KAKAMMPI News

by Caroline J. Howard, ANC MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Overseas Employment Agency (POEA) expects a drop in the deployment of physical therapists abroad over the next year. This after the Federation of State Board of Physical Therapy in the United States imposed a one-year ban on applicants from the Philippines, Egypt, Pakistan and India from taking the National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE), the licensure exam needed to be able to work in the US. The decision comes after the US State Board found evidence that some schools and review centers in the country leaked exam questions. (Read story: Filipino physical therapists banned from taking US tests) Around 800 to 900 physical therapists out of 1,900 graduates who passed the annual licensure exam in the country will not be able to take the licensure exam in the US. "In the first half of 2010, we received the same amount of job orders for the whole of last year 1,480," says Atty. Hans Cacdac, POEA Deputy Administrator fo...

By Mayen Jaymalin, The Philippine Star MANILA, Philippines – Fewer Filipino workers are expected to get employed abroad this year, the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) reported on Jan. 28. POEA chief Carlos Cao Jr. said the government foresee as much as a 6% drop in overseas deployment for 2011 with the strict implementation of a new law protecting migrant workers. “Based on initial estimate, we are looking at 5% to 6% reduction in deployment because of our current direction to give emphasis in protection although we are not abandoning effort to deploy workers abroad,” Cao disclosed. “As we give emphasis on protection it is natural for us to be selective and opt for better jobs,” Cao added. Cao noted that under the Aquino administration, the government would promote the deployment of highly skilled workers and discourage employment of household service workers (HSWs) who comprise the bulk of OFWs abroad, but are more vulnerable to abuses. Last year, Cao said the PO...

abs-cbnNEWS.com MANILA, Philippines – Immigration authorities stopped 6 Filipino overseas workers disguised as nuns from leaving the country. Bureau of Immigration (BI) officer-in-charge Ronaldo Ledesma said the women were about to board a Cebu Pacific flight to Hong Kong Thursday night when they were stopped at the departure area of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 (NAIA-3). Ledesma said the OFWs planned to take a connecting flight to Beirut despite a long standing government ban on the deployment of Filipino workers to the said Middle Eastern country. He said the women are victims of illegal recruiters “who will not stop using all tricks and employ every scheme to circumvent our ban on the departure of undocumented OFWs.” In a press statement, the BI said the OFWs were caught after one of them approached the BI counter and was referred by the immigration officer on-duty to his superiors for secondary inspection. While she was being questioned, members of the BI trav...

Pinoys worry after Obama’s State of the Union Address By Henni Espinosa, ABS-CBN North America News Bureau SAN FRANCISCO – With America facing a deficit of $1.48 trillion, some Filipinos in San Francisco know President Obama faces a tough year ahead. A mother of three, Evelyn Gonzales admitted that she stopped watching in the middle of Obama’s State of the Union Address because she was disheartened. She said, “Since last year, nothing has changed.” Education was a major part of Obama’s State of the Union Address, saying America should once again become an international leader in higher education. But Gonzales said America cannot produce more college graduates because the government continues to cut millions of dollars in education funding. At the Canon Kip Senior Center, 80-year-old Felicitas Juridico is worried that healthcare and deficit reductions would affect seniors like her who depend on Medicare and Social Security benefits. She said, “We’re old. We’re sickly. What they’re givi...

By Charles Tabbu, ABS-CBN Middle East News Bureau SAUDI ARABIA - A Filipino overseas worker died after he was electrocuted while wading in the flood that hit Jeddah Wednesday afternoon. Ronilo Roman Malit, 53, had spent almost half his life working in Saudi Arabia. The native of Pampanga worked as a cargo loader for 28 years but lost his life when he rushed back to their cargo warehouse to save items that might get wet from the flood. According to his brother Nomer, Ronilo was driving back to the warehouse Wednesday noon when he was stranded by the flood at the Kandara area. He eventually decided to leave his car and walk instead. His last call to his co-staff was around 11:40 a.m. He informed his colleague that he was walking back to the warehouse to salvage a newly purchased shoes from the Philippines that might get wet from the rising flood water. The next call was from a friend who informed Malit’s colleague that the OFW died because he was electrocuted due to a transformer that g...

By Willard Cheng, ABS-CBN News MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine government expressed concern over the events unfolding in Egypt, particularly for the safety of the more than 6,500 Filipinos living there. “We hope for a peaceful and just resolution to the political unrest currently taking place and a swift return to stability,” a palace statement said Saturday. The government said it is monitoring the situation and assured that the Philippine Embassy in Cairo has contingencies in place and is ready to relocate Filipinos to safer areas if necessary. “As always, the safety of our citizens is the paramount concern and we are doing what we can to anticipate and attend to their needs,” the statement added. Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said in a message on Twitter that President Benigno Aquino III has already instructed the Presidential Management Staff (PMS), and the departments of national defense, foreign affairs, and labor and employment to meet and recommend furth...

abs-cbnNEWS.com MANILA, Philippines (UPDATE) – No Filipinos have been hurt in the riots that broke out against Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, ABS-CBN News Channel reported Saturday. “There are no reports that anyone of them has been hurt during the course of the protest actions that have been taking place,” said Foreign Affairs Spokesman Ed Malaya. Malaya said the Philippine Embassy in Egypt has already advised Filipinos to stay away from ongoing protests. He added that communication remains difficult as Internet connection and telephone services in the area have yet to be restored. “Our Charge d'Affairs there informed the DFA that they have activated a crisis management center at the embassy. We now run a 24-hour shift of duty officers and that he has issued an advisory to community leaders and community members to stay home and for them to stay clear of public places where the protests are taking place,” he said. ‘Bare contingency plans’ Meanwhile, the palace said the embass...

abs-cbnNEWS.com Malacanang: Filipinos still safe MANILA, Philippines (2nd UPDATE) - A migrants’ rights group has appealed to Malacanang to evacuate Filipinos from Egypt due to the escalating violence there. Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator Leonard Monterona said “the political situation in Egypt has already escalated amid the continued massive protests by the Egyptian people and there is no indication that it would be resolved calmly though we prayed for its peaceful resolution.” Fresh riots continued in Egypt as tens of thousands flooded central Cairo demanding President Hosni Mubarak to step down from office due to corruption, police brutality and flailing economy. As of Saturday, the death toll has reached 100. 'No need to evacuate yet' The Department of Foreign Affairs reported that no Filipino was hurt. In an interview with radio dzRB, deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said: “We have been in contact with the embassy there. Our kababayans are still saf...

MANILA – Nanawagan sa pamahalaan ang isang kongresista na kaagad kumilos upang maibalik na sa Pilipinas ang libu-libong overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) na namamalagi sa mga temporary shelter sa Saudi Arabia. Sa isang pahayag nitong Sabado, sinabi ni Coop-NATCCO party-list Rep. Cresente Paez, na bagaman nasa mga temporary shelter, marami sa mga OFW ang nagdurusa pa rin at nangangailangan ng tulong katulad ng mga naninirahan sa ilalim ng Khandara Bridge sa Jeddah. Kabilang si Paez sa four-man House contingent na bumisita kamakailan sa Riyadh, Jeddah at Al Khobar sa Saudi Arabia, kung saan personal nilang nadinig ang pakiusap ng mga distressed OFWs na tulungan silang makauwi na sa Pilipinas. (Basahin: Kongresista nagulat sa kalagayan ng mga distressed OFW sa KSA) Batay umano sa talaan ng OFW group na Migrante International, tinatayang 3,000 runaway OFWs ang namamalagi sa iba’t ibang temporary shelter sa KSA. Habang nasa KSA, sinabi ni Paez na nakilala niya ang magkapatid na babae na bikt...

Some 19 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who claimed being abused by their employers in Saudi Arabia arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) last Monday, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Wednesday. The DFA said the repatriated OFWs, all women, stayed at the Bahay Kalinga in Riyadh prior to their repatriation. "Most of the OFWs left their employers due to alleged abuse, maltreatment and non-payment of salaries," the DFA said in a news release posted Wednesday on its website. Extending assistance to the repatriated OFWs were representatives from the DFA Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs (OUMWA) and Overseas Welfare Workers Administration (OWWA). The Philippine Embassy in Riyadh provided the OFWs shelter, food, basic amenities, and appropriate assistance in processing their exit visas, the DFA said. Following their arrival, the OFWs were brought to the OWWA shelter house in Pasay City for stress debriefing and counseling before...

Three Filipino seamen has received over P10 million in settled claims after the Department of Labor and Employment stepped into the disputes with their respective employers. The Labor Department said in a statement that the National Conciliation and Mediation Board (NCMB) settled maritime disputes at Bahia Shipping Services Inc., Ventis Maritime Corp., and Phoenix Maritime Corp. Beneficiaries included Fourth Engineer Froilan Vallano who obtained $95,000 (P4,225,600), oiler/fitter Rufino Boco Jr. who got P4,273,300, and able seaman Remo Jungco Jr., who received $55,000 (P2,446,400). NCMB executive director Reynaldo Ubaldo said Vallano was working on board m/s Braeman through Bahia Shipping Services Inc. on behalf of Fred Olson Cruise Lines Ltd. for nine months. While on board the vessel on Aug. 26, 2009, Vallano suffered multiple rib fractures and eye hemorrhage, which caused his repatriation and confinement at the Metropolitan Hospital in Manila. In February last year, he sought for fu...

JEDDAH – Nagbigay ng paalala sa mga Pinoy sa lugar na ito ang mga opisyal ng Embahada at Konsulada ng Pilipinas kaugnay sa nagaganap na matinding pagbaha doon dulot ng malakas na pag-ulan. Ang paalala ay ginawa ni Consul Leo Tito Ausan, sa mga Pinoy matapos silang makatanggap ng impormasyon na mayroong Pinoy na nakuryente sa paglusong sa baha nitong Miyerkules. Mga tagpo sa pagbaha sa Jeddah - Ronald Concha “May natanggap na kaming report na may nakuryenteng Pinoy at amin pa itong bineberipika," ayon sa opisyal. Maliban sa naturang insidente, wala na umanong ibang natatanggap na ulat tungkol sa mga Filipino na maaaring napahamak sa pagbaha. Ang paglubog sa baha ng maraming lansangan sa Jeddah nitong Miyerkules dulot ng malakas na pag-ulan ay pangalawa na ngayong Enero. Nagmistulang ilog ang kahabaan ng mga pangunahing kalsada sa Jeddah na naging dahilan sa pagkaka-stranded ng libu-libong motorista, kabilang na mga migranteng Pinoy. Sinabi ng isang Pinoy na nakausap ng GMANews.TV,...

JEDDAH – Nagbigay ng paalala sa mga Pinoy sa lugar na ito ang mga opisyal ng Embahada at Konsulada ng Pilipinas kaugnay sa nagaganap na matinding pagbaha doon dulot ng malakas na pag-ulan. Ang paalala ay ginawa ni Consul Leo Tito Ausan, sa mga Pinoy matapos silang makatanggap ng impormasyon na mayroong Pinoy na nakuryente sa paglusong sa baha nitong Miyerkules. Mga tagpo sa pagbaha sa Jeddah - Ronald Concha “May natanggap na kaming report na may nakuryenteng Pinoy at amin pa itong bineberipika," ayon sa opisyal. Maliban sa naturang insidente, wala na umanong ibang natatanggap na ulat tungkol sa mga Filipino na maaaring napahamak sa pagbaha. Ang paglubog sa baha ng maraming lansangan sa Jeddah nitong Miyerkules dulot ng malakas na pag-ulan ay pangalawa na ngayong Enero. Nagmistulang ilog ang kahabaan ng mga pangunahing kalsada sa Jeddah na naging dahilan sa pagkaka-stranded ng libu-libong motorista, kabilang na mga migranteng Pinoy. Sinabi ng isang Pinoy na nakausap ng GMANews.TV,...

By Jojo Malig, abs-cbnNEWS.com MANILA, Philippines – Five officials of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) who have been accused of human trafficking and graft and corruption before the Department of Justice (DOJ) cried foul Tuesday over the allegations. In an e-mail sent to ABS-CBN News, Atty. Alejandro A. Padaen, Atty. Jesus Gabriel C. Domingo, Atty. Marieta S. Labong dela Cruz, Ernesto B. Vistro, and Nascel A. Gabito said there is “no case” against them. “This is a case of trial by publicity. Our antagonists just want to subject us to ridicule when they caused the publication of the alleged case,” they said. A complaint was earlier filed against the 5 POEA officials and recruitment agency officers Edgardo D. Wisco of Worldview International Services Corporation, Marichu Elagha of Future Careers Recruitment Agency Inc., and Amelita Villarosa of Shanlene Manpower and Recruitment Services before the DOJ for alleged human trafficking and violation of the Anti-Graft...

abs-cbnNEWS.com MANILA, Philippines - Vice-President Jejomar Binay on Monday said he supports a Senate inquiry into alleged anomalies within the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA). In a statement, Binay, who is the Presidential Adviser on Overseas Filipino Workers' Concerns, said all steps must be taken to protect the welfare of the nation's migrant workers. "The national interest clearly lies with the protection of the rights and welfare of our overseas workers. If there are procedural or administrative gaps and even acts of collusion or connivance to the detriment of our OFWs, then let the truth come out," he said. The clamor for a Senate inquiry came from civil society groups that were alarmed when a complainant recently filed human trafficking charges against certain POEA personnel with the Department of Justice. The complaint said 3 recruitment agencies whose licenses were ordered canceled were still able to recruit because the penalty was not ...

abs-cbnNEWS.com MANILA, Philippines - Bloggers in Saudi Arabia may have a harder time making themselves heard this year. The Saudi Arabian government is now requiring its nationals to have a license before they start posting things online, reported ITP, a technology website in the Middle East. Those caught blogging without a permit from the Ministry of Culture and Information may be subjected to a fine of up to $26,664 and a possible ban on all online activity. "The stringent new regulations, which went into effect on January 1, 2011, also state that all Saudi news blogs and electronic news sites will now be licensed and required to strictly abide by Sharia law and 'include the call to the religion of Islam,'" ITP said in its report. Only Saudi nationals who are at least 20 years old and a high school graduate can register for a blogging license. If approved, they will be required to provide detailed information on their hosting company, and their posts will be close...

abs-cbnNEWS.com MANILA, Philippines - Bloggers in Saudi Arabia may have a harder time making themselves heard this year. The Saudi Arabian government is now requiring its nationals to have a license before they start posting things online, reported ITP, a technology website in the Middle East. Those caught blogging without a permit from the Ministry of Culture and Information may be subjected to a fine of up to $26,664 and a possible ban on all online activity. "The stringent new regulations, which went into effect on January 1, 2011, also state that all Saudi news blogs and electronic news sites will now be licensed and required to strictly abide by Sharia law and 'include the call to the religion of Islam,'" ITP said in its report. Only Saudi nationals who are at least 20 years old and a high school graduate can register for a blogging license. If approved, they will be required to provide detailed information on their hosting company, and their posts will be close...

abs-cbnNEWS.com MANILA, Philippines – A total of 2,448 Filipinos in distress were repatriated from Saudi Arabia's western region last year, the Philippine Consulate General in Jeddah said Sunday. The Consulate General, in a press statement, said it coordinated with the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs, immigration authorities, and other agencies in the repatriation process. Funding for the repatriation came from the Philippine Overseas Labor Office/Overseas Workers Welfare Authority (1,539), the host government (844), employers (43), and workers' personal expense (37). The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) also gave funds for some cases. Consulate staff members also visited the Khandara Bridge in Jeddah, where overstaying nationals, including overseas Filipinos, often congregate. Overstaying nationals usually congregate at the Khandara Bridge overpass to call the attention of local immigration authorities in the hope that their subsequent arrest from the said public pla...