Online Passport Appointment System Now Available

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has launched “DFA Passport Appointment System by Internet”. This new system caters to passport applicants that now have the option to set an appointment with DFA and apply for passport via Internet.

As of this writing, the DFA Passport Appointment System by Internet is only available for the DFA Passport in Manila. Aside from that, they can only accommodate the following:

• passport renewal for those whose passports have already expired;
• passport renewal for those whose passport will be expiring within the next one year;
• senior citizens (more than 60 years old)

According to the DFA, the online appointment system will soon accommodate all passport applicants. Booking an appointment must be made one week before the proposed date of appointment. An applicant must wait for the confirmation and must secure the reference number given by the DFA passport office before going to the DFA for filling of the application.

DoLe Urges Taiwan-bound OFWs to Report Agencies Charging Excessive Fees

Secretary Arturo Brion of the Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) warned Philippine recruitment agencies and their Taiwanese counterparts who are charging excessive fees for Filipino applicants bound to Taiwan.

The advisory was issued due to the report received by the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) in Taipei regarding an increasing number of cases against recruitment agencies collecting excessive placement fees from OFWs. The amount range from Php50,000 to Php190,000 each applicant.

The DoLE urges OFWs who has been victimized of these agencies to file complaints with the POLOs in Taiwan or with the POEA.

According to Secretary Brion, POLOs in Taipei, Taichung, and Kaoshiung in Taiwan is gathering more information from the victims and urging them to expose the name of the agencies that collects excessive fees from Filipino applicants bound to Taiwan.
Brion added that these agencies violate the POEA rule that prohibits recruiters in collecting placement fees which is more than the one-month salary of the OFWs.

Recruiters who will be caught violating the rule will suffer from suspension and cancellation or their licenses while their Taiwanese counterpart will be blacklisted.

According to the report received by Brion from POLO, OFWs who were victim of this practice were asked to sign a loan agreement that would settle their unpaid placement fees or gave a post dated checks to the agencies.

He also added that agencies asked OFWs to pay some NT$94,463 which is equivalent to Php 119,049 and is six times higher than the fees paid by OFWs in Taiwan hired under the special hiring program for Taiwan (SHPT).

For complete details of the article please click this link:
http://www.ofwguide.com/article_item.php?articleid=812

Nurses Needed in Saudi, Apply now!

KING FAISAL SPECIALIST HOSPITAL AND RESEARCH CENTRE (KFSH & RC) Riyadh is in need of:

NURSES
With two years experience in all specialties including Medical/Surgical, Neonatal and Pediatric ICUs, Recovery Room, Pediatrics, CVT, Cardiac, Oncology, Hematology, Family Medicine

QUALIFICATIONS : Staff Nurse in the assigned specialty preferably with Chinese General Hospital, Makati Medical Center, Manila Doctor’s Hospital, Philippine General Hospital, Philippine Children’s Medical Center, Philippine Heart Center, St. Luke’s Medical Centre, Cardinal Santos Medical Centre (except NICU & RR), Asian Hospital, Veterans Memorial Hospital, ABM Sison Medical Centre (Medical City), Kidney Center of the Philippines (National Kidney Institute), The Lung Center of the Philippines, Metropolitan Hospital, Lourdes Hospital, Capitol Medical Centre, St. James Medical Centre, Angeles Medical Centre, Cebu Doctor;s Hospital, Velez Hospital‐Cebu City, Iloilo Mission Hospital, Iloilo Doctor’s Hospital, Davao Doctor’s Hospital, San Pedro Hospital.

QUALIFIED APPLICANTS should personally submit a detailed resume with Job and Unit Description, equipment handled, type of patients, Diploma and transcript of records, board license/certificate, PRC card, 2 dated letters of reference from previous/current nurse manager/supervisor. No Objection Certificate for ex Saudi and 1 pc 2x2 picture for issuance of KFSH & RC Application Form at the Manpower Registry Division, Window M, Ground Floor, Blas Ople Bldg. (formerly POEA Bldg.) Ortigas Ave., corner EDSA, Mandaluyong City between 8 am to 5 pm or the nearest, POEA Regional Extension Unit.

Qualified applicants may also send in their updated CVs to poea_gpb@yahoo.com

for more job openings from POEA please click here

Filipino Dentist, Programmers, Secretaries and Sterilization Technician Needed in KSA

The KING SAUD UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL – COLLEGE OF DENTISTRY is in need of:

- DENTAL ASSISTANTS
Doctor of Dental Medicine; SR 2550.OO + SR 100.00 per qualified year of experience; 3 months salary housing allowance with a minimum of SR 8000.00.

- STERILIZATION TECHNICIAN
2 years college education; SR 1725.00 to a maximum of SR 2250.00;
3 months salary housing allowance with a minimum of SR 8000.00.

- COMPUTER PROGRAMMERS
IT/Computer Programming/System Analyst Degree; SR 2550.00 + SR 100.00 per qualified year of experience; 3 months salary housing allowance with a minimum of SR 8000.00.

- SECRETARIES
Secretarial Course or Bachelors Degree; SR 2550.00 + SR 100.00 per qualified year of experience: 3 months salary housing allowance with a minimum of SR 8000.00.

REQUIREMENTS:
1. (1) pc. (2x2) picture
2. Photocopy of College Diploma and Employment Certificates
3. Photocopy of Board License / Certificate and PRC ID (if any)
4. No Objection Certificate (for ex-Saudi)

QUALIFIED APPLICANTS should personally submit a detailed resume with job description, with the above requirements at the Manpower Registry Division, Window K, Ground Floor, Blas F. Ople Building (Formerly POEA Bldg.), Ortigas Avenue corner EDSA, Mandaluyong City.

NOTE: KSUH representatives are scheduled to conduct interview of suitable candidates on February 11-13, 2008 at POEA, Mandaluyong City

from POEA

Job Opportunity for Professionals and Skilled Filipino in Riyadh

The King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre (KFSH & RC) in Jeddah
is in need of the following:

Medical Illustrator Administrative Coordinator
Health and Science Training Program Admin Coordinator
Hospital Assistants Draftsperson
Media Affairs Officer Contracts Specialist
Draftsperson Mechanical Controller
Mechanical Controller System Analyst
Messenger Computer Operator
LAN & WAN Administrator Planning Supervisor
System Administrator Clerk
Financial Analyst Accountant
Inventory Controller Data Coordinator
Storekeeper Social Worker
Driver, Heavy Duty Sign Maker

Qualified applicants should personally submit a detailed resume, Diploma and transcript of records, board license/certificate, PRC card, 2 dated letters of reference from previous/current manager/supervisor. No Objection Certificate for ex-Saudi and 1pc 2x2 picture for issuance of KFSH & RC Application Form at the Manpower Registry Division, Window M, Ground Floor, Blas Ople Bldg. (formerly POEA Bldg.) Ortigas Ave., corner EDSA, Mandaluyong City between 8 am to 5 pm or the nearest, POEA Regional Extension Unit. Qualified applicants may also send in their updated CVs to poea_gpb@yahoo.com

Please submit scanned copies of CVs and credentials in a compact disc (cd) or diskette in pdf format. Deadline: 29 February 2008

Source: POEA

Attend the Overseas Super Mega Jobs Expo!

Philippine Association of Service Exporters, Inc. (PASEI), the largest landbased association of more than 750 overseas recruitment agencies licensed by the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration will offer thousands of overseas jobs during the Super Mega Jobs Expo.

Don’t miss this great opportunity to land an overseas job.
Date: February 21-22, 2008
Time: 8:00 am to 5:00 pm
Place: Muti-Purpose Hall, Primeblock Building, Tutuban Mall, Divioria, Manila

Everybody is welcome. This two-day event is open to everyone. There is no entrance, application, or registration fee.

Overseas jobs will be made available to applicants from POEA licensed recruitment agencies. Applicants are advised to bring the following: resumes, bio-data, 2x2 pictures, school credentials, training and employment certificate, NBI clearances and passport (if available).

You can also submit your resume early by sending an email to: pasei.jobsxpo@gmail.com

From www.ofwguide.com

POEA suspends implemetation of new direct hiring policy

The Department of Labor and Employment Secretary Arturo Brion asked the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) for immediate suspension in the implementing the Memorandum Circular No. 04.

The POEA Administrator Rosalinda Baldoz said that processing of the documents of directly hired overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) will be based again on the procedures they used before January 15, 2008 where they do not require the employers to pay for the repatriation and performance bonds.

Brion will talk to the POEA Governing Boards today, Feb, 18 to discuss the directives of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo regarding the adjustments of MC 04.

OFW Pamilya centers at Robinson Malls

Robinsons Malls in Imus and Dasmariñas Cavite has launched OFW Pamilya centers that would cater returning overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and their families and dependents.

The OFW Pamilya center is a one-stop shop that has offices of government agencies such as Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA). There will also have service outlets like foreign exchange, money remittance, courier and postal services, an Internet café, travel and recruitment agencies and a seminar room where they can held lectures and other activities.

The center will also holds short courses on entrepreneurship, fund management and micro-financing that can be avail for a very reasonable price. Robinsons Malls hope that they can help OFWs and their dependents to redirect hard-earned money to worthwhile and profitable endeavors. And they will soon open more centers in other Robinsons Malls.

Agencies with cancelled licenses

The public is encouraged to report to the POEA any recruitment activity conducted by recruitment agencies with cancelled licenses and/or agencies that have been de-listed from the POEA roster for failure to renew their license and comply with the conditions for the grant of its license.

CANCELLED AGENCIES (Agencies whose licenses were cancelled for committing recruitment violations)

1. 2000 Millennium Maritime and Shipping Agency
2. 3D Manpower & Placement Services Corp.
3. Al Hirsh Manpower Services Inc.
4. Arjams Manpower Services
5. Asia Integrated Management Systems Inc.
6. A-Top Manpower Corporation
7. Celmina Shipping Agency Inc.
8. Centrepoint for Interworld Manpower Services Inc.
9. Dell Maritime Services Company
10. Flourish Maritime Shipping
11. Golden Harvest Human Resources & Management Corporation
12. Guidance International Inc.
13. Honey International Manpower Services
14. Lidros Service Contractor, Inc.
15. Madison Overseas Placement Inc.
16. Micro Pacific Manpower Development Corporation
17. Narcan Shipping & Placement Agency Inc.
18. Onward Resources & Development Services
19. PMAC International Management Services, Inc.
20. Prima Manpower Services Inc.
21. Ren-Glo Enterprises Placement Agency
22. Rubies International Services Inc.
23. Sea-Mar International Manpower Agency, Inc.
24. Seven Ocean International Manpower Corporation
25. Silver Kind International Placement Philippines
26. VGE International Manpower Services

DELISTED AGENCIES (Agencies that failed to renew their license and comply with the conditions for the grant of its license)

1. Across the Miles Manpower Resources, Inc
2. Emmanphil Manpower Services Corporation
3. Intercity Employment Services
4. International Expertise Placement Inc.
5. JNP Promotions International Services Inc.
6. Jobmatch International Placement, Inc.
7. Moreman Development Philippines
8. Multi-Skills Placement & Training Services, Inc
9. Pan Arabian International Manpower Agency
10. Sakura Human Resource Internationale, Inc
11. Sanvill Maritime Agencies, Inc.

Please report to the POEA if the abovementioned agencies are still recruiting.

Source: POEA

Where can you find Embassy of Philippines in

Philippine Embassy in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Embassy of the Philippines in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Juramento 1945, 1428, Buenos Aires
Capital Federal
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Buenos Aires
Phone: (5411) 4807-3334
Fax: 00-5411-4804-1595
Email: pheba@fibertel.com.ar

Philippine Embassy in Canberra, Australia
Embassy of the Philippines in Canberra, Australia
1 Moonah Place
Yarralumla ACT 2600
Canberra
Phone: (61-2) 6273 2535
Fax: (61-2) 6273-3984
Web Site: http://www.philembassy.au.com/index.htm
Email: cbrpe@philembassy.au.com

Philippine Embassy in Vienna, Austria
Embassy of the Philippines in Vienna, Austria
Laurenzerberg 2, A-1010 Vienna, Austria
Vienna
Phone: +431 533 2401
Fax: +431 533 2401 24
Web Site: http://www.philippine-embassy.at/
Email: office@philippine-embassy.at

from learn4good.com

Guidelines on the Direct Hiring of Filipino Workers

Pursuant to Article 18 of the Labor Code of the Philippines, as amended and Governing Board Resolution No. 04, Series of 2007, the following guidelines are hereby issued to govern the direct hiring of Filipino workers for overseas employment.

I. Coverage
These Guidelines shall cover employers wishing to directly hire Filipino workers who may be classified into any of the following:

1. Individual Employers
a. Members of the diplomatic corps and international organizations
b. Immediate members of royal family and family of heads of State/government
c. Ministers, Deputy ministers and other senior government officials of the host country
d. Employers residing in countries where foreign placement agencies do not operate
e. Filipino expatriates and resident with capacity to hire Filipino workers
f. Others as may be approved by the Secretary of Labor and Employment

2. Institutional Employers
Employers who are hiring on a one time basis
Employers who need workers immediately and have submitted an Undertaking to tie-up with licensed Philippine agencies for its next recruitment.

II. Pre-Qualification of Employers Wishing to Directly Hire Filipino Workers
Employers wishing to directly hire Filipino workers shall pre-qualified by the Philippine Overseas Labor Office and the POEA under the following criteria:

1. No derogatory track record at the jobsite and in the Philippines
2. No involvement of an intermediary in the recruitment process whether in the Philippines of in the jobsite.
3. Submission of all the following documentary requirements:

a. Business/commercial registration and/or identification documents
b. Sample employment contract for the workers to be directly hired
c. Proof of capability to hire Filipino workers under the terms and conditions offered
d. Undertaking by the employer relating to the following:

i. No charging of placement fee from the worker
ii. Provision of a performance bond equivalent to the worker’s three months salary to guarantee compliance of the employer with the provision of the employment contract.
iii. Provision of a repatriation bond in the amount of USD5,000 or its peso equivalent to guarantee the following:

iii.a. actual cost incurred for the repatriation of the remains and subsequent burial following death from any cause.
iii.b. actual cost incurred for the repatriation from other causes such as violation/non-compliance with the contract rules and regulations of the company and Philippine laws as well as the laws of the host country except when violation is attributable to the worker or when worker voluntarily resigns or returns to the Philippines.

iv. Provision of a medical insurance for the worker at an amount equivalent to those provided to nationals of the host country.

for complete details of the guidelines please click this link:
http://www.poea.gov.ph/mc/mc4_2007_namehire.pdf or visit the POEA website at www.poea.gov.ph.

How to become more competitive: The Tulay Microsoft Program

The Tulay or Bridge Education Program aims to train overseas Filipino worker with the use of the internet. This would help both of them to access the technology that would serve as bridge to communicate with each other.

The Tulay Microsoft Project was launched by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) and was made possible through the partnership of Microsoft Philippines. This program is under the Microsoft’s Unlimited Potential (UP).

The project primarily aims to provide technology and skills for underserved individuals. Through the Tulay Microsoft Project, OFWs and their families will learn to use basic functionalities of computer such as MS Word, PowerPoint, Excel as well as the internet and e-mail use at the Community Technology Learning Centers (CTLC).

for complete details of the article please click this link:
http://www.ofwguide.com/article_item.php?articleid=775

How to be an OWWA Scholar: Skills-for-Employment Scholarship Program (SESP)

The Skills for Employment Scholarship Program (SESP) is another scholarship program offered by the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) for the land-based or sea-based OWWA member-OFWs of to their dependents/beneficiaries.

The SESP was made possible with the coordination of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA). This scholarship program offers six-month vocational and one year technical course following the regular school year calendar.

The qualified applicant for one year technical course will receive P14,000 financial assistance while P7,250 will be granted for six-month vocational course. The financial assistance will be given directly to the training institute where the dependents/beneficiaries enrolled.

For complete details of the article please click this link:
http://www.ofwguide.com/article_item.php?articleid=773

How to Acquire Thailand Visa

Do you want to work or just travel in Thailand? Do you want to enjoy the tropical climate in Thailand? Or want to visit the different destination of the country? Well, you must acquire visit to be able to enter here.

This article would help you how to acquire a Thailand visa and which visa should you need. This would give you ideas of what documents you must submit and fees you need to settle.

Types of Visas
There are three types of visa according to the purpose of your visit in Thailand, non-migrant visa, tourist visa and transit visa.

Purpose of NON-IMMIGRANT VISA
This visa may require approval from the Ministry Concerns from Thailand in case by case and invitation letter from Thailand. The maximum days of stay non-immigrant visa holders is 90 days, you can apply for extension of stay in Thailand if you wish.

The non-migrant visa is use for business and conference, research, mass media or missionary, education, teaching, family reunion, settlement after retirement and medical treatment.

Business and conference - It requires a business letter, with the letter head, stating the purpose of visit, also included name of company, organization or mission and address in Thailand.

Research, mass media or missionary – it requires a letter, with letter head, from company, agency or organization sending you on your mission, and also the letter from your counterpart in Thailand and proof of verification of the institution.

For complete details on how to acquire Thailand visa please click this link:
http://www.ofwguide.com/likod/article_item.php?articleid=776

How to Avail the OWWA Scholarships

The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) aims to protect and promote the welfare and well-being of Overseas Filipino Workers. In lieu with this, OWWA offers scholarships, insurance and educational program for OFWs and their dependents. This article would give you an idea of what you need to present to avail of the said programs.

There are five education and training programs offered by OWWA; Education for Development Scholarship Program (EDSP), Skills-for-Employment Scholarship Program (SESP), Seafarers’ Upgrading Program (SUP), DOLE-OWWA-Tulay Microsoft Project and Tuloy-Aral Project.

Education for Development Scholarship Program (EDSP)
The Education for Scholarship Program (EDSP) grants a 4 to 5 year baccalaureate course offered by a CHED-accredited college or university. The scholarship is given to qualified beneficiaries/dependents of OWWA member-OFWs. The OWWA gives P30,000 per semester and pay the tuition fee directly to the school. They release the remaining amount after the scholar submits the grades for the semester.

For complete details of the article please click this link:
http://www.ofwguide.com/article_item.php?articleid=769

Health package for OFWs and Dependents

The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhiliHealth) has expanded the Out-patient benefit package to overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and their dependents to “Enhanced Overseas Workers Program Out-patient Benefit Package”.

The PhilHealth, together with the Department of Health (DOH) has allocated P6 million for the realization of the health package. This package will also benefit the OFWs and their dependents.

The expanded health benefits covers consultations, diagnostic services (blood count, urinalysis, fecalysis, blood typing, blood sugar, hemoglobin/hematocrit, electrocardiogram and hepatitis B screening test; preventive health services such as periodic digital rectal exam; visual acetic screening for cervical cancer, clinical breast exam, nutrition or dietary counseling.

The following is also covered by the package: visual acuity exams, psychological evaluation and debriefing, auditory evaluation and treatment for UTI, upper respiratory tract infection and acute gastroenteritis.

For complete details of the article please click this link:
http://www.ofwguide.com/article_item.php?articleid=792

Beware: New Text Scam Targeting OFWs

The general public, especially overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) are being warned about the new text scam allegedly sponsored by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP). The scammers will notify the prospective victim that they won a total of P2 million based on the last digits of their mobile phone in an electronic raffle draw conducted by BSP.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) issued a public announcement due to the report sent by Philippine Ambassador to Brazil Teresita V. G. Barsana that an OFW in Brasilia received a fraud text message from a contact number 639283948881 who used a name of “BSP Governor Artemio Tetangco.”

According to the report submitted by the Ambassador, the OFW called the sender’s number and was able to talk with a man who introduced himself as “Gov. Tetangco” and confirmed the existence of the raffle. The man also said that the raffle was authorized by the Office of the President.

The man instructed the OFW to remit a certain amount to a designated recipient through Western Union for tax payments and transmittal charges in claiming the prize money. And afterwards contact another person under the name of “Atty. P.D. Ilagan” with mobile number 639157029178 who was said to be the manager if the Western Union in Makati City. Said “Atty. Ilagan” will provide the pin code once she has completed the remittance.

For complete details of the article please click this link:
www.ofwguide.com/article_item.php?articleid=777