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Showing posts from March, 2016

DOH STRENGTHENS MONITORING AGAINST ZIKA VIRUS

The Department of Health (DOH) today calls on all pregnant women to be more careful against mosquito bites especially during daytime and it also encourages those with fever, rashes and conjunctivitis to immediately consult doctors to ease apprehensions over catching the Zika virus. “Pregnant women should be wary about mosquito bites because although the Zika infection is asymptomatic in 80% of cases and most of the time self-limiting, the effect on the result of pregnancy should not be discounted as the virus has been linked to congenital central nervous system malformation like microcephaly,” Health Secretary Janette P. Loreto-Garin disclosed. The health chief, however, clarifies the allegations on microcephaly cases in the Philippines. “Let it be clear that Zika virus is not the only cause of microcephaly. There are many potential causes of microcephaly, but often the cause remains unknown. The most common causes include: infections in the womb: toxoplasmosis (caused by a para

DOH AND IOM RENEW COMMITMENT TO ADVANCE MIGRANT HEALTH

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Last March 9, 2016, the Department of Health (DOH) in collaboration with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) strengthened their commitment to work in addressing the health and well-being, vulnerabilities and challenges faced by Filipino migrants through a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signed by DOH Secretary Janette P. Loreto-Garin, represented by DOH Undersecretary Lilibeth C. David, and the IOM Philippines Chief of Mission Mr. Marco Boasso.    The agreement which aims to facilitate cooperation in migration health-related activities at the national, regional and international level started in 2013 when the first MOA was signed. This partnership enabled collaboration on key actions including policy development, capacity building, research and advocacy.    “International migration has become an important feature of globalized labor markets in health care and policies that address migration-related health vulnerabilities, non-communicable diseases, mental

Fil-Am Caila Quinn fails to make cut for The Bachelorette

Despite rumors, half-Filipina fan favorite Caila Quinn will not be part of ABC's reality TV show  The Bachelorette . Instead of Quinn, her fellow  The Bachelor  alumni JoJo Fletcher will be the new face of the popular reality show, according to a  report on Hollywood Reporter . Quinn's exclusion from  The Bachelorette  cast came as a disappointment to those hoping that the reality dating series would finally tap a diverse woman to lead the show. Quinn, who is half-Filipina and half-Caucasian, would have been  The Bachelorette 's first non-white lead had she been included in the cast. Rumors of Quinn being picked for the show's lead role were fuelled by sightings of a film crew in her hometown of Hudson, Ohio, which shot her intro package after she left The Bachelor in a surprising elimination . US-based Chinese site Yibada, in an  article , has noted that the reality show has long suffered from criticisms for its supposed lack of diversity in casting. USA T

NZ may restrict dairy work to Pinoy permanent residents only

Work in New Zealand dairy farms will be restricted to Filipinos with permanent residence status only in two to three years' time as a result of cooling labor market situation in the industry for Filipino workers, according to Labor Attaché Rodolfo Sabulao. "This is because their replacements are now being sourced out from India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka," Sabulao said in a  report  to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) main office in Manila following his dialogue with officers and members of the Filipino Dairy Farm Workers Association of Ashburton (FDFWAA). He said New Zealand's preference for workers from other Asian countries "poses a greater concern to the Filipino workers because New Zealand do not spend a single dollar in bringing workers, especially those who come from India and Sri Lanka since the costs are passed on to the workers without the government's stamping for it." Sabulao said during the dialogue, FDFWAA also asked the g

SSS benefit releases and collections record double-digit growths in Luzon

The Social Security System (SSS) has attained double-digit growths in total benefit releases and contribution collections in Luzon, with both reflecting an increase of 11 percent for the first 11 months of 2015. SSS Senior Vice President for Luzon Operations Group Josie G. Magana said that benefit releases for Luzon-based members from January to November 2015 grew by P2.13 billion, for a total of P21.58 billion which was 11 percent higher than P19.45 billion disbursed for the same period in 2014. “Pension payments of P19.06 billion for 484,137 pensioners comprised 88 percent of total benefit disbursements in Luzon. We also disbursed benefits of P1.81 billion for 226,745 covered employees, P458.46 million for 74,125 voluntary members, P205.54 million for 27,275 self-employed members, and P52.26 million for 6,428 overseas Filipino workers,” Magana noted. Apart from the P19.06 billion disbursed for SSS pensions for retirement, disability and death, lump sum payments for these sa

SSS shares experience on calamity assistance with Bangladesh officials

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The Social Security System (SSS) shared the highlights of its 58-year experience in pension fund management, grant of various benefits and calamity assistance during the SSS Study Tour for officials of the Bangladesh Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief (MDMR) at the SSS Main Office in Diliman, Quezon City on January 5. It was the first study tour conducted by SSS for Bangladesh nationals, and featured the kinds of assistance the SSS gives its members during times of calamities and disasters. The study tour was granted at the request of the Center for Disaster Preparedness, which is the MDMR?s counterpart agency in the Philippines. SSS Senior Vice President for Administration Group Ms. May Catherine C. Ciriaco (7th from left) delivered a lecture for the Bangladeshi delegates, namely (starting 2nd from left) Mr. Dilip Kumar Sen, Mr. A.B.M Akram Hossain, Mr. Md. Aowlad Hossain Khan, Mrs. Ishrat Jahan Taslim, Mr. Md. Siddiqur Rahman, Mr. Satyendra Kumar Sarkar, Mrs. Sul

SSS salary loan releases reach P4.94-B in Luzon, helps over 287,000 borrowers

More than 287,000 members of the Social Security System (SSS) in Luzon availed themselves of SSS salary loans from January to November 2015, with total loan disbursements reaching P4.94 billion during the 11-month period. SSS Senior Vice President for Luzon Operations Group Josie G. Magana noted that about eight of out every 10 borrowers were members covered as regular employees who received a combined P4.33 billion in salary loan releases, which was 88 percent of the total disbursements in Luzon. Magana shared that SSS branches in Luzon also disbursed a total of P476.59 million for 36,315 voluntary members; P66.90 million for 4,073 overseas Filipino workers; and P64.17 million for 7,997 self-employed individuals within the first 11 months of 2015. “The salary loan is one of the privileges extended to members who actively pay their SSS contributions. Depending on their total number of contributions and monthly salary credit (MSC), members can borrow up to P32,000. The salary loa

More Pag-IBIG members upgrade their savings

 Pag-IBIG Fund Chairman of the Board of Trustees Atty. Chito M. Cruz said recently that the amount collected from Pag-IBIG members who opted to save more than that which is mandated by law is increasing.  Cruz reported that Pag-IBIG in 2015 collected a total of P4.2 billion from the upgraded savings program of Pag-IBIG members, up by 8% from the P3.9 billion collected in 2014. In 2013, the Fund collected P3.5 billion from the same program. "Upgraded savings" refers to the voluntary contribution by Pag-IBIG members over and above the mandatory monthly contribution of P100. "Pag-IBIG offered this upgraded savings option to encourage more Pag-IBIG members to save for their future. Aside from bigger savings upon retirement, Pag-IBIG members who opt to increase their savings also get the benefit of higher dividend earnings – which are tax-free, and bigger loanable amounts in case they need to borrow," Pag-IBIG President & CEO Darlene Berberabe said. She pointed

PhilHealth Garners 2nd Highest Excellent Rating in 2015 ARTA RCS

THE Civil Service Commission (CSC) lauded the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) as the second to the top red tape-free agency among the ten government agencies that passed the CSC’s Anti-Red Tape Report Card Survey (RCS) for the year 2015. The RCS is a client feedback survey used to check government service offices’ compliance with the provisions of the Anti-Red Tape Act (ARTA) of 2007. The 2015 RCS was conducted in all service offices of ten government agencies with heavy volume of frontline service transactions, based on the reports. Among the 10 government agencies surveyed, PhilHealth, along with the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) and Social Security System(SSS) had a full passing rate with all of their service offices obtaining scores not lower than 70. GSIS had the highest percentage of Excellent offices at 80% (46 out of 57 offices), followed by PhilHealth at 66%, representing 88 out of 133 offices. CSC

PhilHealth Reforms to Ensure Fund Sustainability

THE President and Chief Executive Officer of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) Alexander A. Padilla today assured the public that the National Health Insurance Program (NHIP) fund remains stable and that it is able to fully pay for the benefit claims of its members. In 2015, the PhilHealth paid PhP 97B, up from P77B the year before. The Sin Tax Funds has allowed PhilHealth membership coverage to expand benefits to the poor and the senior citizens. Republic Act 10645 or the amendment to the Senior Citizens Act enabled the universal enrolment of senior citizens and specifies that  “funds necessary to ensure the enrollment of all senior citizens not currently covered by any existing category shall be sourced from the National Health Insurance Fund of PhilHealth from proceeds of Republic Act No. 10351, otherwise known as the Sin Tax law.” To date, the NHIP has provided coverage to 93 million members and dependents, representing 92 percent of the projected 2015

Baldoz sends top deputy, OWWA official to Saudi to help negotiate for OFWs in companies in dire straits

Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz yesterday ordered DOLE Undersecretary Ciriaco A. Lagunzad III and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration Director Albert Valenciano to leave immediately for Saudi Arabia and assist POLO officials in Riyadh and Jeddah in negotiating for the salaries and benefits, as well as for the release and exit, if necessary, of OFWs working in companies experiencing financial troubles. She also directed them to meet with executives of the companies and with their Filipino workers.  “There are two companies that we have specifically in mind with a large concentration of OFWs and who have been reported to be in financial dire straits—Saudi Oger Ltd. and Saudi Bin Ladin Group. Both have been experiencing difficulties in paying for the salaries and benefits of some OFWs,” said Baldoz. “I don’t want their inability to meet their financial obligation affect our OFWs longer than they already had, so I have directed Undersecretary Lagunzad and Di

PHILHEALTH Official Statement

We would like to clarify some news reports that came out today that might have caused panic among our members, especially where the stability of the health insurance funds is concerned. PhilHealth’s finances are as robust, healthy and substantial as ever. Proof of this is our ability to pay for the benefit claims of our members at an amount that has been steadily growing over the last five years. In 2011, we paid about P34B; about P44B in 2012; up to P55B in 2013, P77B in 2014 and about P97B in 2015. While we paid P1B more than what we collected in premium contributions in 2015, we gained about P7B from investment income, resulting in positive numbers still. Thus, there is no reason for our members and other stakeholders to worry about our capacity to meet our obligations. At the same time, our reserve funds have been growing steadily too, from about P112B in 2012 to P128B in 2015. We are mandated to maintain a reserve fund level equivalent to two years so that we can readily address

Pinay employee seeks fair compensation from Walmart after injury

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A Filipina Walmart employee in California is demanding fair compensation from the company after she suffered an injury while performing her job last year. Maria Umali, 63, joined other Walmart employees and their supporters at a press conference held outside the Union City Walmart on March 10 to call on the management of Walmart, one of the largest private employers in the United States. A Walmart employee for 16 years, Umali  is asking the company to fairly compensate her for expenses, including medical equipment and home health care, following her injury that left her unable to work. "I was a dedicated Walmart employee for 16 years," said Umali, who is now wheelchair-bound after she broke her hip on the job last year. "I liked my job but I don't think I will ever be able to work again after my injury." Umali said with her partner already deceased, she could barely afford her medical bills, let alone pay for a home nurse. "I just want Walmart

Gov't urged to help distressed OFWs in Saudi

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Distressed overseas workers who have returned home from Saudi Arabia appealed to the government to help their fellow OFWs who were left behind. In a report by GMA News' Marisol Abdurahman on 24 Oras Weekend, they described their experience as a nightmare. "Yung mga kasama namin doon hindi na makakain, ang ginagawa ng iba...magbebenta na lang ng chicharon, manok, ganun," said Johnny Lozarita. Another said that they have resorted to sleeping on cardboards in a make-shift camp. "Sa karton na lang kami natutulog, sama-sama po kami. Wala rin pong lutuan. Ang style kasi sa Saudi maglatag ka ng plastic sama-sama na kayo kakain," Nathan Manlapaz said. They added that they were lucky to have left Saudi Arabia, where many companies are downsizing due to the oil crisis. Elvira Abrio, wife of an OFW, said that she is now the one sending money over to her husband, who has not been paid his salary for three months. Abrio said that her husband did not even hav

Filthy camps, food sharing and money from PHL: How OFWs survive Saudi oil crisis

Some OFWs in dire straits in Saudi Arabia have started receiving money from their families in the Philippines -- a reversal of fortune resulting from companies trimming down their workforces due to the oil crisis. Elvira Abrio said she and wives of other OFWs have began sending money to Saudi Arabia to be able to send their now-jobless husbands home. "Nahihirapan ako na may mga anak ako na nag-aaral," Abrio said Friday during a press briefing arranged by pro-migrants group Migrante in Quezon City. "Binenta ko po 'yung isa kong gamit para may ipadala ko lang po siya." She said she has sent her husband Joel P20,000 to buy a plane ticket home, as his two-year contract as a mechanic in a contracting company in Al-Khobar has expired. However, Joel was unable to obtain an exit visa, which Abrio said could be related to his former employer's cost-cutting measures. "Hindi nga po maintindihan. Sabi lubog na 'yung kumpanya kaya wala silang mai-prod

No final details yet on PHL overseas voting in Saipan

No final information is available yet if there will be a field voting on Saipan for the 2016 Philippine Presidential Elections, exactly one month before the overseas voting period begins. According to Consul Gary Auxilian of the Philippine Consulate General in Guam, who also chairs their Special Board of Election Inspectors committee, they are in discussion with the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs with regards to conducting field voting for the overseas election period which will begin next month. "We were requested by DFA home office if we can suggest possible schedule to conduct field voting in our areas of jurisdiction. We recommended that we want to conduct field voting in Saipan and another one in Palau later on, but we are still waiting for the approval of [the Philippine] Commission on Elections on that," Auxilian said. Auxilian said they recommended the third or fourth week of April and four days of field voting for Saipan. "That’s what we’re ho

Women Challenge Candidates

Further aggravating gender-based inequality and oppression are the denial of reproductive and sexual rights of women, violence against women, including against lesbian, bisexual and transgender sisters. One of the latest of these killings was that of Jennifer Laude by a US soldier. The perpetrator, while convicted, was given a sentence lower than murder and remains virtually in US custody with their own men guarding him in Camp Aguinaldo, instead of in the New Bilibid Prison. With stepped-up militarism resulting from the PNoy government’s signing of the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) with the United States, an agreement which serves as the latter’s instrument for its so-called Asia-Pacific pivot, prostitution and other forms of violence against women are expected to rise.  One of the greatest costs of this surrender of sovereignty is the surrender of women’s safety and that of the environment. As Filipino women march on with their struggles to overcome inequalit