PH embassy in Riyadh issued a record 72,028 passports in 2013

 News
Jan 022014
 
PH embassy in Riyadh issued a record 72,028 passports in 2013

By Matikas SantosINQUIRER.net 11:58 am | Friday, January 3rd, 2014 DFA Passports Processed in Riyadh MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Embassy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia has processed a record 72,028 passport applications for 2013, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said in a statement Friday. “In 2013, the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh processed 1,522 new passports for newly born infants; 64,298 renewals, and 6,208 replacement passports for lost passports,” DFA said. “Around 6,000 replacement passports of the 6,208 were issued during the correction period, particularly in May and June. These numbers do not include the passport applications processed by the Philippine Consulate General in Jeddah,” it said. The 2013 number of processed passports was at its highest over the past years. In 2007, 31,990 applications were received. According to records of the Philippine Overseas Employment Agency (POEA), Saudi Arabia has the second largest population of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) with 1,267,660 as of 2012.   The United States has the largest OFW population with 3,494,281 Filipinos The deployment of OFWs to Saudi Arabia has been on the rise over the past several years with 330,040 new hires and rehires in 2012. The most hires were domestic helpers with 11,582 and in the nursing profession with 8,513. In 2011, 204,088 OFWs were deployed to Saudi Arabia, 173,670 were deployed in 2010, 164,758 were deployed in 2009, and  153,675 were deployed in 2008. Follow Us Recent Stories: Complete stories on our Digital Edition newsstand for tablets, netbooks and mobile phones; 14-issue free Read More …

Med mission leaders to lead largest Independence Day fest outside PH

 News
Dec 212013
 
Med mission leaders to lead largest Independence Day fest outside PH

While singing Christmas carols, Drs. Felicisima and Emilio Quines (center-right) are flanked by Philippine Independence Day Parade former (1997) Overall Chair Nelia Ferrette, chairman of the 2014 Grand Marshal Search Committee Olivia David and PIDCI Treasurer Violeta McGough. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO/ Rolan Gutierrez NEW YORK—Philippine Medical Association of America (PMAA) presidents and longterm medical mission volunteers Drs. Emilio and Felicisima Quines were named grand marshals of next year’s festive Philippine Independence Day parade. Philippine Independence Day Council Inc. (PIDCI), which works year-round for the biggest Philippine Independence Day parade outside of the Philippines—held first Sunday of June along Madison Avenue—announced that the Quineses stood out in the Filipino-American community during the month-long public nomination process. “I first thought that the search process could be pretty daunting, but it turned out to be pretty easy, especially when the nomination papers of Drs. Quines reached my desk,” said Olivia David, chairman of the 2014 Grand Marshal Search Committee. The Independence Day Parade is accompanied by an all-day street fair and cultural festival, attended by about 100,000 Filipinos from the New York Tri-State area, Pennsylvania and visitors from neighboring states and California, and Canada. PIDCI President Fe Martinez, former (1997) Overall Chair Nelia Ferrette, Philippine Consul General to New York Mario de Leon, Jr, who is also an honorary adviser, and current PIDCI board members, officially welcomed the new grand marshals to PIDCI during an intimate dinner reception held at the consul’s residence in the Upper East Side December 13. “I’ve known the Quineses Read More …

Filipino caregivers in SF recover unpaid wages

 News
Dec 212013
 
Filipino caregivers in SF recover unpaid wages

FILE PHOTO SAN FRANCISCO—Workers from three San Francisco care homes celebrated their recent settlement agreements on Dec.18, International Migrants Day, after winning their months-long claims against their employers, totaling more than $800,000 in unpaid wages. Filipino caregivers from Sunset Gardens, Nacario’s Home of San Francisco and Veal’s Residential Care Homes joined other workers and their supporters to raise awareness about wage theft in the industry and the rights of all workers regardless of their immigration status. “Over the last few years, the Filipino Community Center has proudly supported Filipino caregivers and also hotel and restaurant workers in reclaiming over $1 million in unpaid wages,” stated Mario de Mira, FCC’s workers rights program coordinator. “We congratulate these Filipino caregivers in particular for their victory in asserting their rights in an industry that takes advantage of workers, especially immigrant workers.” Filing their claims with the Office of Labor Standards Enforcement (OLSE), the workers faced conditions similar to many other residential care home workers. Caring for the elderly and disabled, caregivers sometimes work nearly 24-hours per day, but they are rarely paid the legally mandated minimum wage, overtime, or double time for these extended work schedules. “The Sunset Gardens employees worked extremely long hours cooking, cleaning and caring for the residents,” added Donna Levitt, manager of the City’s Office of Labor Standards Enforcement. “They must be paid no less than minimum wage and overtime for their work.” Together with City Attorney Dennis Herrera, OLSE has now reached settlements and verbal agreements with seven Read More …

16 foreign armed forces helping PH

 News
Nov 212013
 
16 foreign armed forces helping PH

A FIRST FOR SINO SHIP Peace Ark, a Chinese Navy hospital ship, leaves a base in Zhoushan, east of Shanghai, for a relief mission to the typhoon-devastated Philippines. It is considered the first Chinese Navy ship to enter Philippine waters with Manila’s “consent” since the maritime dispute in the West Philippine Sea between the two countries ensued. AP/EUGENE HOSHIKO Friends in good times and bad. This was how the Australian defense attaché summed up Thursday the Multinational Coordinating Council (MNCC) of the Philippine government and the armed forces of 16 countries working together for faster and more efficient distribution of relief to the survivors of Supertyphoon “Yolanda” in the Eastern Visayas. “Our shared histories with the Philippines go a long way back. Friendship is not just about the good times. Friendship is also about the bad times, too,” Lt. Col. Paul Barta told the Inquirer. The 16 countries on the council are the Philippines, Australia, United States, Japan, Canada, Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei, Sweden, Vietnam, South Korea, New Zealand, Spain, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Israel. “Our friendship has been long term. Our commitment remains long term and our thoughts and prayers continue to be with the people of the Philippines. After a formal request from the government of the Philippines, the United States arrived and ready to help along with other nations,” said Tina Malone, spokesperson for the US Embassy. “Our role was to amplify the government of the Philippines’ response by providing extra help in a time Read More …

Expressions of sympathy, aid pour in as ‘Yolanda’ exits PH

 News
Nov 092013
 
Expressions of sympathy, aid pour in as ‘Yolanda’ exits PH

A house is engulfed by the storm surge brought about by powerful typhoon Haiyan that hit Legazpi city, Albay province Friday Nov.8, 2013. AP MANILA, Philippines – Citing the country’s strength and resilience at difficult times, the international community conveyed its sympathies to the Philippines on Saturday and expressed readiness to assist the country in recovering from what is likely to be staggering devastation caused by what has been described as one of the planet’s strongest typhoons of record. In a statement from Washington DC, US Secretary of State John Kerry cited the Filipino spirit in overcoming such challenges as he vowed to provide assistance to the Philippines. “Your spirit is strong,” said Kerry, conveying the American people’s “deepest condolences and solidarity” with the country. “Having so recently had my own visit to the Philippines prevented by another powerful storm, I know that these horrific acts of nature are a burden that you have wrestled with and courageously surmounted before,” said the official, who was forced to postpone a planned visit to Manila last month due to a storm. He said the US embassies in the Philippines and Palau were working with the government to see how the US could help. European Union Ambassador Guy Ledoux said the bloc would provide humanitarian aid to those affected by the typhoon as he expressed solidarity with the country. “The Philippines has been severely tested by nature on several occasions this year. As it confronts yet another natural calamity I express my solidarity Read More …

EU official to visit PH to boost development ties

 News
Nov 082013
 
EU official to visit PH to boost development ties

By Julliane Love de JesusINQUIRER.net 1:31 pm | Saturday, November 9th, 2013 European Union (EU) commissioner Andris Piebalgs. AFP PHOTO MANILA, Philippines—The European Commissioner for Development will visit the Philippines on Sunday to strengthen bilateral development cooperation between the European Union and the Philippines. European Union (EU) commissioner Andris Piebalgs said the highlight of his visit is the support to the Philippines “on its path to reduce poverty, strengthen the rule of law and support Mindanao’s Peace Process.” Aligned with the Philippines Development Plan for 2011 until 2016, EU development assistance delivers annually to the country about €640 million of grants “to combat poverty.” Piebalgs will meet Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita, Quintos Deles, Socio-economic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balicasan, Energy Secretary Carlos Jericho Petilla and Department of Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Evan Garcia. Ahead of the visit, Commissioner Piebalgs said in a statement: “I am pleased to see rapid economic growth in the Philippines in past few years. However it is now important to deepen the economic reforms and make this growth more inclusive.” As part of Piebalgs’ itinerary, he will visit the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources of the Department of Agriculture, which is supported by the EU Trade Related Technical Assistance (TRTA) project. Aside from the EU development assistance budget, the EU TRTA, in a 12-year period, has granted €18 million aimed at improving laboratory facilities in the Philippines, enhance the control system for fisheries products, training of Fish Health Management and Quality Assurance on export Read More …

PH verifying report US used Manila as spy hub

 News
Nov 042013
 
PH verifying report US used Manila as spy hub

By Frances MangosingINQUIRER.net 3:42 pm | Monday, November 4th, 2013 Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin INQUIRER FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines — The government is verifying among its intelligence communities a report from Australian media that the country has been used as a key “listening post” by the United States’ National Security Agency. “We are checking with our intelligence community. We are discussing if anything’s happening. So far there are no signs,” Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin told reporters at Camp Aguinaldo on Monday. The foreign media report said that Australia is sharing information with NSA, an agency involved with whistleblower Edward Snowden’s leaks. “A secret map released by Snowden revealed the US had also set up surveillance facilities in embassies and consulates, including in Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Phnom Penh, Bangkok, Yangon, Manila, Hong Kong, Taipei, Shanghai and Beijing,” the ABC News said. The ABC News also said that it was the same map that Snowden released to Der Spiegel, a German news magazine. It showed listening posts around the world including Manila. Renato Reyes, Secretary General of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan, said the use of Philippines as a listening post with or without the knowledge of the government, is “a violation of our sovereignty as a nation.” “It opens us to violations of our right to privacy. Even Malacañang could be subject to surveillance. All the affairs of government could be monitored by a foreign entity,” he also said. Reyes also said the new US ambassador should explain to the public the real Read More …

New Zealand provides P30-M assistance to PH quake, flood victims

 News
Nov 042013
 
New Zealand provides P30-M assistance to PH quake, flood victims

INQUIRER.net 2:55 pm | Monday, November 4th, 2013 New Zealand’s Foreign Minister Murray McCully (L) MANILA, Philippines–New Zealand Minister of Foreign Affairs Murray McCully announced Monday that New Zealand is providing $NZ850,000 (approximately P30 million) in humanitarian assistance to the Philippines following the recent disasters that have hit Central Visayas and Mindanao. “We are deeply sympathetic to the plight of people affected by these crises,” said New Zealand Ambassador Reuben Levermore, in an official statement sent via email to media companies. “We hope that the assistance announced today by Minister McCully will aid in the rapid recovery of the communities affected by the Bohol Earthquake and flooding in Zamboanga.” New Zealand’s assistance package will contribute $500,000 through UNICEF as one of the key implementing partners of the United Nations appeal following the Bohol earthquake. Another $100,000 has been allocated to draw on New Zealand technical expertise to help the Philippine government further assess the earthquake damage and prepare for reconstruction work. Ambassador Levermore said that New Zealand’s contribution responds to the international appeal launched by the United Nations after a new assessment revealed that an estimated 370,000 people had been left living in temporary shelters after the 7.2 earthquake struck two weeks ago. In addition, $250,000 is being provided for urgent water, sanitation, and hygiene facilities for the conflict-displaced population living in Zamboanga City, where recent flooding has placed significant pressure on emergency shelters and created serious health risks. The New Zealand Aid Programme already supports disaster risk management and Read More …

Panatag Shoal won’t be another Mischief Reef, PH defense chief vows

 News
Oct 252013
 
Panatag Shoal won’t be another Mischief Reef, PH defense chief vows

By Frances MangosingINQUIRER.net 4:41 pm | Friday, October 25th, 2013 Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin MANILA, Philippines—Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin on Friday assured that Panatag Shoal (Scarborough) off Zambales will not be another Mischief Reef. The statement came after the Department of Foreign Affairs said that the Philippines will no longer protest the presence of concrete blocks in Panatag, saying that there were no “determination of facts.” The Philippines accused China in late August of putting concrete blocks in the disputed territory. “I don’t think [it would be another Mischief Reef], because we have regular air and sea patrols,” Gazmin told reporters. Gazmin said the blocks have algae, an indication that they were already old. “Well now, we have seen that they are old. But how did it get there? In other words, these were newly discovered but it doesn’t mean they were newly put,” he said. “This is new to us because we have just seen it recently. At that time it was low tide. Maybe during previous missions it was on high tide so we did not see it,” he said. He could not say, however, how old the concrete blocks were. In 1995, structures built by China were sighted in the Mischief Reef, an area near Ayungin also within the Philippine exclusive economic zone, where the Chinese put up a military garrison. These were reportedly built initially to provide shelter for fishermen, but were later transformed into a military garrison. Gazmin emphasized that the arbitration case still continued. Read More …

JICA urges PH to review building code, ensure stronger structures

 News
Oct 172013
 
JICA urges PH to review building code, ensure stronger structures

By Allan A. NawalInquirer Mindanao 9:10 am | Friday, October 18th, 2013 INQUIRER FILE PHOTO DAVAO CITY, Philippines—The Philippine government must take “urgent steps to protect public infrastructure from natural disasters,” the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) said. In a statement sent out on Wednesday following the devastating Bohol earthquake, JICA had quoted a recent speech by Tatsuo Narafu, its senior advisor on architectural mitigation for disaster, in urging the Philippine government to take steps toward a more resilient infrastructure. Narafu, speaking before a recent forum on infrastructure safety and resiliency—which was sponsored by the World Bank—said among the steps needed to be taken to improve the resiliency of public infrastructure and facilities to protect it from natural disasters would be a review of the national building code. He said resilient infrastructure could actually contribute to saving lives. Narafu said similar actions were taken by the Japanese government following the massive devastation caused by 1995 “Great” Hanshin Awaji earthquake, during which, more than 5,000 people were killed and nearly 35,000 others  were injured. Of the more than 100,000 structures destroyed by the tremor, 38,321 completely collapsed, including a large portion of the Hansin Expressway, which links Kobe and Osaka. Narafu said more stringent measures were taken by the Japanese government following the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami that killed 15,883 people. During that earthquake, more than 400,000 structures across 20 prefectures were damaged. “We recommend a review of the building codes in the Philippines as well as enhancing the capacity Read More …

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