor, Records Div.)

5. Watchlisted Principal/Employer Master Record, Notice Order, Copy of Complain (3rd Floor, Docket & Enforcement Div. Adjudication Office)

6. EMployment Contract/Company ID/ any Proof of Employment (if No Record Per Database)

7. Airline Ticket (If Available)

BM BOUND TO COUNTRIES W/ RESTRICTED LABOR MARKETS

DOCUMENTARY REQUIREMENTS

1. PErsonal Letter addressed to ADMINISTRATOR HANS LEO J. CACDAC

2. Valid Passport

3. Valid Work Visa/Work Permit

4. Employment Contract

5. Employment Certificate

6. Previous records of POEA (6th Floor, Records Division)

7. Proof of arrival/exit from the jobsite stamped on passport

8. Copy of E-Ticket

BM BOUND TO AFGHANISTAN

DOCUMENTARY REQUIREMENTS

1. Personal Letter addressed to ADMINISTRATOR HANS LEO J. CACDAC

2. Valid Passport (Copies of First Page and Date of Arrival)

3. Valid Work Visa/Work Permit/Transit Visa

4. Employment Contract

5. Employment Certificate

6. Letter of Authorization (LOA) / Contractors Certificate of Registration / ISAF / NATO

7. Badge/Company ID

8. Company Profile w/ International Operations

9. Payslip

10. Copy of E-Ticket

REQUIREMENTS FOR BM PROCESSING

(For OFWs bound to IRAQ)

1. Passport valid at least six (6) months from date of intended return to jobsite

2. Valid work visa or equivalent document (colored PINK)

3. Employment contract providing among others, the exact address/location of jobsite; telephone number and email address of employer.

4. Certification of employment indicating the period of employment with the company.

5. Undertaking from the employer on the following:

a. protection and safety of the worker

b. that the worker will not be deployed/assigned to identified no-go zones;

c. to report to the Philippine Embassy and/or Philippine Overseas Labor Office significant incidents affecting the employment, safety and welfare of the worker

d. immediate evacuation/repatriation of the worker as may be warranted.

©2014 Pinoy Expats/OFW Blog Awards

Watch VIDEO: "Domestic Help"[er]

There was a dinner party hosted by an Asian family with a Filipina Household Service Worker or a domestic helper. The  madam is feisty, pretentious, and unkind to the domestic helper. 

"An intimate dinner party comes alive as the night takes an unexpected turn. The inhabitants become the imprisoned, and the only way to break free is to confront the lies they have told themselves. A walk through the dark history of the household becomes a desperate struggle for survival, but by dawn it becomes clear that redemption is out of reach."

Watch Other Asian Short Films at www.viddsee.com

©2014 Pinoy Expats/OFW Blog Awards

THINGS TO REMEMBER BEFORE RIDING THE TAXI

THINGS TO REMEMBER BEFORE RIDING THE TAXI AT NAIA, METRO MANILA AND ABROAD

THINGS TO REMEMBER BEFORE YOU RIDE A TAXI AT:

NAIA

1.Huwag makisabay ng taxi sa hindi niyo kakilala sa airport. Maraming kaso na naghahanap ng paraang makatipid, yun pala magnanakaw, manghoholdap o nagpapanggap ang kahati sa bayad sa taxi. Sa panahon ng taggipit hindi maiwasang may mga taong magsasamantala sa mga OFW sapagkat alam nila na may dala itong pera o gamit sa bakasyon.

2.Iwasan ang taxi  na panay ang pahinto-hinto at patawag-tawag ng celpon. Maaring tumatawag ito ng kakuntsaba para sa holdap o mananambang sa daan.

3.Huwag hayaang buksan ang trunk ng taxi habang nakahinto o nagpapagasolina ang taxi. Maaring masalisihan kayo ng mga gamit.

4.Kausapin ang driver kung magkano ang singil at huwag kaagad sumakay hanggat hindi nagkasundo sa bayad. Kadalasan, ang hindi malinaw na bayaran ang dahilan kung bakit napapaaway pa ang mga OFW.

5.Mag-ingat sa mga MMDA o Pulis daw na humihingi ng pera o mga isanlibong tip o kunwari may violation ang driver o kaanak na may dala ng sasakyan.

6.Huwag magpasakay ng kahit kanino sa taxi kahit pa kakilala ng driver. Maaring maholdap kayo sapagkat nakarinig na tayo ng mga ganitong kaso.

MANILA

1.May mga nanghoholdap, yung iba nagtatago ang kasabwat sa trunk  ng taxi at tumityempo.

2.May mga gumagamit daw ng chemical spray na nakakahilo, nakakanigas ng paa at kamay.

3.May mga di tama ang meter ng taxi. Flagdown pa lang, sobra na sa kalahati ang bayad mo kapag di mo nababantayan.

4.May mga namboboso, o nagkukuwento ng mga malalaswa lalo pa’t nag-iisang babae ang sakay.

5.Pagsakay ng taxi, kunin o picturan ang plate number at name ng taxi at isend sa mga kamag-anak para ipaalam na ito ang inyong sinakyang taxi. Walang masama sa nag-iingat.

ABROAD

1. Iwasang sumakay ng taxi na nag-iisa lalo na kung malalayong lugar at madilim na o gabi.

2. Iwasan ang makipag-usap sa driver ng mga bastos o malaswang usapin.

3. Kunin ang plate number ng taxi at itext sa mga kasama o isend sa inyong kakilala upang ipaalam na ito ang inyong sinakyan.

4. Makipag-usap ng bayad bago sumakay lalo kung galing airport o papuntang airport.

5. Iwasang sumakay sa mga pampublikong taxi na naniningil ng 2SR at maraming pasahero. May mga sakay na biglang sisigaw na nawala ng wallet o pera at ikaw ang ituturong kumuha, kukunin ang pera mo sa wallet at sasabihing sa kanya iyun.

Ingat po mga KABAYAN.

©2014 THOUGHTSKOTO

Renting a House Abroad Without Paying It Can Land You To Jail.

May balitang lumabas sa Saudi Gazette na ang mga nangungupahan daw na hindi nakakapagbayad ng upa ay ikukulong. Ayun pa sa isang nanay na lumabas ang resulta ng paglilitis at may papel na siyang hawak na ipinapakulong siya dahil sa hindi pagbabayad ng upa sa bahay. Sabi niya na masyadong “harsh” ang ganitong verdict sa kaso, ang mabilanggo kasama ang mga kriminal.

Ayun naman sa korte, ang parusa daw sa hindi pagbabayad ng rent ay pagbibigay ng abiso ng hindi tatagal sa isang buwan para makahanap ng malipatang bahay o pagpapalayas sa nakatira. Inamin din na masyadong madami na daw ang kaso ng mga hindi pagbabayad ng upa kung kaya’t kinakailangang pagkabilango na ang magiging kaparusahan. Sa Jeddah daw ay 1,173 na kaso, sa Riyadh ay 1,128, sa Makkah ay 883, sa Madinah ay 667, sa Dammam ay 526 at sa Al-Khobar ay 334 na kaso.

Samantala, sa UAE naman lumabas ang balita sa The Filipino Times na padami na ng padami ang mga Pinoy doon na inaayawan ng mga kumpanya ng real estate at mga may-ari ng bahay paupahan sa kadahilanang nagsasama-sama ang mga Pinoy, nagpapaupa, ng bedspacing, laging nagpaparty sa bahay na nakakaistorbo sa mga kapitbahay at pagluluto ng mga maamoy na pagkain kagaya ng pritong tuyo o daing.

Dahil padami ng padami ang mga nagtratrabaho sa UAE, nagging mapili na ang landlords sa kanilang pinapaupa. Sa ngayon daw, ang ibang mga landlords ay nagrerequire na na ang mga uupa ay pagbigay ng kopya ng bank certificates, o salary certificates para maipakita kung may kakayahan daw ba silang mangupa ng bahay ayun sa kanilang sahod o kinikita, dahil kung mas mababa ang sahod, malamang daw na ipapaupa nito sa iba ang flat o bahay kaya nagsisikipan.

May iba pa daw na mga Pinoy na pinarenovate at pinalagyan ng mga division at bahay at kwarto ng walang pahintulot o hindi ipinaalam sa may-ari. Nauso din daw ang family apartment tapos pinapaupa ng isang pamilya sa ibang Pinoy ang ibang kwarto. Isa din daw sa mga problema ng sharing o pagpapaupa sa ibang tao ay ang cohabitation, o ang pagsasama, bilang bedspace, sa isang kwarto kahit babae o lalaki dahil ito ay isang serious offense, ang pagsasama ng kwarto kahit hindi kasal.

Sa Saudi Arabia, mahigit sa isang milyon ang mga OFW at mga pamilya nito. Sa UAE naman ay nasa 700,000 mahigit ang mga OFW na nandoon. 

Maraming challenges ang mga Pinoy sa abroad ngayon, at isa na dito ang pahigpit na pahigpit na mga batas. Sana lang wag ng mapuna lalo na sa Saudi itong pagpapaupa at itong pagsasama sa isang flat ng isang pamilya at mga single o bachelor sapagkat maraming kababayan ang maapektuhan.

©2014 THOUGHTSKOTO