KAKAMMPI News

More than 600 homeowners of government-owned lands in Cebu City cheered while Vice President and Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) Chairman, Jejomar C. Binay announced the beginning of resolving the land issue between them and the government of Cebu. “This is just the beginning of the solution to the problem. Sana ang tinitirikan ng inyong bahay ay tuluyan nang mapapasainyo,” says the Vice President in his speech after the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the HUDCC and the Cebu government. Four barangays in Cebu, namely: Capitol Site, Kalunasan, Camputhaw and Busay, have been initially identified to benefit from this move. The MOU is a commitment to resolve the land disposition issue under Provincial Ordinance 93-1, which allows the present occupants of government-owned lands to purchase the lots on which their houses are built on. The HUDCC shall coordinate with the different housing agencies to provide the appropriate fina...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- March 14, 2013 Standoff in Lahad Datu: Engage in Dialogue Now with all stakeholders to resolve the crisis peacefully We the undersigned Civil Society organisations (CSOs) from Malaysia and Philippines are extremely concerned over the on-going standoff between the Malaysian security forces and followers of the Sultanate of Sulu’s heirs, Jamalul Kiram III at Lahad Datu, Sabah. We the CSOs, together with all individuals, organizations and networks, urgently call upon President Benigno S. Aquino III of the Philippines, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak of Malaysia and Sultan Jamalul Kiram III, to disavow all forms of violence, and instead supports dialogue as the primary mechanism for a resolution to the siege. We are very concerned and worried about the security of civilians in Lahad Datu, Semporna and the surrounding villages and we would like to see...

The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) Region VI Office has recently been recognized by the Private Hospital Association in Western Visayas headed by its President Elmer Q. Pedregosa, MD, MPH, MHA, and concurrent President of the Philippine College of Hospital Administrators, said that PhilHealth's efforts  "resulted in faster processing of benefit claims and also reduced the number of Return-To-Hospital claims thereby contributing to a successful relationship among private hospitals in Western Visayas as partners in the healthcare industry." Despite the marked increase in claims received from an average of 1,200 in 2011 to 1,700 in 2012, claims were processed at an average of five to seven days compared to 130 average processing days in 2011. Turn-around-time of some 15 thousand case rate and nine thousand Fee-for-service claims in October 2012 dramatically shortened from receipt of claims up until check preparation without additional manpower a...

The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) Region VI Office has recently been recognized by the Private Hospital Association in Western Visayas headed by its President Elmer Q. Pedregosa, MD, MPH, MHA, and concurrent President of the Philippine College of Hospital Administrators, said that PhilHealth's efforts   "resulted in faster processing of benefit claims and also reduced the number of Return-To-Hospital claims thereby contributing to a successful relationship among private hospitals in Western Visayas as partners in the healthcare industry." Despite the marked increase in claims received from an average of 1,200 in 2011 to 1,700 in 2012, claims were processed at an average of five to seven days compared to 130 average processing days in 2011. Turn-around-time of some 15 thousand case rate and nine thousand Fee-for-service claims in October 2012 dramatically shortened from receipt of claims up until check preparation without additional manpower an...

Health Secretary Dr. Enrique T. Ona stressed the need for Filipinos to be PhilHealth members during the Secretary’s Cup Debate Championship and Awarding Ceremonies held at the Century Park Hotel Manila on March 16, 2013. He pointed out what it means for a family to have a PhilHealth card to be able to avail of the benefits when the need arises,  “to have the assurance that whenever they go to sleep and wake up everything will be all right as far as health is concerned.” The Health chief concurrently serves as the PhilHealth Chairman of the Board and OIC President and Chief Executive Officer. The Secretary’s Cup on Kalusugan Pangkalahatan is a nationwide multi-sectoral advocacy campaign initiated by the Universal Health Care (UHC) Study Group of the University of the Philippines-National Institute of Health and the Department of Health. It aims to bring awareness and engage various sectors in the discussion of issues concerning the implementation of UHC. It also provide...

The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) recently signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOU) with the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) to promote and thoroughly inform Overseas Filipino Workers and their qualified dependents of their rights to access quality health care services through their PhilHealth coverage and benefits. PhilHealth Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Atty. Alexander A. Padilla signed the MOU with CFO Secretary Imelda M. Nicolas. The CFO has been designated by the Inter-Agency Committee on Philippine Schools Overseas to represent the Committee with PhilHealth. Through online links and portals of official websites and continuing advocacy with duly registered non-government organizations affiliated with the CFO, OFWs and their qualified dependents covered by the state-run-health insurance agency will be updated of their healthcare benefits, how they can access these with ease, and their responsibilities as members as well...

PHL Consulate General in Osaka Conducts  Monday, 25 March 2013 15:28 25 March 2013 – The Philippine Consulate General in Osaka successfully conducted a seminar on Japanese civil laws for Filipino nationals residing in Western Japan. The activity was organized in collaboration with Osaka Foundation of International Exchange (OFIX) and Samahan sa Kitano International Community, a Filipino community organization based in Osaka City. The two-part seminar was held on February 17 and March 10. The first seminar tackled Japanese laws pertaining to birth, citizenship, marriage, divorce, property relations and inheritance. The second seminar dealt with matters relating to welfare services to foreign nationals, including information about assistance to victims of domestic violence, and Japanese labor laws. The last phase of the three-day activity was the holding of free consultation services on March 17. Filipino nationals were given the opportunity to consult with sev...

29 January 2013 – The Department of Foreign Affairs Office of Consular Affairs (DFA-OCA) would like to advise the public that there will be a delay of 2 to 3 days on the release of the electronic passports (ePassports) due from January 28 to February 02 because of a machine breakdown. Passport applicants who are expecting their passports this week are advised to call (632) 836-7745, (632) 836-7747 or e-mail DFA-OCA at  passportconcerns@dfa.gov.ph   so they can make the necessary and appropriate arrangements on how their passports can be delivered to them. DFA-OCA is also prepared to issue machine-readable passports on a limited basis in cases of extreme emergency. The Department would like to apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused the public. Measures are being implemented and the Department has received the assurances and commitment of Oberthur Technology to stabilize operations immediately. Operations will normalize by Monday, February 04. DFA-...

Monday, 25 March 2013 16:39 25 March 2013 – At the sidelines of the signing of the government-to-government agreement that will facilitate the placement of Filipino health care professionals in employment positions in Germany on March 19 witnessed by German Minister for  Labour and Social Affairs Ursula von der Leyen and Philippine Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz, Philippine  Ambassador to Germany Maria Cleofe R. Natividad reported on the preparations undertaken for the implementation of the Agreement. The Agreement was signed by Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) Administrator Hans Leo J. Cacdac and Ms. Monika Varnhagen of the German Federal Employment Agency [Bundesagentur für Arbeit]/ [Zentrale Auslands und Fachvermittlung] (BA/ZAV). With the signing of the Agreement, active recruitment of Filipino nurses will commence. The two labor ministers directed the Philippine Embassy, ZAV and POEA to closely work together for the deployment of...

29 January 2013 – The Department of Foreign Affairs Office of Consular Affairs (DFA-OCA) would like to advise the public that there will be a delay of 2 to 3 days on the release of the electronic passports (ePassports) due from January 28 to February 02 because of a machine breakdown. Passport applicants who are expecting their passports this week are advised to call (632) 836-7745, (632) 836-7747 or e-mail DFA-OCA at  passportconcerns@dfa.gov.ph   so they can make the necessary and appropriate arrangements on how their passports can be delivered to them. DFA-OCA is also prepared to issue machine-readable passports on a limited basis in cases of extreme emergency. The Department would like to apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused the public. Measures are being implemented and the Department has received the assurances and commitment of Oberthur Technology to stabilize operations immediately. Operations will normalize by Monday, February 04. DFA-OCA ...

The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration yesterday suspended the license of a recruitment agency reported to be enlisting Filipino workers for supposed employment in Austria. Administrator Hans Leo J. Cacdac said he issued the suspension order for Marhaba International Management Services based on the sworn statement filed on February by four (4) applicants who complained of the agency’s failure to deploy them to Austria. The complainants alleged that they applied with Marhaba International Management Services at its office in BDO Building, Bocobo St., Ermita, Manila but they have not been deployed after more than a year and paying a total of Php267,500.00 for placement and visa fees. Cacdac said Marhaba International has no job order nor accreditation from any employer in Austria. POEA records showed that four (4) cases against Marhaba were also filed on February 21, 2013, aside from nine (9) other recruitment violation cases previously filed against the a...

Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz, German Minister of Labor and Social Affairs Dr. Ursula Von Der Leyen, German Ambassador to the Philippines Dr. Joachim Heidorn, and Philippine Ambassador to Germany Ma. Cleofe Natividad yesterday witnessed the signing of the "Agreement Concerning the Placement of Filipino Health Care Professionals in Employment Positions in the Federal Republic of Germany" between the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) headed by Administrator Hans Leo J. Cacdac and the German Federal Employment Agency (Bundesagentur fur Arbeit, or BA) headed by Director Monika Varnhagen in a simple ceremony at the DOLE in Intramuros, Manila. The agreement paves the way for the opening of the German health care sector for Filipino healthcare professionals, including nurses. Baldoz, after the agreement's signing, hailed the quick and successful conclusion of the initiative as "a beginning of a stronger relationship betwee...

Eman Villanueva (3rd right), spokesperson for the Asian Migrants' Coordinating Body (AMCB), and other migrant groups protest in front of the Court of Final Appeal in Hong Kong on Monday. The protesters were against the court's decision to dismiss an appeal by two Filipino domestic helpers who were seeking permanent residency in Hong Kong.  Reuters/Tyrone Siu

By MARK FELSENTHAL, REUTERS WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama urged the US Congress on Monday to summon the "political courage" to quickly pass immigration reform. Speaking at a naturalization ceremony for 28 new US citizens at the White House, Obama said he was pleased with steps made toward reforming immigration laws, he wants the process to be complete within months. "I expect a bill to be put forward. I expect the debate to begin next month," he said. "I want to sign that bill into law as soon as possible." Obama pointed to the accomplishments of many of the 28 people who had just become U.S. citizens and said immigrants had reinvigorated the labor force and benefited businesses. "If we want to keep attracting the best and brightest the world has to offer, we need to do a better job of welcoming them," he said. Reforms making it easier for undocumented foreigners to become citizens have gained momentum in Congress since Hispanic voter...

LONDON - Prime Minister David Cameron will unveil a sweeping immigration crackdown on Monday aimed at discouraging migrants from Romania and Bulgaria from moving to Britain when EU restrictions on their right to travel and work there expire next year. Under his plans, access to Britain's National Health Service will be curbed, new migrants will have to wait up to five years for social housing, fines for employers who hire illegal workers will be doubled, and landlords who let to illegal immigrants could face fines too. The lifting of European Union freedom of movement restrictions on Romanians and Bulgarians has triggered warnings in the right-leaning press of "hordes" of welfare-hungry migrants descending on Britain at a time when the economy is stagnant and public resources are being squeezed. Cameron's initiative reflects a change in the political mainstream after years of politicians shying away from the issue. All three main parties now talk tough on immigration ...

A four-year-old girl allegedly from the Philippines was tested for the Novel coronavirus in a Hong Kong hospital over the weekend, a Hong Kong news site reported Sunday.   Radio Television Hong Kong reported  the girl was kept in isolation and is in stable condition , and that preliminary tests showed she did not have the illness.   "The girl, from the Philippines, had traveled (to Hong Kong) with her parents from Qatar and was admitted to Queen Mary Hospital suffering from fever and headaches," the RTHK report said.   It quoted the Centre for Health Protection as saying the girl is "being kept in isolation and is in a stable condition."   Following the incident,  Food and Health Secretary Ko Wing-man encouraged "good personal hygiene practices and healthy lifestyles ," the Hong Kong Standard reported Monday.   Ko was quoted in the report as saying the Hospital Authority will work with airlines to improve health warnings to travel...

(Updated 7:05 p.m.)  Thousands of foreign domestic helpers, mostly from the Philippines, on Monday lost their bid for permanent residency in Hong Kong.   The development came after the Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal, in a unanimous decision, denied the petition of two Filipino domestic helpers seeking permanent residency in Hong Kong, a  report on the South China Morning Post  said.   The report said this means that the two Filipino domestic helpers—Evangeline Banao Vallejos and Daniel Domingo, will not be allowed to apply to settle permanently in Hong Kong even after seven years of living there. In Manila, the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs vowed to ensure protection and promote the welfare of thousands of Filipino domestic helpers in Hong Kong following the ruling. “We have always respected the judicial process in Hong Kong and will continue to do so,” Foreign Affairs spokesman Raul Hernandez told a press briefing. “The Philippine Consulat...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- March 14, 2013 Standoff in Lahad Datu: Engage in Dialogue Now with all stakeholders to resolve the crisis peacefully We the undersigned Civil Society organisations (CSOs) from Malaysia and Philippines are extremely concerned over the on-going standoff between the Malaysian security forces and followers of the Sultanate of Sulu’s heirs, Jamalul Kiram III at Lahad Datu, Sabah. We the CSOs, together with all individuals, organizations and networks, urgently call upon President Benigno S. Aquino III of the Philippines, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak of Malaysia and Sultan Jamalul Kiram III, to disavow all forms of violence, and instead supports dialogue as the primary mechanism for a resolution to the siege. We are very concerned and worried about the security of civilians in Lahad Datu, Semporna and the surrounding villages and we would like to s...