Thursday, December 18, 2008

December 17, 2008

http://www.gmanews.tv/story/139949/Krisis-di-naging-hadlang-sa-pagdalo-ng-mga-Pinoy-sa-Makkah

Krisis 'di naging hadlang sa pagdalo ng mga Pinoy sa Makkah
12/17/2008 10:16 AM

Email this Email the Editor Print Digg this Add to del.icio.us
JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia - Matagumpay na naisakatuparan ng mga Filipino pilgrims ang Hajj sa Makkah noong nakaraang Linggo, ayon sa Amerul Hajj sa taong ito na si Sulu Rep. Yusop H. Jikiri.

Ayon sa kongresista, ngayong taon ang isa sa pinakaorganisadong Hajj sa mga Pinoy pilgrim na kanyang naobserbahan. Bilang Amerul Hajj, si Jikiri ang namahala sa mga problemang kinaharap ng mga Pinoy pilgrim.

Sinabi ni Jikiri na naging madali para sa kanya ang pagsasagawa ng Hajj ngayong taon.Ang Hajj ang ikalimang haligi ng Islam at pinakamahalaga sa buhay ng mga Muslim. Ito ang panahon kung saan kailangan nilang pumunta sa Makkah para mag-ayuno, magsakripisyo at humingi ng kapatawaran kay Allah.

Ngunit dahil sa hirap ng buhay ngayon, hindi lahat ng mga Muslim na Filipino ay kayang gumastos para makapunta sa Makkah.Pinatotohanan ni Salem C. Sanihin, 13 ulit nang dumalo sa Hajj, ang malaking gastos sa Makkah kung saan umabot umano sa P200,000 ang ginastos niya ngayong taon. Sinabi niya na noong 1989 ay umaabot lamang sa P50,000 ang kanyang gastos sa Hajj.

Nilinaw ni Sanihin, mula sa Basilan at legal officer sa Office of the President National Commission on Indigenous People, na tanging may mga kaya lamang sa buhay ang obligado sa Hajj.

Sinabi naman ni Hajj Attaché Solaiman C. Mutya na isang 67-anyos na babaeng pilgrim ang namatay sa sakit na asthma at pneumonia. Agad umanong nailibing ang nasawi sa Makkah matapos maisaayos ang mga papeles nito.

Si Mutya ay itinalaga ng Malacanang bilang Hajj Attaché simula pa noong nakaraang taon at manunungkulan sa Jeddah para magbigay ng serbisyo sa mga Filipino pilgrims at asikasuhin ang mga delegado ng Pilipinas sa Hajj.

Tinatayang 4,831 ang bilang ng mga dumating sa Hajj, hindi pa kasama ang ilang mga indibidwal na Filipino na dumating bilang mga bisita ng mga international government organization at Ministry of Information.Kabilang sa mga nakiisa sa Hajj ay ang Presidential Envoy na si Sultan Jamalul Kiram, Undersecretary Ali B. Sangki ng Office on Muslim Affairs at ilang mga local government officials. - Ronaldo Z. Concha, GMANews.TV

Saturday, November 29, 2008

April 23, 2008

http://www.gmanews.tv/story/91064/Pinoy-arrested-in-Jeddah-for-showing-porn-films

Pinoy arrested in Jeddah for showing porn films
04/23/2008 03:38 PM

Email this Email the Editor Print Digg this Add to del.icio.us
MANILA, Philippines - A Filipino allegedly operating a movie house showing obscene films in the Al-Sinaiyah district in Jeddah was arrested by Saudi authorities in a raid last month.

Saudi Arabia's Committee for Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice discovered, after a concerned citizen's tip, the establishment showing pornographic movies, mostly to Filipino patrons.

Consul General Ezzedin Tago said that a "liquor factory" was also found in the area, allegedly also owned by the Filipino. The equipments were confiscated following the unidentified Filipino's arrest.Tago warned Filipinos in Saudi Arabia to avoid engaging in illegal activities so that they may not end up in jail.

He also assured that the consulate will do its best to assist the arrested Filipino in Jeddah. - Ronaldo Concha, GMANews.TV

Friday, November 28, 2008

November 28, 2008

http://www.gmanews.tv/story/136329/Pinoy-groups-in-KSA-play-to-raise-gift-for-stranded-Pinays

Pinoy groups in KSA play to raise gift for stranded Pinays
RONALDO CONCHA & KIMBERLY JANE T. TAN, GMANews.TV
11/28/2008 01:10 PM

Email this Email the Editor Print Digg this Add to del.icio.us
MANILA, Philippines - For the fourth straight year, Filipinos in the western region of Saudi Arabia gathered to raise funds for the more than 50 stranded female overseas Filipino workers (OFW) under the care of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA).

Filipinos from Yanbu, Rabigh, Taif and the Asir regions of Saudi Arabia flocked to “WOW Pinoy" gathering at the Iceland, a mall in Jeddah. The event initiated by community leader Francis Salud was organized this year by the Overseas Filipino Workers Cooperative Council.

Salud said that the event has become an annual “bonding activity" for Filipinos in Jeddah and nearby cities in the western region, with the number of participants ballooning each year.Guest of honor Consul General Ezzedin Tago took the occasion to exhort participants to continue with such constructive activities and to avoid prohibited acts that not only could land them in jail but also stain the reputation of Filipinos in the Kingdom.

Giving spice to the occasion were the groups Waraynon Ha Jeddah and Hawak Kamay Gabay organization, who performed special dance numbers, and singers Say Hipolito and long-time Jeddah singing sensation Jeanette Cervito.The main feature of the gathering was a bowling competition, with the Yanbu Bowlers Saudi Arabia (A&B from the industrial city of Yanbu emerging as the champions.

The other winners were: Ranao Divers Club, 1st runner-up; Forever Friends, 2nd runner-up; Siglakas, 3rd runner-up; and the Institute of Overseas Filipino Architects (IOFA), 4th runner-up.Individual awards were also given to Jojie Ramos of Forever Friends, Olivia Soriano of King Abdulaziz Medical Center (KAMC) Tennis Club, Andy Yumena of Romblon Jeddah, and Leo Perez.of IOFA.Garnering the award for best in uniform was the Muslim-Christian Basketball Referee Coop; with the Yanbu Bowlers placing second and Hawak Kamay third.

The best muse award was snagged by the OFC-Philippine Sunrise Int’l School, with Forever Friends placing second and the Philippine Society of Mechanical Engineers (PSME) third. Apart from the teams mentioned, the other participating teams were the Bag-ong Bicol Saro nin Jeddah, Romblon Jeddah, the Serenata choir, Pinoy Harley Owners' Group, Guardians International, Inc. (Jeddah Legion), Cebuano-Speaking Organization in Saudi Arabia, Samahang Marinduqueňo sa Kanlurang Saudi Arabia.United Filipino Migrant Workers Association (UniFil), Pinoy Anglers Club, Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants-WR, FreeLife Filipino Workers Group, Filipino Salesmen & Merchandisers Association, Gulf Pinoy Workers Group, Kapit-Bisig OFW.

Jeddah Ranao Tennis Club, Filipino Volleyball League-Jeddah (FVLJ), International Medical Center-Family Sports, Boholano Community in Jeddah-ventures Coop. Mga Waraynon Ha Jeddah, Association of World Class Filipino Chef in Jeddah, Filipino Expat Damayan Group, Philippine International School in Assir, Saudia City Tennis Club, Xpat Bowlers, Al Suwaidi Rabigh Strikers (Rabigh), Al Shorouq International School (Taif), Desert Fox Shooters, and OFW Cooperative Council.

Like in the previous years, fund collected during the event is to be used for charity. The recipient is still being identified.In 2006, the recipient was a diabetes victim. Last year, proceeds of the event went to Leonora Somera, a 67-year-old native of Nueva Ecija who sought refuge at the Philippine Consulate General in Jeddah after working as caretaker and shepherdess for about 18 years for a family in the western city of Abha without getting regular pay.

The money from Wow Pinoy was used to pay for accumulated penalties charged against Somera for overstaying her visa in the kingdom. She eventually returned home last March after being stuck at the OWWA shelter for more than two years. - GMANews.TV

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

November 26, 2008

http://www.gmanews.tv/story/135859/Merchants-urge-govt-to-repatriate-stranded-OFWs-in-Jeddah

Merchants urge gov’t to repatriate stranded OFWs in Jeddah
11/26/2008 05:40 PM

MANILA, Philippines - An association of Filipino merchants on Tuesday urged the Philippine government to expedite the repatriation of stranded OFWs in the western Saudi Arabian city of Jeddah to end their sufferings.

The Filipino Salesman and Merchandisers Association (Filsama) made the appeal after interacting with the stranded workers at the shelter being maintained by the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) inside the Philippine consulate compound in Jeddah.Most of the workers are domestic helpers who reportedly ran away from abusive employers.Filsama officers and members led by their president, Abdulmoen “Teng" Laguialam, visited the workers and brought gifts of canned goods, noodles and personal items.

Filsama’s other leaders included Edgardo Santos, vice president; Roberto Bato, secretary-general; Rene Valle, treasurer; auditors Manny Manalo and Ogie Nucump; business managers Frank Reales and Jal delos Reyes; public relations officers Romy dela Cruz, Ramil Portillo, and Jhong Mamang; and sergeants-at-arms Edwin Tulah and Gilbert Chiong. Welfare Officers Nene Lanto and Romeo Pablo accepted the donations on behalf of the stranded workers.

The workers were thankful of the donations that they received.“Wag sana kayong magsawang magbigay sa amin (I hope you will not get tired of helping us)," said Jennebel Cuaresma who spoke for the distressed workers.

The merchant group also thanked the OWWA officials for taking care of the stranded OFWs.But Laguialam said that the year would end better for the workers if Philippine government officials would exert more effort in helping them return home so that they could start life anew.- Ronaldo Concha and Kimberly Jane Tan, GMANews.TV

November 26, 2008

http://www.gmanews.tv/story/135813/Cancer-stricken-Pinay-in-Jeddah-seeks-help

Cancer-stricken Pinay in Jeddah seeks help
RONALDO CONCHA & KIMBERLY JANE T. TAN, GMANews.TV

11/26/2008 03:22 PM

JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia - A cancer-stricken Filipina domestic worker in Saudi Arabia is seeking repatriation and financial help.

Fely Borlongan, a 61-year old who had been diagnosed with lung cancer, on Monday said she has not other recourse but to appeal for help from those with “kind hearts." “Hirap na po ako dito, gusto ko na umuwi nang makasama ko ang aking mga anak.

Tanging ang mga anak ko na lang ang nagbibigay sa akin nang lakas. Kumakatok po ako sa aking mga kababayan na matulungan nyo ako makauwi (I am having a really hard time here, I want to go home and be with my children, they are the only ones who give me strength. I am appealing to my fellow Filipinos to help me come home)," she said.

A widow with five children in Bulacan, Borlongan said that she could not properly come home because she ran away from her employer in Jeddah more than a year ago.Having worked in Saudi Arabia since 1989, she found out that she had lung cancer just last August.

She had been relying on help from friends since then, but because her condition has worsened, she wants to come home and be with her children.“Hirap na hirap ho si Fely lalo na ‘pag sumusumpong ang kanyang sakit hindi sya makagulapay sa sakit na kanyang nararamdaman (Fely suffers when her disease acts up, the pain disables her)," said Borlongan’s friend Paz Bayan.

Apart from her repatriation requirements, Borlongan also has to pay the penalty for her expired Iqama or national ID, which contains her work permit, and the cancellation of the report that she ran away from her employer.

“San ako kukuha nang ganyang kalaking halaga? Wala na po akong trabaho, ang perang naikontribusyon nang aming mga kaibigan ay naubos na sa pagpapagamot ko dito (Where will I get that kind of money? I don’t have a job and the money given by my friends has been used up for my treatment)," she said.

She said she was also concerned how she will be able to provide for her three grandchildren who were left in her care by her deceased daughter.Borlongan has approached the Assistance to Nationals section of the Philippine Consulate General in Jeddah for help.

The consulate reportedly coordinated with her former employer immediately to obtain her passport.According to Elsa Masa of the Assistance to Nationals section, they are doing everything that they can in order to help Borlongan come home.

The consulate official said she has already sent a request to their office in Manila and is just waiting for a reply.“Wala naman nang problema sa kaso niya dahil nakipag-coordinate na ang kanyang amo," she said.

Masa said that they will take care of the Iqama penalty and also said that Borlongan’s former employer gave 500 Saudi Riyals or about P7,000 for the OFW’s repatriation.Nonetheless, she said additional help for Borlongan would be most welcome since she has to continue with her medical treatment. - GMANews.TV

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

November 25, 2008

http://www.gmanews.tv/story/135631/Lolang-OFW-na-may-kanser-sa-Saudi-nais-ng-umuwi


Lolang OFW na may kanser sa Saudi nais ng umuwi
11/25/2008 08:33 PM

Email this Email the Editor Print Digg this Add to del.icio.us
JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia – Wala ng ibang hangad ngayon ang 61-anyos na Pinay domestic helper na si Fely Borlongan kundi ang makauwi ng Pilipinas upang makapiling ang kanyang pamilya sa natitirang bahagi ng kanyang buhay.

Si Borlongan, tubong Hagonoy, Bulacan ay kabilang sa malaking bilang ng mga DH na tumakas sa kanilang mga amo dahil sa mga kaso ng pagmamaltrato, pagiging biktima ng pang-abuso, hindi tamang pasahod at labis na pagtatrabaho.

Ngunit bukod sa kanyang edad at pagiging runaway, nakadagdag sa dinaramdam ni Borlongan ang kanyang sakit na lung cancer.Ayon kay Borlongan, taong 1989 nang magsimula siyang magtrabaho sa Saudi, Arabia at mula noong ay nagpabalik-balik na upang maghanap ng mapapasukan.

Noong 2007 ay tumakas umano siya sa kanyang amo dahil sa alitan.Ngunit nitong Agosto ay nagpasuri siya sa duktor dahil sa nararamdamang sakit sa katawan at dito natuklasan ang kanyang kanser sa baga.Kwento ni Paz Bayan, kaibigan at tumutulong kay Borlongan, nanghingi na sila kontribusyon sa kanilang mga kaibigan para maipagamot ang sakit ng huli.

Ngunit dahil lumulubha ang kondisyon nito, ang lolang DH na ang nakiusap na tulungan na lamang siyang makabalik ng Pilipinas."Hirap na hirap si Fely lalo na ‘pag sumusumpong ang kanyang sakit. Hindi sya makagulapay sa sakit," ayon kay Paz.

Lumapit na umano sila sa Assistance to National section ng Department of Foreign Affairs para humingi ng tulong upang makauwi si Borlongan. Kaagad namang nakipag- ugnayan ang ahensya sa kanyang amo upang makuha ang kanyang pasaporte.

Kapalit nito ay mawawalan na ng obligasyon ang foreign employer kay Borlongan.Para makauwi, kailangan umano ni Borlongan na bayaran ang penalty para sa kanyang expired Iqama, makansela ang report na sya ay tumakas, at pamasahe sa eroplano na nagkakahalaga ng 5,600 Saudi riyals."Saan ako kukuha ng ganyang kalaking halaga?

Wala na po akong trabaho. Ang perang naikontribusyon ng aming mga kaibigan ay naubos na sa pagpapagamot ko," malungkot na pahayag ni Borlongan. Bukod sa problema sa kanyang kalagayan, iniisip din ni Borlongan ang kinabukasan ng kanyang tatlong apo na ulila na sa ina matapos pumanaw ang kanyang anak.

Siya umano ang tumutustos sa pag-aaral ng mga ito. Habang ang iba niyang anak ay may kanya-kanya na ring pamilya at hindi rin gaanong sinuwerte sa buhay."Nanghihina na po ako dahil sa matindi ang kirot na nararamdaman ko sa aking katawan. Hirap na po ako rito kaya gusto ko nang umuwi para makasama ko ang aking mga anak.

Sila na lang ang nagbibigay sa akin ng lakas," pahayag ni Borlongan.Sinabi ni Elsa Masa, nakatalaga sa Assistance to National section, gumagawa na sila ng paraan upang makauwi si Borlongan.

Nakahingi na umano sila ng request sa opisina sa Maynila at hinihintay na lamang ang magiging kasagutan."Wala naman ng problema sa kaso nya dahil nakipag-coordinate na ang kanyang amo. Wala naman na silang magagawa dahil sa naisurender na sa immigration ang passport ni Fely. Kaya kami na ang mag-aayos sa kanyang mga penalty.

Tapos nagbigay din ng 500 Saudi riyals ang kanyang amo nang magkaharap harap sila rito sa opisina," pagtiyak ni Masa. - Ronaldo Z. Concha, GMANews.TV

Monday, November 24, 2008

November 22, 2008

http://www.gmanews.tv/story/135096/4000-Filipino-Muslims-expected-to-join-this-years-Haj

4,000 Filipino Muslims expected to join this year's Haj
11/22/2008 01:23 PM

JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia - The Philippine Consulate General here is in the thick of preparations to assist Filipino pilgrims for this year’s Haj in Makkah.Consul General Ezzedin Tago said that about 4,000 Filipino Muslim pilgrims are expected to participate in this year’s Haj, which will be in December.

The Haj is the largest annual pilgrimage in the world and is the fifth pillar of Islam, an obligation that must be carried out at least once in an Islam devotee's lifetime if he or she can afford it and is able to do so.The first batch of Filipino pilgrim arrived at the Haj terminal of the King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah on November 11.

Tago said that consulate personnel are all set to assist the pilgrims from their arrival up to their return to the Philippines. The Saudi government has also reportedly expressed its willingness to assist the consulate.

He also said that despite the exhaustion brought about by the long trip to Saudi Arabia, most pilgrims still seem to be lively and happy to reach the holy land.As of posting time, three flights from the Philippines have arrived in Saudi Arabia, which are reported to have carried an estimated 820 pilgrims.

Last year, among the prominent Filipino pilgrims were former Batangas Gov. Antonio Leviste and her more famous equestrienne daughter Toni; Reps. Mujib Hataman of the Anak Mindanao party-list group and Yusuf H. Jikiri of the 1st district of Sulu; Govs. Andal Ampatuan of Maguindanao, Sakur Tan of Sulu, and Sadikul A. Sahali of Tawi-Tawi. - Ronaldo Concha and Kimberly Jane T. Tan, GMANews.TV

November 22, 2008

http://www.gmanews.tv/story/135095/OFW-who-lost-her-sanity-repatriated-from-Jeddah

OFW who lost her sanity repatriated from Jeddah
11/22/2008 01:07 PM

JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia - A Filipino domestic helper who left her family in Mindoro to work in Saudi Arabia only last August was sent home earlier this week after exhibiting signs of insanity, Philippine officials in Jeddah said.

Arlene (not her real name), 33, an OFW from Oriental Mindoro, arrived in Jeddah on August 3 to work as a domestic helper for the family of a Saudi pilot.Welfare Officer Romualdo Exmundo of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) in Jeddah said that Arlene's employer took the maid to the Philippine Consulate on Oct. 15 to seek help, saying she started acting strangely after only a month at work.

Nagmakaawa ang (asawa ng) employer na iwan muna sa OWWA si Arlene dahil hindi nanga raw nila kaya lalo pa't laging nasa labas ang employer niya na isang piloto (Her employer’s wife pleaded that Arlene stays at the OWWA shelter because they cannot take care of her anymore, especially since pilot employer is always not at home)," said Exmundo.

The welfare officer said that Arlene was always meek and quiet even when she was at the shelter. Exmundo said they were surprised when the woman she escaped from the consulate early this month.

"Buti na lang at nahuli sya nang mga pulis at ibinalik sa konsulado si Arlene kaya ang ginawa namin ay dinala na agad sya sa hospital (It's a good thing that the police caught her and brought her back to the consulate after which we immediately brought her to the hospital)," he said.

Exmundo then asked the employer to let Arlene come back to the Philippines so that she can be properly treated and cared for. Her employer agreed and took care of everything that Arlene needed to be able go home.

He said that Arlene was lucky to have been hired by a kind employer."Hindi mo talaga masasabi kung ano ang pwedeng mangyari sa ating mga kababayan na nakikipag sapalaran dito (We really cannot say what can happen to our fellow Filipinos who try their luck here)," he said.The welfare officer said Arlene was escorted home by Vice Consul Lorenzo Jungco to Manila the other day via Saudi Airlines.

He said that Jungco had to escort the former OFW home because she cannot be left alone in her current condition.However, Jungco clarified that Arlene was not violent and that escorting her wasn't a problem since other deported OFWs who were also on their flight assisted."Ang mga ganitong sitwasyon ay palagi naming tinututukan para maayos namaihatid sa kanyang pamilya at mabigyan nang maayos na pangangalaga sapiling nila (We always see through these kinds of situations so that these OFWs can be properly sent back to their families and taken cared of)," he said.

He also said that having seen Arlene's case, aspiring OFWs should become stronger while working overseas."Sa araw-araw na pakikipagtunggali sa ating buhay dapat ay marunong tayo tumanggap nang ibinibigay sa atin nang panahon. dapat ay maging preparado ang ating isipan at damdamin sa anumang bagay na dumarating sa atin (With our everyday struggles, we should know how to deal with what is thrown at us, we should prepare our hearts and minds for whatever comes)," he said.

There are more than 60 distressed OFWs, some of whom have also become mentally unstable, temporarily housed at the OWWA center in Saudi Arabia while waiting for their cases to be resolved., welfare officers at the consulate say.

The cases of Arlene and a Filipino driver who ran berserk earlier this month in Jeddah,killing three people, could further boost a proposal by the Department of Foreign Affairs to require every Filipino seeking work abroad to undergo psychiatric or psychological examination.

The proposal has come under fire from various migrant groups, who warned that the requirement could only lead to unnecessary expenses by OFWs. - Ronaldo Concha and Kimberly Jane T. Tan, GMANews.TV

November 21, 2008


http://www.gmanews.tv/story/134964/OFW-na-pinabayaan-ng-amo-sa-ospital-muntik-di-makauwi-ng-Pinas

OFW na pinabayaan ng amo sa ospital muntik 'di makauwi ng Pinas
11/21/2008 08:18 PM

JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia – Kamuntik pang mabulilyaso ang pag-uwi sa Pilipinas ni Aida Palmunes Gutierrez, ang overseas Filipino worker na inabandona ng kanyang amo at naratay ng halos dalawang buwan sa ospital. Huling pasaherong sumakay sa Singapore Airlines si Gutierrez kasama ang kanyang kapatid na si Precy matapos ipitin umano ng amo nito ang kanyang pasaporte hanggang sa huling pagkakataon kamakalawa ng gabi.

Nakipagsagutan na umano at nakiusap ang ilang tauhan ng embahada ng Pilipinas sa employer ni Gutierrez upang ibinigay na nito ang pasaporte ng OFW para makabalik na sa Pilipinas at doon na ipagpatuloy ang pagpapagamot sa kanyang sakit.

Naiyak umano sa sobrang sama ng loob ang kapatid ng OFW na si Precy dahil pakiramdam nito ay pinahirapan pa rin sila ng employer ni Gutierrez hanggang sa huling sandali ng pananatili nila sa Jeddah.

Nakadagdag pa umano sa galit ng magkapatid ang ibinigay na 500 Riyal bilang “baon" nila pauwi ng Pilipinas na mistulang pag-insulto sa sinapit ng OFW."Nakakainsulto nagawa pa nilang magbigay pagkatapos na iniwan kami sa aming problema sa ospital," pahayag ni Precy patungkol sa mahigit P1 milyon na bayarin ng kanyang kapatid sa pananatili sa pagamutan.

Sinagot ng Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) ang bayarin sa ospital, bukod pa sa mga iniambag ng mga kapwa OFW matapos talikuran umano ng employer ni Gutierrez ang pananagutan nito.

Sinabi Welfare Officer Romeo Pablo ng OWWA na tumanggi ang employer na ibigay ang passport ng OFW dahil may diperensya umano ang mga papeles na papipirmahan kay Gutierrez.Hindi na rin umano napigilan ng mga opisyal ng Pilipinas ang magalit sa employer dahil sa tila panggigipit nito sa OFW.

"Sinabihan ko sya na dapat pumunta sya sa office three days before man lang, bakit ‘di siya nagpakita. Tapos sinabihan ko na bakit economy lang ang sinagot nya sa (plane) ticket ni Aida hindi na nga sya sumagot sa (gastos) hospital.

Ang sagot sa akin yun lang daw ang kaya nya," ayon kay Pablo.Napilitan umano ang employer na ibigay ang passport nang makita na ang magkapatid na lang ang naiwan na pasahero at pinagtitinginan na sila ng mga tao.

Isang papauwi ring OFW na si Renato Agra ang nagmagandang-loob na umalalay sa magkapatid na Gutierrez upang may makatuwang sa pagkalinga sa may sakit na si Aida.Bago umalis, muling pinasalamatan ni Precy ang lahat ng tumulong sa kanyang kapatid kabilang na ang mga kapwa OFWs, pamunuan ng pagamutan sa Jeddah at mga opisyal ng embahada at welfare center."Sa wakas nakaalis na sila.

Hindi maganda ang nangyaring ito dahil sa ginawang pagpapahirap ng kanyang sponsor. Dapat itong magawan ng legal na aksyon dahil sa pamumuwersa na ginawa ng amo nya na papirmahin si Aida bago ibigay ang kanyang pasaporte" ayon kay Romualdo Exmundo. - Ronaldo Concha, GMANews.TV

November 21, 2008

http://www.gmanews.tv/story/134959/Ailing-OFW-maltreated-to-the-last-minute-by-employer

Ailing OFW maltreated to the last minute by employer
11/21/2008 08:00 PM

JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia - After two months in a hospital, a diabetes-stricken Filipino worker in Jeddah whose employer disowned her due to ballooning hospital bills has finally returned to the Philippines.Aida Gutierrez, a sewer in the western Saudi Arabian city, was taken to the Saudi German Hospital on October 2 and was diagnosed with diabetes mellitus and renal failure.Gutierrez was confined at the hospital’s Intensive Care Unit, causing her hospital fees to hit 100,000 Saudi riyals or about P1.3 million.Unfortunately for her, she was not covered by any health insurance so she had to shoulder her own hospitalization. Most domestic helpers and other low-paid workers in Saudi Arabia are also not accorded health insurance coverage.It was Precy, her younger sister, who shouldered the initial payment of 2,000 riyals just to get her sister into the emergency room. She said she asked her sister’s employer to pay for the hospital bills but was turned down and even demanded that Gutierrez leave the hospital at once.But doctors did not permit her to leave the hospital in such a condition.Because her employer refused to foot her hospital bills, the patient lingered in hospital and had to be rescued by the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) and Filipino groups and individuals who answered calls for help.Upon her release from hospital on Wednesday, Gutierrez proceeded to the airport for her flight to Manila via Singapore Airlines, together with her younger sister Precy.

According to Welfare Officer Romeo Pablo, even in her departure, Gutierrez was treated badly by her employer, who reportedly refused to hand over her passport, claiming that she had a problem with her documents.Needled by Pablo and Welfare Officer Romualdo Exmundo to show compassion to her former employee who had served her well, and considering that she did not pay for the hospital bills, the employer reluctantly gave a measly 500 Saudi riyals, or about P7,000.

Pablo said that he had told the employer to come to their office three days before the sisters would leave but he did not show up and just told him that the documents were with her mother.

It was only at the last minute when all passengers of the Singapore Airlines flight have checked in did the employer grudgingly handed over the passport.“Nakakainsulto nagawa pa nilang magbigay pagkatapos na iniwan kami sa aming problema sa ospital (It was insulting how they could do that after they left us at the hospital with so many problems)," Gutierrez later told GMANews.TV in a text message.

Meanwhile, a fellow Filipino who was on the same flight as the sisters was asked to assist them on the way home.“Walang problema aalalayan ko sila para hindi sila mahirapan sa byahe (No problem, I will assist them so that they wouldn’t be hassled during the flight)," said Renato Agra, who went on leave because his mother died in the Philippines. - Ronaldo Concha and Kimberly Jane T. Tan, GMANews.TV

November 15, 2008

http://www.gmanews.tv/story/133784/OFW-na-nabaon-sa-utang-sa-ospital-makauuwi-na-sa-RP

OFW na nabaon sa utang sa ospital makauuwi na sa RP
11/15/2008 05:41 PM

JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia – Maaari ng umuwi sa Pilipinas ang overseas Filipino workers na inabandona ng kanyang amo at nabaon sa utang sa bayarin sa ospital dahil sa pagkakaratay ng mahigit isang buwan.

Napag-alam na sinagot ng Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) ang gastusin ng OFW na si Aida P. Gutierrez na umabot sa P1.7 milyon sa pananatili ng may 40-araw sa Saudi German Hospital.

Nakipag-ugnayan umano si Welfare Officer Romeo Pablo kasama ang kapatid ni Aida na si Precy sa pamunuan ng ospital upang ayusin ang gastusin ng OFW na nabigyan naman ng malaking diskwento dahil na rin sa sitwasyon ng pasyente.

Sinabi ni Pablo na posibleng idiretso na sa airport pabalik ng Pilipinas si Aida pagkalabas nito sa ospital sa Sabado o Linggo. Kailangan na lamang umanong asikasuhin ang dokumento ng OFW at pakikipag-ugnayan sa naging sponsor nito.Ipinaabot ni Pablo ang pasasalamat sa magandang pakikitungo at pag-asikaso ng pamunuan at kawani ng pagamutan kay Aida.

Lubos naman ang pasasalamat ni Precy sa OWWA at sa mga taong tumulong upang malutas ang problema nila sa bayarin sa pagamutan. "Hindi pa rin ako makapaniwala sa mga nangyari. Akala ko ay wala na itong katapusan kaya taos-puso ang aking pasasalamat sa pamunuan ng hospital," pahayag ni Precy.

Ipinaabot din nito ang pasasalamat at hindi sila pinabayaan ng mga opisyal ng Pilipinas na sina Consul General Ezzedin Tago, Consul Leo Tito Ausan, Ambassador Antonio Villamor at OWWA Administrator Carmelita Dimzon.Bagaman natapos na ang problema nila sa ospital sa Jeddah, batid umano ni Precy ang panibagong pagsubok na kanilang kakaharapin pag-uwi sa Pilipinas para sa patuloy na pagpapagamot kay Aida.

Sinabi nito na malaki na ang ibinuti ng kalagayan ng kanyang kapatid na naratay ng matagal sa pagamutan dahil halos hindi na makalakad ngunit tumanggi noon ang amo nito na sagutin ang gastusin sa ospital.

"Napakalaki ng utang na loob naming magkapatid sa mga tumulong sa amin, sa mga opisyal ng konsulado, sa mga accountant, sa mga kapwa OFWs, sa grupong Migrante na nagbigay ng lakas ng loob sa amin at sa lahat, salamat po," ayon kay Precy. - Ronaldo Concha, GMANews.TV

November 13, 2008

http://www.gmanews.tv/story/133371/Beheading-awaits-OFW-in-Jeddah-road-rage

'Beheading awaits OFW in Jeddah road rage'
KIMBERLY JANE TAN and RONALDO CONCHA, GMANews.TV

11/13/2008 09:12 PM

JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia - An overseas Filipino worker (OFW) who killed three Saudis in an apparent case of road rage last Tuesday is most likely to end up on death row, a group helping distressed Filipinos in the Saudi Arabia said on Thursday.

“Sa tingin ko, sa mga nailathala na testamento ng mga nakakita, subject for pugot-ulo ito lalo na’t tatlo ang namatay sa isang pamilya. Mahirap ito mapatawad [The way I see it, based on published accounts of witnesses, this case is subject to beheading, especially that the three fatalities are from one family.

It would not be easy (for the victims’ relatives) to forgive (the offender)]," said a leader of the group, who declined to be named.“Kahit sino sa mga kababayan dito ay hindi rin talaga magsisimpatiya sa mga ganitong uri ng driver, Filipino man o ibang lahi.

Sa case na ito nagkataon na mga Saudi ang namatay. Pero it could happen to anyone, any nationality (Even among our compatriots here, nobody would sympathize with such kind of driver, whether a Filipino or of a different nationality.

It so happened that the fatalities were Saudis, but it could happen to anyone)," said the community leader who is based in Riyadh.In a report to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) in Manila, the Philippine Consulate General in Jeddah on Thursday confirmed that the driver’s name is Rigor de Padua, 33 years old and a resident of Muntinlupa in southern Metro Manila.

He arrived in Jeddah only on Oct. 5 to work as a driver for a big company.As reported earlier by local media, an apparently distraught De Padua on Tuesday morning commandeered a bus carrying his co-workers at the Saudi Catering from the company compound in Jeddah and drove erratically along the busy Al Haramain thoroughfare.

The bus reportedly hit at least four other vehicles along the road before slamming into a white Toyota Corolla, killing the car’s three passengers instantly — a mother and her two daughters in their 20s.Before the incidentAs gathered by GMANews.TV from co-workers of De Padua, he appeared to have been emotionally unstable. He was reportedly a loner and was always quiet.

They later found out that he was depressed because his wife, with whom he has a daughter, had left him. To make matters worse, his supervisor supposedly threatened to send him home if he fails to get a driver’s license.At about 5 a.m. on Tuesday, he suddenly got up from his bed and started getting dressed.

They thought that he was just going for a jog but noticed that he got a hammer and a screw driver while crying. Later on, he started smashing the mirrors of their supervisor’s car, prompting his colleagues to alert security guards.

Security personnel came after him but he suddenly got on the company bus with 12 coworkers — including Nepalese, Bangladeshis and two Filipinos — on board. He reportedly drove the bus erratically, taking wide turns almost every chance he got.When the passengers pleaded with him to stop the bus, he replied that he would do so only if a fellow Filipino would talk with him.

He did let the other passengers jump off from the bus when the two Filipinos pleaded with him to slow down.After that, he again started driving wildly until the bus slammed into the sedan carrying three Saudi women.Unconfirmed reports on Thursday have it that a fourth victim died.

It could not be determined whether this was the driver of the sedan or one of the Filipino passengers of the bus.De Padua and the two Filipinos were also hurt from the impact of the collision, and some of the Bangladeshis and Nepalis were said to have suffered sprains and bruises when they jumped off the bus.

Legal rightsConsul General Ezzedine Tago, in his report to the home office, also confirmed that De Padua was being held at a detention center and under investigation.De Padua was arrested by the police after he was treated for injuries at a hospital.

DFA spokesperson Claro Cristobal said that the Philippine government has instructed the Consulate to assist De Padua and ensure that “his rights are respected protected throughout the process to establish the facts of the case and to determine culpability, if any." - GMANews.TV

November 13, 2008

http://www.gmanews.tv/story/133317/OFW-sa-Jeddah-namatayan-ng-mag-iina-sa-Pinas-nagtangkang-mag-suicide

OFW sa Jeddah namatayan ng mag-iina sa Pinas nagtangkang mag-suicide
11/13/2008 05:36 PM

JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia – Nagtangkang magpakamatay ang isang overseas Filipino workers sa bansang ito sa sobrang sama ng loob matapos hindi kaagad payagan ng amo na makabalik ng Pilipinas matapos mabalitaan na namatay sa aksidente ang kanyang mag-iina.

Napag-alaman na tatlong buwan pa lamang nagtatrabaho sa Jeddah bilang family driver si Virgilio S. Servanez Jr., 38-anyos, tubong Abucay, Bataan, kaya naman nakiusap sa kanyang amo na payagan siyang makauwi sa Pilipinas kahit sandali upang makita sa huling pagkakataon ang kanyang pamilya.

Nalaman umano ni Servanez sa kanyang kapatid ang pagpanaw ng kanyang asawa at dalawang anak sa isang aksidente nang mabunggo ng isang pampasaherong bus ang sinasakyang ng van ng mga biktima.

Kaagad umanong lumapit ang OFW sa tanggapan ng Overseas Workers Welfare Administration upang mamagitan para sa kanyang amo para mabigyan siya ng exit visa upang makauwi sa Pilipinas.Ngunit sa kabila umano ng ibinigay na promissory note ng OWWA ay hindi pumayag ang amo ni Servanez. Nadala na umano ang amo nito na mag-abono dahil sa ginawa ng ibang naunang mga nagtrabaho rito na hindi na bumabalik kapag pinayagang umuwi ng kanilang bansa.

Dahil sa pagkadismaya at matinding kalungkutan ay naisipan ni Servanez na maglaslas ng pulso. Mabuti na lamang umano at naagapan ito ng mga kapwa kasambahay kaya nailigtas ang OFW.

Ngunit ipinadakip pa rin siya ng kanyang amo sa pulisya at nakulong sa presinto."Nagulat ako sa dami nang pulis na dumating at dinala ako sa presinto. Doon inalam nila kung bakit gusto kong magpakamatay. Mabuti na lang at may isang medyo nakakaintindi ng english kaya naipaliwanag ko ang nangyayari," kwento ni Servanez.

Sa tulong umano ng mga kapwa Filipino at kamag-anak sa Pilipinas ay nakalikom si Servanez ng pambili ng tiket sa eroplano pauwi ng Pilipinas."Halos masiraan na ako ng ulo, hindi ko na alam ang gagawin ko. Gusto kong makita ang aking mag-iina. Bakit nangyari ito sa amin," paglulumo ng OFW. - Ronald Concha, GMANews.TV

October 30, 2008

http://www.gmanews.tv/story/130388/OWWA-dapat-sumagot-sa-gastos-ng-nakaratay-na-OFW--Migrante

OWWA dapat sumagot sa gastos ng nakaratay na OFW – Migrante
10/30/2008 05:02 PM

JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia – Iginiit ng militanteng grupo ng mga migranteng manggagawa na ang Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) ang dapat sumagot sa mahigit P1 milyon gastusin ng overseas Filipino workers na nakaratay sa pagamutan.

Sinabi ni Andrew Ociones, chairperson ng Migrante KSA chapter, ang problema sa medical benefits ni Aida Gutierrez ay pangkalahatang problema ng mga migranteng manggagawa.

“Sa kabila ng matapat na pagbabayad ng lahat ng OFWs ng kanilang responsibilidad sa gobyerno, sa OWWA, maging sa Phil Health ay walang benepisyong nakukuha ang mga migranteng Pilipino," puna ni Ociones.Sinabi nito na kung tutuusin ay 20 porsyento lang umano ang maximum na sinasagot ng PhilHealth sa pagpapa-ospital ng mga pasyente.

Dahil dito ay wala umanong epektibong benepisyo na nakukuha ang mga manggagawa.

Sinisi ni Ociones ang patakarang ipinatupad ng Pangulong Gloria Arroyo na tanggalin ang medical insurance bilang bahagi ng OWWA benefits at ang OWWA Omnibus Policies na nagtanggal umano sa halos lahat ng benepisyo ng OFWs. Dahil dito ay nanawagan si Ociones na ibalik sa pangangalaga ng OWWA ang medical benefits ng mga OFWs, palawakin ang serbisyong medikal ng mga migrante at ibasura ang OWWA Omnibus Policies.

Ayon sa kapatid ni Aida na si Precy, umabot na sa halos P1.6 milyong ang babayarin nila sa ospital dahil pagkakataray ng OFW na inabandona ng kanyang amo."Paano ang gagawin ko sobra na ang laki nito," nangangambang pahayag ni Precy.

Si Adia ay mag-iisang buwan nang nakaratay sa isang pribadong hospital dahil sa sakit na disturbed conscious level, diabetes mellitus at renal failure.Sinabi naman ni Philippine Ambassador Antonio Villamor na dapat mailabas na sa ospital si Aida at maiuwi sa Pilipinas dahil patuloy na lalaki ang bayarin nito.

Naniniwala siya na higit na mabibigyan ng mahusay na medikasyon si Aida kung maiuuwi sa Pilipinas kapiling ng kanyang pamilya.Hanggang ngayon naman ay hinihintay pa rin ng consul general ng Pilipinas ang magiging tugon ng OWWA sa pagsagot sa gastusin ni Aida sa ospital.

Tiniyak din ng Migrante na gagawa ito ng paraan upang makahanap ng tulong para mabayaran ang gastusin ni Aida. Napag-alaman na nagpadala na rin sila ng sulat kay Senate President Manny Villar. - Ronaldo Concha, GMANews.TV

October 29, 2008

http://www.gmanews.tv/story/130205/Filipino-Muslims-in-KSA-appeal-for-end-to-fighting-in-Mindanao

Filipino Muslims in KSA appeal for end to fighting in Mindanao
RONALDO CONCHA, GMANews.TV

10/29/2008 07:52 PM

JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia – Filipino Muslim organizations in western Saudi Arabia have added their voices to a call for government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to return to the peace table.

In an appeal addressed to President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, the United Bangsaranao Council (UBC), a Jeddah-based umbrella organization of 32 Maranao community organizations, expressed concern over the effects of continuing hostilities between government and MILF combatants on civilians.“Fighting punishes the innocent, particularly the young, old, and the infirm," a UBC statement said during a gathering at the Tropicana Restaurant in Jeddah over the weekend.

They noted that more than half-a-million people, Muslims and Christians alike, were forced to flee their homes at the height of fighting between government forces and fighters of the MILF led by Ameril Umbra Kato and Abdulrahman Macapaar, a.k.a. Commander Bravo in Central Mindanao over the past weeks.

Over 80 people have been reported killed and scores more were injured in days of fighting.Kato and Bravo seized or attacked several barangays in the southern provinces of North Cotabato and Lanao del Norte after the Supreme Court on August 4 stopped government and MILF from signing a memorandum of agreement on ancestral domain, which sought to delineate more than 700 villages in Mindanao and Palawan to constitute a Bangsamoro Juridical Entity (BJE).

The memorandum would have committed the government to sign a peace deal with the MILF and granting the group control over the BJE, which would constitute a Muslim homeland that includes the existing Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).Amid an outrage among politicians in Mindanao who were opposed to the expanded autonomous region, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo abandoned talks with the MILF.

She blamed the attacks by Kato, Bravo and another commander for her decision, and demanded that the MILF leadership arrest and hand over the two commanders to government authorities to answer for their attacks.

In their appeal, UBC leaders said it is incumbent upon the Arroyo government to demonstrate its sincerity in pursuing a lasting peace in the southern Philippines.Sheik Albani Maungco of the Council of the Maranao Leaders said the government ought to offer and a solution that is acceptable to the Bangsamoro people.

"Political solution ang pinakamagandang pormula sa Mindanao dahil ang giyera ng mahigit apat na dekada na ay nabigong maipakita na iyon ang solusyon (A political solution is still the best formula to resolve the Mindanao crisis. As had been shown in the past four decades, war is not a solution)," Maungco said.

Among the organizations under the United Bangsaranao Council are the Bangsaranao Overseas Solidarity for Social Welfare, Ranao Claims against the Power Plant , Abna Marantao Fi Saudia, Amboloto Clan, Amsoda, Association of Ranao Engineers, Baloi and LN Muslim Expatriates Association, Binidayan Islamic Association, Buadi Puso Buntong Association, Ewaton International, Ganassi Union Islamic Development, Green land Unayan, Lanao Lakers.

It also includes the Maisa, Malabang Islamic Foundation, Malumbay International, Marawi Expatriates, Moriatao Angoyao, Moriatao Diwan, Mulondo Overseas Association, Nunungen Overseas Association, Pantarian Plotters, Pantao Ragat Overseas Org., Madalum Islamic Solidarity Assn., Saguiaran International Assn., Shakba International, SILSILA, Tamparan Islamic Bro. Assn., Taraka Alkhairia, Togayanian, Tubaranians and the Pualas Expatriates. - GMANews.TV

October 28, 2008

http://www.gmanews.tv/story/129946/2-buwan-pa-lang-Pinay-DH-tinakasan-ng-bait-pinauwi-sa-Pinas

2 buwan pa lang: Pinay DH 'tinakasan ng bait' pinauwi sa Pinas
10/28/2008 07:21 PM

JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia – Pinauwi kaagad sa Pilipinas ang isang Pinay overseas Filipino workers (OFW) matapos itong takasan ng bait kahit mahigit dalawang buwan pa lamang nagtatrabaho bilang domestic helper sa bansang ito.

Ayon kay OWWA Welfare Officer Romualdo Exmundo, mapalad pa kung tutuusin si Arlene (hindi tunay na pangalan) dahil naging mabait ang amo nito at sinagot ang kanyang pagbabalik sa Pilipinas.Ngunit dahil na rin sa kondisyon ni Arlene, 33-anyos, kinailangan siyang inihatid ni Vice Consul Lorenzo Jungco pabalik ng Maynila sakay ng Saudia airlines kasama ang ilan pang ipina-deport na OFWs.

Sinabi ni Jungco na hindi naman bayolente ang kondisyon ni Arlene, tubong Mindoro, kaya hindi mahirapan ang paghatid sa OFW.Nagtungo umano si Arlene sa Saudi noong Agosto 2008 at nagtrabaho bilang domestic helper sa isang pamilya na arabo.

Ngunit nakakaisang buwan pa lamang umano ito sa trabaho nang mapansin ng kanyang amo ang kakaibang pagkilos.Binigyan pa umano ng employer ng pagkakataon si Arlene na makarekober sa dinadamdam nito. Pero nang hindi magbago ay inihatid na siya sa konsulado ng Pilipinas noong Oktubre 15, ayon kay Exmundo.

Sa kabila ng pagiging tahimik, nagawa pa umano ni Arlene na tumakas sa konsulado pero nakabalik din sa tulong ng mga pulis. Matapos ipasuri sa duktor, kinausap ng mga opisyal ng embahada ang amo ni Arlene upang suportahan ang pag-uwi nito sa Pilipinas.

"Hindi mo talaga masasabi kung ano ang pwedeng mangyari sa ating mga kababayan na nakikipagsapalaran dito. Makikita mo ang halimbawa sa katauhan ni Arlene na dumating dito nang maayos at sa sandaling panahon lang ay bigla nag-iba ang kanyang katauhan," ayon kay Exmundo.

Sa ngayon, mahigit umano sa 60 ang bilang ng mga distress na OFWs na pansamantalang nanunuluyan sa center sa OWWA habang naghihintay na maresolba ang kanilang mga kaso. Ilan umano sa mga ito ay may karamdaman din sa pag-iisip tulad kay Arlene. Matatandaan na isinusulong ng Department of Foreign Affairs na isailalim sa psychological examination ang mga aalis na OFW para magtrabaho bilang domestic helper. – Ronaldo Concha, GMANews.TV

October 23, 2008

http://www.gmanews.tv/story/128951/Tulong-ni-Villar-inaasahan-ng-OFW-na-may-sakit-sa-Jeddah

Tulong ni Villar inaasahan ng OFW na may sakit sa Jeddah
10/23/2008 05:41 PM

JEDDAH – Patuloy ang paglobo ng bayarin sa ospital ng isang overseas Filipino workers na inabandona ng kanyang amo sa Jeddah, Saudi Arabia mula nang magkasakit.Ayon kay Precy Gutierrez, hindi niya malaman kung saan kukunin ang 105,000 Riyals na bayarin sa ospital para sa kanyang nakaratay na kapatid na OFW na si Aida.

Patuloy umanong inoobserbahan ang kondisyon ni Aida na hindi na makalakad dahil sa paghina ng kanyang katawan partikular ang muscle. Kailangan umanong isailalim ang OFW sa MRI ngunit hindi ito maisagawa dahil na rin sa kawalan ng pera ng pasyente."Natatakot na po ako dahil sa sobra na ang laki ng aming dapat bayaran.

Saan ako kukuha ng pambayad sa ospital?" nababahalang tanong ni Precy.Sinabi nito na patuloy silang umaasa sa mga kapwa OFWs at mga organisasyon na nangako ng tulong para kay Aida. Humihingi rin umano siya ng tulong sa ilang opisyal sa Pilipinas partikular kay Senate President Manny Villar na kilalang nagbibigay ng suporta sa mga nagigipit na OFWs."Lumapit na po ako sa iba’t-ibang organisasyon ng mga Pilipino sa Jeddah.

Masaya naman po ako dahil nagpahayag naman po sila ng kanilang tulong. Mag-aambag-ambag daw sila at iaabot agad sa amin ‘pag nakalikom na sila," kwento ni Precy.Malaki rin ang kanyang pag-asam na hindi sila bibiguin ni Villar na nakapag-pauwi ng mga stranded OFWs mula sa Middle East partikular sa Jordan pabalik ng Pilipinas.

Regular din umano ang ginagawang pagbisita nina Consul Leo Tito Ausan Jr. at Consul General Ezzedin Tago kay Aida upang alamin ang kalagayan ng OFW.“Inaalam nila palagi ang kondisyon ni ate ko at sinabihan ako na ‘wag mawalan ng pag-asa. Ipinaalam din nila na hinintay lang nila ang sagot sa kanilang home office sa Pilipinas para sa kaso ng ate ko.

Nakipag-ugnayan na rin sila sa pamunuan ng ospital at tiniyak naman na makakuha ng malaking diskwento" idinagdag ni Precy.Ayon kay Tago, matigas pa rin ang amo ni Aida at patuloy ang pagtanggi na akuin ang mga bayarin sa ospital ng OFW.

Napag-alaman na hindi nito kinuha ng health care insurance si Aida na dapat ay kasama sa Cooperative Health Insurance Act of 2006 ng Saudi. Ipinaliwanag ng opisyal na mula noong Setyembre ay inuobliga ang mga employer na may empleyado na 50 pababa na ikuha ng compulsory health insurance ang kanilang mga tauhan.

Sinabi ni Tago na nilabag ng employer ni Aida ang naturang batas ng kaharian kaya isinumbong na nila ito sa kanilang gobyerno.Ang mga nais magbigay ng tulong kay Aida ay maaaring makipag-ugnayan sa konsulado ng Pilipinas. - Bong Concha, GMANews.TV

Sunday, November 23, 2008

October 21, 2008

http://www.gmanews.tv/story/128453/Distressed-OFWs-sa-Jeddah-tumanggap-ng-tulong-sa-Guardians


Distressed OFWs sa Jeddah tumanggap ng tulong sa Guardians
10/21/2008 08:17 PM

JEDDAH - Tumanggap ng mga donasyon tulad ng pagkain at mga personal na gamit ang mga stranded na overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) na kasalukuyang nasa pangangalaga ng konsulado ng Overseas Workers Welfare Administration sa Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Ang pamamahagi ng tulong sa mga nagipit na OFWs na isinagawa kamakailan ay pinamunuan ni Jimmy Geronimo, chapter national founder at founding chairman ng “Jeddah Legion" ng Guardian Brotherhood Incorporated (GII).Sinabi ni Geronimo, siya ring national president ng Guardians International for Action Force for Peace Incorporated o GIAFP, na layunin ng kanilang organisasyon na magbigay ng tulong sa mga kapus-palad na mga OFW lalo na sa mga kababaihan na nasa pangangalaga ng OWWA.

Bukod sa GIAFP, nagbigay din ng tulong sa mga distressed OFWs ang iba pang grupo ng guardian tulad ng Federal Guardian Brotherhood Incorporated (FGBI), Guardians New hope Brotherhood International Incorporated (GNBII), Guardians Republican International Incorporated(GRII) , New Guardians for freedom and democracy Incorporated (NGI) , Guardians Brotherhood International (GBI) , at United Guardians Brotherhood Incorporated (UGBI).

Sinabi ni Geronimo na gagawin nilang regular o tuwing ikatlong buwan ang pagkakaloob ng tulong sa mga nagipit na OFWs. Bukod sa pagkakaloob ng donasyon, plano rin ng mga guardian na magsagawa ng iba’t- ibang charity works sa mga darating na linggo. Pinasalamatan naman ng mga OFW sa pangunguna ni Jennebel Cuaresma ang mga ipinagkaloob na tulong sa kanila ng guardians at umaasa silang ipagpapatuloy ng organisasyon ang kanilang magandang misyon.

Ipinaliwanag ni Geronimo na ang iba’t-ibang grupo ng guardians ay nasa ilalim ng confederation umbrella na Guardians International Incorporated (GII) na pinamumunuan ni GMIGF Abraham Hangaw “Liborio" Hangaw Jr. Samantala ang International chairman ng guardian ay si (ret.) General Nestorio Gualberto, habang tagapangulo naman si MFSGF Ryan Daniel Umbao. - Bong Concha, GMANews.TV
»

October 16, 2008

http://www.gmanews.tv/story/127477/Abandoned-by-employer-very-ill-Pinay-in-Jeddah-seeks-help

Abandoned by employer, very ill Pinay in Jeddah seeks help
RONALDO CONCHA, GMANews.TV

10/16/2008 04:45 PM

JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia - A diabetes-stricken Filipino worker in Jeddah is asking for help from anyone who cares, saying that her employer has disowned her due to ballooning hospital bills.Aida Gutierrez, a sewer in Jeddah, was taken to the Saudi German Hospital on October 2 and was diagnosed with diabetes mellitus and renal failure.

Because of her critical condition, she was confined at the hospital’s Intensive Care Unit, causing her hospital fees to hit 100,000 Saudi riyals or about P1.3 million as on this week.Unfortunately for her, she is not covered by any health insurance so she has to shoulder her own hospitalization.

Most domestic helpers and other low-paid workers in Saudi Arabia are not accorded health insurance coverage.“Tulungan po nyo kami, napakalaki po nang aming babayaran sa hospital (Please help us, we have so much to pay in the hospital)," Gutierrez said through her younger sister Precy.

It was Precy who shouldered the initial payment of 2,000 Saudi riyals or almost P26,000 just to get her sister into the emergency room. She said she asked her sister’s employer to pay for the hospital bills but was turned down and even demanded that Gutierrez leave the hospital at once.“Totally inabandon nila ang kapatid ko. Ni One Riyal ay hindi sila nagbigay, wala silang pakialam, actually tatlong beses akong nakiusap sa kanila na tulungan kami.

Tapos sinabi nang anak nya na don’t sleep find a way to get more money," said Precy.On the other hand, the patient’s attending doctor did not permit her to leave the hospital in such a condition and even said that a person’s life is more important than money.

Precy said she was very thankful for the doctor’s concern but at the same time is worried that the cost of hospitalization was way beyond her means to pay.“Gusto na naming umuwi, mahirap dito wala kaming kadamay na pamilya, wala kaming pera pambayad, mahirap lang kami (I’m asking help for my sister, we want to go home, it’s hard to live here, we have no family to turn to, we have no money, we’re really poor.)," she said.

Precy said she also asked for help from the labor office (POLO) at the Philippine Consulate General in Jeddah, but was told by officials there that they cannot do anything about it because there is no law covering her sister’s case.On the other hand, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) head Adam Musa along with a welfare officer and the newly arrived physician known only as Dr. Exmundo immediately went check on the patient’s condition in hospital Musa reportedly told Precy that they will find a way to help her sister.

It was not immediately known if the OWWA officials have delivered on their promise. - With Kimberly Jane T. Tan, GMANews.TV

October 7, 2008

http://www.gmanews.tv/story/125464/OFW-in-Saudi-Arabia-dies-of-fish-poison

OFW in Saudi Arabia dies of fish poison
10/07/2008 02:38 PM

Saudi Arabia has died after being punctured by a poisonous fish, an official of the Philippine Consulate General said.Vice Consul Lorenzo Jungco said 31-year old Abdurahman Lasota died on October 1 after he was poisoned from a fish puncture in Rais, a countryside about 300 kilometers from Jeddah.

In an interview with GMANews.TV, Lasota’s wife, Elmina, narrated that after saying their morning prayers in Madinah (Medina) on September 30, her family and friends went to a beach in Rais along the Red Sea. On the night of October 1, her husband went fishing and got punctured by a fish and he fell ill.Lasota was taken to a hospital nearby but doctors were unable to save him, Elmina said.

"Sabi ng mga doktor, kumalat na raw ang lason sa kanyang katawan (They said the poison had already spread all over his body)," she said.Jungco said the consulate helped facilitate the burial of Lasota in Madinah, as requested by the family.

“Nagpapasalamat ako sa konsulado lalo na kina Vice Consul Jungco at sa mga kasama nya na sa kabila nang malayo naming kinaroroonan ay agad nila akong nabigyan nang aking mga pinakisuyo para maipalibing ko ang aking mister (I am thankful to the consulate, especially to Vice Consul Jungco and to his companions because even if our place is too far away, they still helped my husband be buried),

Lasota’s wife said in her letter to the consulate.Lasota has been working for eight years in Saudi Arabia as part of a maintenance crew aboard a ship in Madinah.- Ronaldo Z. Concha and Kimberly Jane Tan, GMANews.TV

September 23, 2008

http://www.gmanews.tv/story/122374/Empleyado-ng-konsulado-ng-RP-sa-Jeddah-bumigay-sa-kanser

Empleyado ng konsulado ng RP sa Jeddah bumigay sa kanser
RONALDO CONCHA, GMANews.TV

09/23/2008 09:15 PM

JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia - Isang tauhan ng Philippine Consulate sa Jeddah na mahigit 20-taon na serbisyo sa Department of Foreign Affairs ang pumanaw dahil sa kanser na nakuha sa labis na paninigarilyo.

Kinilala ni Camilo Mendiola, administrative officer ng konsulado ang pumanaw na kasamahan na si Edgardo Sangreo Silo, 55 anyos, property officer ng ahensya. Namatay si Silo habang nakaratay sa isang pribadong ospital sa Jeddah.

Ayon kay Mendiola, mahigit limang taon nang nagtatrabaho sa konsulado si Silo ay natuklasan na may lung cancer noong Enero. Pinili umano nito na hindi muna ipaalam sa kanyang pamilya ang kanyang kalagayan upang hindi sila mag-alala ang kanyang mga mahal sa buhay.Ngunit nang lumala ang kanyang kondisyon at maratay sa ospital, napilitan na siyang sabihin sa pamilya ang kanyang kondisyon.

Ang anak ni Silo na si Vito Gaspar ang siyang nag-alaga sa ama habang nasa ospital. Sa kabila ng kalungkutan sa pagkawala ng ama, sinabi ni Vito na tinanggap na nila ang nangyari dahil makapapagpahinga na rin ang kanyang magulang."Payo ko sa ating mga kabayayan na iwasan po natin ang sigarilyo dahil wala po itong magandang bungang idudulot," malungkot na pahayag ni Vito."Mabait na tao at hard worker si Silo. Loyal at dedicated at talagang madaling pakibagayan mami-miss namin sya," ayon kay Mendiola.

Si Silo ay may halos 20 taon nang nasa serbisyo sa DFA at ang Saudi Arabia ang kanyang unang posting sa ibang bansa.Nakikiramay ang buong konsulado sa pamilya ni Silo, ayon kay Mendiola. - GMANews.TV

September 20, 2008

http://www.gmanews.tv/story/121733/OFW-cant-locate-Saudi-sponsor-seeks-help-in-returning-home

OFW can’t locate Saudi sponsor, seeks help in returning home
09/20/2008 02:35 PM

JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia - After a year of fruitless search for his Saudi sponsor, an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) has decided to call it quits and now wants to go home.Crispulo Perez, a 58-year-old worker from Nueva Ecija, has asked the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) to send him back to the Philippines, saying he is already tired of living the life of a TNT, or tago-ng-tago.

He also said his ordeal should serve as a lesson to other OFWs to be selective in looking for sponsors."Magsilbi sanang-aral sa mga kababayan ko itong nangyari sa akin (I hope my experience will serve as a lesson to my fellow Filipinos)," he said.

"Sa aking mga kababayan na nagnanais makapunta sa Saudi Arabia sa pamamagitan nang pagbili nang visa ay mag-isip isip muna nang maraming beses para hindi nila sapitin ang aking nararanasan ngayon, (To my fellow Filipinos who wish to go to Saudi Arabia by buying a visa, I advise you to think it over many times so that you wouldn't experience what I am experiencing now)," said Perez.

Perez previously worked in a construction company from 2000 to 2003 in Taif, a highland city near Jeddah in western Saudi Arabia.In 2005, he bought a visa from an Arab sponsor for 7,000 riyals or about $1,870, a transaction which was facilitated by another Filipino.

He said he was constrained to buy a visa because it would be difficult for him to apply again with a Saudi company because of his age.Philippine Consulate officials and OFW advocates in Saudi Arabia said Perez's ordeal should serve as a reminder to others not to buy a visa, which is prohibited in the Kingdom.Despite the prohibition, tens of thousands of workers of different nationalities are in Saudi Arabia on visas bought from enterprising Saudi nationals.

Perez said his problem was that his iqama or residence permit expired, precisely because he could not have it renewed as his visa has expired. able to work. His suffering allegedly began only after his sponsor disappeared and his residence permit expired.

"Hinanap ko na kung saan saan ang sponsor ko pero hindi ko na makita, pati telepono nya ay walang sumasagot, yung Pilipino na tumulong din sa akin noon ay wala na rin sa Saudi (I looked for the whereabouts of my sponsor but I couldn't find him, he's also not answering his phone, even the Filipino who helped me was not in Saudi anymore)," Perez told GMANews.TV.

Welfare officer Romeo Pablo of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) in Jeddah said his office had also tried to locate Perez’s sponsor to no avail.Perez appealed to the government for help in repatriating him as soon as possible.

He said he is currently living with friends as he is no longer able to work without an iqama. "Gusto ko nang umuwi habang malakas pa ako para makapiling ko ang pamilya ko (I want to go home while I'm still strong and reunite with my family," said Perez.

Pablo said the Philippine Overseas Labor Office and OWWA has promised assistance to Perez, even as he noted that it may take some time to repatriate the distressed OFW as the host government has just implemented stricter rules.Before the Saudi government would allow Perez to leave, he would be made to pay penalties for living in the country on an expired iqama. - Ronaldo Concha and Kimberly Jane Tan, GMANews.TV


September 20, 2008

http://www.gmanews.tv/story/121688/OFW-sa-KSA-nagsisisi-sa-paggamit-ng-biniling-visa

OFW sa KSA nagsisisi sa paggamit ng biniling visa
RONALDO CONCHA, GMANews.TV
09/20/2008 11:22 AM

JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia — Humingi ng tulong sa pamahalaan ang isang overseas Filipino worker sa bansang ito upang makauwi ng Pilipinas matapos mabigong makita ang kanyang "sponsor" at mapaso ang residence visa.Si Crispulo Perez, 58-anyos, mula sa lalawigan ng Nueva Ecija, ay humihingi ng tulong sa OWWA at nagmamakaawang mapauwi sa Pilipinas matapos na mabigo na mahanap ang kanyang sponsor sa loob nang isang taon matapos na mag-expire ang kanyang iqama (residence visa).

Kwento nito, bumalik sya sa Saudi Arabia noong taon 2005 gamit ang visa na kanyang binili sa isang Arabo sa halagang 7,000 riyal. Tinulungan umano sya nang isa pang Pilipino para makabili ng visa at makabalik sa Saudi Arabia. Sinabi nito na nakapagtrabaho pa siya pagkadating sa Taif pero nagsimulang magkalokoloko ang kanyang buhay nang hindi nya na makita ang kanyang amo matapos na mag-expire ang kanyang residence permit.

Ang Taif na isang lungsod na kasing-taas ng Baguio City ay 140 kilometro ang layo sa Jeddah sa kanlurang bahagi ng Saudi Arabia."Hinanap ko na kung saan-saan ang sponsor ko pero hindi ko na makita. Pati telepono nya walang sumasagot, yung Filipino na tumulong din sa akin noon ay wala na rin sa Saudi.

Kaya lumapit na ako sa OWWA para humingi ng tulong kay Welfare Officer Romeo Pablo para hanapin namin ang aking sponsor pero bigo kami," ayon kay Perez."Hindi biro ang hirap na dinaranas ko ngayon. Kung kani-kaninong mga kaibigan na lang ako nakikituloy. Hindi na ako makapagtabaho dahil sa sitwasyon ko," kwento ng OFW. "Habang tumatagal ako rito lalo lang ako nabibigatan at pati ang konting natitira sa akin ay unti-unti nang nauubos sa mahal ng mga bilihin.

Gusto ko nang umuwi habang malakas pa ako para makapiling ko ang pamilya ko." Ayon kay Pablo ginawa na nila ang lahat para mahanap ang sponsor ni Perez simula nang humingi ito ng tulong sa kanila noong isang taon."Gagawin namin ang lahat ng pwede naming maitulong para makauwi si Perez.

Mahirap ang kanyang sitwasyon ngayon lalo pa't naghigpit na ang gobyerno ng Saudi," pahayag ng opisyal.Si Perez ay dating nagtatrabaho sa isang construction company mula 2000 hanggang 2003 sa Taif. Napilitan umano siyang bumili ng visa dahil sa mahihirapan na siyang makapag-apply pabalik sa Saudi dahil na rin sa kanyang edad.

"Sa aking mga kababayan na nagnanais makapunta sa Saudi Arabia sa pamamagitan ng pagbili ng visa ay mag-isip isip muna ng maraming beses para hindi nila sapitin ang aking nararanasan ngayon," babala nya. "Magsilbi sanang aral sa mga kababayan ko itong nangyari sa akin." - GMANews.TV

September 19, 2008

http://www.gmanews.tv/story/121514/Pinay-nagtayo-ng-negosyo-sa-Saudi

Pinay nagtayo ng negosyo sa Saudi
09/19/2008 05:27 PM

JEDDAH -Dinala ng isang Pinay ang kanyang negosyo sa Middle East sa hangaring makatulong sa mga overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) na nais makapagpundar ng sarili nilang bahay sa Pilipinas.

Sa tulong ng kaibigan sa Saudi Arabia, naitayo ni Melissa "Elsie" Chua, ang kanyang CDC- Holding sa Jeddah na kaakibat ng Quadrillon Realty Investments.Nasa realty estate business si Chua sa Pilipinas at hangad umano niyang maisakatuparan ang karaniwang pangarap ng mga OFW na magkaroon ng sarili bahay sa bansa.

Ikinuwento ni Chua ang kanyang karanasan nang unang siyang magsagawa ng road show presentation sa Riyadh upang manghikayat ng mga nais kumuha ng bahay at lupa sa kanyang kumpanya.Inihayag nito na isang Pinay ang lumapit sa kanya at nagsiwalat ng kanyang kalooban tungkol sa mahabang panahon na pagtatrabaho sa Saudi ngunit walang kakayahan na makabili ng bahay sa Pilipinas.

"Sinabi sa akin ng babae na ‘dinaing’ na sya rito sa Saudi at humihingi sya nang tulong kung paano sya magkakabahay sa Pilipinas," ayon kay Chua. Idinagdag ni Chua na dahil panahon ng Pasko noon, nakipagtulungan siya sa isang bangko upang makapagpa-raffle ng apat na bahay sa Sta Rosa, Laguna sa layuning makapagbigay ng kaligayahan sa mga OFW.

Mula noon ay inasikaso nito ang planong dahil sa Saudi ang CDC Management upang magkaroon ng pagkakataon ang mga migranteng Pinoy na makapagpundar ng sariling bahay sa Pilipinas kahit hindi kalakihan ang kanilang kita.“Gusto ko na makapagsilbi sa kanila ng personal para maipakita ko sa ating mga kababayan kung ano ang mga benepisyo na makukuha nila sa pag-iinvest ng property sa bansa," dagdag ni Chua na may nakipag-ugnayan na rin umano sa PAG-IBIG Program para lalong maging magaang sa mga OFW ang pagkuha ng bahay.

Aminado si Chua na wala sa kanyang isip na darating ang araw na makapagtatayo siya ng negosyo sa Gitnang Silangan."Hindi ako makapaniwala. Wala sa hinagap ko na makakapunta ako rito sa Jeddah.

Napilitan lang ako pumunta rito dahil sa imbitasyon ng Sheik na aking nakilala nang bumisita sya sa Manila noong 2007," kwento niya.Sa isinagawa niyang market study, sinabi ni Chua na napuna nito na karamihan sa mga OFW sa Saudi ay tila wala ng interes na bumalik sa Pilipinas dahil walang sariling bahay na naipundar sa kabila ng matagal na pagtatrabaho sa naturang bansa.

"Ang ginawa ko ay susubukan kong buksan ang isip nila sa pamamagitan nang pagpapaalala sa kanila na iba pa rin ang nasa sarili kang bayan at mas masarap na may pinaghahandaan sa hinaharap kaya dinala ko (rito) ang Quadrillon," aniya.Maliban sa real state, nakatakda na ring pumasok si Chua sa iba pang negosyo tulad ng Mellaware o "Pinggan ng Bayan." Bukod pa rito pagdala ng isang prangkisa mula sa malalaking kumpanya sa Pilipinas.

Bukod sa Saudi, nagbukas din si Chua ng sangay ng kanyang kumpanya sa Doha, Qatar at Dubai.Ang mga interesadong OFWs na magkaroon ng sariling bahay ay maaring makipag-ugnayan sa kumpaya ni Chua na makikita sa Samariah, Tahlia, malapit sa Sarawat International Market. - Ronaldo Concha, GMANews.TV

September 9, 2008

http://www.gmanews.tv/story/119139/OFW-loses-house-in-Compostela-landslide-but-not-hope




OFW loses house in Compostela landslide, but not hope
RONALDO CONCHA, GMANews.TV

09/09/2008 05:49 PM

JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia — For OFW Melissa Magbutay, the loss of the house and business she built from 16 years of earnings abroad in Compostela Valley’s landslides last weekend, is almost too much to bear.But the 42-year-old, who works at a clinic in Jeddah, has not lost hope. In fact, she is rallying other OFWs who are from the landslide-stricken village of Masara to band together to face the challenge of rebuilding.

“Sa aking mga kabaranggay sa Masara na narito din sa Jeddah, ‘wag sana tayong mawalan nang pagasa. Napakahirap ang sinapit ng ating lugar pero kailangan nating harapin ito (To my village mates at Masara who are here in Jeddah, let’s not lose hope. What our village has gone through is too hard to bear but we must face the challenge squarely," she said.

Magbutay said she felt like the world was falling on her when her daughter told her by phone on Saturday that their house and entire business were gone, swept away in the landslide."Hindi ako nakakibo agad at bigla nag iba ang paligid ko bigla akong pinanghinaan at nanlumo ako nang husto.

Mabuti na lamang at ligtas ang aking ina at mga anak kahit paano ay nakaramdam ako nang ginhawa (“I was speechless and my surroundings seemed to have suddenly changed. It was like my world collapsed on me," a teary-eyed Magbutay told GMANews.TV.

A total of 54 houses in Masara, a barangay in Maco town, were swept by two landslides, the first one 3:45 p.m. Saturday and the second at 3 a.m. Sunday. Officials on Tuesday said the death toll rose to 20 with the recovery of the bodies of some villagers who were buried in mud.Magbutay said she was further saddened that one of her cousins perished but was also elated to hear that her mother and her children managed to flee before the landslide swept their house.

It so happened that their house was located at the lower end of the village, which allowed them enough time to evacuate."Isa sa naconfirm na namatay ay ang pinsan ko (One of those confirmed dead was my cousin)," she said.Magbutay said she was tempted to look for someone to blame for the tragedy, but on second thoughts, was still thankful that her immediate family was still able to escape unhurt.

While calling on President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to help all the victims, she also rallied fellow OFWs, especially those from the southern region of Davao, to help build a new community for the victims. - GMANews.TV

August 26, 2008

http://www.gmanews.tv/story/116222/Tulong-ni-Villar-hiningi-ng-mga-recruiter-vs-unified-contract



Tulong ni Villar hiningi ng mga recruiter vs unified contract
08/26/2008 07:56 PM

MANILA - Hiningi na rin ng isang malaking grupo ng mga recruiter sa Pilipinas ang tulong ni Senate President Manuel Villar para mapigilan ang pagpapatupad ng Unified Contract sa Saudi Arabia simula sa Setyembre 1.Sinabi ni Victor Fernandez, presidente ng Philippine Association of Service Exporters Incorporated (Pasei), na nagpadala na sila ng liham kay Villar para iparating ang kanilang pagkontra sa ipatutupad na unified contract ng Saudi National Recruitment Committee (Sanarcom).

Ipinaliwanag umano ni Fernandez sa kanyang liham kay Villar kung ano ang mga batas na nilalabag sa pagpapatupad ng unified contract laban sa mga manggagawa sa loob o labas ng bansa.

Iginiit ng pinuno ng Pasei na ang sistema ng Sanarcom ay isang anti-worker dahil lalabagin nito ang karapatang pantao ng mga manggagawa. Bukod pa rito ang dagdag na gastusin ng mga OFW.Umaasa si Fernandez na magkakaroon ng aksyon si Villar sa kanilang sulat at hindi tutularan ang ginawang pag-isnab umano ng ibang ahensya ng pamahalaan tulad ng Department of Labor, Philippine Overseas Employment Administration at Department of Foreign Affairs.

Bukod kay Villar, sinabi ni Fernandez na nagpadala rin sila ng liham sa mga kongresista lalo na sa mga kasapi ng Committee on Overseas Workers Affairs."Nakikiusap kami, protektahan natin ang ating manggagawang Filipino. Tulungan po nyo kami Senador Villar. Huwag po natin biguin ang ating mga OFW," pagsamo ni Fernandez. - Bong Concha, GMANews.TV

August 20, 2008

http://www.gmanews.tv/story/115049/Mga-migranteng-Pinoy-sa-Jeddah-kontra-sa-Unified-Contract


Mga migranteng Pinoy sa Jeddah kontra sa Unified Contract
08/20/2008 11:27 PM

JEDDAH — Nanawagan ang isang umbrella organization ng mga recruiter sa mga Filipino community sa Saudi Arabia na magkaisa at ipaalam sa pamahalaan ng Pilipinas ang kanilang pagtutol sa Unified Contract na ipapatupad ng Saudi National Recruitment Committee (Sanarcom) simula sa Setyembre.

Ayon kay Victor Fernandez, presidente ng Philippine Association of Service Exporters, Inc. (PASEI), mahalagang malaman ng mga migranteng manggagawa na hindi patas ang nilalaman ng unified contract na nais ipatupad ng Sanarcom.Nakipag-usap ang Pasei sa grupong KASAPI Congress at ang ibang organisasyon ng Filipino community sa Saudi kamakailan.

Ipinaliwanag ni Fernandez sa mga migranteng Filipino ang mga probisyon na nakapaloob sa unified contract at ano ang magiging epekto nito sa isang OFW. Ilan sa mga dumalo sa pulong ang nagpahayag ng galit nang malaman ang nilalaman ng unified contract.

Ayon kay Rudy Dianalan, hindi maganda ang magiging resulta ng unified contract at magdudulot ng dagdag na pabigat sa gastusin ng mga OFW.Napagkaisahan ng KASAPI na gumawa ng resolusyon na nagpapahayag ng pagtutol sa unified contract.

Mangangalap din sila ng lagda mula sa mga OFW upang suportahan ang resolusyon.Idinagdag ng KASAPI na kaagad nila ipadadala sa mga opisyal sa Pilipinas ang makakalap nilang mga pirma sa lalong madaling panahon.

Pinuna naman ni Peter Bermudez, kabilang sa mga dumalo sa pulong ang kawalan umano ng pagkilos ng pamahalaan ng Pilipinas na pigilan ang pagpapatupad ng unified contract simula sa September 1.

Gagawa din umano ng sulat ang mga OFWs na kanilang ipadadala sa pamahalaan ng Pilipinas upang hilingin kay Pangulong Gloria Macapagal Arroyo na pigilin ang pagpapatupad ng bagong patakaran ng Sanarcom.Ikinunsidera naman ni Red Bual, presidente ng Boholano Community hindi makatarungan ang nilalaman ng unified contract na maituturing na panloloko sa mga Filipino.

Ipinaliwanag ni Fernandez na sa ilalim ng unified contract ay hindi ang ahensya ng gobyerno ng Saudi ang kanilang kinokontra kundi sa mga ahensya lamang na miyembro ng Sanarcom.Nangako ang ibat-ibang lider ng mga komunidad ng Pinoy sa Saudi na gagawin ang kanilang makakaya para maipakalat sa mga Filipino sa Saudi ang resolusyon at sulat sa lalong madaling panahon. - Ronaldo Concha, GMANews.TV

August 15, 2008

http://www.gmanews.tv/story/114035/Recruiters-to-RP-govt-Help-us-fight-KSAs-unified-contract-scheme

Recruiters to RP govt: Help us fight KSA's unified contract scheme
MARK JOSEPH UBALDE and RONALDO CONCHA, GMANews.TV

08/15/2008 09:00 PM

MANILA, Philippines - Is the battle against Saudi Arabia’s unified contract scheme a lonely fight for Filipino recruiters?This was the question of the Philippine Association of Service Exporters, Inc (PASEI) on Friday after noting the “deafening silence" of the Philippine government regarding the re-implementation of the Recruitment and Manpower Deployment Contract on September 1.

The group appealed to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Office of Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs (OUMWA), the Department of Labor and Employment, the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) “to come to the defense of the Filipino overseas contract workers (OCWs) whose right, interest and welfare will be put at risk" by the new labor scheme.

PASEI President Victor Fernandez Jr. said the group is also appealing to all Philippine overseas employment service providers not to accept and not to sign any "unified contract" with any Saudi recruitment agency or any intermediary in the Middle East.

Philippine recruitment agencies deal directly with employers but under the unified contract scheme, the agencies will have to pass through a Saudi recruitment agency that is a member of the Saudi National Recruitment Committee (Sanarcom).

It remains unclear whether the scheme has already been implemented by the Saudi government. In the July 18, 2008 letter from the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia, accredited agencies were informed that the scheme would take effect on August 1, 2008.

Fernandez told GMANews.TV that the government agencies concerned, such as the DFA, DOLE, POEA and OWWA “would be remiss if they insist on treating the prejudicial ‘Unified Contract’ scheme as a private contract between the Sanarcom member agencies and the Philippine overseas employment service providers.

"He said the "unified contract" scheme clearly stipulates that the employer-employee relations between the Saudi employer and the Filipino OFW will be governed by the work contract presented by the Sanarcom agency.

“If the arrangement is tolerated, it would certainly spawn the abhorrent practice of contract substitution to the detriment of the Overseas Filipino Workers," said Fernandez, who is in Jeddah for a two-week business visit.According to PASEI, nothing clear came out of the meeting with recruitment agencies and government officials last July 28.

“The letter supposed to be drafted by the POEA conveying to the DFA the strong sense and unanimous objections of the industry stakeholders regarding the implementation of the "Unified Contract" has yet to reach PASEI," the group said in a statement.But lawyer Alberto Abalayan, director of Recruitment and Regulation of the POEA told GMANews.TV that they have already forwarded their recommendations to the office of administrator.“We are hoping for the action from the higher echelons," said Abalayan in a phone interview on Friday.

Abalayan, who referred to the unified contract scheme as anti-OFW, also fears that if the situation between Filipino recruiters and the Saudi government remains unresolved, there would be a stalemate in labor deployment.

“It might temporarily suspend deployment but let’s see how the private (recruitment) sector acts on it," he said.Abalayan said the scheme was junked in 2002 after it met stiff opposition from various Philippine groups from the recruitment industry.

The policy then was only meant for Filipino and other foreign household workers. In the new scheme, all Saudi Embassy-accredited recruitment agencies will be covered by the recruitment policy.The POEA director also hinted that only a bilateral agreement would put a cap on the issue.

Esteban Conejos Jr, DFA undersecretary for migrant workers affairs, said their hands are tied on the issue since “it is a DoLE matter."“At this point, this is a labor issue and not yet in the jurisdiction of the DFA," Conejos said.But Ablayan said the DFA is aware of the situation and could help in voicing out the concerns of the OFWs in the Middle East.“It is the DFA that called our attention to this matter," Abalayan said.

Philippine recruiters have raised fears that they and their recruits will pay additional fees if the scheme takes effect. They claim Sanarcom will act as a "middle man" in the processing of visas for OFWs.PASEI also said the new labor scheme will lead to the cartelization of overseas employment as well as spawn the practice of contract substitution.

According to the latest Philippine statistics, Saudi Arabia employs more than one million skilled and unskilled Filipino workers making it the top destination for OFWs. - GMANews.TV

August 8, 2008

http://www.gmanews.tv/story/112455/Saudi-Arabia-pardons-22-Filipino-detainees

Saudi Arabia pardons 22 Filipino detainees
08/08/2008 08:08 PM

JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia - About 22 Filipino workers who have been languishing in jails in western Saudi Arabia were given amnesty recently by the host government, the Philippine consul general in Jeddah said on Friday.

Consul General Ezzedin Tago said the detainees, all facing minor charges. He did not give details but most of the minor violations Filipinos are involved in are liquor- or sex-related.Tago said the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs also reportedly expects more Filipino prisoners to be pardoned during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which begins on September 1.

He said the ministry advised the consulate to secure the travel documents of the repatriates and facilitate their journey back home. "I’m happy with the good example and generosity shown by the Saudi government to Filipino prisoners," Tago told GMANews.TV.

Filipino diplomats and overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who have been involved in rescue and relief work for distressed compatriots say Saudi authorities have actually been lenient on Filipinos amid rampant complaints of maltreatment of workers by their employers.

In mid 2007, then Consul General Pendosino N. Lomondot asked help from Saudi officials when some 200 runaway OFWs from the Eastern and Central regions, which are under the jurisdiction of the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh, sought help from the consulate.

The runaways paid a syndicate who smuggled them to Jeddah with a promise to repatriate them through the so-called “backdoor exit." When the effort failed, the runaways trooped to the consulate and demanded to be repatriated.

In a show of good will, the Saudi government agreed to repatriate not just 200 but also more than 700 mostly women adults and children, who have been stranded in the kingdom for years.

When President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo visited Saudi Arabia in May 2006, she asked King Abdullah to grant pardon to 50 Filipinos detained in various jails for minor charges. King Abdullah responded by pardoning more than 300 Pinoys.

Saudi Arabia employs more than one million skilled and unskilled Filipino workers, making it the top destination for OFWs. - Ronaldo Concha, GMANews.TV

August 7, 2008

http://www.gmanews.tv/story/112186/RP-exec-may-payo-sa-mga-Pinoy-truck-driver-sa-Saudi


RP exec may payo sa mga Pinoy truck driver sa Saudi
08/07/2008 08:30 PM

Pinayuhan ng konsulada ng Pilipinas ang mga overseas Filipino workers sa Jeddah, Saudi Arabia partikular ang mga nagtatrabaho bilang mga drayber ng trak na huwag makipagtransaksyon sa sindikato upang magpasok ng illegal na droga sa nasabing kaharian sa Gitnang Silangan.

Ang babala ay ipinalabas ng konsulada dahil sa mga ulat na may mga Pinoy na drayber ng trak ang dinakip ng mga pulis matapos silang mahulihan na nagdadala umano ng ‘Qat,’ isang uri ng droga na mapanganib sa kalusugan. Batay sa ulat ng Royal Society of Medicine sa United Kingdom, ang Qat ay may mapanganib sa organ ng tao lalo na sa puso at atay.

Sinabi ni Philippine Consul General Ezzedin Tago na may mga Pinoy driver, lalo na ang maliit ang kita ang pumapayag na magpasok ng mga illegal na droga sa Jeddah bilang sideline."Naiintindihan ko ang sitwasyon ng iba nating mga kababayan na maliit lang ang kinikita. Pero dapat nilang malaman na napakadelikado ng kanilang ginagawa," ayon kay Tago.

Hindi binanggit ni Tago kung ilan ang mga Pinoy na naaresto kaugnay sa pagpupuslit ng nasabing droga. Pero patuloy umanong dumarami ang bilang ng mga nahuhuli at ilan sa mga ito ay nahatulan na makulong ng hanggang limang taon."Ibibigay namin ang lahat ng aming makakaya para sila ay mabigyan ng assistance. Pero sana makinig sila at ‘wag gumawa ng hindi maganda nang hindi sila mapahamak," pagtatapos ni Tago. - Ronaldo Concha, GMANews.TV

August 7, 2008

http://www.gmanews.tv/story/112084/Pinoy-school-in-Jeddah-to-teach-high-tech-voting

Pinoy school in Jeddah to teach high-tech voting
RONALD CONCHA, GMANews.TV08/07/2008 12:55 PM

JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia — While efforts to automate the Philippine voting system remain bogged down in corruption and political quagmire, a Filipino school in Saudi Arabia is all set to launch its own computerized voting system.

The Philippine Sunrise International School (PSIS) in Jeddah will test the system during the forthcoming Student Council election.PSIS principal Ofelia Laguardia said the project is meant not just to teach their students the use of advance technology to make voting easy but also to ensure the credibility of elections.

“This will prepare them for the future – the computerized voting para hindi na bago sa kanila ang ganitong voting procedure kapag sila ay boboto na para sa kani-kanilang pinuno saan mang sulok ng mundo (so that they will get used to this kind of voting procedure when they vote for their leaders, wherever they may be)," she said.

Eli Sarmiento, head of the project, said the computerized voting system was designed by the school’s topnotch I.T. students.Thea Leslie C. Ramires, chairwoman of the school’s election committee, said computerized voting is just part of their e-learning projects, whose objective is to enhance students skills in information technology.

Added Jameelah Rose Lineses, a member of the committee, "This will avoid redundancy on the votes cast. It eliminates error of omission has a high degree of accuracy."Of the 700 students of PSIS, more than 350 students from the first up to fourth year high school classes are expected to participate in the exercise to elect 15 members of the Student Council.Duringa demonstration recently, Sarmiento showed how parents can also check how their children are faring in school by logging in at http://www.psis-jeddah.com.

Each student is given an e-mail and students are also included in the inter-messaging system. The school also showed off its online class with students living far from the school participating.Every classroom has a digital projector and Internet wireless access points.

La Guardia said Filipino students in Saudi Arabia are quite fortunate because their parents can afford to spend on projects meant to enhance the learning capabilities and competencies of their children, even if these are somewhat costly.“Kaya karamihan sa mga produkto nang mga Philippine schools dito sa Saudi ay nakikipagsabayan din sa ibang mga mag-aaral sa Pilipinas (that’s why the products of Philippine schools here can compete with top students at home), she said.

Since the Saudi government relaxed its rules on foreign schools at the turn of the century, the number of Philippines schools in the mideastern kingdom has risen five times.Jeddah, which used to have only the Philippine Embassy-founded International Philippine School in Jeddah (IPSJ) has seen five other schools rising.

These are the Al-Hekma International School, PSIS, Pearl of the Orient International School, Gems International School and Al Bader International School. One of Jeddah’s pride is Jeannette Cerbito, an alumnae of Al-Hekma, who has recently graduated magna cum laude at the University of the Philippines. While a student in Jeddah, Cerbito was the most sought after star singer among community organizations. - GMANews.TV

August 1, 2008

http://www.gmanews.tv/story/110935/Group-Get-insider-not-Pichay-as-OWWA-chief

Group: Get 'insider' not Pichay as OWWA chief
FIDEL R. JIMENEZ and RONALDO CONCHA, GMANews.TV08/01/2008 08:44 PM


(UPDATED 9:20 p.m.) MANILA, Philippines - An umbrella organization of recruitment agencies in the Philippines appealed to President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on Friday to appoint a career official instead of a losing senatorial candidate to lead the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA).

In a phone interview, Jackson Gan, spokesperson of the Federated Association of Manpower Exporters (FAME), told GMANews.TV that they are endorsing former OWWA deputy administrator Angelo “Jijil" Jimenez to the top OWWA post.

The position of OWWA administrator became vacant after former OWWA chief Marianito Roque was promoted and appointed by the President as secretary of the Department of Labor and Employment last month.Gan said FAME had sent a letter to Mrs Arroyo endorsing Jimenez as the OWWA administrator.

The President is the only appointing authority for the top OWWA post."Although we respect that appointing officials in the government is President’s prerogative, we hope our endorsement can guide her to make the right choice," he said.Gan expressed apprehension after receiving information that Mrs Arroyo has already signed the appointment paper of defeated senatorial candidate and former Surigao del Sur Rep. Prospero Pichay to replaced Roque."Nothing personal, but aside from being a politician wala na kaming alam kay Mr Pichay (we know very little about Mr Pichay).

Aside from the welfare of about eight million overseas workers, OWWA is handling billions of OWWA funds. Kaya dapat may malawak na kaalaman yun uupo sa OWWA kaya dapat insider hindi outsider (That's why only someone with broad knowledge should take the top post. It should be an insider not an outsider)," Gan added.

The Center for Migrant Advocacy (CMA) also expressed its opposition to the possible appointment of Pichay to the OWWA’s top post.In its statement sent to GMANews.TV it said: "After the failed bid to clinch control of the cash-rich Customs Bureau last December 2007, former Surigao Rep. Prospero 'Butch' Pichay is reportedly being eyed to head the OWWA and thus take control of OWWA’s P10 billion peso fund." The CMA noted that, “Our fears are not without basis.

A few months before the last 2004 elections, on 2 February 2004, Labor Secretary Patricia Sto. Tomas, the acting OWWA chairperson at that time, and OWWA Administrator Virgilio Angelo signed a resolution transferring P530 milllion from the OWWA medicare fund to the PhilHealth. The money enabled Pres. Arroyo to give away PhilHealth cards to non-OFWs during her pre-campaign sorties.

"The group urged its colleagues in migrants' rights advocacy and Filipinos abroad should be vigilant in protecting the OWWA funds from misuse. “Let us assert our right to participate in the appointment of the next OWWA administrator. Let us insist on transparency, integrity, and credibility in this exercise.

"It added that, “the next OWWA chief must be able to consolidate the agency, and come up with effective mechanisms to monitor, defend and invigorate OWWA’s mandate and properly use its fund. We enjoin all OFWs and their families, migrant organizations and other stakeholders in these efforts. Let us unite and join forces, and make our voices be heard."At least two separate online petitions endorsing Jimenez and Riyadh-based doctor Mohammad Ali Carlito Astillero as OWWA chief.Petition for Jimenez as OWWA chief already garnered more than 3,700 signatories, compared to Astillero with 1,130 signatories as of Aug 1.

Choose an OFWMeanwhile, chairman emeritus Rudy Dianalan of Kasapi Congress, an umbrella organization of Filipino community groups in Jeddah, pointed out that there is clamor from overseas Filipinos abroad for the next OWWA Administrator to come from the ranks of OFWs. According to him, OWWA is a critical lifeline for OFWs so their concern is paramount. He suggested that "the diagnostic also delve on how OWWA measures up to the expectations and aspirations of OFWs from the agency."

A consultation with OFW communities on the appointment of the administrator would show the government's consideration, he said. OWWA qualificationsJeddah Assistant Labor Attaché Adam Mussa said that the next OWWA administrator must meet the qualification of the former administrator.

He said that to qualify for the top post he must have the following criteria to meet the requirements:1) Somebody with the working knowledge on overseas employment specifically on welfare and protection of the overseas Filipino workers worldwide; 2) Somebody who has the trust and confidence of the national government and the president for that matter;3) Somebody who is educationally qualified and competent to serve the OFW; and4) Somebody who has the vast experience in the protection and advancement of the overseas Filipino worker.

Aspirants for the top position were asked to lay down their planned "program of action" so that overseas Filipinos could decide intelligently who to endorse.Reports said that aside from Jimenez and Pichay, former labor undersecretary Anthonette Allones is also being considered to the post.

Atoy Esguerra, current chairman of the Overseas Filipino Workers Cooperative Council (OFWCC) in Jeddah wanted Labor Attaché Des Dicang to be included also in the list. According to him, Dicang gave his best in serving the interest of OFWs. Dicang, the current head of the Philippine Embassy's Eastern Region Office based in Alkhobar, served for two years as assistant labor attaché in Jeddah from 2004 to late 2005.

Crizelda Zamudio and Chelly Balasbas, who work at Saudi German Hospital in Jeddah, said they an OFW who has a "genuine heart" for fellow migrant workers OFWs. "We will go for someone not only administratively educated but has the first hand experience as OFW in order to get the assistance we OFWs need," Balasbas said. - GMANews.TV