MANILA, Philippines – A member of the Philippine peacekeeping forces in the quake-ravaged Haiti has been confirmed killed after her body was pulled out from the collapsed headquarters of the United Nations Stabilization Mission.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said the remains of Philippine Navy Petty Officer Pearlie Panangui was among those recovered from the collapsed Christopher Hotel, which was being used as headquarters of the UN Stabilization Mission in the city of Port-au-Prince.

The recovery of the female peacekeeper’s body brought the confirmed Filipino fatalities in Haiti to 2.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) earlier said in a statement that the body of Jerome Yap, a United Nations staff member serving with the UN Stabilization Mission in Haiti, was recovered 6:15 p.m. Monday (Manila time).

“Mr. Yap’s remains were recovered by search and rescue teams amidst the rubble of the Minustah headquarters [in the city of Port-au-Prince] several hours after the bodies of the special representatives of the secretary general Hedi Annabi and several others were pulled out of the ruins,” the DFA said in a statement.

It said Yap, a native of Pampanga province, served as an executive assistant to Luis Carlos de la Costa, deputy special representative of Annabi.

The DFA said the Philippine mission has already relayed the sad news to his family in New York and in Pampanga.

The news about the recovery of Yap’s body was conveyed by Lt. Col. Lope Dagoy, commander of the 10th Philippine Peacekeeping Contingent, which has been actively participating in search and retrieval operations in the calamity-stricken country.

Meanwhile, 2 Filipinos have been rescued from under the collapsed UN Stabilization Mission headquarters and the Caribbean Supermarket.

Four more, including 2 Filipino peacekeepers and 2 overseas Filipino workers, have been reported missing.

The 2 peacekeepers — Army Sergeant Eustacio Bermudez, Air Force Sergeant Janice Arocena — are believed trapped at the collapsed UN headquarters.

source:

The Commission on Filipinos Overseas warns the Filipino women and the public in general of fake CFO Guidance and Counseling Certificates and Registration Stickers sold by so-called recruitment agencies or marriage brokers. The documents purport to show that the women are married to foreign nationals and therefore can leave for abroad usually to work.

In an official statement sent to media outlets, CFO says that such activities violate the Anti-Mail Order Bride Law (RA 6955) and the Anti-Human Trafficking Law (RA 9208), which provide stiff fines and long prison terms. The victims on the other hand, run the risk of being blacklisted by the government of their intended country of destination. Filipino spouses and partners of foreign nationals are required to undergo the Guidance and Counseling Program of the CFO prior to applying for a Philippine passport. There are only two counseling service providers accredited by the CFO namely, the St. Mary Euphrasia Foundation (SMEF-COW) and the People’s Reform Initiative for Social Mobilization (PRISM). After complying with the counseling requirements, a certificate is issued to the Filipina spouse or partner of a foreign national.  

For information on the programs, contact nos. (02) 561-8321 loc. 104-105 and 200-203.

POEA chief Jennifer Manalili said that Filipino seafarers who have been issued transit visas are not allowed to work in the UK fishing industry. This is in connection with the announcement made by the United Kingdom’s Border Agency as UK to get strict on Pinoy seafarers with transit visa to work as fishermen in the place. The action is made following the discovery that many Filipino seafarers working in Britain’s fishing industry use transit visa to enter UK.

Manalili said the UK transit visa is issued for non-European Union seafarers, including Filipinos joining UK vessels that are traveling international waters for a longer period. But this visa has been used by seamen who are offered to work in UK’s fishing industry to circumvent the law requiring them to get work visas.

The POEA chief said that UK transit visas are temporary visas issued for non-European Union seafarers that includes Filipinos joining vessels in the UK traveling international waters for a longer period. Manalili said to those aspiring Filipinos to work legally in UK fishing industry must secure valid work visas and their employment contracts must fully abide the employment laws and standards in United Kingdom, with particular on minimum wage. Following to the reports from the UK Border Agency, Manalili said that some Filipino seafarers working as fishermen in Scotland and Northern Ireland receive below the minimum wage salaries and is living in harbors and on board fishing vessels.

Despite the harsh living condition, many Filipino workers in the UK fishing industry opted to stay owing to scarce job opportunities back home. Further, Manalili said, the British embassy in Manila is now implementing a new point-based system in assessing applications for permission to enter the United Kingdom. Local recruitment industry officials said the new system could make it more difficult for Filipino workers to enter UK.

What will come out from your mind when we talk about the life of the Filipino Seaman abroad? Do you really know the life of the Filipino Seaman abroad? Do you really intend to be like him? Well, let’s take a round about the life of the Filipino Seaman abroad?

The Filipino Seaman abroad is considered as one of the overseas workers abroad or the OFW. Regardless of your job for as long as you work abroad, you belong to the OFW. However, not all have the same life experience in life. The only experience every life of the Filipino Seaman has in common is that every one remits money towards the country, the Philippines.

In order to achieve what you want to be in life is that you need something. As to the life of the Filipino Seaman abroad, it requires knowledge, effort, patience and perseverance. The life of the Filipino Seaman abroad should be equipped with these values. Otherwise, it will be a lot of questions wether or not one blends towards the life of the Filipino Seaman abroad as each value holds its importance. Wherever you may be outside the country, the knowledge helps a lot. It serves as your weapon to deal with other nationalities. See how the effort pays? It is your effort that keeps you strong to compete with other seaman across the nation.

But being strong is not enough. For you also need protection, that is patience. It is your patience that serves as your shield. It keeps you away from harm from whatever it is thrown to you. But what about the perseverance? How does it help towards the life of the
Filipino Seaman abroad? Well, it moulds you to become the real you as it makes you courageous no matter how long and how much it takes.

One might ask, are these all enough that a Filipino Seaman abroad should have? No, there are things that a Filipino Seaman working abroad should have to consider . For the life of the Filipino Seaman abroad is susceptible to experience some things which are beyond his knowledge or expectation. Those things beyond the control of the Filipino Seaman working abroad, those things he doesn’t want to happen but it simply happen.

The life of the Filipino Seaman abroad is not a piece of cake. It is accompanied with tests and trials. But despite of those, the Filipino Seaman abroad doesn’t simply give up. He doesn’t care though how far he may go. He dares to venture the seas. The angry waves and the stormy days don’t threaten him. Even the sleepless nights and boredom don’t weaken him. He does nothing but just keep working. The Filipino Seaman abroad does it for no other reason than to provide the goodness for his family. This is the only thing where the strength of the Filipino Seaman abroad originates. Nothing can shatter him except to have a problem on his health. As it is his health that matters most to continue working.

The Filipino Seaman abroad is looking after for the happiness of his family. It is his pleasure to provide his family’s needs. But sometimes, the family goes beyond the limit. The family comes out of bounds and ends up with a high expenditures. So the Filipino Seaman abroad takes vacation and ends up in chaos financially. He has nothing but debt that forces him to go back to work abroad again. The worse thing that comes secondly with the health problem is that if this scene comes again and again each year.

This is the life of the Filipino Seaman abroad. So how do you see him? Does he deserve this after all, doesn’t he?

Submitted by:
Totskie- a Filipino Seaman Abroad

CEBU CITY — Filipinos are encouraged to capitalize on the growing demand for health workers, particularly caregivers, in Japan as jobs relating to the medical profession continue to rise there amid the global crisis, an official from a local university here said.

“Even with the crisis, Japan is still in need of more health workers, especially caregivers. That’s a big opportunity that Filipinos need to consider,” said Cebu Doctors’ University Hospital administrator Oscar Tuason.

Tuason, in an interview Wednesday at the sidelines of the Cebu Health and Wellness Council gathering, said while many are discouraged by scarce jobs in the United States and Europe, Japan on the other hand is trying to make room for health workers.

In order to prepare Filipino caregivers for Japan, the CDUH has opened in March 2008 the Japanese-Filipino Caregiver Project, described as a first in the Philippines, that allows caregivers including nurses and therapists to work in Japan.

Tuason said the school has partnered with Japanese companies Konoike Transport Co. Ltd. and the Jukenzai Group in the program implementation here. He said these Japanese firms are aiming to address their shortage of healthcare workers given Japan’s aging population.

According to their respective websites, the Jukenzai Group is one of the largest medical corporations in Japan with over 3,000 hospital beds specializing in medical care, nursing care and caregiving for the elderly.

he Konoike Group is into the sterilizing business and the supply of hospital equipment and logistics, catering to more than 500 hospitals in Japan.

Under the program, CDUH offers a crash course on Japanese care-giving based on a curriculum outlined by the Japanese group.

The course, which runs for two to three months, details specific Japanese practices and culture in caregiving.

“Japan has a unique way of caring for their elderly,” Tuason noted.

In order to assist students during the practical training, he said several medical equipment had to be imported from Japan.

Aside from the course, the students learn Nippongo on a daily basis since health workers in Japan needed to be competent in conversational, level two Nippongo.

Tuason said 10 students have already graduated from the caregiving course and 25 more are currently enrolled in the program.

Tuason said that in the light of the present global financial crisis, Filipino healthcare workers need not be discouraged as work opportunities, especially in their field, is still plenty.

“Demand for our health workers abroad will always continue. So far, there hasn’t been any significant decline in the number of Filipinos who lost jobs in this practice,” he concluded.

Publication:  Manila Bulletin
http://www.articlearchives.com/asia/northern-asia-japan/2332152-1.html

The cries of our heroes during the proclamation of the Philippine Independence were heard in 1898. After 111 years of achieving and of being an independent nation, what’s next for the Philippines?

Courageous Filipinos keep on fighting not only for the country’s freedom, for religion and territory but also to escape from hunger as a result of poverty.

The current economic crisis, high unemployment rate, graft and corruption, the highest reported cases of swine flu in Southeast Asia, and other national problems and concerns are seriously tightening up almost 90 million Filipinos into severe bondage.

Despite predicaments and labor issues, we never lose hope and determination to uphold the sovereignty of our motherland as we become more global, coping with the challenges confronting us.

For years, we have proven our worth for our talents and developed the skills we possess for others.

We are highly recognized through world-class performers like Lea Salonga, Charice Pempengco, Freddie Aguilar and the phenomenal pound-for-pound champion Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao, all of whom have conquered the world of entertainment and sports, identifying us for our hard work. They have helped the world regard us as becoming a global partner in the world’s economic development.

As we commemorate the declaration of Philippine Independence, we greatly honor the unconditional sacrifices of our living heroes spearheaded by Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and expatriates, who keep on bringing so much pride and glory despite considerable reported cases of abuse, prejudice and mistreatment.

Also, the “bayanihan,” or a communal unity in the spirit of volunteerism, still exists among Filipinos working overseas.

Here in Korea, Filipino workers joined with one another to empower their small groups wherever they belong ― an organization of migrants with a common goal: to help fellow migrants.

Korea has been regarded as an ideal destination for Filipinos engaged in various professions such as engineers, factory workers, traders, domestic helpers and entertainers, with the total about 51,000.

Civic groups, religious leaders, Korean spouses, fellow workers as well as conscientious Koreans are helping distressed workers, regardless of their gender, religion, visa status and educational background.

Moreover, the recent visit of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to Seoul and the ASEAN Commemorative Summit in Jeju Island have significantly strengthened the relationship between the two countries in trade, education and tourism. One such accomplishment is the continuous hiring of more than 5,000 OFWs under the Employment Permit System, for which a memorandum of understanding has been signed anew.

As we celebrate our independence day, themed “One Philippines,” in Korea, we also commemorate the 60th year of diplomatic ties between Korea and the Philippines with pride and joy. In this vein, pageantry of culture, tourism and beauty has been showcased in Seoul through music, dances, artwork and movies ― reaffirming the friendship between the two countries in the course of recognizing each other’s contribution toward global democracy and economic development.

Such privileges and opportunities greatly helped to free us from poverty.

To reciprocate the valuable contribution of OFWs to the economy of this country, the government should provide more concrete and immediate livelihood programs to elevate and support the living conditions of some displaced workers and those who opted to stay for their employers during the economic downturn.

In celebration of our 111th anniversary of the Philippine Independence and 14th Philippine Migrants’ Day in Korea, albeit retroactively, let us band together to support the OFWs to be more productive and make us show the local community the talents, skills and unity that we Filipinos have become famous for.

By Elizer Penaranda

Source: http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/opinon/2009/07/137_48001.html

Eligibility to apply from inside Canada

You can only apply for a work permit from inside Canada if:

• you have a valid study or work permit, or your spouse or parents have a study or work permit
• you have a work permit for one job but want to apply for a work permit for a different job
• you have a temporary resident permit that is valid for six months or more or
• you are in Canada because you have already applied for permanent residence from inside Canada. You will have to pass certain stages in the main application process before you can be eligible for a work permit.

You must also have the following documents:

• a job offer from a Canadian employer
• a completed application, that shows that you meet the requirements of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations, and
• written confirmation from HRSDC that the employer can hire a foreign worker to fill the job. This confirmation is called a positive labour market opinion

-In most cases, it is up to your employer to get that written confirmation. Information on the labour market opinion is found under Information for Canadian employers on the right-hand side of this page.

-In some cases, you do not need a labour market opinion. (See Jobs that require a work permit but no labour market opinion.)

You must also do the following:

• Satisfy an immigration officer that you will leave Canada at the end of your work permit.
• Show that you have enough money to support yourself and your family while you are in Canada.
• Respect the law and have no criminal record. (You may have to provide a police clearance certificate. See Have a medical exam or criminal check done in the I Need To… section on the right-hand side of the page.)
• Show that you are not a risk to the security of Canada.
• Be in good health. (You may have to have a medical examination.)

Note: if you are a temporary foreign worker in Canada who has a work permit under the Pilot Project for Occupations Requiring Lower Levels of Formal Training (NOC C and D), and you want to extend your stay, please see Pilot Project for Occupations Requiring Lower Levels of Formal Training (NOC C and D) in the Related Links at the bottom of this page.

Source: www.cic.gc.ca/English/work/apply-who-eligible.asp#inside

There is this question that keep coming up from visitors in Canada who decided that they wanted to stay in the country to work – legally.

Most of the people who ask are professionals in their own countries who could not find a suitable opportunity in her or his profession in their homeland. Once they are in Canada and they find that in Canada, like in many Western countries, abound with opportunities for anyone who is willing to work hard and has the right education – they decided that Canada is the place for them to be in for the rest of their working life.

Now, their question is this – Is it possible to obtain a work permit while inside Canada as a visitor?

The answer to that is – Yes! it is possible, but it is tricky and the individual will have to go through difficult hurdles, but not impossible to achieve.

Below is one situation wherein a visitor in Canada can apply for a work permit while inside the country and have proven to work effectively:

Apply as a caregiver.

A visitor to Canada may apply while inside Canada as a caregiver, perhaps to take care of an elderly or disabled relative. In fact we know of a lot of visitors from other countries who have availed of this and have successfully obtained a work visa.

But be careful, though, because it takes strategy and preparation to become a working permit holder in this category.

First of all, you have to have a caregiver training if you plan on applying as one. Please note that your caregiver training must have been obtained in your own country or outside Canada and the school which provided the training has to be an approved training facility by HRSDC.

If you did not obtain that training before coming to Canada then it’s unlikely that you will be able to take the course inside Canada because you will need a student permit before Canada can allow you to study inside the country. Do not attempt to take the caregiver course inside Canada without the proper student visa otherwise it will only be a total waste of time and money because your training will not be honored as a valid caregiver training upon your application.

To apply as a caregiver while inside Canada, you must have someone willing to sponsor you as a caregiver (like a relative or friend), extend your visitors visa – then apply for a work permit as a caregiver in the nearest Canadian consulate inside the U.S. (you will need to apply for a visa to enter the United States).

It’s difficult but it’s doable.

Visit the website of Immigration Canada to get more information on immigration and work permit laws.

DAVAO City – The demand for Filipino nurses in developed countries is growing.

In the United States alone, demand is estimated at 600,000 between now and 2020, acting regional labor chief Romeo Cagas said during a round table discussion on the nursing profession in Davao City.

Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) regional director Delfina Camarillo reported that some 33,964 nurses were deployed abroad from 1995 to 2000.

But in 2001 alone, 13,536, or 39.85 percent of Filipino nurses, were deployed between 1995 and 2000.

Attended by various institutions, including the Commission on Higher Eduction in the Southern Mindanao Region, St. Augustine School of Nursing, Davao Doctors College, U.M. School of Nursing, Ateneo de Davao University and other nursing entities, the round table talk focused on the issues of the nursing profession in the Philippines, which needs intervention to cushion the effects of outflow of nurses from the country and maximize employment opportunities for nurses to encourage them to work in the Philippines.

It was suggested that implementation of the new Nursing Law, or Republic Act 9173, be strictly enforced and graduates in nursing courses first serve the country for at least two years before they can leave the country. It was also recommended that stiffer requirements for Filipino nurses going abroad be required.

“There used to be a program requiring nursing graduates to do rural service, but now our nursing profession has become very lax. Nurses should first serve the country before going abroad,” one participant said.

The Department of Labor and Employment’s employment promotions chief, Ofelia Domingo, said the nursing shortage in the U.S. is being caused by steep population growth resulting in a growing need for health care services; a diminishing pipeline of new students in nursing; an aging nursing workforce; and the lack of interest among youths to take up nursing because of the difficult and risky working conditions.

Filipino nurses prefer to work abroad because of its high pay. Low salary, abject health conditions and political instability are the frequent reasons cited by Filipino nurses trying their luck abroad.

Other points of discussion included:

• The shortage of nurses has led US hospitals to entice nurses from other countries by increasing the signing bonus from $1,000 to $7,000;

• There is need of nurses in Austria, Norway and Japan; • Doctors study to become nurses just to leave the country and get a US immigrant visa.