Nene Pimentel Open Letter

June 11, 2005
The EditorThe Philippine Daily Inquirer
Chino Roces Avenue CornerYague and Mascardo StreetsMakati City
[By email and by personal delivery]Dear Editor:

Although by the time you decide to publish this letter, certain issuesraised in your editorial, "Pimentel Ploy" (June 11), may already bestale, let me just put into the record that:

1. Your editorial writer needs a new crystal ball to read me with adegree of accuracy.

2. Even if I were to take your editorial at face value or as aleft-handed compliment, still I must tell you and your readers thatthe presidency needs a more vigorous, a more intelligent, a morededicated public servant than I can ever be at this point of my life.I am now 71 years of age. My knees are getting weak. My mind will soonsuccumb, if it is not yet succumbing, to the ravages of Alzheimer's.

3. I hope you could be a little less condescending regarding the otherpeople who might wish to aspire for the presidency. They need not bedenigrated simply because I opined that Gloria should step down. That opinion was solelymine and I am responsible for it, not them.

4. I never thought that you would honor the suggestion for her to stepdown as a fit subject of your banner story last June 10. That you didso was your call. I simply issued a statement to that effect and youblame me for overshadowing the impact of the testimony of Ms. SandraCam at the jueteng probe! I would not have consciously done thatbecause Ms. Cam, the witness who directly implicated the presidentialson, Mikey, and the presidential brother-in-law, Iggy, was my witness.She asked to meet with me, through friends, sometime before theinvestigation to ensure that she is given time by the Committee toexplain her side.

5. In fact, the suggestion for Gloria to step down was triggered,among other things, by what I learned of Ms. Cam's testimony evenbefore she testified. Unfortunately, my friend, Noli de Castro, who isa good man, should also step down so that the new leader of the nationcould be chosen by the people pursuant to the requirements of theConstitution.

6. I urge that both Gloria and Noli should step down so that thepeople might be given the chance to elect a new president and vicepresident. That is the only way, I believe, that we can move the shipof state forward. Today, the nation's ship is listless, floating in asea of uncertainty. It sorely needs a new captain to save it fromeither dashing itself against the rocks of rebellion or coup d'tat orthe capsizing in the waves of people power. I do NOT advocate thesemethods of changing leaders. I go for the constitutional way,elections. That was what I stood for in the Marcos era; that is what Istand for today in this age of Gloria.

7. Today, we have the added information from Sammy Ong that the taperecordings of the conversations of Gloria and the Comelec OperatorGarcellano were given to him by some ISAFP officers. Those tapedconversations that detail the schemes to cheat FPJ by Gloria andGarcellano in the last presidential and vice presidential electionsare the smoking gun that validates the observations that I made - tothe same effect - at the congressional canvassing of the said elections.

8. Indeed, I do not take people for fools. Maybe you do. But as apolitician of so many years, I have learned to respect the views ofeven the most unlettered among our people. They have a lot to say tous, public servants, which may be useful in the discharge of ourduties.

9. I am told that it never pays for a politician to contradict whatnewspapers say. Maybe that is so because you always have the last sayand you also determine if letters contradicting your position willever see print. By delaying or denying publication of this letter,you might even wish to damage my credibility as you tried to do duringthe canvassing of the last presidential votes. But I take the risk ifonly to ask that the truth – or even simply the truth as I see it – beallowed to see the light of day in the pages of your newspaper.

Very truly yours,

AQUILINO PIMENTEL JR.Senator

Si KIKO at ang OFW...

OFW Connect - Filipino Workers Wordwide] Isa pang reklamo sa PAL

Hi Ryan! Thanks for sharing this other info on issues that we'd like to bring up to PAL. There's something about the disturbing Filipino attitude in the system that the management must check and do something as soon as possible. Milanie's case after Ryan's letter below was an eyeopener. It's a good chance for us to correct the mistakes and clear wrong interpretations as early as possible.

For us, patrons and human rights supporters, let's not forget that while we're persevering, let's be responsible for our action until something good out of it comes out. Let's not stop until we meet our noble target. Let's not just give away "It's OK" all the time although in our minds and deep in our hearts, we know we're discriminated. Let's continue calling the attention of those who are responsible. Communication through internet is possible.

Here's another call for PAL's Customer Care Service. Hope that PAL will look into this case as soon as possible. Looking forward to your reply.

Thank you very much.

For OFW Rights and good governance,
Tonette B
www.tpmovers.org
www.ofw-tv.com
www.ruralcomp.net



--- In OFW-Japan-Forum@yahoogroups.com, "Ryan Indon" wrote:

Hi, I've been reading the emails here for years but this is the first time I
am writing. Since the topic seems to be about PAL horror stories like Ms.
Candido's, let me tell you mine. This is a copy of a letter I sent PAL last
January 3 and up to now, the last I heard is that they are "still
investigating".
=====

Raul Fontanares
Manager, Customer Relations
Philippine Airlines

Dear Mr. Fontanares,

I am writing to you to complain about the treatment my fiancee and I
received when we were flying back to Manila from Hong Kong on December 21,
2004 on flight PR 307. We were checking in at the PAL counter at Hong Kong
Airport when the check-in staff person did no allow my fiancee to check in
because she had a one-way ticket and her passport did not have a student
visa or any other visa that allows her to stay in the Philippines. The staff
person further explained that she cannot allow her on the plane unless we
produce a ticket showing that she is leaving Manila at a later date. I
explained to them that I am Filipino and although she is a British Citizen
we are getting married in three weeks and settling in the Philippines. They
wanter to see our marriage contract or license, which of course we do not
have at that time (a copy of our marriage license which I obtained today is
attached).

While at Hong Kong Airport, I tried to call PAL in Manila through my cell
phone which was set on roaming in order to get an explanation and in order
to straighten out this problem. I did reach a PAL operator and then she put
me on hold for almost ten minutes. When the operator cameb back, she could
not give us any assistance and wanted to pass me to a supervisor and I was
then put on hold again. I explained to her I was calling international and
she still put me on hold for a lengthy amount of time. After a few minutes,
the line was cut.

We were running out of time so we were then forced to buy and open return
ticket, a copy of which is attached. As if to add insult to injury, the PAL
check-in staff supervisor at Hong Kong Airport said to us that if we
refunded the ticket we will be fined.

On December 28, 2004, around 10:30AM I called your departnment and I reached
a certain "Antonette." I explained this incident to her and she in turn told
me to write you directly.

There are a number of points I am requesting that your company address.
1. I strongly believe that this policy of disallowing non-Filipino residents
from checking in because they do not have a return ticket is unfair and
uncalled for. In my many years of traveling and in my experience as a
program coordinator for an international student program, I have never
encountered this policy. The travel agen from whom I bought the one-way
ticket from did not mention anything about this policy. Furthermore, I know
for a fact that most foreigners who have no residency status here come and
go withought ever having to present a return ticket out of here to your
airline staff or immigration. Nobody seems to know of this policy until it
was forced up me and my fiancee. Upon arrival at NAIA, the immigration
officer did not ask her any questions did not ask that she present her
return ticket. I think the same goes for most of the foreigners entering our
country.

2. There are many legitimate reasons why a foreigner arriving on a tourist
visa does not have a return ticket (i.e. he/she is getting married here and
settling here, he/she will buy her return ticket or a ticket to a third
country in the Philippines, etc.). Your airline staff just refused to listen
to my explanations and simple gave us the excuse that these are regulations.

3. The quality of customer service we received from your office in Manila
and your ground staff in Hong Kong was poor. We were calling international
and your operator placed us on hold for so long. I explained to the operator
that we were under time pressure but again we were not attended to
immediately. In the end, nothing good came from the call. At Hong Kong
Airport, your check-in staff tried to turn us over to a supervisor but the
supervisor did not attend to us until after 15 minutes. During that time,
there was already this long line of anxious PAL passengers forming behind us
at the check-in counter.

These past few weeks have been very stressful for me and my fiancee, having
to deal with paperwork and relatives from two different cultures. This
incident has added much more stress into our difficult situation. At the
very least, I am requestion a formal reply to this letter. Furthermore, I am
requesting that no fine be levied when I have this ticket refunded. Finally,
please consider compensating us for the expensive phone bill we incurred in
contacting your airline from Hong Kong.

I would not say I am a frequent flyer but for the past 9 years, I flew with
PAL more often than any other airlines. I have to say that this incident has
affected my perception of PAL but let me also say that I am hopeful that
your thoughtful response will re-establish my trust in your airline.

Thank you very much and I will wait for your reply.

Very truly yours,
Joseph Ryan Indon

=========
P.S. My fiancee and I finally got married (thank God). PAL has not yet
responded to this letter except to say that they are "investigating". I
guess I am not the only one with a problem and they are busy "investigating"
other cases.
--- End forwarded message ---


-----------------------------------------------
MILANIE'S CASE


Subject: Re: [ofw-tv-singapore] PAL's REPLY :::::: FW: REKLAMO SA P.A.L sa CENTENNIAL AIRPORT




to all concerned,

this investigation report was relayed to me by ms.mendoza,a representative from the office of the president of PAL.

ms.mendoza was calling me almost everyday here in taiwan to inform and update me on my case.

this what they told me:

that upon their investigation they found out that there is a boarding pass swapping on the OFW terminal fee.that a certain Mr.Jchim Garcia an employed personnel of MIAA unintentionally pass my boarding pass (together with my plane ticket) on the next person who followed behind me and that is Mrs.Janice Artos,who was cleared and pass on her security check on IMMIGRATION and PAL using diffirent boarding pass,she used my boarding pass upon entering the plane and PAL employees didnt notice that because while boarding the only required document to be presented is the boarding pass (passports need not to check and the plane ticket was closed staplered with the boarding pass.

On the record,I dont know her well,all i know is that she has a sister here in taiwan,also a former employee of my company but currently married with a taiwananese.

even we are working with the same company,we are not on the same manufacturing and management.

i told them OK on their reports,stating that they are not the one who is responsible with my misfortune and that Mr.Jchim Garcia is the one to be blamed,a MIAA employee.

i still have questions in my head and it still bothers me.and here are they...

1. so after the investigation of PAL.what are the corrective actions they will implement regarding on these matters?

2.what happened to that certain Mr.Jchim Garcia?,He should pay the consequences..!?I am thinking of filling a case (DANYOS PERWISYOS) to him as to his NEGLIGENCE. (i ask him many times and 3X back and forth,to ask him bout my boarding pass,giving me a high voice saying he didnt have it.)i think he deserves this.

I almost lost my mind fearing loosing my job.I almost loose my job,i cried on the HRD of my company so they can give me some heart.Thanks be to GOD,he didnt left me and still blessed me on that point.>

All of my things,pasalubong and pabili's were inside my bag that was checked in and got in taipei before me. I got my baggage after many days because they didnt find it immediately.from taichung to taipei,a 2 hours ride of fast train,i was back and forth for 2x .Each travel costs me $nt 560.00 X 2. And my pasalubong and pabili's were already expired and with smells when i got it. Now i need to pay some people because their pabili's were rotten and expired. LOOK WHAT HAVE YOU DONE!

3.The lady who shouted me "Mataray ka kasi and Mayabang" my mother was there and she cried coz napahiya kami,dun ako lalong nainis..i am hurt seeing my mother crying that all she cares is makaalis ng maayos ang anak nya. Is that the right way to treat a customer? is that the way this "WE CARE" airline took care of their customers?

4.And the supervisor on the booth,who neglected me after telling me his first and last words,who didnt even bother to look on my passport.YOU should attend a Leadership Training Seminar.You didnt act as one leader.

WHAT ACTIONS WAS GIVEN TO THEM?

...i know the pressures of work,i am working with much pressures..boredom..working as OFW is a very very hard work...emotionally,physically and mentally pressured kami. But you should know how to control feelings..like this TICKETTING LADY,she should know her job responsiblities and actions should be watch because you are interacting with many diffirent human everyday.

5.Another question...when the ticketing officers lend back my plane ticket and oec,they are angry with me saying..ayan plane ticket mo..napulot ng janitor...

i have evidence on that because i have a copy of police report that IID sent me.and that was included kasi the investigator was with me when they told us that my plane ticket was napulot by a janitor.

but on PAL investigation..it was a honest mistake of swapping of boarding pass? ano ba talaga ang tunay?

i thank Ms.Marilou Mendoza of PAL for giving an effort of calling me long distance to inform and update me from time to time.it is highly appreciated.

I suggest na mas higpitan nyo ang security check specially while boarding the plane. kayang pasukin ng hi-jackkers ang plane coz only boarding pass is required.you should check other documents such as passports to verify if the holder of the boarding pass is the rightful owner or not.



milanie salangoste candido

Sto Tomas Gift To OFW? Someday every Filipino will be a DH

Welcome to Kiko.com.ph

Sto Tomas Gift To OFW... Someday every Filipino will be a DH

The Department of Labor boss Patricia Sto Tomas is very proud to announce that We have a lot of Graduates, Teachers and Professionals
that the govt. can supply to serve as a domestic helpers in other countries, like Singapore.

Now, that every Foreign Domestic Helper in Singapore have to pass the English proficiency test, knowledge in care givers, household know how to be eligible to work as Domestic helper. We all know that Filipinos will have an edge over rival domestic helpers, like Indonesia, Thailand and other asian countries.

Did Patricia Sto Tomas do something to upgrade the Salary and the security of those upgraded qualified Domestic Helpers?

It seems that she only favor the policy of foreign country and sacrifice the needs and salary standards of fellow countrymen.

The POEA policy will only attract some agency to engage in illegal recruitment and human smuggling, thus bringing more undocumented Filipino Domestic Helpers.

Kung ganyan na ang antas ng isang kasambahay sa bansang Singapore, wala na bang magagawa ang ating pamunuan na humingi ng kaukulang dagdag pasahod, benepisyo at seguridad?, para bang pinakikita ng ating Gobyerno, na marami Filipino ang handang mag aral at magsumikap para lang mamasukan bilang katulong sa ibayong dagat.

In the long run, even Filipino Nurses will be marketed and supplied to serve the world as a domestic helpers and still our government will do nothing to uphold the dignity of their countrymen.

Huwag naman sana na isa na naman ito sa mga di magandang gawain ng isang Filipino Public Official na hindi kayang ipaglaban ang kanyang kapwa, bagkus siya pang nanghihigpit sa pangangailangan at yumuyurak sa kapakanan ng mga manggagawang Filipino. Di ba nakakahiya yan?

Caution to All OFW in K.S.A.

Si KIKO at ang OFW...

14 December 2004


WARDENS' NOTICE 10/04


There have been calls for demonstrations in Saudi Arabia on Thursday 16 December. We do not know when or where any such demonstrations might take place.

We therefore reiterate our long-standing advice to avoid public gatherings.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office have updated the Travel Advice for Saudi Arabia to reflect this advice. You can read the full version of the Travel Advice at www.fco.gov.uk/travel or at www.britishembassy.gov.uk/saudiarabia via the shortcut menu.



Ken Neill
HM Consul


Additional information

16th December Demonstration
Many of you are aware of the rumors and web site articles concerning potential demonstrations this Thursday in various locations across the Kingdom. This subject was raised by the Ambassador in his visit on Sunday, 16 December as outlined in the brief report below of the Warden Meeting. I have subsequently been advised by the company that there is a real potential for demonstrations and that expatriates should avoid going into town on Thursday and limit any off camp movement. While this specifically mentions Thursday it would be prudent to also be very cautious on Friday.

Ambassadors Visit of December 12, 2004

Notes from the Warden Meeting of December 12
As stated in the last Wardens message, a Wardens Meeting was called for the 12th, December to primarily discuss the situation after the attack on the US Consulate in Jeddah. Following are the Ambassador’s comments on the situation in general.

Al Qaeda: Saudi forces have been quite successful in combating the terrorists and all intelligence (Saudi, UK & US) indicates that there are probably three groups within the kingdom, based around Jeddah, Riyadh and Burayda with the incident in Khobar being carried out by the Riyadh group.

Jeddah Consulate Incident:
The attack in Jeddah was a surprise as the three groups are believed to be fighting among themselves over who is the most senior. The terrorists waited for an Embassy car to approach the gate and then attacked. The electronic gate opened but the barriers, similar to Aramco, drop bar and floor bollards were still in position. They pulled up behind the vehicle and threw two pipe bombs, one either side at the gate houses and then ran around the car and went over the barriers. The Embassy has surveillance tape of the incident that shows that the local defence force engaged the attackers and tried to stop them entering. The driver of the car (which was bullet proof) got out of the car for reasons unknown and was shot dead. The attackers moved in to the Embassy grounds where they were engaged by locally hired security forces with three being killed outright and two others being seriously injured. (One dying later of his wounds)
The actual incident started around 11:30 and finished after about three hours (14:30). The local police and security forces responded and within 15 minutes a heavy security cordon was in place and Special Forces personnel had arrived.


Demonstrations: As mentioned above, on Thursday, 16th December the Saudi Dissident (Saad Al Faqi ) who lives in London and has continually called for the overthrow of the Arabian Peninsula has asked for people to carry out Demonstrations in Jeddah, Riyadh and the Eastern Province. As of this time his website has not given exact times or places, the Embassy will monitor and let us know as soon as it does. If it is the same level as last time then there’ll be a couple of hundred people milling around like sheep. It should be noted that this group have no affiliation or connections to Al Qaeda

The rumors that Saudi Government has employed Jordanian Riot Police are unfounded and was confirmed by the Ambassador the Jordanians.

Al Khobar Incident:
Following the attack in May in Khobar there were many reports being circulated on the internet about what had happened in the compound. Not one of these reports was correct or factual according to interviews that have been held with the survivors of the incident. The Ambassador has approached the Saudi authorities to see if they will release a complete factual report of all of the incidents that have happened but up to now nothing has been released.”

Si Kiko at ang OFW

Newsbreak Magazine asks OFWs and immigrants: why do you want to come home?

Hi there, I Just want to share some answers.

Why do I still want to go back home? It is because Philippines is my homeland and it only belongs to FILIPINO people where one of them is myself. This is where my roots and ancestors came from, my families are still struggling and keep on striving to spend and survive their daily lives on this country but they couldn't be able to leave like me. I'm away from them but I know how much they suffer that's why I always keep on looking and coming back for them.

What motivates me? Same answer as above, it's mainly because of my love ones. I could bring my children and husband here with me, and my sisters and my mother too, but still I have more family members left behind, in addition with this, I have my friends and other persons who are related to me who makes me happy if I'm with them. My relatives often called me that I'm a "Maki Kamag-anak", that means I'm very close with my family members - from my own siblings up to my cousin's own children.

I was born poor but when I was young, I never dreamt of working overseas although my father's relatives are having a good life because of migration. Why is that? I was afraid that my own family someday could be broken because it's very common that a mother or father who left his/her family could find someone new in foreign land. The spouse who is left behind could do the same thing as well, and it is all because of loneliness and absence of physical care and physical love between the couple. For me, a happy family (when they're together) is more important than having a "wealthy" life. "Simple" and "enough" is fine for me and there's no need for so much wealth if it's doesn't cost your happiness.

You're maybe asking why I'm here in abroad, Now? It's because my husband left for work and I need to follow. We can be able to bring our children that's why we're all staying together overseas. Again, it is because of the LOVE that we have for each other and we want to be HAPPY. Not only to be together but also to give a better future for us.

So, for me, the reason for migration either temporarily or permanently is because of the LOVE that we have for our family. And because we love them, we're still thinking about them, that's why it motivate us to go back home as most of our family members are still on our country. Living or not living anymore, my family members are only destined to live or have lived on the island of Philippines, so wherever I go, the way and reasons that leads me back home is always there.

On my other personal reason, I still want to go back home because in my own country, I feel that everything "belongs" to me. Although I still have some rules and regulations to follow, I always feel that I'm FREE, and no one tells me or there are NO REASONS that could make me think that I DON'T BELONG TO THIS COUNTRY! This is "mine" and this is where I belong. The ground where my feet are standing belongs to ME, and no one else could say to me, that I shouldn't step on it.

In other country, although no matter how good you are and no matter how successful you are, they don't accept you as what "YOU" are. They're always looking from where you have been and from the color of your skin. For the most of them, you're just someone that is HELPLESS and went to their country to ask some HELP or to GRAB (sometimes accused you of stealing) the opportunity from their own people. Although it is so obvious that the reason why we went overseas is because THESE foreign countries NEED US, but for them it's US who needs them because we're just POOR and belongs to a THIRD WORLD country.

And from this reason, I'm convincing my self and my fellow OFWs and other Kababayan to be proud of them selves and uplift our very own nation, the Philippines. People from different nation are just the same, WE ARE ALL JUST THE SAME. We have low and intelligent people, we have skilled/unskilled people, we have poor and rich people and we have leaders that could run our country, whom I think are ALSO intelligent ones as other foreign leaders.

We can be LIKE them, actually WE HAVE THE SAME OPPORTUNITY as them. We all just know how to USE that opportunity. We should just KNOW how to THINK WISE, SMART AND JUST. We can be able to BRING BACK our dignity and pride as what we have in the past years because it's just a cycle of life, yesterday we're on TOP, now we're at the BOTTOM and I'm very sure that SOMEDAY we'll be on TOP again.

Again, for me, there's STILL HOPE that Philippines could be a better place to stay and work in the future, for my children and for my future descendants and for every FILIPINO, that's why I always want to go back and why I'd like to do something to be able to contribute. We should just ALL KNOW AND LEARN HOW TO LOVE OURSELF AND OUR OWN COUNTRY by looking back, coming back and CARING back to our Roots and Origin with sincerity and full of responsibility.

Other thing that motivates me is just a very simple reason. It is because I want to build a house where I could have a BAHAY KUBO in the yard. I could have Pinoy neighbors, I could go to my favorite places in the country (beautiful beaches, my hometown and SM Stores), eat my favorite FILIPINO food which is always FRESH and readily available, spend the true PINOY Christmas, spend Pinoy style Mahal na Araw, visit friends during FIESTA, WATCH Filipino TV Shows, hears Filipino Radio Show everyday and I'd like to see over and over gain those places that I've been to since when I was born.

A very simple reason but it clearly shows that I love being a FILIPINO and how much I love and miss PHILIPPINES and I want it to be a BETTER PLACE AGAIN for the new Filipino generation...



Vanessa Bonga-Bonifacio
OFW in Brunei Darussalam
www.ofw-connect.com - (Overseas Filipino Workers Information Site)
Owner-Administrator-Web Designer
www.kibaka.org - (Kilusang Balik Kaayusan Para sa Susunod na Henerasyon ng Bansang Pilipinas)
Member-Coordinator-Sponsor-Web Designer

ABS-CBNnow! Breaking News Alert

Si KIKO at ang OFW...

ABS-CBNnow! Breaking News Alert


Super typhoon "Yoyong" is strongly making its presence felt in the Philippines. With an area larger than the whole of Luzon, this super typhoon will be passing over the same areas damaged by "Winnie". Evacuation currently ongoing in Quezon, Bicol, Bulacan and other provinces. Storm signal no. 4 up in some provinces and Storm signal no. 2 in Metro Manila. Know the updates in real time by watching ANC thru this link:

http://s.us.now.abs-cbn.com/videos/live/anc.asx

(Flash report from ABS-CBNnews:)

The ABS-CBN Sagip Kapamilya is appealing for donations to assist displaced residents of flood-stricken provinces through a live telethon aired on ANC.

As of posting time, cash pledges amounted to P1,856,100. ABS-CBN also received $2,160 in cash donated by viewers. Rice, noodles, sardines, clothing, blankets and other donations may be brought to the ABS-CBN foundation office at 41 Scout Bayoran St., South Triangle, Quezon City (near Alex III) or 65 Scout Gandia St., Barangay Laging Handa, Quezon City. Donors may also call the following hot lines: 416-36-50; 416-36-53; 416-36-30; 411-08-46; 416-03-87; and 925-73-80. Cash and check donations are also accepted through the following bank accounts:

* ABS-CBN Foundation
* Equitable PCI-Bank Savings Account: 127-6008036
* BPI Current Account: 3051-1102-17

Petron service stations in Metro Manila are also accepting cash and other donations in behalf of ABS-CBN, the ANC reported.

Pledges and donations from overseas viewers can be coursed through the following toll free numbers:

* Universal-800
* Australia - 0011-800-23-588888
* Canada - 011-800-23-588888
* Hawaii - 011-800-23-588888
* USA - 011-800-23-588888
* Japan - 010-800-23-588888
* International-800
* UK - 0800-032-4236
* Saudi Arabia - 800-863-0007
* UAE - 800-0630-0016
* Bahrain - 80-4008
* Italy - 800-786-662

In the Philippines, donors can call Bayantel (1800-5-8888888) and PLDT (1800-10-5888888).

Because of the storm and interrupted work schedules, there may be delays in your requests for ABS-CBNnow! customer service assistance. Please bear with us.

Message from Korea

Si KIKO at ang OFW...

Hello Kuya Chino!

Ok ang Kiko mo ngayon ha! Sayang lang at wala akong sariling computer dito. Hindi ako makagamit ng scanner para maipadala ang mga pictures namin dito sa Korea. Napili pa naman itong isa sa pinaka mahusay na Filipino Community sa buong mundo. Magpupunta si Fr. Glenn Jaron sa Malacanang para kumuha ng Banaag Award, and I'm proud to be a member and one of the officer of this community. As a Chairman of justice and peace, napakaraming kinakaharap na problema ng mga migranteng pilpino dito.

Ok, till my next mail, ingat na lang palagi!
Luv you Kuya!

Audie

INTERNET PETITION TO SAVE THE LIVES OF MIGRANT WORKER

Si KIKO at ang OFW...
Dear Friends,

Warm greetings from the MIGRANTE Sectoral Party!

We are appealing to all peace-loving peoples of the world to support our campaign to save the lives of Robert Theodore Tarongoy and Angelito Nayan, held hostage in Iraq and Afghanistan respectively.

We also hope that you can please pass on this petition to your networks for more possible signatures. Our million thanks to all of you.

In solidarity with the migrants,

Connie Bragas-Regalado
Chairperson
________________________________

INTERNET PETITION TO SAVE THE LIVES OF MIGRANT WORKER ROBERT THEODORE TARONGOY AND UNITED NATIONS WORKER ANGELITO NAYAN TO PHILIPPINE PRESIDENT GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO***

Her Excellency Gloria Macapagal Arroyo
President
Republic of the Philippines
Malacanang Palace, Manila
Philippines

Dear Madam President,

We, the undersigned Filipino organizations, institutions, churches and individuals, appeal to your government, on behalf of our compatriots, fellow overseas Filipino worker in Iraq, Robert Theodore Tarongoy, and United Nations worker Angelito Nayan -- whose lives lie on the balance in the hands of Iraqi and Afghan rebels, respectively.

Their fate is in primarily in your government’s hands.

Our appeal to you is very simple that appeals on our humanitarian values: Withdraw the support to the United States government’s policy of waging unjust wars and occupying sovereign nations in the pursuit of its economic interests. Withdrawing your support to the US war of aggression shall be the first definitive step towards protecting Filipino citizens forced to work and/or reside abroad due to the chronic crises at home.

While the situation and circumstances of UN worker Nayan have brightened a bit, not the same can be said of OFW Tarongoy. Afghan rebels have demanded for prisoner exchanges, but Iraqi rebels have demanded US$10 million as ransom.

We know that the US wars in Afghanistan was not morally based, was not sanctioned by the United Nations nor was it given any blessing from the Church. Pope John Paul II and other Church leaders have opposed the unjust and immoral war waged by the US on Iraq.

We cannot fathom the reasons that have pushed you to continue supporting the US government policy of war. If you value life, and if you do value the lives of Filipinos abroad, we urge you to immediately withdraw support and active participation to the ongoing wars of aggression the US is waging on Iraq and other peoples.

This is what we see and believe is the only reasonable move to do in pursuing the safe release and repatriation of Tarongoy and Nayan. It would also help in protecting other overseas Filipinos in the Middle East.

Madam President, we call on you to listen with reason and compassion towards Filipino migrants.

Signed:

Philippines
Connie Bragas-Regalado, Chairperson, MIGRANTE Sectoral Party National Office
Flora B. Belinan, Regional Coordinator, Migrante-Cordillera
Rita Baua, secretary general, International League of Peoples' Struggle-Philippines Chapter
Malou Turalde-Jarabe, Vice Chairperson, Gabriela Women's Party
Cristina Palabay, Secretary General, Gabriela Women's Party
Maita Santiago, Secretary General, MIGRANTE International
Divine Garcia, Spokesperson, Kalipunan ng Migranteng Pilipino at Pamilya (KMPP)
Sr. Mary Celine Cajanding, RGS, Center for Overseas Workers, Davao City
Mark Ramirez, Deputy Secretary General, Kabataan ng Migranteng Pilipino para sa Bayan (KAMIYAN)

Japan
Jocelyn Hasumi, The Philippine Women's League of Japan
Susan Fujita, The Philippine Women's League of Japan (Sapporo)
Teresita Omaki, The Philippine Women's League of Japan
May Tsutsumi, The Philippine Women's League of Japan
Josephine Ishiwatari, The Philippine Women's League of Japan
Josephine S. Kobayashi,The Philippine Women's League of Japan
Yuko Takei, Crusade for the Protection of Philippine Interests in Japan
Evelyn Pineda, The Philippine Women's League of Japan
Jocelyn Endrina, Yokohama City, Japan

Hong Kong
Dolores Balladares, Chairperson, United Filipinos in Hong Kong (UNIFIL-HK)
Teodicia M. Serapion, Vice Chairperson, Association of Concerned Filipinos (ACFIL)
Cenona "Ace" Malipol, Chairperson, Friends of Bethune House (FBH)
Norma Bagay, Chairperson, Pinatud a Saleng ti Umili (PSU)
Janet Pilotin, President, Filipino Migrants Association (FMA)
Caridad Bachiller, President, Abra Tinguian Ilocano Society (ATIS) w/ 20 member organizations
Vicky Casia-Cabantac, Chairperson, MIGRANTE Sectoral Party - Hong Kong (with 130 chapters all over Hong Kong)
Cynthia Ca Abdon-Tellez, Director, The Mission for Filipino Migrant Workers (HK) Society
Ramon Bultron, Managing Director, Asia Pacific Mission for Migrants (APMM)
Edwina Antonio-Santoyo, Executive Director, Bethune House Migrant Women's Refuge
Rey Asis, Regional Secretary, Asian Students Association (ASA)

Macau
MIGRANTE Sectoral Party-Macau
Macau Cordillerans Association

United States of America
Jay Mendoza, National Alliance for Filipino Concerns (NAFCON)-USA
Rachel R. Redondiez, Committee for Human Rights in the Philippines

Taiwan
Migrante Sectoral Party-Taiwan (with 3 chapters)

Saudi Arabia
Andrew Mangampo Ociones, Chairperson, MIGRANTE-Saudi Arabia
Leo Legaspi, Chairperson, MIGRANTE-Jeddah and Spokesperson,- Migrante International-Middle East Region
Dennis Linganay, Chairperson, MIGRANTE-Second Industrial City, Riyadh (KSA)
Angelito Fedelino, MIGRANTE-Second Industrial City Riyadh (KSA)
Richard Bautista, Kapatiran sa Gitnang Silangan (KGS-MIGRANTE), Riyadh, KSA
Isagani Gonzales, KFSH&RC, Riyadh, KSA
Totong Custodio, Lakas ng Manggagawa sa Silangang Probinsya (LMSP-MIGRANTE) Eastern Province, KSA
Mel Aganus - Chairperson MSP Sultan Chapter
Flor Mangullamas - Chairperson - Filipino Migrant Workers Stranded in Jeddah - Women Chapter
Frank Llacuna - Cairperson - Filipino Migrant Workers Stranded in Jeddah - KSA
Ernesto Villamaria, Kapatiran ng Migranteng Stranded sa Riyadh (KAMI-SR), Riyadh, KSA
Mario Ben, Kapatiran sa Gitnang Silangan (KGS-Migrante), Riyadh, KSA

The Netherlands
MIGRANTE Europe (Amsterdam)

Burma
Aung Thu Ya, President, Seafarers Union of Burma (SUB -- Affiliate of the International Transport Workers Federation - ITF)


###############################################
MIGRANTE Sectoral Party
National Office: 115-B Kamuning Road,
Quezon City, Philippines
Tel: (63-2) 259-1145
Email: migparty@tri-isys.com

Maligayang Pasko at Welcome Home OFWs"

Si KIKO at ang OFW...


"Maligayang Pasko at Welcome Home OFWs"

Join our OFW Salusalo & celebrate the Yuletide season with
fellow OFWs from all over the world

Hosted by: OFW-AFRRIE Development Corporation (www.ofw-afrrie.com)

December 22 - Davao
December 27 - Philam Tower, Makati, 12-6PM

Theme: "Financial Prosperity & Proper Stewardship
1. Financial Literacy of OFWs
2. Investment Opportunities
3. Linkages for Promotions and Support

Registration Fee of Php500 includes snacks and meals with Raffle
Draws.

For inquiries, please contact:

<>Participants update.....

Folks, let's start the headcount. Kindly continue the list. Let's
celebrate Christmas with other OFWs. Every OFW can have a companion
to attend this event.

Participants at OFW Salusalo 2004 - Manila version, PhilAm Tower, 12-
6PM, December 27, 2004:

1. Tonette Binsol, Tokyo, Japan
2. Red Manuel, rep of Rex Manuel of Ajman, UAE and OFW-AFRRIE
3. Claire Bragais, rep of Elezer Bragais of Ajman, UAE, OFW-AFRRIE
4. Marius Angara, USA
5. Melvin Requino, Singapore
6. Desz Duerte, Tokyo, Japan
7. George Dapat, Tokyo, Japan
8. Representative of Maus Tan, Tokyo, Japan
9. J.Randell Tiongson, Manila
10. Camil Chua, Manila
11. Jun Aguilar, Makati
12. Meann Gonzales - San Pablo City
13. Selina Sayong, Manila
14. Redigando Torres, Saudi Arabia
15. Marius Angara, USA
16. Dante Dizon, Singapore
17. Ruben Alcantara, Globalpinoy - http://www.KayaNgPinoy.coms.ph
18. Noel S. Remonde, Manila
19. Ricky D. Levantino, KSA
20. Mai Annovuevo, Atikha
21. Irma Laguindam, Koop Balikabayani
22. Corazon Yuki, Tokyo, Japan and 2 other friends
23. - c/o Corazon Yuki
24. - c/o Corazon Yuki
25. Henry Ong, Manila
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.



Please join our cyber planning workshop for OFW-Salusalo online at

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ofw-salusalo/join

Tayo na at mag-Pasko sa Pilipinas kasama ang ibang mga OFW!

Sis Tonette
www.tpmovers.org
www.ofw-tv.com
www.ruralcomp.net
www.ofw-afrrie.com

Kwentuhang Adventista sa Arabia

Si KIKO at ang OFW...

Kwentuhang Adventista sa Arabia Tawag na: +966-50-224-1837

Celebrate the Beauty of Service

Si KIKO at ang OFW...


Today is National Service Day, a day in which you may want to provide selfless service to others. "Selfless service" means that you help others - with no thought of return. It can be a great aid in dismantling the ego and restructuring personality. Each day is a new opportunity to practice putting another's interests ahead of your own. By giving your time, energy and presence to reduce the suffering or increase the happiness of others, you acknowledge that we are all one and that the happiness of each is connected to the happiness of all. The more you share in and experience the interconnectedness of all beings, the healthier you will be. Read "Making Connections" in the Mind/Body/Spirit section on Dr. Weil.com for more ideas about community and spiritual health.

International Survey

Welcome to Kiko.com.ph


please forward to anyone you know who might be
interested!

Dear ~,

Are you an Indigenous young person or do you have
experience working in an Indigenous community? Do you
feel there is need for young Indigenous people to
connect with one another and be more informed
about issues and events that relate to them?

TakingITGlobal is conducting a survey to better
understand the impact of our online community and how
it relates to our Indigenous members. We will use this
information to help us to better understand if and
how TakingITGlobal can help create a place for
Indigenous young people to connect and learn about
opportunities specifically relevant for them.

This survey is meant to help Indigenous young people
express how they feel about the creation of an
International Indigenous Youth Network. However, if
you are not Indigenous but feel you can contribute to
this survey, please feel free to participate! Those
who fill out the survey will be eligible to win a
prize (including a TIG T-shirt, mousepad, a mug, as
well as postcards and bookmarks). The deadline
for the survey is November 7th and only those who meet
the deadline will be eligible for the prize.

Thank you very much for taking the time to fill out
this survey. We look forward to reviewing your
responses.

You may complete the survey at:
http://surveys.takingitglobal.org/survey.html?SurveyID=13

Sincerely,

Melina & Genie

Melina Laboucan-Massimo
Indigenous Initiatives Coordinator
The TakingITGlobal Research Team

Eugenia Flynn
National Indigenous Youth Movement of Australia

International Survey

Welcome to Kiko.com.ph


please forward to anyone you know who might be
interested!

Dear ~,

Are you an Indigenous young person or do you have
experience working in an Indigenous community? Do you
feel there is need for young Indigenous people to
connect with one another and be more informed
about issues and events that relate to them?

TakingITGlobal is conducting a survey to better
understand the impact of our online community and how
it relates to our Indigenous members. We will use this
information to help us to better understand if and
how TakingITGlobal can help create a place for
Indigenous young people to connect and learn about
opportunities specifically relevant for them.

This survey is meant to help Indigenous young people
express how they feel about the creation of an
International Indigenous Youth Network. However, if
you are not Indigenous but feel you can contribute to
this survey, please feel free to participate! Those
who fill out the survey will be eligible to win a
prize (including a TIG T-shirt, mousepad, a mug, as
well as postcards and bookmarks). The deadline
for the survey is November 7th and only those who meet
the deadline will be eligible for the prize.

Thank you very much for taking the time to fill out
this survey. We look forward to reviewing your
responses.

You may complete the survey at:
http://surveys.takingitglobal.org/survey.html?SurveyID=13

Sincerely,

Melina & Genie

Melina Laboucan-Massimo
Indigenous Initiatives Coordinator
The TakingITGlobal Research Team

Eugenia Flynn
National Indigenous Youth Movement of Australia

Tarlac City puts up own OFW center

Si KIKO at ang OFW...

One good news for OFW, another accomodating OFW city...

Tarlac City puts up own OFW center

TARLAC CITY — The city government here launched on Thursday a special office that will help address the needs of the country’s present-day unsung heroes, the overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).


According to Mayor Genaro Mendoza, the Bantay Overseas Contract Workers (OCW) Center will be primarily concerned at extending the necessary assistance to OFWs from this city for the problems that they would be encountering abroad.

He said that the center is the first of its kind outside Metro Manila.

The launching ceremonies, held at the Diwa ng Tarlak Convention Center here, was attended by some 1,500 OFWs who are presently in the country.

Activities in the affair also included providing legal assistance and financial counseling to some of the OFWs who came.

Mendoza explained that the financial counseling offered suggestions on potential business investments here for overseas workers, especially the setting up of cooperatives for them.

“We want to assist these overseas workers in putting their hard-earned income in business investments that can generate increased revenues for them and their families,” said the mayor.

He further disclosed that the same center will also soon offer free overseas calls for the OFWs’ families here, and that it shall have a “complaints desk” that will receive reports of abuses suffered abroad by overseas contract workers from this city.

The mayor clarified that the center will not, however, cover job placements abroad, “because this would only put the city government and job-seekers at risk of being duped by bogus placement agencies”.

The OCW Center will hold office at the city hall building here.

AIM Policy Center Forum

Si KIKO at ang OFW...

Anybody interested?


(1) Overseas Filipino Workers: Policy Issues and Challenges
Nov. 3, Wednesday, 1-4pm,
J.V. Del Rosario Rooms 2-5
AIM Conference Center, makati
Sponsor: AIM Policy Center

(2) “A Tale of Two Fiscal Crises: 1946 and 2004
Nov. 19, Friday, 8-11am
NCPAG Assembly Hall, UP Diliman, QC
Sponsor: CPED, UP NCPAG

The AIM Policy Center is honored to invite you to a forum entitled,
Overseas Filipino Workers: Policy Issues and Challenges. There will be special
screening of Clodualdo del Mundo’s “Maid in Singapore a 50-minute documentary
that depicts the plight of three of the Philippines more than 70,00 Overseas
Workers in Singapore. It was premiered in the recently concluded 17th Singapore
International Fim Festival and was an entry to the mini-film festival at the Asia
Pacific NGO forum held in Bangkok. Del Mundo’s other documentary films include
People Media (1978) and Lupa (1982), while his screenwriting credits include
Kisapmata, ‘Merika, Bathch 81, Markova and Bayaning 3rd World. Maid in Singapore

After the film showing, resource speakers from the Department of Foreign
Affairs, the Department of Labor and Employment, the Overseas Workers
Welfare Administration and the Philippine Migration Research Network will
discuss the policy issues that concern our migrant workers.

In this regard, we are honored to invite you as participant to this event to be
held on 3 November 2004 at the J.V. Del Rosario Rooms 2-5, AIM Conference
Center from 1:00- 4 p.m.

For confirmation and other information, kindly e-mail Kat Ledesma at
mledesma@mail.aim.edu.ph

This event is FREE of charge.
-------------

2nd Diliman Governance Forum

President Manuel A. Roxas
Professorial Chair Lecture on
“A Tale of Two Fiscal Crises: 1946 and 2004Elt;/FONT>

by
Prof. Leonor Magtolis BrionesProfessorial Chair Holder With invited
reactors from Congress, Department of Budget & Management, and media 19
November 20048:00-11:00 a.m.NCPAG Assembly Hall, U.P. Diliman, Quezon
CityNo registration fee
For more information, please contact Dr. Ebie Florano or
Mr. Mark Gamboa of the Center for Policy and Executive Development
(CPED) of UP-NCPAG at 9201353 or 9254030; fax 9301353; or e-mail at
proflec@yahoo.com
--------------

National Consultation Forum on the Southeast Asia Human Development
Report
Theme: "Deepening and Broadening the Benefits of Regional Economic
Integration and Regional Economic Cooperation for Human Development"
Co-Sponsors: United Nations Development Programme,Institute of
Strategic and Development Studies, Yuchengco Center, De La Salle University,
Philippine Human Development Network
Holiday Inn Galeria Manila, Ortigas Center, Pasig City
10/29/2004, 09:00

Self-Administered Questionnaire OFW and Free Legal Aid

Si KIKO at ang OFW...

From: Arnel F de Guzman [mailto:arneldg@edsamail.com.ph]

Sent: Friday, October 22, 2004 6:03 AM
Subject: OFWs and Free Legal Aid


Dear friends and colleagues,

Warmest greetings of friendship and solidarity!

Recently, the Supreme Court of the Philippines commissioned Libertas,
A new NGO of lawyers and human rights advocates to do a study on the
State of free legal aid to disadvanataged sectors. One of these sectors is
The OFWs. They asked me to do a a paper of the state of free legal aid to
OFWs. In this light, may I ask for your assistance by answering the
self-administered questionnaire I prepared. Please see attachment.

I know you're quite busy, but a sparing a few minutes of your precious
time will be an invaluable input to the study. May I ask for your
reply via email on or before the end of this October.

Maraming salamat and looking forward to hearing from you.

Arnel

Self-administered Questionnaire
OFWs and Free Legal Aid

(The Supreme Court of the Philippines has commissioned Libertas, a non-government organization of lawyers and human rights advocates, to undertake a study to assess the state of legal assistance to Philippine nationals working abroad, in order to come up with much needed reforms on Access to Justice by the Disadvantaged.

Knowing fully your involvement in this field, may we ask a few minutes of your precious time to answer the questions on SWOT (Strength, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) below. Kindly e-mail back your reply by October 31, 2004.

Thank you very much for your cooperation.)

1. Define briefly the concept of legal assistance to overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).
Should the service be free? A. __Yes B. ___No C. ___It defends.
Pls. Explain:__________________________________________________________

2. Is free legal assistance available to OFWs from the host country? A. __Yes
B. ___No. From the Philippine Embassy/ Consulate? What kind of legal assistance?
How is the assistance given?____________________________________________

3. What are the strengths of legal assistance, if any, to Philippine nationals in your place
of operations? _____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________

4. What are the weaknesses of legal assistance, if any, to Philippine nationals in your
place of operations? __________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________

5. What are possible opportunities available to providing legal assistance to Philippine
nationals in your place of operations? _____________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________

6. What are the threats present in providing legal assistance to Philippine nationals in
your place of operations? ______________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________

Dapat bang Ibasura ang Omnibus Policies ng OWWA

Si KIKO at ang OFW...

From: "Francis Oca"
Date: Sun, 17 Oct 2004 23:44:20 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: [OFW-Dubai] On OWWA Issues and Information


Dear Vic and all,

In response to Vic's request that information about the Omnibus Policies be touched as well, reposted below is a write up on the issue which was published last July in Arab New's Sunday supplement - the Pinoy Xtra. I hope the material, plus the hereactions thereto, will be a good start to get the ball rolling.
==============================================================



Dapat bang Ibasura ang Omnibus Policies ng OWWA
Francis Oca, Pinoy Xtra – Arab News July 11, 2004

Nitong mga nakaraang araw ay natunghayan natin sa mga pangunahing pahayagan ang mga pagbatikos ng mga OFW sa pahayag ng Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) na ang kompanyang pinapasukan ang siyang nagbabayad ng kontribusyon ng OFW sa OWWA. Ang pahayag ang siyang ginawang depensa ng pangasiwaan ng OWWA laban sa kasong isinampa ng Philippine Migrant Rights Watch (PMRW) para sa pagpapawalang bisa sa Omnibus Policies na ipinasa ng OWWA noong Septiembre 19, 2003 sa pamamagitan ng Board Resolution No. 038.

Ano nga ba ang nilalaman ng Omnibus Policies ng OWWA, at bakit ibig itong ibasura ng mga OFW?

Sa kabuuan, ang Omnibus Policies ay siyang tumatayang panuntunan sa pagpapalaganap ng programa, serbisyo, at benepisyo para sa mga OFW na kasapi ng OWWA.. Dito rin isinasaad kung paano pangangasiwaan at palalaguin ang pondong nalikom mula sa mga kontibusyon ng mga kasapi.

Ayon sa PMRW, sa kabuuan ay walang bisa ang Omnibus Policies dahil walang naganap na malawakang pagdinig tungkol dito, at hindi rin ito nailathala sa mga pahayagan bago ipinatupad.

Ayon sa Letter of Instruction (LOI) 537, ang batas na lumikha sa OWWA, ang US$ 25 kontribusyon ay dapat singilin sa employer ng OFW. Sa bagong Omnibus Policies, hindi na isinasaad kung kanino manggagaling ang naturang kontribusyon. Sa pananaw ng mga OFW na sumusubaybay sa isyung ito, ang ibig mangyari ng mga nangangasiwa ng OWWA ay gawing lehitimo ang nagiging kalakaran na sa OFW mismo sinisingil ang US$ 25 na kontribusyon, na ayon sa PMRW ay "isang uri ng illegal exaction of fees".

Kung nais ng mga nangangasiwa ng OWWA na baguhin ang paraan ng pagbabayad ng kontribusyon, ito ay dapat idaan sa Kongreso at gawin sa pamamagitan ng pagsusog sa LOI 537, at thindi sa pamamagitan ng isang board resolution lamang.

Isinasaad din sa Omnibus Policies na magiging epektibo ang pagiging kasapi ng isang OFW mula sa araw ng pagbabayad nito ng kontribusyon hanggang sa pagtatapos ng kanyang kontrata (Sec. 3, Art. 4). Kailangang irenew ang pagiging kasapi, sa pamamagitang ng pagbabayad ng kaukulang kontribusyon, kapag nakakuha ng bagong kontrata o kaya'y binigyan ng contract renewal ng kasalukuyang employer (Sec. 4, Art. 4).

Sinisingil ng OWWA ang bawat OFW ng kontribusyong US$ 25 tuwing makalawang taon. Ito marahil ay sa kadahilanang kadalasan ang isang employment contract ay para sa dalawang taon lamang. Pagkaraan ng dalawang taon, maaring irenew ng employer ang naturang kontrata, at maari din namang humanap ng ibang kontrata ang OFW.

Hindi malinaw sa Omnibus Policies ang ibig sabihin ng "expiration of the employment contract". Dahil maaring materminate ang serbisyo ng isang OFW kahit hindi pa natatapos ang dalawang taon, marami ang natatanong kung sa mga ganitong kaso, maituturing bang expired na rin ang membership ng OFW, na ang ibig sabihin ay hindi na siya entitled sa alin mang benepisyo na isinasaad sa Omnibus Policies? Ayon sa PMRW, dahil sa bagong Policies, "mahigit sa 1,700 claims na may kabuuang halaga ng Php 16M ang sinuspinde ng OWWA". Ang mga nasabing claims ay para sa burial at death benefits, ayon pa rin sa PMRW.

Kung tutuusin, hindi naman kabigatan ang kontribusyong US$ 25 tuwing ikalawang taon, kung ihahambing sa mga benepispo na nakalaan para sa mga kasapi.

Ayon sa Omnibus Policies ang isang kasapi ay covered ng life insurance kung saan ang kanyang pamilya ay tatanggap ng Php 100,000 kung sakali't siya'y mamatay habang nagtatrabaho sa ibang bansa, o Php 200,000 kung ang sanhi ng pagkamatay ay aksidente. Dagdag pa dito ang disability at burial benefits. Ang mga naturang benepisyo ay kukunin sa Insurance Benefit Program Fund. Ito ang pondo kung saan sa bawat kontribusyon na S$ 25, naglalaan ang OWWA ng Php 165.00.

Nagbibigay din ang OWWA ng loan guarantee sa mga kasaping ibig kumuha ng Pre-Deaprture Loan (PDL) o ng Family Assistance Loan (FAL), na hindi hihigit sa Php 40,000, sa alin mang government financial institution. Para sa programang ito, bumuo ang OWWA ng loan guarantee revolving fund na nagkakahalaga ng Php 100 M.

May mga education and training benefits ding ibinibigay ang OWWA, kung saan taon taon ay naglalaan ito ng Php 6M para sa skills for employment program, at Php 10M naman para sa seafarer's upgrading program. Taon taon ding pumipili ng 100 scholars ang OWWA kung saan ang bawat scholar ay binibigyan ng Php 10,000 para sa matrikula at Php 20,000 naman para sa allowance bawat semester.

Sa ilalim ng Social and Family Welfare Services ay may repatriation and reintegration programs naman ang OWWA. Hindi isinasaad sa Omnibus Policies kung magkano at saan manggagaling ang pondo para sa mga programang ito. Ang repatriation program ay tugon sa sinasaad ng RA 8042, o ng Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995, kung saan isinasaad na ang OFW ay bibigyan ng nararapat na tulong upang mapabilis ang pagbalik nito sa Pilipinas. Ngunit ang programang ito ang isa sa laging binabatikos ng mga OFWs dahil na rin sa kabagalan ng pagtugon ng OWWA sa oras ng pangangailangan.

Ngunit bakit sa mistulang napakagandang mga benepisyo na inihahain ng OWWA para sa mga kasapi ay marami pa rin ang tumululigsa at tumututol sa patuloy na pagpapatupad nito ng Omnibus Policies?

Ang isa sa mga isinusulong ng mga OFW ay ang pagkakaroon nila ng mas maraming representasyon sa Board of Trustees. Sa kasalukuyan, pito (7) sa labingdalawang (12) director ng Board ay galing sa ahensiya ng pamahalaan; isa sa management sector; isa sa labor sector, isa sa sea-based OFWs; isa sa land-based OFWs; at isa sa women sector. Hindi malinaw sa Omnibus Policies kung bakit kinakailangan ang represntative mula sa management sector. Hindi rin isinaad ang pagkakaiba ng labor sector representative sa sea and land based OFW representatives. Sa pananaw ng mga OFWs, kung ang OWWA ay talagang para sa kanila, nararapat lang na maging mas marami ang kanilang representasyon sa naturang lupon.

Malaki rin ang puna ng mga OFWs sa kawalan ng malawakang pagdinig sa mga programang binalangkas ng OWWA bago ipatupad ang mga ito. Kapunapuna, halimbawa, na ang mga kasalukuyang benepisyo na nakasaad sa Omnibus Policies ay tumutugon lamang sa ilang pangangailangan ng OFW habang siya ay nasa ibayong dagat at may pinagkakakitaan pa. Ngunit walang naisaad na benepisyo para sa panahon na ang OFW ay nakabalik na sa Pilipinas, retirado, at wala ng pinagkakakitaan. Ilan sa pangangailangang nais ng mga OFW na tugunan ng OWWA ay ang libreng hospitalization kapag ang isang OFW ay retirado na, pension plan, at savings program. May mga nagsasabing mas nakabuti sana kung ang inilabas na pera sa Smokey Mountain project ay inilaan na lang para sa pagpapatayo at pagpapatakbo ng isang hospital para sa mga OFW.

Sa gitna ng mga puna at pagbatikos sa paraan ng pamamahala ng OWWA board, dapat nga kayang ibasura na nito ang Omnibus Policies?




Reactions from OFWs:



arnel araneta arnel_araneta@yahoo.com in savola_pinoys wrote:


I have always believed that the OFW deserves more respect and representation to the government. I believe that an organization to represent the OFW should be formed by a team who used to work as OFW for at least 5 years. I think that should be mandatory. I believe no politician should be appointed to head this representative organization unless he or she has worked and experienced working away from home and from loved ones. I believe this should be a prerequisite. Period.





gerry del rosario lovedycool03@yahoo.com in stc_pinoys wrote:


Dapat lang ibasura, pati ang OWWA, OWA-KA-NGA, kc, ang mga empleyado at mga mandurugas na nakapwesto lang ang nakikinabang ng contributions na galing sa mga OFW tulad natin. Ang benefits ay makukuha lang natin kapag PATAY NA TAYO, MGA INAYUPAK, KAILANGAN, MAMATAY MUNA BAGO MAPAKINABANGAN ANG KAKARIMPOT NA BIYAYA, NA MATAGAL NAMAN NATIN PINAG-IPUNAN, SILA LANG ANG HUMAWAK AT NAKINABANG HABANG BUHAY PA SILA, TAPOS TAYO, DAPAT MUNANG MAMATAY BAGO BIGYAN NG BENEFITS.



SANA NAMAN MARINIG TAYO NI PRES. GMA, AT BIGYAN NG PANSIN, AT ALISIN SA PWESTO ANG MGA CORRUPTORS AT MANDURUGAS (OWWA-EMPLOYEES) NA MGA EMPLEYADO NG GOBYERNO NA NAKIKINABANG NG PINAGPAWISAN NATIN DITO SA GITNA NG DISYERTO.



MORE POWER TO ALL OFW & STC-from lovedycool03@yahoo.com



Dennis Pangilinan dpangilinan@stc.com.sa wrote:

I think OWWA is one of governtment's useless agencies. It only exists to collect money from OFW thus giving us more burden than relief.



I agree with Francis, creation of any organization body in any name should start from zero. The problem of non-transparency gives the OFW's doubt on what is really happening. They collect so much and give a little. Who really got help from OWWA?


Few months ago an organization sells tickets for a beauty contest for the benefit of our stranded kababayans.It is a responsibility of OWWA in coordination with Phil. Labor Office to handle these "stranded" problem. Pity to see some of our kababayans are literally begging for help in Batha. What happen to repatriation fund they are collecting? NGO's should concentrate their efforts on pressuring OWWA and related agencies.



=======================

bfelipe@alfaisaliah.com wrote:


mga kabayan,


i don't have the free time to read completely the OWWA Omnibus Policy. however as per my knowledge all the existing PDs, EOs, LOIs etc. with regards to OFWs is documented into one single guideline at yan na nga ang OWWA Omnibus... kaya nga tinawag na omnibus (all in the bus) dahil pinag-isa nalang. following this premise if we'll going to scrap the Omnibus then we scrap the underlying PDs, EOs, LOIs etc. because these are adjunct to the Omnibus.


sa palagay ko ang first step upang marinig o kaya bigyan ng pansin ang ating hinaing ukol dito sa omnibus ay dagdagan ang representative ng OFWs sa board ng OWWA. sa ngayon dahil konti lang sila (ilan nga ba sila) madali silang "lamunin" ng systema. if we (OFWs) have the numbers in the board then it's much easier to effect changes in the policy. akin to this if a new policy is being introduced which is not popular to OFWs then our rep to the board may exercise their veto power (meron ba).


lastly, i don't think OFWs can sue OWWA because we don't have juridical personality to do so simply because we don't pay tax.


billyfelipe
(personal opinion lang to)


==================================

tony ranque yapster109@yahoo.com wrote:


It is actually the contention of OWWA that since the employers pay the contributions, technically speaking it is not money coming from OFWs and hence OFWs cannot be considered as the ones who own the money.

We don't know how these payment transactions are entered into the book of accounts of OWWA.

So to remove this contentious issue about who owns the money given to and being used by OWWA, i believe it is better if the OFW/Seafarer pay the membership contributions.

Wala tayong patutunguhan if we bog down into discussing details of every issue.

First we need to identify why we want changes in OWWA (dissatisfaction in OWWA services?). it is only when there is an agreement to pursue changes in OWWA that we need to discuss the details of the what, when, where and how.

We know that it is only when there is a clamor for change supported by the majority of OFWs that things can move.

Otherwise, we can continue our "shouting" until we become hoarse and yet is taking notice.

Advocacy to be effective should be pursued relentlessly, hindi puwede iyong pabugso-bugso o lulubog-lilitaw.


========================================


GREG LEYNES gregleynes@tamergroup.com wrote:

This is illegal and unconstitutional. The Executive Department has no legal ground to issue Letters of Instruction to collect money from OFWs without each and every one's consent. Are we living in times of Martial Law?


==================================


"german s." capatig@yahoo.com wrote:

Dapat bang ibasura ang Omnibus Policies ng OWWA?

Yes, dapat ibasura….this is the only right thing the OFWs na dapat ipaglaban, Bakit? The controversy of the subject matter lies in its legality, because there is a question of Law in the creation and implementation of the “OWWA Omnibus Policies”, therefore it is futile to discuss its content…it is an illegal document period….. scrap it will not give a negative effect to OFWs. The existing laws shall prevail i.e., Letter Of Instruction (LOI) No. 537, Presidential Decree No. 1694 as amended by Presidential Decree No. 1809, Executive Order No. 195 and Republic Act No. 8042. These laws are more than enough for the OWWA Board of Trustees to serve as their guidelines in the implementation of what is mandated…the insurance coverage and other benefits hindi naman mawawala yan at maliwanag naman ang isinasaad ng batas, to quote from Ellene Sana’s letter “as ka Alfred said, we could go on and on and on with our discussions….but at the end of the day, what do we prepare to do with OWWA? Ano
nga ba?”

1) Set a dialogue, makipag ugnayan ang isat-isa…. OFW at OWWA Board of Trustees….develop a “Win-Win” scenarios as follows:

a) $25 OWWA contribution …..original LOI No. 537..remittance shoulder by the Employer.

b) $25 previously collected directly from OFWs….options to return the money plus interest.

c) Life Time Membership…..to continue to receive other OWWA benefits except the insurance benefit if you already retire or if you opted to stay home in the Philippines permanently. With billions of pesos accumulated in the Trust Fund, OWWA can sustain/maintain the other services..infact sa interest income palang ng Trust Fund I believe sufficient na ito to endow the insurance premium of P165.00 sa bawat OFW….sobra-sobra ang pondo ng Trust Fund.

2) to empower the OFW in the administration of OWWA…OFW has the final say in the decision making…after all the Trust Fund is belong to OFW as the beneficiary.

3) allocate funds for R&D (Research and Development) to develop economic studies such toping the Republic Act No. 9267 (Securitization Act of 2004) I strongly believe this is the Financial Instrument of the New Millennium. OWWA Trust Fund can be the best candidate to enter in “Securitization”, it is a method of funding receivables of whatever kind (mortgage, debts, leases, loans, credit card balances etc.). It involves producing bearer asset backed securities which can be freely traded (and which are normally rated) secured as a portfolio of receivables….OWWA can act as the Special Purpose Vehicles (SPV)..in turn the OFW can invest on the securities fixed income type (interest bearing securities)……further discussion later as required!!!

4) This is the biggest challenge for us as OFW to act now, to show our solidarity….scrap the OWWA Omnibus Policies…if it require to go all the way to Supreme Court, “LET’S DO IT”.

===================

"Benjamin L.Anog" wrote


Sa palagay ko tama at dapat lang ibasura, dahil lumalabas na walang silbi, ang nakikinabang lamang ay ang gobyerno at ng mga namamahala nito. Kung alam lamang nila kung paano maging OFW sa ibang bansa like Saudi Arabia. Ang mga hirap na dinadanas ng ating mga kasama, lalo na yung mga pinahihirapan ng employer nila, mga bibibitayin, at run-away or stranded. Alam kaya nila iyon?

At saka tayong mga OFW habang nasa ibang bansa at naghahapbuhay ay hindi natin maasikaso ang mga sinasabi nilang benepisyo unless kung tayo ay uuwi para magbakasyon. At kung atin naman aasikasuhin, gaano naman kabilis?

Dapat makinabang tayo sa benepisyo kung tayo ay tanggal na sa trabaho, retired, disabled or biglaang pina-uwi.

Para tayong ginagatasan ng langis sa sarili natin pagpapakahirap dito.


======================
Antolin Ramos wrote:


Dapat lang ibasura kc d naman tayo nakikinabang dyan.



-----Original Message-----
From: Renato Lalata


The flight of OFW has been exposed for so many year's now, aside from maltreatment and abuse to their point of destination, we are being abused also by our very own government, because of Angelo de la Cruz case, OFW again is in the lime light, but my point is what did we get from the government in the first place? OWWA officials rush to Iraq because of Angelo's case, but look at the case of an Engineer died in Iraq bomb explosion, how did they get response from OWWA is the meaning well mean for it? OVERSEAS WORKER WELFARE ADMINISTRATION. Is he, not a part of the 1.5 million Filipino's working in the Middle East that generates dollar income? We should have to replace OWWA to DOWWA Documented Overseas Worker Welfare Administration.


People and NGO's rush to help Angelo family, an aid promised from a congressman and a senator, double aid from a computer college, triple aid with house and lot, the question is what did OWWA contribute? They rush in Angelo's case because of a media mileage but how about the others like the family of Engineer Raul? I am not a relative of his, nor do know him personally, but the way our government treated his case enraged me.


For a payment of 25$ OWWA membership fee with an expiration after 2 years, OWWA omnibus policy code shows the bene fits that we can get, encircled by their officials in front of me, LIFE INSURANCE POLICY ONLY to be expire after 2 years aside from that, no more. Wherein before, no payment has been charge on every OFW but financial assistance is present with a lifetime membership without fee, as long as you are a former OFW.


But now if you're no longer working as an OFW and your policy expire, you are not a member of OWWA anymore. This Omnibus Policy Code being used by OWWA justifying the collection of 25$ in reference to President Marcos Presidential Decree, that even Marcos himself until the succeeding generations of president up to Erap was not implemented, due to the fact that this is erroneously decreed during those trying times. And nobody bother to repeal it due to the fact that it has not been implemented in the first place and nobody knows about this Presidential decree until just recently that it has been implemented by the new Administrator Virgilio Angelo.


I had undergone MRI in the Philippines because of my chronic back pain during my vacation last May, and the fee was 8,000 pesos aside from the doctors fee. I went to OWWA to inquire about the reimbursement of some percentage of my expenses, because aside from this 25$ , we are also paying 900 pesos for Medicare, and the response is more devastating. They flatly told me that those Medicare covers only upon confinement and a fraction only of hospital expenses is under the coverage.


I had a co-employee who had been pinned down his left foot by a forklift here in Saudi Arabia, with a partial disability that went to OWWA to make a claim, you know what OWWA said? He cannot make a claim because the Policy that we are paying for 25$ is only for death and permanent disability, aside from the accident happened outside of the Philippines.


How come that they complain about a syndicate collecting hundreds thousand of pesos in a fake claim, using hospitals bills in one of legitimate OFW beneficiaries name some times last year in one of ABS-CBN program. And here was a legitimate claims not tens of thousands but way below, lest we cannot avail of their assistance in need.


Just try to drop by at OWWA and you will found out that the system is disorganized, the offices looks like an archives room, and people coming in feel disgusted and disoriented due to bad surroundings and serviced that they had received.


OWWA has bragging that they have multiple programs and assistance for OFW like Pre-Departure Loan, but before you can acquire this loan, they are asking so many painstaking requirements, in contrast with their press releases. Educational scholarship for OFW's and their beneficiary, but did we bother to ask how many scholars they have in their program? Medicare reimbursement? I went personally to their main office and witnessed a numbers of claimants that spent almost half a year and still keep on coming back to that office for follow up.


Where did this 25$ paid by millions of OFW going? If there is an expiration every 2 years, how on earth a retired OFW who is in distress can get help from the institution WHEREIN he is a member for over a long years and after he retires, his membership also retires together with him/her.


That this Agency OWWA Overseas Worker Welfare Administration has been created for the sake of Overseas Worker and not for the sake of the government.

Domestic Calls to Be 75 Percent Cheaper

Si KIKO at ang OFW...

Good news to expatriates:

Domestic Calls to Be 75 Percent Cheaper
P.K. Abdul Ghafour, Arab News

JEDDAH, 13 October 2004 — Charges of domestic telephone calls will be cut from 40 to 10 halalas and SAWA phone charges from SR1.20 to 85 halalas per minute under new STC discounts announced by the Communications and Information Technology Commission (CITC) on Monday.
Saudi Telecom Company will also cut Internet service charges by offering two new packages. In the first package, clients will get direct access to the Internet by paying five halalas per minute, the company said giving details of the new discounts, which will come into effect during Ramadan and Shawwal.
The CITC, the Kingdom’s telecom regulator, also cut rates of Internet service through the Internet service providers (ISPs) by 25 percent. In this package, clients will pay both ISP subscription and contacting charges, which have been reduced to SR2.25 per hour.
The company will reduce ordinary mobile phone charges by introducing two new bouquets. In the first bouquet, clients will pay a monthly subscription of SR45 and 35 halalas per minute for calls while in the second they will pay a monthly subscription of SR35 and 45 halalas per minute for calls.
“As per the new tariff, the charge for local and national calls will be reduced to 10 halalas by paying SR15 monthly,” the company said. The charges for calls from land phone to mobile will be cut from 45 to 40 halalas per minute.
For SMS messages the charges will be cut from 30 to 25 halalas per message within the Kingdom and from 70 to 60 halalas per message outside the Kingdom, the company said. For rented telephone circuits the charges have been slashed by 10 to 35 percent.
Khaled Al-Mulhem, president of STC, said the new discounts were made to keep STC service rates competitive at regional and international levels. He estimated the total number of STC clients at more than 13 million.

Noble Challenge

Si KIKO at ang OFW...

Dear Gigi and Everyone,

Thanks for posting this article in OFWbank e-group.

In behalf of NC Group, Inc., I would like to take this opportunity to thank
you-ALL for the support re: the success of the NC Group maiden project,
Daimler Arcega Educational Plan.

Please be informed that as of 9 Oct. 2004, kind hearted individuals who
were able to read the news item, personally offer their help for future NC
Group project.

1) Mr. Chino (Kiko) kapisanang itaguyod kabayang ofw (www.kiko.com.ph)
has offered help to promote future undertakings of NC, Inc. Group.

2) Madame Alya Al Saud (Saudi National) whose Nanny was a filipina
during her childhood days and our country is her second home, who believe our
worthy cause has also offered her help in NC's future projects.

And i'm sure many more in the coming days.

Further, as what Ka Leonard Yen says which i found very encouraging to
note:

" I hope it is sufficient to state for now that NC gives everyone of us
(regardless of our station in life, ethnicity, location, religious
background, or political leanings) "THE POWER TO HELP."

Again, in behalf of the NC Group, Inc. and to our group adviser Mr. Tony
Ranque, Maraming maraming salamat po sa inyong lahat!

Our further development similarly depends upon your generosity who see
the benefit and necessity of this work, and we would be extremely grateful
for your support in the near future.

Best Regards.

Bong Amora
NC Coordinator-Riyadh

Another Saudi Modus Operandi

Si KIKO at ang OFW...

BABALA SA ATING MGA KABABAYAN:

Isang paalaala sa ating mga kababayan na mayroong sasakyan na mag-ingat lalo na kung naglalakbay ng mag-isa. Huwag kalimutan na I LOCK LAHAT NG PINTO ng sasakyan habang naglalakbay.

Nagkuwento sa akin ang kaibigan ng aking kasama sa flat tungkol sa nangyari sa kanya nuong gabi ng Biyernes October 8, 2004 sa pagitan ng 9:30 at 10:00 ng gabi dito sa Al-Khobar.
Galing sila sa paglalaro ng Ping-pong, inihatid niya ang aking kasama sa tapat ng bldg. na aming tirahan sa 2nd Street Al-Khobar Plaza. Isang magandang habit din ng driver, dahil ng makalimutan ng kasama ko na ilock ang pinto matapos bumaba, siya na ang nag lock nito at nagpatuloy sa paglalakbay pauwi patungong Khalid Street.
From 2nd street, kumaliwa siya at sa pagsapit ng 7TH or 8th street daw yata iyon na isang maliit na kalye na one way ay kumanan siya. Pagkarating niya ng intersection ng Khalid St., na mayroon gasoline station sa corner (left side) bago tumawid ng main road (Khalid st.) normal sa isang driver na mag minor bago dumating ng kanto. Sa kanyang kanang bahagi napuna niya duon sa kanto na mayroon tatlong (3) lalaki na maitim, naka t-shirt at pantalon na nakatayo. At nuong malapit na siya sa kanto ay biglang tumawid ang dalawa (2) at naglakad ng napakabagal.
Habang tumatawid ng mabagal, nakatingin silang dalawa sa driver. Ang focus ng driver ay sa tumatawid lalo kung ang mga ito ay nakatingin sa kanya. Iyong ikatlo ay hindi tumawid kung hindi dumaan sa gilid ng sasakyan niya at dahan-dahan na binubuksan ang pinto sa passenger side. Dahil sarado nga iyon, kaya pinto naman sa likod ang sinubukang buksan, dahil napalakas ang hatak sa pinto ay bigla siyang lumingon sa kanan.
Sa kanyang paglingon iyong dalawang tumatawid ay biglang binuksan ang pinto ng drivers side at iyong isa naman ay sa pinto sa likod. Dahil sarado nga ang lahat ng pinto kaya hindi nakapasok ang tatlo at bigla niyang pina-andar ang sasakyan. Hindi nga daw niya alam kung ano ang mangyayari sa kanya kung iyong tatlong arabong maitim ay nakapasok sa kanyang sasakyan. Mga bata pa daw around 16 or 17 years old.
Hindi natin alam kung ito rin iyong mga agaw cellphone
dito sa Al-Khobar. Anyway, dobleng ingat na lang
tayo mga kabayan iba na ang situation dito sa ating lugar.

Kuya Boy

Voices from Saudi

Si KIKO at ang OFW...

Voices from Saudi

Manuel Amora, a community leader in Riyadh, warned that the idea could backfire on the Philippine economy.

“They must be careful in making such proposals because it is an insult and it could scare us into withholding our remittances,” he said. “Blaming the low income tax collections on OFWs is a nonsense statement. Why not check and go after those multi-million peso companies in the Philippines who continue to evade paying their taxes?”

Hernan Obenita, a secretary at a mining company in Saudi Arabia, suspected that the government may be getting desperate because it may have used much of the government's money for electioneering.

“Tiga-sagip o taga-takip ba ang mga OFWs ng mga gago sa gobyerno para huwag silang mapulaan sa kanilang mga tiwaling gawain (Are we again being made to make up for the irregularities committed by these fools in government)?” he asked.

Alex Asuncion, a Bagong Bayani awardee, also wondered why President Arroyo’s administration is trying to take back what was given to OFWs by the Ramos administration.
“Kaya nga inalis na yan sa atin dahil malaki na ang naitutulong natin sa pamamagitan ng ating remittances (That is why that burden was removed from us because we are already helping our country a lot through our remittances),” he said.

Most OFWs can’t afford to pay taxes
Grace Lardizabal, a domestic helper in Alkhobar, told the Saudi Arabian newspaper Arab News she is worried that nothing would be left of her meager pay should the tax be re-imposed.

“Ano pa ang matitira sa suweldo kong SR (Saudi Rial) 600 (about P10,000)? Hindi pa nga sapat ang pinapadala ko sa amin (What will be left of my SR600 monthly pay? I’m not even sending enough money home),” she said.

Virgilio de Jesus, a warehouseman at Rashid-Abetong, told the Arab News he receives a monthly basic salary of only SR1,200 a month (roughly P20,000), and his children and grandchildren are staying in his house.

“If I have to pay income tax it would be impossible for me to meet the requirements of my family, who totally depend on me,” he said.

Rudy Dianalan, chairman of the Kasapi Congress, which played a key role in lobbying for the abolition of the income tax on OFWs said in Arab News“It’s unfair to us OFWs because we are earning our income outside our country not in the Philippines and we are not using government services. We are actually helping the economy through every dollar we send home to our families.”

Bioux Manilum, Bisaya president and Riyadh chapter commander of the Order of the Knights of Rizal (OKOR), added that his group members are against the tax.

RESCUE OFW

Si KIKO at ang OFW...

RESCUE OFW

Tulong Pinoy Movement (www.tpmovers.org) in cooperation with OFW-TV presents RESCUE OFW Channel every month. This channel is solely dedicated to promote one's value of human dignity.

As we know, human right is a privilege. Every OFW has made a very difficult choice to risk his/her own life outside the country. We're the so-called unsung heroes. In some cases, many of us who become victims of abused rights and discrimination seek refuge to those who care. Human dignity is very important and must have other means of social protection.

In this month's feature, we have a case of one domestic helper from Kuwait who had experienced cruelty from her sponsor... please watch this! If you want to support this OFW, please e-mail Tonette Binsol (Tulong Pinoy - Overseas Link) at ka_tonyang@yahoo.com or Donna Rebagoda (Tulong Pinoy - Philippine Link) at dhen_mba@yahoo.com .

STC reduce rates by 30%

Si KIKO at ang OFW...

By Joe Avancena

The Saudi Gazette

DAMMAM

SAUDI Telecom will slash call rates and other service costs by 30 percent in mid-Ramadan (around Nov.1), a company official said Tuesday.

We are implementing across the board discounts on all STC services, including Sawa, by the middle of Ramadan. This is in keeping with the company s plan of extending affordable rates to our customers, Abdullah Al-Shehri, STC media manager, told The Saudi Gazette.

The discounts for mobile and land lines and other services were expected as STC braces for the entry of UAE telecom giant Emirates Telecommunications Company (Etisalat) to operate the second generation mobile phone network in the Kingdom.

Etisalat s forthcoming entry has raised expectations among both Saudi consumers who expect better services and investors who see rich pickings.

An announcement by Jemaz Al-Suheimy, head of the Capital Market Authority that the initial public offering (IPO) of shares in the newly established Saudi mobile phone company led by Etisalat will start Nov. 2, sparked a flurry of activity in Saudi shares trading Tuesday.

Suheimy s IPO announcement went out unfortunately out with a date misprint [Oct. 16] and it sparked a scramble in the Saudi stock exchange Tuesday as investors rushed to free up capital in preparation to corner shares in the Etisalat-led consortium.

The Saudi partners in the consortium are the General Organization for Social Insurance (GOSI), Al-Jomaih Holding, Abdul Alziz Al-Saghyir Commercial Investment, Rana Investment, Abdulla and Said M.O. Binzagr, and Riyadh Cables Group.

Etisalat has announced that it will bring in investment of SR12.21 billion ($3.457 billion) in order to provide services at local, national and international levels through its network. This amount will be paid to the public coffers for the Saudi Communications and Information Technology Commission (CITC) to complete the licensing procedures.

STC will retain a monopoly over land lines and Internet services until 2008.

CITC has made it clear that STC would also be granted to establish third generation mobile if it applies for the license within a year offering the same technical specifications mentioned by Etisalat and pay the required sum as per the Etisalat offer.

While Mohammad Omran, Etisalat CEO, while conceded that the Saudi market is one of the most demanding for services and technologies, has said that Etisalat has devised plans to meet these requirements, including deploying the most advanced technologies and providing the latest services in line with the CITC guidelines and the Saudi market s specific requirements.

A source at STC s network engineering told The Saudi Gazette that Etisalat will start operating toward the end of this year. At the start of Etisalat s operation, it will be using STC s infrastructures, riding on STC s backbone, which is unavoidable. The source said the arrangement has not been finalized and that the option for Etisalat renting STC infrastructure is another possibility.

Revenues in Saudi Arabia s GSM market are projected to soar to SR29.63 billion by 2007 on the back of the partial privatization of state-owned Saudi Telecom and increased competition.

The current GSM penetration level in the Kingdom is less than 35 percent. There is still a large segment of the market 65 percent that does not have the service. This is where Etisalat and STC will be competing, industry sources said.

Saudi Telecom has announced it posted net profits of SR5.14 billion during the first half of 2004, ending on June 30, a 24-percent increase on profits compared with the SR4.14 billion achieved in the corresponding period last year. Despite major cuts in charges, the company reported operating revenues of SR14.88 billion on June 30, a 14 percent increase on the first half of last year.

The huge growth in revenues is attributed to the increase in the number of subscribers to STC services, with large profits coming from sales of the Sawa prepaid mobile phone cards. There are over eight million Sawa subscribers in the Kingdom. About 300,000 Sawa chips are sold every month.

STC has also introduced a high-speed ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line) for Internet users at the rate of SR220 ($58.7) a month, in addition to a DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) offering high-speed, secure and affordable voice, data and video transmission.

With the entry of Etisalat, the GSM market is expected to develop quickly with new value-added services, new technologies, and new types of businesses.

OFW Grievance - Could someone help

Si KIKO at ang OFW...

This was posted at OFW-KUWAIT:
>
> From: "lisette Navarro-Doire"
> Date: Sat Sep 25, 2004 6:17am
> Subject: Could someone help!
>
> To all,
>
> Tell me what is the best thing to do??
> I met a kababayan a maid here in Kuwait thru sms (texting) and even
> I
> phoned her, when I first spoke to her she was crying and telling me
> what she had experience to her Egyptian sponsor. She is working
> there for 1 yr & 2 months and since then she did not have any day
> off, she worked from sunrise to dawn, during her stay she acquired
> Tuberculosis and she told me because she is sleeping on the floor
> since the time she came here. Her sponsor is very strict they will
> not allow her to even go to church, she tried asking permission to
> have a day off but they always refused, they lock her inside the
> flat
> every time they will leave her and intrude on her things like
> cellphone or money. I just want to know if there is anything that
> our Embassy can do about her situation. Now because of her situation
> she wants to go back to our country, her contract will be finish
> after 8 months but she said she might not able to finish it. Is it
> possible for her to go home?
>
> If I will inform our Embassy about her situation are they going to
> visit her and give attention to her situation? Hope someone could
> help.
>
> God Bless you,
> lisette

Paalala ng isang kabayan mula sa Yanbu

Si KIKO at ang OFW...

From: MUNOZ, ERNESTO del ROSARIO [mailto:MUNOZED@YANPET.SABIC.com]
Sent: Tuesday, October 05, 2004 9:40 AM
To: chino
Subject: RE: Thanks


Chino,

Good morning! I’ll be going through your email na lang if there is any coz don’t have access in the internet. My computer is limited to email messages only.

Thanks for your reminder…kayo rin dyan…really this world is full of uncertainties we are living by HIS grace alone…again thanks for your titillating message of concern to all OFWs…continue your good work as you shared your utmost to our kababayan in promoting the good virtue of being a Christian out of your love to Christ!
Regards.

ERNIE R.

J-SMART Air & Sea Cargo - Al Khobar

Welcome to Kiko.com.ph

Sad experienced from Peter Tan. This circulated e mail may serve as a warning for our kabayan from unscrupolous forwarders.


From: Tan, Peter Q
Sent: Saturday, October 02, 2004 12:12 PM

Subject: J-SMART AIR & SEA CARGO
Importance: High


I am circulating this email hoping it will serve as a warning and protection for potential victims who may fall prey to this unscrupulous cargo agency operating in Al-KHOBAR.

Sometime in early May 2004, I contracted the service of a cargo agency (formerly known as “FOREXC) to handle the shipment of a personal cargo to Manila. Let me emphasized that this cargo agency twice changed its commercial name in a matter of 1-2 years. From “FOREX” Air & Sea Cargo to “FOREXC” Air & Sea Cargo to its current name, “J-SMART” Air & Sea Cargo but still continue to occupy the same office building, in AL-KHOBAR, with the same office personnel and crew and with Office Tel nos. 899-6693 / 899-9475. The reason is now obvious to me.

Prior to my transaction with this cargo agency, there had been no adequate warning about non-delivery or delays in the delivery services by this agency. The only telltale sign of an impending fiasco was an incident in May 2004, where I witnessed a female nurse from UDHAILIYAH accosted the three crew members of this cargo agency who were outside my house loading my cargo into their cargo truck . (At that time, I was living in the Aramco Main Camp, in Dhahran until I relocated to UDH in July 2004). The female nurse was seething with anger as she demanded an explanation as to why her shipment to Manila, which was picked-up in December 2003 had not been delivered as promised. It had been almost 6 months from the date of picked-up. It was enough reason for her to blow her top. She turned to me and warned me not to deal with this cargo agency, which at that time was already carrying the registered name of “FOREXC”. Note that they have added a “C” to its previous, name, FOREX. She claimed that there were three other girls from UDH whose cargo had not been delivered as of September 2004 or approximately 10 months. Reportedly, there is also one other Aramco employee in Dhahran who was victimized by this agency.

Unfortunately her warning came too late for me as I had already paid the cargo fee and the invoice had been issued. Moreover, there was not enough time to reschedule the pick-up as I was scheduled to depart for my vacation within two days. I had hoped that I would not face the same dilemma that she went through - I was wrong. It had been five months since then and despite the follow-up visits to their office and countless phone calls I have made both here and to their broker in Manila, they continue to make all sorts of excuses and empty promises. I have almost reached the end of my patience and I am now considering the possibility of taking legal measures.

Please spare yourself the agony and dilemma by choosing a reputable cargo agency with a track record of good quality service and not on the basis of cheaper rates or sweet talking “kababayan”. It had costs me more than the value of my cargo to learn a painful lesson in being too trusting.


Peter Tan
SAGO Planning & Admin Staff
R-3530, East Admin Building, UDH
Tel: 576-6480

You reach 100$ mark

Welcome to Kiko.com.ph
From: Reynaldo de leon [mailto:deleonrc@livefarms.com]
Sent: Wednesday, September 22, 2004 5:42 PM
To: chino
Subject: RE: You reach 100$ mark

Hi Chino,

First of all Congrats! you website really amazed me.

With regards to CCPI proposals, in my opinion, would be beneficial to your website. It will attract more visits and probably boosts your revenues further. However, there are drawbacks in which you have to consider.
There's too much expectations from their side and it will really tax you.
Unless you are willing to invest more of your time, especially on marketing aspects, their proposal would be advantageous and will reap fortune.

Nothing is impossible though, I know you can make it, you're very enterprising person. If you are really serious about this, start the ball
rolling:

1. Set your objectives (very important)
2. Organize a working team
3. Affiliates with existing group
4. Maximize the promotion of your websites through pay for click, search engine submissions, etc.
5. Seek professional advise (or do a lot of reading) on matters pertaining to public relations and marketing.

In summary, the proposal is tempting, but you need to weigh your options as outlined above. It would be a good idea to response to their proposal outlining your preliminary acceptance and telling them more on your capability to meet requirements.

Count me on on this project.

rey de leon


-----Original Message-----
From: "chino"
Sent: Wed, September 22, 2004 5:58 am
To: "'de leon,reynaldo c'"
Subject: You reach 100$ mark

Rey



Congratulation!!! You have reach the 100$ mark on your google adsense.

Blow out naman dyan. Hehehehehehe.

In Khobar , another cellphone incident

Si KIKO at ang OFW...

Halos araw-araw, may mga pangyayaring panghahablot ng cellphone sa mga expatriate, pero sa pag kakataong ito, naiba ang pangyayari..

Ito ang ulat ng isang kasamahan natin sa kanyang karanasan sa Al Khobar at sana mag silbing gabay sa inyo.



Hi Boyz & Girlz,

Pasensiya na mahaba … detailed na ‘to para wala ng tatawag para magtanong paanong nangyari .. he he he he.

Share ko lang what happened to me last Thursday, pero bago ang lahat salamat sa mga Noypi na nagshare ng kanilang experiences re cellphone snatchers sa Khobar. Pabili sana ako ng Computer Table noon sa 2nd Floor ng Al-Dossary Towers pero wala silang pang swipe sa Credit Card so nagpunta sa ibaba sa NCB kaya lang out of service ‘yung ATM machine ng babalik na sana ako sa itaas … nag-SALA. So, I decided na mag-stroll papuntang Hardees baka ikako may makita akong ATM banda doon … bilang exercise na rin di ko na ginamit yung kotse. Unfortunately after a long walk wala rin akong nakitang ATM machine. So doon ako nagdaan sa 4th Street (likod) pabalik ng Al-Dossary Towers. Napansin kong nakalampas na ako ng Habitat building so sabi ko babalik na ako sa main road. While walking pabalik sa main road … as you all know medyo kulang sa ilaw sa mga lugar na yon pero malapad ang kalsada so I cannot call it Eskenita d ba. So, halfway ng block may padating na tatlong teeners na naka-bike at first they were talking loudly & then medyo humina ang mga boses … then it suddenly it “HIT” me (Ding!!) …yung mga emails naalala ko. So pinagmasdan ko ang mga move nila .. yung isa guminda sa may left ko at yung dalawa sa may right. Then para silang nag karerahan … dumaan muna yung sa left ko na mabilis ang dating tapos yung sa may bandang right ko naman hinintay ko na kung hahablutin yung cellphone ko which is nga pala naka-attach sa belt ko. So ang focus ko lang ang pagdukwang ng bata which is by now is fast approaching na masasabi kong mabilis na takbo ng bike. He almost hit me pero di ko na siya nilingond dahil may isa pang natitirang bata na kasunod niya. Nai-isip ko agad na diversion lang yung una para lingunin ko at mawala ako sa focus. So this time tumigil na ako ng lakad at medyo pumorma na ako. Medyo sabi ko sa sarili clothesline kaya ang gawin ko parang sa wrestling pero I decided na kapag inagaw niya ang cel ko I’ll hit him in the face. So wait ako ng konti … then … isang kisap-mata ng padating na siya kitang-kita ko ang mukha niya particularly his eyes & hand aiming at my cellphone na nasa belt ko … as if in slow motion kitang-kita ko ang kamay at pagdukwang niya … then “PAK” hit him in the face, but he still manage to grab my cellphone. Pero yun nga lang since I bought a new case, pareho nga pala kami ni Jojo & Randy, na naka-Velcro mismo sa belt kaya nabuksan lang niya ang cover pero di niya nakuha ang cell. Tapos baliktad siya sa Bike. Ikot agad ang mata ko looking for something I can hold on … to fight with, may nakita naman akong 2X2 na kahoy pero wait muna ako sa susunod na mangyayari. Tumigil yung dalawa na medyo malayo na by now at naghintay kung babalik o hindi. Yung nasapak ko naman tumayo at sumakay ng bike tapos in English shouted at me ng “Fuck you Man” medyo slang pa nga eh … ay may kasama pang naughty finger. Eh di “Fuck you din sabi ko”. Then they decided to move on na parang walang nangyari. Well, with several bruises in his body I guess this will not stop him to snatch some more. Maitim siya na naka baseball cap na kinky ang buhok. OK Guyzzzz Ingatzzzzz.


Gil R. Collantes

HELP me fight for the truth!

Welcome to Kiko.com.ph

A sad tale from our kabayan. Is there any action taken by the Philippine Embassy/OWWA?

To: Aidan Tynan, Nick Jay, Abdulrahman Al Turaigi, Abdullah Al Bader,
Abdullah Abdulkarim, Waleed Al Beyabi

CC: Abdulrahman Al Fadley

From: Mar Caccam

________________________________________________________________________

(This typewritten letter was taken from the handwritten letters received from Mar Caccam when a friend visited him in Hair Jail yesterday. The letters were typed as per Mar’s request, see attached for your reference – Dean Herrera)

IMPORTANT NOTES:

1. I did not sign and or affix my thumbmark on any document presented by the Mutawas as an objection to the accusation.

2. My blood test report on Monday, 23rd August proves that I’m alcohol free.

3. If it’s true that I sell Black Label (liquor) why the Mutawas did not search my room that they normally do on cases like this.

4. If it’s true that I have a bottle of liquor with me, why they never asked me where I got it.

5. This is clear evident that what happened to me was a planned set-up/frame up by a (sad to say) fellow Filipinos who earned money from it.

6. My conscience is clear. God is my witness. I have never been involved in drinking and selling alcoholic beverages.


Dear Gentlemen,

There’s a cry in my heart that I have been waiting to bring out but was not given a chance during my 10 days incarceration at Sahafa Police Station. I wanted to make a phone call to Almarai but the police officers did not give me a chance. I was not given enough opportunity to defend myself clearly at least with a representative from our company. I’m sure that my side was not given enough justice on the reports that they prepared. Nobody speaks and understands English very well the police station where I was detained. This is the opportunity I have been waiting for. I only I could call from here (Al Hair Jail) or someone from the company could visit me to discuss this matter in person. I need to discuss the details of this matter which I considered my greatest nightmare…

There’s a store in Exit 7(near Basharaf) that sells different juices. This is managed by Filipinos named Ali and Jen. I used to buy from them but I realized that their price is high compared to other restaurants near them. A glass of fresh carrot juice is sold at SR 7, while others sell it at SR 5. So I finally stopped buying from them.

On Saturday evening, 21st August, my colleague Alfred del Rosario and myself ate at Pardos, a restaurant beside the juice store. While eating, Ali’s waiter, Egyptian named Mohamed, came to our table and asked me in a friendly manner why I’m not buying from them anymore. I just replied that orange juice is available in Pardos, so why do I need to get from them. He then gave me a note written by him asking for my mobile number which I ignored.

On our way out, Mohamed gave me another note, this time written by Ali or Jen saying to call the number written immediately. Due to curiosity, I gave that number a missed call. The next day, Sunday, 22, August I receive a lot of calls (missed calls from Mohamad using a different no. He can’t speak English so I couldn’t perfectly understand what he was saying I always ended up asking “Esh” meaning “what”. What’s clear to me was the question when I’m coming back to their place. I told him that I’m going to Basharaf to buy some fruits that evening. At 9:20 pm I arrived at Basharaf wearing jogging pants, a shirt and slippers that I normally use in my room. I have in my pocket my mobile phone, keys, iqama, license and SR 20(twenty Saudi Riyals) enough to buy me the fruits I need. I parked the car, got off and locked it. I had just few steps when I saw two (2) Mutawas with Jen(that Filipino in the store) seating in front . I asked what does this mean? These people kept on pulling and pushing me into their car. They forced me to get inside the car by hitting me on my head, arms and legs. Someone was crashing my throat, my crotch. Someone was pulling my hair, that was a struggle against four persons. Sad to say that even that Filipino (Jen) was helping them out. Nobody helped me from the crowd. Maybe they were thinking that I’m a bad person and the Mutawas were after me. So they succeeded and took my mobile phone,keys, etc. They drove away while the other Mutawa drove the car I used. Then we stopped in one place I’m not familiar with. The Mutawa in front showed me a box and said “Black Label”. At first I didn’t realize what he meant. After all I have nothing to do with that liquor. Only when we reached the Mutawa Office that I learned they would use that liquor against me accusing me of DRINKING and SELLING Black Label, accusing me of something that they themselves or that Filipino brought the first place. The head of the Mutawas who may not be aware of the real story, prepared a report in Arabic and requested me to sign and affix my thumbmark. I refused. Then they forwarded me to Sahafa Police Station.

Day 1 in Sahafa Police Station (22nd August 2004)

After an hour, I was interviewed by a police officer. Despite the language barrier, I explained what happened with the little Arabic I know and a lot of body language. I showed him the bruises, blood clots I have in my arms and head because of the beating done by the Mutawas. I told him that I DON’T DRINK ALCOHOL and I definitely DON’T SELL ANY. The bottle of alcohol is not mine. It belongs to the Mutawas or that Filipino and I was set up for something that I did not do. He requested me to sign and thumbmarked his report and I did.

Around 6 am I was escorted to Riyadh Medical Center to have my blood test. I was excited about it even I needed to work the corridor with cuffs on my hand and feet, because that would prove I’m alcohol free.

Day 2 (23rd August 2004)

In the morning I was called by the captain for investigation. After few questions, he told me in a pleasant way that his report says I don’t smell and drink alcohol. He must have received the result of my blood test by that time. Again I signed and thumb marked his report.
After that I proceeded to Makamah (judge) near Batha. I faced a Filipino Mutawa who writes and speaks good Arabic. He told me that I’m accused of selling “Black Label”. I told him that it’s not true and the bottle of alcohol is not mine. It was a set-up. He told me that his report says it’s not true that I sell alcohol. Again I was happy with that comment. I thanked God that the truth started to unfold.

Then we went back to Sahafa Police Station and the captain I spoke with earlier saw me at the lobby, checked my papers from the judge and he commented, “ So you said NO to him?” referring to the judge. Then I proceeded to the reception and waited in a room near the corner with some police officers. Then after a few minutes I was escorted to another high ranking officer who is also a Mutawa. He shouted at me saying that I’m a big problem (anta qater mushkila). I replied to him, “No sir, I’m not involved in drinking and selling alcohol”. Then I was escorted back to my cell.

That evening, another police officer interviewed me. His name is Mahmoud. Same questions, he asked me what happened. Our conversation went well and he even offered me a bottle of water.

Day 4 (25th August 2004)

I was called up from my cell before lunch. I wondered why. I was escorted out to the police car and just drove away but before that Marzouk (our officer from Admin. Dept) met me at the entrance. He had with him a letter from the company. We were on the road when the police received a call and I was driven back to the police station. I thought I would release by that time but nothing happened. In the evening I was sent to a studio for picture-taking.

Day 9 (30th August 2004)

Morning, I was called to the Captain’s office. Saad and Saleh from Admin. Dept. were there. I thought I would be released but to my surprise I was requested to sign a disclaimer. The company has terminated my contract. I couldn’t explain but I cried. I lost my hope because the company is my only hope to fight for the truth. My heart is breaking, crying and shouting for justice. I’m an innocent man. I have never been involved in illegal things. I decided to seek from the Philippine Embassy but there is no way out from my current situation.

Day 10 (31st August 2004)

In the morning, I was called again and requested to bring my things. I thought I would be surrendered to Almarai and that would give me an opportunity to talk to the Management to give my side and seek for a lawyer. But I noticed that we were leading to a place called Al Hair jail.

I swear to God that I have never been involved in alcohol. My friends outside and inside Almarai like Edward and Dean can attest to that. I don’t drink alcohol at all and I’m not involved in this kind of business. I’m already happy with my job and the salary that I receive. I don’t need to get more from illegal ways.

Up to date I’m still figuring out why I was set up by that Filipino, who is benefiting from the resources they get from their victims. Like in my case where my mobile phone was not surrendered to the Police Station. Thanks God I had only SR 20 in my pocket that time.

Financially, I don’t have so much for this Filipino to get jealous of me; not buying from them is my right of choice. Sorry to say, but modus operandi like this is happening around.

The prisoners I met and spoke with, here in Al Hair Jail are here because they are really guilty of drinking, making and selling alcohol. There are some who were engaged in drugs. They have accepted what happened to them because they’re really guilty. My case is different. My heart is crying for justice because I’m innocent and God knows that. Please don’t leave me alone in my fight for the truth. Your help is my only hope. It has been 10 days and the pain in my head caused by the beating still here. I have not been given the chance to have it checked in the hospital. The physical pain is something I can bear, but the emotional pain caused by this is hard to bear.

SIRS, I need a lawyer for this case. This is the only way I can think of at this time. Although this experience has given me so much lessons and believing that there must be reasons for everything, my heart is shouting for justice… Please don’t leave me alone…I always think of my mom, brothers and sisters. As much that I don’t deserve this, they also don’t deserve the emotional pain this may cause them.

HELP me fight for the truth! Thank you in advance!




Mar Caccam

Mga Babala buhat sa Dammam at Jubail

Welcome to Kiko.com.ph

Matinding Pagiingat lang sa mga kabayan....

BABALA MULA SA BANDANG DAMMAM!!!

Last Wednesday (Sep. 15, 2004) night at around 8:00 PM, hinirang at hinoldap ang kasamahan ko sa trabaho. Galing siya sa pamimili sa isang supermarket sa Dammam area 91. Hinarang siya ng 3 "locals," hinawakan ang 2 kamay niya ng 2 lalaki at iyong 1 naman ay kinapa ang kanyang mga bulsa. Sinuntok ang biktima sa mukha ng pumalag.


Lesson: Magsama ng mga tropa sa pamimili (may taga bitbit ka na, pwede mo pang iharang pag susuntukin ka ng mga holdaper)

HOLD UP DAW ITO, NANLABAN ANG PINOY KAYA PINOKPOK SA ULO.

LESSON: PAG HINOHOLDAP, IBIGAY NA PARA DI MAPUKPUK., SABI NG TAGA JUBAIL

-------------------------------------------------------------


BABALA DIN SA BANDANG JUBAIL


Mga Brod,

Medyo ingat lang... lalo na sa bayan(jubail) isang pinoy ang PINATAY don. ngayong umaga lang nangyari and kababalita ng isang ka-berks natin.

Sa may "gintuan" daw niyarI.. pagkakasabi eh pinukpok lang, ingat lalo na yung mga nakatira sa jubail town at yung mga palaging nagpupunta don. Lalo na yung mga magwiwithdraw at namimili...

Paki-relay na lang sa mga kaberks natin dyan...


GOD BLESS,

Announcement from Dubai

Welcome to Kiko.com.ph

OFW-Dubai is proud to announce their Acting Theatre Workshop.

To: OFW-Dubai@yahoogroups.com
CC: vicgcandilanza@yahoo.com
From: "Frederik Escarcha" Add to Address Book
Date: Mon, 20 Sep 2004 06:51:51 +0000
Subject: [OFW-Dubai] ACTING THEATRE WORKSHOP


Dear Friends,

We are inviting you to attend the first OFW Acting Theatre Workshop on Thur & Fri, Oct. 7-8, 2004 at Grand Continental Flamingo Hotel, Hamdan St. Abu Dhabi. The workshop will be conducted by our very own world class award winning two movie / tv directors Mario j. delos Reyes and Lutgardo labad.

This workshop aims to unleash, discover and develop your talent in stage acting, stage presentation, speaking, in order to re-invent a new YOU. You will learn the various techniques and art of acting and will lead you to a deeper appreciation of the theatre and the arts as well as the humanities.

Since we are importing our talents from the Philippines, we need to have a fee. To cover at least the cost of air tickets and their accommodation, we are charging Dhs.350.00 for the 2 day workshop with snacks and lunch.

We trust that you can join us. For further information. Please e-mail me or call my mobile phone 357 9811.

Limited seats only. (40-max.50 participants).

Thank you all and have a good day!

Dick Orense

Project Manager, PBC Abu Dhabi

Simple Financial Tips for OFWs

Welcome to Kiko.com.ph

Simple Financial Tips for OFWs
- Arron
www.OFWGuide.com


Just simple financial tips for those fellows who are working overseas for the first time.

1. After paying off your debts at home (I'm sure you do), save as much as you can.

2. Aside from your compulsory savings by your employers (if you have this scheme), save at least 5% or less from your salary. If you are sending money at home, save some amount for yourself- set a target. Having a target will make you oblige to do such.

3. Try not to be a compulsive buyer. Only buy the things you needed and can bring home. A "little" luxury is alright if done minimally. Have you counted how many pair of shoes you have, how many winter clothes (you can't bring them home, for Pete sake), how many pairs of Levi's jeans? You might be putting up a boutique with your collections.

4. This works for me: Every time you buy, convert that amount in Pesos, and that will have a kind of psychological effect (I am buying this thing for this amount?!, Geez!).

5. Talk to your family at home to be economically responsible. Tell them the truth that burning your ass abroad is no easy task. Let them help you spend your money wisely. You are not just plucking dollars from a tree, you work for it!

6. If you have enough savings, do a little of marketing study. Invest your money so it will grow. Don't just put it in your piggy bank.

7. If you don't want to take the risk of having business, buy something that will last - land, properties. Don't buy bahay kubo for it won't last.

8. Ask your family to start a business of their own so they won't be dependent to you. On top of the money you are sending, they are earning as well.

9. Be practical. If you are sending packages at home every month or every other month, then stop! Didn't you realize that you are paying double or triple for that Barbie doll or box of chocolates (unit price + currency valuation+freight cost+effort)? Tell your family not to envy your neighbours who are receiving packages every month from their "financier" abroad. You'll have your packages in due time as well.

10. LIVE NOT FOR TODAY, LIVE FOR TOMORROW.

MIGRANT WATCH

Welcome to Kiko.com.ph
MIGRANT WATCH

69-Year-old OFW in Coma in Riyadh; Another Missing in Dubai

A 69-year-old Filipino domestic is fighting for her life in a Riyadh hospital. Another, a resort roomboy, has been missing in Dubai since April. Their families, both from Negros, are asking Philippine authorities to repatriate their kin.

BACOLOD CITY – With the labor case of Liezl Gustilo who just reunited with her family recently after 14 months of ordeal in Kuwait remaining unsettled, Migrante here has been swamped with similar cases of abuse and exploitation in the hands of their foreign employers in the Middle East. Complainants also accused Philippine embassy officials in the Middle East with neglect in relation to the two migrant workers’ plight.

Two of the cases presented to Migrante for assistance last week involved that of 69-year-old Ofelia Gonzales who lies in coma in a hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and that of Wilson Pasco, 23, who has been missing in the United Arab Emirates since April this year. Gonzales, a master cutter-dressmaker in Bacolod, has been working as a domestic while Pasco is a hotel roomboy.

Families of the two are seeking their kin’s repatriation but say that Philippine diplomatic and labor officials seem to be doing nothing to make this possible.

In a briefing with newsmen organized by Migrante, an alliance of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and their families and relatives, Glenda Gonzales, 46, of this city said that her mother, Ofelia, had worked for various employers in Saudi Arabia for 14 years until she suffered a heart attack last Aug. 1. She has been in comatose at the King Khalid University Hospital in Riyadh.

Ofelia was diagnosed to have a chronic renal failure secondary to cardiomegaly or enlargement of the heart (about three kilos now), with complications of pulmonary edema and hypertension. She has a 10 percent chance of survival, hospital doctors told Philippine embassy officials.

Single-handedly

A native of Himamaylan, a sugar farm and fishing city 80 kms south of Bacolod, Ofelia moved to Bacolod when her husband, a former sawmill worker, died in 1987. Since then, she had to single-handedly take care of their six children and the schooling of two granddaughters, as a dressmaker.

Glenda told Bulatlat that in 1990 their mother decided to venture abroad to make ends meet. At first, they resisted her plan, but later gave in because their mother was “determined and quite healthy then.”

According to Glenda, her mother had worked as a domestic under two employers in Riyadh from 1991-1998 without any hitches and had been coming come for brief vacations.

Their problems began, Glenda said, when they found through Migrante and the Bahay Kalinga Center in Riyadh that in 1999 Ofelia escaped from a new employer, a certain Noorah Tailoring Exh. El-Nisf Al Akhir, after a year of work. She was the last to flee after 18 workers who had ran away from maltreatment and non-payment of salaries and benefits.

Ofelia, Glenda said, had been at the Bahay Kalinga Center since then until she suffered a heart attack in August this year. Nobody from the Philippine embassy in Riyadh informed Ofelia’s family of her ailment.

Glenda said that they learned from other Filipino OFWs about her mother’s health. Compounding her mother’s ailment, she said, was the lack of food and medical assistance.

No response from embassy

A welfare officer at the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) in Iloilo City, Marne M. Halanes, said that her office had asked the Philippine embassy in Riyadh about Ofelia. She also sent a fax message last Aug. 10 to the embassy for immediate assistance to Ofelia. There was no response.

Only when Migrante and Bacolod Councilor Dindo Ramos intervened that the Gonzales family found what happened to their mother. They also learned that there are more than 200 other OFWs victimized by abuse and exploitation and now languishing at the Bahay Kalinga.

Fighting back tears, Glenda told Bulatlat that they have had a hard time coping with their needs, and that her own children have stopped schooling. She also assailed the government, especially the embassy and OWWA officials in Riyadh, “for their callousness and betrayal of their responsibility to Filipino OFWs.” They better leave their posts and give it to more responsible Filipino officials, she added.

Missing

Meanwhile, Corazon Pasco appealed for the search and repatriation of her missing son, Wilson. Wilson had left on Aug. 11, 2001 to work as a roomboy in Le Royal Meriden Beach Resort in Dubai, UAE.

Corazon, 59, of Barangay (village) Tagda, Hinigaran, Negros Occidental said that the last time she heard from her son was in April this year. Through a text message he sent to a friend last April, Wilson told her mother he was coming home for vacation. Wilson never came.

Although Wilson’s agency in Manila, Amin Rei, confirmed that he “had left for home in April,” a check with the Dubai beach resort revealed that he had a cancelled flight the same month. Meriden officials insisted however that they knew nothing anymore of his whereabouts as his contract with them had ended.

Migrante members here said that the OWWA center in Dubai knew nothing where Wilson is.

All that Wilson’s troubled mother asks is for Philippine authorities to locate her son and, if found, to repatriate him immediately.

Migrante records here show that as of end-2003, there are 2,856 OFWs imprisoned in 56 countries worldwide - 1,115 of them alone in Saudi Arabian prisons.

Other countries with highest number of imprisoned OFWs, Migrante said, are Malaysia with 390; the United States, 233; and Singapore, 174. Among those imprisoned are 673 women and 50 minors.

By Karl G. Ombion
Bulatlat

BRING THEM ALL HOME

Welcome to Kiko.com.ph The Author Ana Marie Pamintuan is my barkada and friend during her high school days in Spiritu Santo, Tayuman, Sta. Cruz Manila.

BRING THEM ALL HOMEBy Ana Marie Pamintuan [Excerpts]
The Philippine Star

By all means let's remember truck driver Angelo de la Cruz ... but only so we can derive lessons from de la Cruz's ordeal, and firm up our resolve to get our house in order.

De la Cruz embodied the Filipino dream: leaving his own country for greener pastures abroad. Despite the windfall from his abduction --- his own house and lot, scholarships for some of his children, a three-hectare agricultural land (he wants to be a farmer?) --- de la Cruz doesn't look like he has abandoned the dream altogether. He said he would discuss with his wife her decision, disclosed to the world, that she would not let him work overseas again.

The administration announced that Filipino truck drivers would be banned from entering Iraq through its borders particularly with neighboring Saudi Arabia. Enforcing this ban will be as ineffectual as trying to stop thousands of Filipinos from flooding into the war zone from neighboring countries in the Middle East in search of high-risk but high-paying jobs.

De la Cruz, one of eight children who himself has a brood of eight, can barely communicate in English. This was evident at the press conference upon his arrival at the NAIA, when he needed questions in English translated into Filipino and he answered almost every question, no matter what the subject was, with some version of, "Nagpapasalamat po ako kay Presidente Arroyo (I would like to thank President Arroyo …)"

The capabilities of de la Cruz are typical of the overseas Filipino worker or OFW, which should show you the level of competitiveness of the nation's army of workers. Despite poor education and sliding grasp of English, our workers used to have an edge by offering their services at rates much cheaper than those of competitors from other countries. But even in the labor price wars we are starting to lose out to the growing army of migrant workers from countries such as China, Indonesia, and Thailand.

Resolving to bring home all OFWs --- nearly eight million strong --- should be the offshoot of the abduction of Angelo de la Cruz.

This can happen only if there are enough jobs in their own land that can give those workers the kind of pay that at least comes close to what they are earning abroad. This in turn means creating an environment that is conducive to job-generating investments, both local and foreign, and encouraging entrepreneurship.

We should start listening to the common complaints of foreign investors in this country: inadequate infrastructure, red tape and corruption, inconsistent business and fiscal policies, a deteriorating workforce, even traffic and criminality.

The complaints may sound like whining to the jingoists among us. But neighboring countries, instead of telling foreign "meddlers" to bug off, listened to such complaints many years ago and did something to address every problem. Look where those countries are now, while we languish at the bottom of the heap.

The Chinese, supposedly kindred spirits of the groups that will march to the Batasan today to disrupt the SONA as usual, have embraced the free market and globalization, beating capitalist pigs at their own game. China is on its way to becoming Asia's next economic powerhouse.

... with advances in technology, particularly in transportation and telecommunications, the tide of globalization can no longer be turned back. The sooner we learn to live with that reality, the better for us. Bringing home OFWs also means modernizing agriculture and giving farmers enough assistance to increase production and market their crops. Otherwise we shall soon see Angelo de la Cruz abandoning his three-hectare land for lack of farm support facilities, and once again finding work as a driver even in the hot spots of the Middle East.

Asians used to study agriculture in the Philippines, where the high-yield "miracle rice" was developed. Now we are a rice importer and Filipinos go abroad to learn how the Thais and even the Vietnamese do agribusiness. Our supermarket shelves are full of imported goods that we ourselves can produce but somehow can't, from vegetables to coconut milk and fragrant rice.

The tragedy is that this is a country with an abundance of natural resources, a land rich in biodiversity. Yet we are being beaten in agricultural production even by countries that are less blessed by the bounty of nature --- all because they have more efficient systems and they understand the meaning of sustainable exploitation of resources.

Their progress in agriculture is helped along by the quality of education --- another area that we took for granted until it became too late to stop its swift decline.

Now our teachers end up as maids while doctors end up as nurses and even midwives abroad. It's embarrassing to disclose the ranking of our students in international competitions in mathematics and science.

The Constitution requires allocating the biggest chunk of the national budget to education. Yet this is impossible because of our crippling national debt, which stood at a staggering US$56.7 billion as of the first quarter of this year.

Of the P901-billion budget proposed for 2005, which President Arroyo will submit to Congress today, 77 percent --- a whooping P695 billion --- will be eaten up by debt servicing, of which P310 billion is for interest payments alone. With that kind of debt burden, plus a yawning fiscal deficit, I don't know how we can bring home our OFWs any time soon, or keep workers like Angelo de la Cruz from leaving again.

But we will have to try. We will need to tone down destructive politics, and the opposition will have to work with the administration at least for the next few months if we want to get our house in order. We will need to trust each other, to give the other side the benefit of the doubt.

Ferdinand Marcos got his martial law slogan right about the need for national discipline. Unfortunately, he and his wife did not practice what they preached.

This time we must exercise self-discipline, without the need for military rule. If we want to bring home for good more than just one truck driver, we need to close ranks and get our act together.

FW: OFW Website Administered By An Aramco Employee

From: Suaco, Reynaldo R.
Sent: Monday, August 23, 2004 12:53 PMTo: Rodrigo Samson (RodrigoSamson); MannyDadios; Desbarro, Marilyn O; Cudiamat, Andy T; Sintos, Homer O; Vineles, Fatima JCc:

ChinoRousSubject: OFW Website Administered By An Aramco EmployeeImportance: High

It’s getting bigger and better website for OFWs!
Check this out:

http://www.kiko.com.ph/

Thanks and regards,
Rey R. Suaco
Aviation Helicopter Maintenance
Ras Tanura Base
Tel: 673-2228

AFRRIE project

Welcome to Kiko.com.ph
This is one of a kind forum concerning our future after working
abroad. Are you afraid to be terminated in your job? Why remain as
employee where you can be an employer? If not now...when?

AFRRIE removes all your fears and anxieties!

What is AFRRIE?

AFRRIE is an OFW real estate model that stands for Agro-Farm Resort-
Residential-Industrial Estate . Every AFRRIE unit is showcased with
balanced livelihood, safety and security, cutting edge technologies,
and a positive atmosphere for all OFWs, local professionals and the
like. Some of its primary objectives are:

1. To empower OFWs through self-sustaining livelihood projects.
2. To earn respect when an OFW returns home for good.
3. To end the migration cycle of OFWs.
4. To eradicate poverty in locality.
5. To lower down the unemployment rate.
6. To create center cooperatives that will focus on various jobs for
a total solution enterprise

AFRRIE S&T Fishery Park

The OFW-AFRRIE will pioneer the establishment of a commercial mud
crab hatchery and nursery to sustain and improve mud crab
aquaculture production in the country. This will be done in
cooperation UPV. OFW-AFRRIE will enter into a MOA with UPV as a
tenant in the Science and Technology Park (S&T) Park to avail of
technical and support services from UPV as well as other benefits
such 2-year free rent, inexpensive housing, office/land rentals and
access to University facilities.

To join us, please visit our homepage at
http://www.geocities.com/ofwafrrie

IN GOD WE TRUST.

UAE Team
OFW-AFRRIE moderators
>

Welcome to Kiko.com.ph

Welcome to Kiko.com.ph<

72 hrs for an OFW

Yes another 72 hours was given by the Iraqi militant, and this time it is an Overseas Filipino Worker, the Iraqi militants threatened to behead the filipino hostage, identified as A. dela Cruz, (name not yet confirm) our kabayan, and still we can't do anything just to pray that those who take him hostage will not hurt him. We know that acceptable negotations will be on the hands of Philippine Government and that is to full out our Military out of Iraq.

OFW families, Akbayan and other militants were right, this is in return to our sacrifices to revive philippine economy, and the way our leader neglecting the safety of an OFW by showing the full support to US imperialism even the Filipino masses kicked them out in our country.