Remains of Filipino seaman killed over iPad to arrive home on Black Saturday

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Apr 152014
 

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4:22 pm | Tuesday, April 15th, 2014

FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – The remains of a Filipino seaman who was killed by a robber in Honduras after he refused to give his iPad is set to be flown back home on April 19, Black Saturday, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) said Tuesday.

The Filipino was identified as Jaycob Escobedo Gaban, an assistant cook on board the ship Norwegian Pearl since October 2013.

“He was shot and killed by a robber during a port call on the island of Roatan last April 7, 2014,” OWWA said in a statement.

“Gaban was reportedly in a restaurant holding his iPad when a man tried to snatch it from him. He was shot when he resisted to give his gadget. The perpetrator was already arrested and is now in custody of the national police and special forces in Honduras,” it said.

Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz has instructed OWWA to extend full assistance to the wife and daughter of the deceased seaman who are residing in Sorsogon, Bicol.

“OWWA is ready to release the death and burial benefits due the family of Gaban, plus scholarship and livelihood grant to the children and the spouse,” OWWA said.

According to records of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), there are 366,865 sea-based workers as of 2012.

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Tags: Features , Filipino seaman , Global Nation , Honduras , iPad

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OFWs in Middle East warned on spread of MERS

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Apr 152014
 
OFWs in Middle East warned on spread of MERS

By Nestor CorralesINQUIRER.net 1:52 pm | Tuesday, April 15th, 2014 DFA spokesman Charles Jose. INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines—The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) warned Tuesday all Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in the Middle East on the breakout of the deadly disease in the region that has claimed the life of a Filipino and affected five others. “We are advising all Filipinos not only in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) but in the whole of Middle East to take precautionary measures against the deadly Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS),” DFA spokesperson Charles Jose said in an interview with Inquirer Radio 990AM. Jose, however,  told  OFWs to “remain calm” amid the spread of the deadly virus. He said OFWs should practice proper hygiene, frequent washing of hands,   follow advisories from health authorities, and those who experience any of the disease’s symptoms are urged to immediately seek medical attention. On Monday, the DFA confirmed the death of a Filipino from the deadly virus and the hospitalization of five others. “The Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi has confirmed that one Filipino worker died on April 10 due to MERS, while five others remain under quarantine as a  precautionary measure,” Jose said. The Filipino fatality, according to him, was a paramedic whose identity has yet to be disclosed. “We withhold the name as per request by the family. We also have the name of the five Filipinos who are affected but their family also requested not to disclose their names,” he said. The five Read More …

OWWA promises aid to family of MERS-CoV fatality

 News
Apr 142014
 
OWWA promises aid to family of MERS-CoV fatality

By Matikas SantosINQUIRER.net 10:09 am | Tuesday, April 15th, 2014 Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines – The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) assured that it will provide assistance to the family of the Filipino who died from the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) virus in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) confirmed Monday that the Filipino, a medical worker in Al Ain, died after contracting the deadly MERS-Coronavirus (CoV) that has claimed 88 lives worldwide according to the latest figures of the World Health Organization (WHO). Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz said in a statement Tuesday that she has instructed OWWA Administrator Carmelita Dimzon to provide full assistance to the victim’s family. Five other Filipino health workers were also infected and have been put in quarantine, according to the DFA. “Our people in the [Philippine Overseas Labor Office in Abu Dhabi] are regularly sending us updates on the other Filipinos who have reportedly been in contact with the Filipino nurse before his death. The other co-workers, all nurses, are quarantined in a hospital and are under close observation,” Baldoz said. “We hope and pray that they will recover soon and that they will be safe from the killer virus,” Dimzon said in the same statement. The body of the Filipino who died is set to be cremated as soon as documents have been processed, OWWA said. According to records of the WHO, at least 212 cases of Read More …

OWWA vows more flexible loan programs for OFWS

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Aug 212013
 
OWWA vows more flexible loan programs for OFWS

By Tina G. SantosPhilippine Daily Inquirer 8:40 pm | Wednesday, August 21st, 2013 FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines—The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration has vowed to make the government’s loan assistance program for overseas Filipino workers more flexible by easing requirements and application procedures. “We’re [finding ways to make it] more flexible and accessible to OFWs. We are making adjustments in procedures and requirements in response to reports that some are finding it hard to avail of the loan assistance,” OWWA Administrator Carmelita Dimzon said. Dimzon clarified reports that the OWWA was asking for too many requirements that make it difficult for OFWs to avail of the program. “It’s not true, we have to clear that. The OWWA actually almost [does] not ask for any requirement. We just check with our database if they are members, active or non-active. Then we will provide them with certification, saying they are OFW or former OFW, which they have to show to Land Bank,” she said. “If they will avail of the loan on behalf of the member, they just need authorization. And then, of course, they have to undergo training on financial literacy, which only takes a day,” she added. Under the P2-billion reintegration program, the OWWA offering loans for OFWs, especially displaced or distressed workers, who decide to come home for good and put up or expand an existing business in the country. OFWs may apply for business capital loans ranging from P300,000 to P2 million from the P2-billion Reintegration Loan Fund offered Read More …