No more humiliation for Filipino travelers—DFA

INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—The new machine readable passport and the now the ePassport will mean the end of the days of humiliation for Filipino travelers at immigration centers in airports worldwide, Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo said.

Previously, the manually prepared passports caused Filipino travelers to be taken aside from immigration queues and questioned lengthily about their identities and their passports.

At the recent turnover ceremonies of the Department of Foreign Affairs-Office of Consular Affairs building, Romulo said: “When we were issuing green passports, other countries were already issuing International Civil Aviation Organization (Icao)-compliant passports. It was like being back in the Middle Ages. Now, we are one of the 60 countries now issuing the Icao-compliant MRP and ePassports.”

Romulo said the new consular building completes the fulfillment of his dream for a world-class passport and consular building.

“In this intelligent building, instead of sweltering heat, our consular clients will be greeted with cool air at the moment they enter our doors. Instead of monobloc chairs, they will wait their turn sitting on ergonomically-designed stainless steel benches.

Instead of long queues, they can shorten their wait by accessing our online appointment system. Instead of going from building to building, they only need to move from ground to second floor,” he added.

He said that DFA-OCA personnel will also enjoy the convenience of modern work stations, furniture, and equipment.

The new building is part of the ongoing modernization program undertaken by Romulo to further improve the DFA’s frontline services which include harnessing new technologies in passport and visa issuances and streamlined procedures in the authentication of documents.

“Now, we have a passport and a consular building that is efficient, progressive and serviceable, and will give every Filipino ease, comfort and pride. With everyone’s support, the Filipino can be truly world-class,” Romulo added.

Also present during the turnover ceremonies were Development Bank of the Philippines President Patricia Sto. Tomas; John Kenneth Ocampo, owner and contractor of the building; representatives from the diplomatic and consular corps and other government agencies; and DFA officials.

During the event, awards, and citations were also conferred on individuals who contributed to the successful implementation of the MRP, the ePassport, and the construction of the new DFA building.

Conferred with the Gawad Mabini with the rank of Grand Cross (Dakilang Kamanong) was DFA-OCA Executive Director Eleanor Jaucian. Also conferred with Gawad Mabini with the rank of Commander (Dakilang Kasugo) were DFA Office of the Secretary Special Assistant Flerida Ann Camille P. Mayo, former DFA-OCA Passport Director Donna Celeste F. Gatmaitan, and DFA-OCA Principal Assistant Fernando Beup Jr.

The Gawad Mabini is the highest honor given to Filipino diplomats.

Citations were given to the following: Ocampo, DFA-OCA Consular Records Division Director Jocelyn Morales, DFA-OCA Authentication Division Director Luzviminda van Opstal, DFA-Adminstrative Service Unit’s Angelita Aguilar, DFA Management and Information Service Division Director Patrick John Hilado, former DFA-OCA Acting Executive Director Lourdes Tabamo, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Director Emmanuel Cuntapay, and DPWH Engineers Bayani G. David, Joselito P. Gonzales, Lamberto Bonifacio, and Louie Molina.

The new facility is located at the corner of Bradco and Macapagal Avenues in Aseana Business Park, Paranaque City, a few minutes away from the Mall of Asia.

The acquisition of the P530-million, 7,000-square meter, and four-story building was realized with the assistance of the DBP.

The new facility will be the home of the ePassport, the electronic authentication system, the electronic visa system, and digitalized consular records system.

An intelligent building, the facility is equipped with fiber-optic lines, CCTV cameras, and other high-tech information and communications infrastructure. Made of tempered glass and steel, the modern OCA office departs from the traditional concrete buildings.

To ensure quick, comfortable service, passport applicants are advised to check the passport requirements and secure an online appointment at http://www.dfa.gov.ph (consular tab), or to call the consular help-line number (02-556-0000) or DFA telephone number (02-834-4000). Applications may also be filed with the DFA’s 19 Regional Consular and satellite offices.

Warning out on Poland jobs

Philippine Daily Inquirer

FILIPINO APPLICANTS FOR JOBS IN Poland should think twice before accepting an offer.

The Department of Foreign Affairs yesterday advised Poland-bound workers, particularly those recruited as “mushroom pickers,” not to proceed there, citing many complaints of low wages and unfavorable working conditions.

“There are approximately 86 Filipino women currently deployed or working as mushroom pickers in Poland. The majority of these workers are not happy with their jobs due to very low wages, unfavorable working conditions and substandard accommodations,” Philippine Ambassador to Poland Alejandro D. del Rosario said in a report.

He said these workers were not directly employed by the mushroom companies but through a Polish recruitment agency that subcontracted their services. The mushroom company, therefore, is not concerned with the welfare of the workers, Del Rosario said.

Workers are paid on a per-kilo basis, which is dependent on the availability of mushrooms for picking and the orders received from customers. Rates per kilo also depend on whether the mushroom is of first-, second- or third-class quality.

In effect, there is no fixed wage for a mushroom picker, with workers’ monthly earnings varying from $150 to $500, the ambassador said.

Some of the workers said they were promised $600 a month by the Polish recruitment firm but ended up with a net pay of only $180 a month.
Del Rosario said Euroconnect, a Polish recruiting agency which works with Javier Manning based in Malate, Manila, were responsible for the plight of 19 mushroom pickers who walked out of their jobs because of unfair labor practices. Cynthia D. Balana

Arroyo signs law exempting elderly from e-VAT

By Christian V. Esguerra
Philippine Daily Inquirer

MANILA, Philippines – President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has finally signed into law the much-awaited Expanded Senior Citizens Act, which would exempt senior citizens from the value added tax in their purchases of goods, Charito Planas, her deputy spokesperson, said on Tuesday.

The law, authored by Senator Pia Cayetano, has troubled economic planners as it could erode government revenues from the expanded value added tax.

Cayetano and the bill’s other supporters said the loss of revenue was not too big and the benefits to senior citizens greater than the loss.

Visa Exemption for Filipinos Transiting Through New Zealand

The Embassy of New Zealand in Santiago has informed the Philippine Embassy in Santiago that, effective 30 November 2009, Filipino nationals transiting through New Zealand en route to other destinations will be exempt from securing transit visas.

Up until now, Filipinos transiting New Zealand (for instance changing planes) needed to hold a transit visa. This requirement will not apply from 30 November.

From that date, Filipinos won’t need a visa to transit New Zealand, provided they remain in the airport and their travel bookings show a stopover of no more than 24 hours. If they plan to stop over for more than 24 hours, or plan to leave the airport, they must apply for a visitor visa. END

Source: dfa.gov.ph

Holders of Passports Bearing Fake Immigration Stamps Liable to Prosecution in Hong Kong

The Philippine Consulate in Hong Kong Special Administrative Region today called on Filipino tourists planning to visit Hong Kong not to be duped by unscrupulous individuals or companies in the Philippines who promise ease of entry into countries abroad through the use of forged entry/exit immigration stamps.

The warning comes after a Filipino tourist was arrested by immigration authorities at Hong Kong International Airport on 28 October for having in her passport fake entry and exit stamps to falsely show that she had previously traveled to Hong Kong. The Filipino, who is from Batangas province and was visiting Hong Kong for the first time, was on her way back to the Philippines with her family at the time of her arrest. She was brought to Shatin Magistrates’ Court on 30 October and pleaded guilty to the offense of possession of a false instrument. The judge handling the case sentenced her to four (4) months’ imprisonment.

The immigration entry/exit stamps were allegedly forged by a company that peddles the service as a way of bolstering a visa applicant’s chances at getting a visa from certain embassies in Manila.

Filipinos should be aware that these embassies also report fraudulent visa application documents to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI). The Consulate has made a recommendation to authorities in Manila for the investigation of the case.

Mere possession of a false instrument is an offence under Section 75 of Hong Kong’s Crimes
Ordinance and carries with it a maximum penalty of 3 years’ imprisonment. END

Source: dfa.gov.ph

RP Embassy in Riyadh Warns the Public Against Text Scams

The Philippine Embassy in Riyadh has issued a warning to overseas Filipino workers in Saudi Arabia on text scams being perpetrated by unscrupulous individuals that victimize more OFWs.

Based on information provided by the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) of the Philippines, the modus operandi adopted by the scammers involve sending text messages to unsuspecting OFWs and deceiving them into believing that they won in an electronic raffle conducted by various government offices.

“Text scammers use fictitious names or pose as government officials and send fraudulent text messages to their victims saying that their mobile phone numbers won in a raffle allegedly sponsored by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas or other institutions,” the Embassy said.

The scammers inform victims that to be able to claim their alleged prize, they should first send money through a designated account in a bank or remittance company. The scammers may also require their victims to send prepaid load to the scammers’ mobile phone numbers.

Once the scammers have received the money and prepaid load, the victims will no longer be able to get in touch with them again, the Embassy added.

The Embassy clarified that the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas does not conduct raffles and that OFWs should be vigilant so as not fall prey to these scams.

Meanwhile, text scam incidents may be reported to any of the following:

ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING COUNCIL SECRETARIAT
5/F, EDPC Building, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Complex, Manila
Tel: 302-3982 and 524-7011 local 2372

ANTI-FRAUD AND COMPUTER CRIMES DIVISION
National Bureau of Investigation, Taft Avenue, Manila
Tel: 523-8231 local 3455/3456

CORPORATE AFFAIRS OFFICE
Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, BSP Complex, Mabini St. Manila
Tel: 523-4832 and 524-7011 local 2259

Source: dfa.gov.ph

DFA Warns Filipino Nationals Against Drug Smuggling to Iran

PR-868-09, The Philippine Embassy in the Islamic Republic reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) that two Filipinos were apprehended by Iranian Authorities for attempting to smuggle illegal drugs to the Middle Eastern country.

The latest cases involved non-Iran based Filipino nationals who were duped by unscrupulous individuals, who may be connected to a network of international drug smugglers, into travelling to Iran purportedly to secure employment.

The unsuspecting victims were lured by offers of lucrative salaries in exchange for the seemingly easy task of transporting a package with their baggage. The packages, upon discovery by the Iranian customs authorities, contained illegal drugs.

In this regard, the DFA wishes to reiterate its warning to all Filipinos intending to travel to Iran to refrain from engaging in drug smuggling activities and to NOT ATTEMPT TO BRING ILLEGAL DRUGS INTO IRAN. UNDER SHARIA LAW, DRUG SMUGGLING IS PUNISHABLE BY LIFE IMPRISONMENT OR DEATH BY HANGING.

The public is also advised to be vigilant when offered similar job offers in Iran and to first check the veracity of the job being offered with the Philippine Department of Labor and Employment or the Philippine Overseas Employment Agency. END

Source: dfa.gov.ph

RP Embassy in London Issues Warning on Dubious Online Job Offers

5 February 2010 – The Philippine Embassy in London issued an advisory for Filipino online jobseekers looking for employment in the United Kingdom, advising them to be more cautious in view of the rampant cases of bogus internet job offers.

They should be wary of attractive jobs offered by the employers or their agents who would ask applicants to remit a certain amount of money purportedly to pay for the processing of their visas or work permits and other travel-related expenses.

The Embassy, through the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO), urges all Filipino jobseekers to be more discerning as these internet job offers come in various schemes to defraud them of their hard-earned money.

Among the UK jobs which have been offered to Filipino applicants lately include positions like nannies, au pair, hotel staff, store managers, salespersons and engineers.

The following information/advisory should serve as a guide to UK-bound Filipino jobseekers:

o   To ascertain the authenticity of job orders, employment contracts as well as the legitimacy of UK employers, Filipino jobseekers are advised to check with the Philippine Overseas Employment Agency (POEA). They may also send their email-request for verification by POLO London at polo.london@yahoo.co.uk This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . It is not enough to know if the employers really exist or that the jobs are available. Filipino jobseekers should also verify for themselves by using internet search engines like Google or contacting the UK employers directly through their official websites;

o   Filipino jobseekers who have been ‘offered’ positions through the Internet should advise their prospective UK employers to submit the original copies of their employment documents to the POLO Office, Philippine Embassy in London for verification and authentication. For their part, they should not rely on scanned documents sent to them by emails such as employment contract, appointment letters and the like, as most of these are found to be forged or fabricated;

o   Job offers requiring applicants to pay or remit money are highly suspicious. Charging of fees, including payment for visa and ‘work permit’ expenses are generally prohibited under the UK employment regulations;

o   The new UK Points-Based Immigration System has done away with the work permit requirement, and is now replaced by the certificate of sponsorship. To be able to issue a certificate of sponsorship in favor of a candidate or applicant, the prospective UK employer should be duly licensed as a sponsor by the UK Border Agency (UKBA). Filipino jobseekers should verify the status of their prospective employers in the list of sponsors which can be found at the UKBA website: www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk. Payment for the certificate of sponsorship is also shouldered by the UK employer;

o   Application for UK visa is done in the country of origin (i.e., at the British Embassy in Manila), and not in the UK. Visas are issued based on the points criteria for qualifications, prospective earnings, maintenance funds and English language proficiency. Since the visas are applied at and issued by the British Embassy in Manila, applicants should not give credence to the scanned copies of visas purportedly applied in their behalf by their employer’s agents, including immigration consultants, solicitors or travel agents;

o   As to the hiring of nannies or domestic workers, it is an important requirement for purposes of domestic worker visa application that the candidate must have worked with the sponsoring employer for at least one year prior to the date of application. Hence, to qualify to come to the UK to work as a nanny or domestic worker, the Filipino applicant must be an established member of the employer’s household. The visa is also applied at the British Embassy in Manila;

o   On hiring of au pair, it is advised that no au pair visas will be issued by the British Embassy to Filipino nationals, since the Philippines had never been included in the UK’s list of au pair countries. In addition, the au pair visa scheme was abolished effective on November 26, 2008 and has been replaced by the Youth Mobility Scheme under the new UK Points-Based System.

For further clarifications or inquiries, prospective jobseekers can contact POLO London at the Philippine Embassy, at telephone 0044 (0)20-7451-1833 (32) or email at polo.london@yahoo.co.uk This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .  END

Source: dfa.gov.ph