OFW Philippines

For information dissemination purposes and to assist local and foreign searchers, we have listed some links to how to's and online services of the Philippine government.

Online Services (basic)

Philippine Government Online Services and How To's (click highlighted headlines to read)

Passport Application

Application or renewal of Driver's License

Birth Certificate, Marriage Certificate, Death Certificate

Master list of public schools in the Philippines

Master list of private schools in the Philippines

DTI form for Consumer Complaint

NTC form for complaints

SSS Online Inquiry

PRC Online Exam Application

CSC Civil Service Exam

BIR Tax Payments and TIN application

Report a corrupt Government Official or Employee

How To (links)

NBI Clearance

Get a Birth Certificate

Get a Passport

Dual Citizenship Application

Become an Immigrant

Philippine Visa Application

OFW Benefits

Driver's License Application

Patent or Copyright Application

Income Tax Return (ITR) filing and paying

Renew Philippine Driver's License abroad

Sales Promo Application

Correct name and place of birth in schoolastic (school) records

How do OFW families spend remittance money? & DFA warns vs recruitment scam in Spain

2010-05-30T22:16:00.001-07:00

Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) are now exempted from paying documentary stamp tax (DST) on their remittances as well as travel tax and airport fee. http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/253203/ofws-now-taxexempt

Read OFW news by clicking the headlines below
DFA warns vs recruitment scam in Spain

Peso a turnkey in OFW money flow

Group warns traveling OFWs vs illegal ‘padala’

DFA warns vs job offers for domestics in China, Mongolia

Government eyes $500-million RTBs for OFWs

OFW families spending less on food, more on health — ADB study

SM Cebu opens Global Pinoy Center

Door narrows for foreign workers in Singapore

How do OFW families spend remittance money?

Fewer jobs for Taiwan OFWs sans RP trade pact & Group airs doubts over OFW internet-based program

2010-02-12T15:13:00.000-08:00

Click the title below to read the complete article

Group airs doubts over OFW internet-based program
Fewer jobs for Taiwan OFWs sans RP trade pact
OFWs may face job loss in Taiwan

Gov't looking to sell retail bonds to Filipino OFWs & 6%-7% increase in OFW remittances seen this year

2010-02-09T15:16:00.001-08:00

Click the title below to read the complete article

Gov't looking to sell retail bonds to OFWs
Government may issue retail Treasury bonds to OFWs
Govt eyes OFW money to plug fiscal gap
6%-7% increase in OFW remittances seen this year

Bests Jobs America 2010

2010-01-14T13:40:00.000-08:00

1. Actuary . Median salary: $82,800.
2. Software Engineer   Median Salary: $79,780
3. Computer Systems Analyst   Median income: $69,760.
4. Biologist Median salary: $76,320.
5. Historian   Median annual salary: $48,520.
6. Mathematician   Median salary: About $100,000.
7. Paralegal Assistant   Median salary: $46,120.
8. Statistician    Median Salary: $65,720
9. Accountant Median salary: $54,630.
10. Dental Hygienist. Median salary (dental assistants): $32,380.

Continue reading here http://www.cnbc.com/id/34725932?slide=2

Middle Eastern countries top destination for OFWs in 2010 - POEA

2010-01-10T15:14:00.000-08:00

01/10/2010 Press release Major development projects in Middle Eastern countries make the region still the top labor market for overseas Filipino workers (OFW) for 2010 and the years after, according to the government’s overseas employment agency.

In its report called “OFW Deployment Trend Outlook for 2010 and Beyond," the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) said Gulf Estates such as Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have major projects set to start this year.

POEA Administrator Jennifer Manalili said the projects involve the sectors of construction, energy, industry, petrochemicals, power, water, transport, health, food, tourism, retail, telecommunication, production and distribution services, banking, education and information technology.

Saudi Arabia, for example, remains the top destination country for OFWs as it embarks on a medium to long-term socio-economic development plans, including the creation of 12 mega-industrial/economic cities across the Kingdom, expected to last until 2024.

Job prospects across Asia

The Asian region, meanwhile, will continue to hire skilled workers and professionals in light of the development plans of these countries to widen their economic base, the report said.

For instance, Malaysia’s economy, particularly the petroleum sector, continues to thrive amid the global financial crisis, according to the POEA.

Development plans include new infrastructure projects in transport and communication, tourism development, public housing, healthcare services, and public utilities in the energy sector, it added.

Japan is also expected to promote employment of highly skilled foreign workers in healthcare, agriculture, manufacturing, construction and machine assembly for the next 10 years.

The POEA, however, added that Japan would hire only around 60 nurses and 101 caregivers this year for the second batch of health workers under the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (Jpepa) due to the effects of the financial crisis.

On the other hand, Taiwan’s comprehensive medium-term development plan will generate 700,000 jobs in the next five years, over 200,000 of which will be offered to foreign workers in the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam.

Workers in demand in Asia are engineers, teachers, operators, health workers, welders, pipe fitters and riggers, plantation workers, service workers, IT specialists, manufacturing and hotel and gaming workers, IT and financial workers, and those in the healthcare, construction, ship building and repair sectors.

Reduced opportunities

Employment opportunities for Filipinos in Europe and other regions, however, remain low in light of the global crisis.

New Zealand, Spain, Sweden, Finland, Czech Republic and Australia are prioritizing employment of their own nationals as all are reeling from high unemployment rates due to the financial crunch.

Similarly, the United States is currently controlling the issuance of visas for workers even as it reportedly has a shortage of over 200,000 nurses.

Israel, which recorded one of the highest demands for caregivers last year, also recently implemented a legalization program that may slow down deployment of workers in the country.

The POEA is nevertheless optimistic that labor opportunities will be available in other parts of Europe, like Belgium, Cyprus, Italy, France, Germany, the Netherlands and Denmark, particularly in the fields of engineering, information technology, medicine and nursing.

In the African region, Libya reportedly needs more workers for its oil and gas industries, while Cameroon and Seychelles are planning to recruit more teachers in the next five years.

Access of OFWs to these opportunities will depend on job orders that licensed recruitment and manning agencies here can secure from foreign employers, the POEA added.

Philippine Online sensations of 2009

2010-01-08T15:49:00.001-08:00

Via GMA By LYNN LOPEZ 01/07/2010 When news explodes, people don't just hear about it from TV or newspapers anymore. And even when people get wind of any news via the traditional forms of media, the discussion and analysis becomes much more colorful and spirited online, the Internet making it easier for people to chime in with their opinions or just plain gossip about them. Here are just some of the issues that had the local online community gawking, crying, shaking its head, and cracking its knuckles all throughout 2009. Continue reading here http://www.gmanews.tv/story/181007/online-sensations-of-2009

Philippine Public warned vs UK job offer by POEA

2010-01-07T14:45:00.000-08:00

January 7, 2010 The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) Thursday cautioned the public against individuals offering employment in the United Kingdom.

The advice was made by POEA Administrator Jennifer Manalili amid reports of the availability of job vacancies in the UK ranging from professionals like scientists, environmental, information technology and telecommunications, social care specialists, marketing and public relations executives, and teachers to healthcare workers like nurses and caregivers.

Manalili said prospective applicants seeking employment in the UK should first check with the agency the veracity of the “rosy promises” of would-be employers.

Manalili said applicants should first inquire at the POEA whether those offering employment under the UK New Points-Based System are accredited or registered with a licensed recruitment agency.
Details of the points-based system could be checked on the website of the British Embassy-Manila at http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/workingintheuk/.

“Under the Points-Based System, the Tier 2 work permits are applied for by employers who need to fill a vacant position with a specific person.

In order for the employer to be able to obtain a work permit, they must first be able to prove that they had advertised the position nationally and could not fill it with someone from inside the European Economic Area,” Manalili explained.
“Before employers can sponsor a foreign worker, they must first get a Sponsorship License issued by the UK Border Agency. Job applicants are advised to ask for this license first before they transact with UK employers,” she added.

For possible entry to the UK, it is also necessary for skilled workers to reach a minimum score of 70 “immigration” points based on qualifications, prospective earnings, maintenance funds and English language capability.
The POEA chief also warned applicants about the deceptive scheme of some training and learning schools offering a study-work program to their students or trainees.
The erring schools, she said, target mostly nurses, healthcare professionals and students. The students are required to finish their course in these schools as the former are promised that the latter will facilitate their employment abroad.

Manalili also emphasized that applicants going to UK should not pay any placement fee as there is a prevailing law in the UK restricting the charging of fees to persons seeking employment.
Interested jobseekers abroad should regularly check the POEA website www.poea.gov.ph to avoid being duped by illegal recruiter, Manalili said. POEA Press release

Philippine POEA clarifies job availability in US, UK

2010-01-07T14:27:00.001-08:00

01/07/2010 The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) reminded prospective applicants on Wednesday to check first with the agency on the availability of job opportunities abroad, especially for the United States and the United Kingdom.

US jobs

In a statement posted on its website, POEA Administrator Jennifer Manalili clarified that job orders approved for the US included not only nurses but also pharmacists and physiotherapists, seasonal workers in hotels, golf courses and resorts, and information and communication technology workers.

Manalili also disclosed that of the 13,360 job orders from the US in 2009, only 876 or 6.5% have been filled up largely due to visa retrogression, or a delay in obtaining an immigrant visa (Green Card) when there are more people applying for it than the number of visas available.

She also clarified that the demand for construction workers was not for the US labor market but for Guam’s planned development of a military facility this year, recruitment for which may take a longer time.

Also, there also no employment prospects for the oil and gas industries in the US so far, she said, belying earlier reports.

Manalili further stressed that the agency has not received requests for approval of job orders for dog handlers in Dubai, contrary to newspaper reports.

“We will make formal announcements as soon as the job offers are confirmed", Manalili said, as she cautioned workers to guard against being victimized by illegal recruiters promising immediate departure for these destinations.

UK jobs

In a separate advisory, the POEA similarly asked applicants seeking employment in the United Kingdom to inquire with its offices first if their prospective employers are accredited or registered under a licensed recruitment agency.

Manalili also advised workers to search the website of the British Embassy-Manila for details on the new points-based system (PBS), and to verify if the jobs are indeed available in the UK.

The POEA explained that under the PBS, the tier 2 work permits, or permits for workers who are citizens of countries outside of the European Economic Area (EEA), are applied for by employers who need to fill a vacant position with a specific person. To secure this permit, employers must prove that they had advertised the position nationally and failed to find the right person from inside the EEA.

Employers must also obtain a Sponsorship License for foreign workers, which the POEA advises applicants to ask for first before transacting with UK employers.

Skilled workers are also required to reach at least 70 ‘immigration’ points, based on qualifications, prospective earnings, maintenance funds, and English language capability, for entry to the UK.

'Deceptive scheme' of some schools

In this light, Manalili warned applicants about the deceptive scheme of some training and learning schools. These schools, she said, target mostly nurses, healthcare professionals and students who are required to finish their course in the said school then given promises that their school will facilitate their employment abroad.

Another is the trainee-worker scheme, where workers are recruited and deployed as trainees based on an agreement, even as training and learning schools are not licensed to recruit workers for overseas employment.

Manalili also reminded applicants that UK restricts the charging of any placement to persons seeking employment. She further stressed that all interested jobseekers should ckech the veracity of employment opportunities abroad through the POEA website.

According to the POEA, the Middle East remains the major labor market for overseas Filipino workers in 2010 as the financial crunch has minimally affected the economies in the region except for Dubai.

Saudi Arabia is still a primary destination for OFWs as it embarks on development plans until 2024, including the creation of 12 mega-industrial or economic cities across the kingdom. POEA Press release

POEA website http://www.poea.gov.ph/

POEA bares 13,360 job openings in US

2010-01-06T23:33:00.000-08:00

The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration announced Wednesday a total of 13,360 approved job orders for the US that includes nurses, pharmacists, physiotherapists, seasonal workers in hotels, golf courses and resorts, and information and communication technology workers.

So far, a total of 876 of the total job orders have been filled up, POEA Administrator Jennifer Jardin-Manalili said, although the US is currently on visa retrogression on nurses recruited as immigrant for employment visas (EB3).

Manalili also clarified previous reports that were erroneously published.
She said the demand for construction workers that were earlier said to be for the US mainland are actually for Guam’s planned development this year for a modern and integrated military facility. Guam is a US territory in the Pacific.

However, she said recruitment for Guam may not develop soon since it is dealing with the issue of relocating the Futenma Marine base in Okinawa, Japan.

In a statement, the POEA official also said reports of employment opportunities in the oil and gas industries in the US are erroneous and warned overseas Filipino workers against recruiters who promise immediate departures for the US mainland and Guam.
Manalili also said there are no approved job orders for dog handlers in Dubai.

“We will make formal announcements as soon as the job offers are confirmed,” Manalili said.

The POEA official projected that the Middle East will be the main overseas labor employer this year because the Gulf States have successfully battled the global economic crisis.

“The Middle East will remain to be the major labor market of OFWs in 2010. The financial crunch has minimally affected the economies in the Gulf States which have taken concrete steps to cushion the possible impact of the crisis, except for Dubai.

“Saudi Arabia, the primary destination of OFWs, is embarking on its medium to long term socio-economic development plans until 2024. This includes the development of 12 mega-industrial or economic cities across the kingdom,” she said. Press Release

Top 10 Overseas Jobs for Filipinos in 2010 OFW

2010-01-06T15:07:00.001-08:00

This list was done for 2009 but it has some good insights in the jobs you need to train for it you want to go overseas. List is from wikipilipinas The number of Filipinos working abroad has grown in number over the years. From January to November of 2009, the Philippines deployed 1, 284, 133 overseas Filipino workers, which is 11.7% higher than 2008. Below are ten of the most common jobs Filipinos have taken outside of the country in the year 2009. Since this is the actual jobs deployed in 2009 it gives a good view of 2010 as well. Read the full details at the link below

Seamen
Skilled Workers
Engineers
Health Care Workers
Hotel and Restaurant Staff
Domestic Helpers
Teachers
Administrative Workers and Clerks
Entertainers
Factory Workers

Continue reading here http://en.wikipilipinas.org/index.php?title=Top_10_Overseas_Jobs_for_Filipinos_in_2009

Filipino workers in Hong Kong are moving up the employment chain.
Instead of domestic helpers, more and more Filipinos are now employed as front-line sales personnel for such shops that need English-speaking staff like Bookazine, Kraze Burger (a Korean hamburger chain patterned after the popular In N Out in the US West Coast), and tourist-oriented stores and boutiques in the Tsim Sha Tsui and Central districts.

Ways to send money to the Philippines OFW

2010-01-03T13:54:00.000-08:00

How can we send money to the Philippines? How can we remit cash to our Filipino relatives? How can I make a Philippine money transfer? Let me count the ways: (from EOFW blog, link at end of this post)

Allsafe (Australia)
Atlas Xpress Padala
Forexworld.com
FX Remit
G-Cash (G-Cash articles on Technobiography)
iKobo
iRemit
Lucky Money
MegaPadala
eMoneyGram Internet Money Transfers
MyAyala
Paystone
Pesoepadala.com
Philsend
LBC
Remithome
Smart Padala (Smart Padala articles on Technobiography)

Technocash (Australia)
UK Moneygram
Uniteller
Wells Fargo
Western Union
Xoom

YesPinoy.com
Banks:
BPI Remittance
Citibank
Equitable PCI Bank Express Padala
PNB Europe
PNB Rapid Remit
RCBC Telemoney
Security Bank
UCPB
Domestic remittance:
2Go.com.ph (article on eOFW)
Perapadala.com

Additional References:
Money Transfer Guide
Send Money to the Philippines
Sending Money to the Philippines
Google Groups search: How to send money to the Philippines

Related posts:
Send Money Thru the Biggest Philippine Bank Network in the World
M. Lhuillier International Money Transfer

To read the links to this article read here http://eofw.net/how-tos/how-to-send-money-to-the-philippines/

Also read my blog on Money transfer to the Philippines here http://mysendmoney.blogspot.com/

Philippine Call centers here on a roll

2009-12-29T14:48:00.001-08:00

Great news for those seeking call center jobs here in Philippines and don't want to go overseas to work! . From manilastandardtoday NEW DELHI—For about a decade, it was India’s call center boom that defined it as “the world’s back office,” much like neighboring China has been immortalized as “the world’s factory.”

But the situation seems to be changing as the Philippines is fast upstaging India’s back-office supremacy, with BPO service providers and customers seeming to favor this country as a better place for “voice-related” work, the Economic Times of India reported Sunday.

Continue reading here http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/insideNews.htm?f=2009/december/29/news6.isx&d=/2009/december/29

Go to Employment for Filipinos blog here http://employmentlinks.blogspot.com/

Australia to hire thousands of skilled OFWs

2009-12-27T16:12:00.001-08:00

12/27/2009 GMA News Thousands of skilled overseas Filipino workers (OFW) are expected to be employed in Australia next year with the scheduled signing of a labor agreement next month, Labor Secretary Marianito Roque said Sunday.

Roque said he would flying to Australia on January to sign the agreement for the hiring of thousands of Filipino professionals.

“Those who would qualify for the jobs would get at least $4,000 monthly salary and there would be no placement fee," Roque said.

The government had earlier reported that Australia is expected to hire about 300,000 Filipino workers in the next three to five years.

Continue reading here http://www.gmanews.tv/story/180328/australia-to-hire-thousands-of-skilled-ofws

Send free SMS to any mobile in

2009-12-25T04:09:00.001-08:00

Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, India, UAE, Saudi & Kuwait
Over 6 Million Registered Users
Over 300 Million USER Generated SMS Sent
Ranked 7th Most Popular WAP Site In India (source: opera)
http://160by2.com/ph/

Also you can text free to any cell phone in the Philippines from Chikka or yahoo messenger.

Read more about cheap calls here http://cheapcallsphilippines.blogspot.com/

Free shuttle rides to malls offered to arriving OFWs

2009-12-23T13:25:00.001-08:00

abs-cbnNEWS.com 12/23/2009 MANILA, Philippines – Filipino overseas workers arriving during the height of the Christmas season have the option to meet their welcoming relatives at nearby SM malls instead of slugging it out at congested parking areas of international airports in Manila, Pampanga and Cebu.

Sy-led SM malls, in partnership with the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), are offering free shuttle rides to OFWs arriving via 3 international gateways: Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Diosdado Macapagal International Airport, and Cebu International Airport.

OFWs can opt to meet up with their relatives in SM malls--Mall of Asia in Pasay City, SM Clark and SM Cebu--to avoid heavy traffic at these airports. Baggage handling is free. Continue reading http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/pinoy-migration/12/23/09/free-shuttle-rides-malls-offered-arriving-ofws

also read Luggage-laden workers take airport shuttles for free

For Christmas communication needs check all the latest promos for SUN, SMART, Globe, and Sky here

2009-12-22T01:01:00.000-08:00

For Christmas communication needs check all the latest promos for SUN, SMART, Globe, and Sky here, just click the titles

SMART BRO PLUG IT PROMOS & REVIEWS

SMART BRO SHARE IT PROMOS & REVIEWS

SUN BROADBAND PLUG IT PROMOS & REVIEWS

SMART BROADBAND AND CELL REVIEWS & PROMOS

GLOBE TATTOO BROADBAND USB REVIEWS & PROMOS

GLOBE BROADBAND & CELL PROMOS & REVIEWS

SUN BROADBAND & CELL PROMOS & REVIEWS

PLDT PROMOS & REVIEWS

SKY CABLE & BROADBAND REVIEWS & PROMOS

INTERNET FASTER SPEED SECRETS

Cheap PHONE Calls Calling to Philippines

22 Filipinos fall prey to pyramid scam in UAE - report

2009-12-21T16:10:00.001-08:00

12/21/2009 At least 22 Filipinos are believed to be among the over 200 victims of a pyramid scam in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The scam, allegedly perpetrated by an Emirati national, was uncovered when the Filipino victims went to Philippine Consulate in Dubai to seek help after falling prey to a loan scheme linked to a pyramid scam, UAE news site Khaleej Times reported Sunday.

Continue reading here http://www.gmanews.tv/story/179923/22-filipinos-fall-prey-to-pyramid-scam-in-uae-report

POEA warns on fake job offers abroad

2009-12-19T13:50:00.001-08:00

Dec 19th, 2009 The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) warned jobseekers Friday against individuals offering work opportunities in the United States, Canada and Lebanon.

POEA Administrator Jennifer Manalili said Filipino nurses should be wary of illegal recruiters offering jobs in the US and Canada who use names of existing foreign agencies and e-mails like hansbeda@aol.com to recruit new nurses for the three mentioned destinations.

Manalili said the Philippine Embassy in Ottawa has received complaints from a number of Filipino nurses who were allegedly recruited by a nurse recruiting agent from the US named Agerico Casey Gabriel also known as Casey Gabriel or under the name of Medical Caregiver Management.

Gabriel’s modus operandi is to introduce himself as an agent of Medical Link or other legitimate US-based nurse recruiting agency.

“He usually holds a recruitment conference without asking any money from the victims. After gaining their trust, he then asks for money allegedly for escrow payments required for visas to ‘complete the process,’” Manalili said.

However, the President of Medical Link and an official of another agency have denied any ongoing recruitment for foreign nurses and any knowledge of one Agerico Casey Gabriel.

On the other hand, Manalili maintained that the total ban on the deployment to Lebanon is still in effect amidst reports that a number of household workers who left the country illegally despite their personal knowledge of the ban are presently stranded at the Philippine Embassy in London. (mb.com.ph)

Demand for OFWs drops 14 percent this year, says POEA

2009-12-17T14:50:00.001-08:00

Demand for Filipino workers abroad dropped 14 percent to 80,000 this year because of the lingering effects of the global financial crisis, according to the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA).

From the 542,000 in January to November 2008, job orders this year during the same period decreased to 462,000, according to POEA director Stella Banawis.

The same POEA data also showed that the number of new hires this year fell to 320,508 from the 346,871 in 2008.

POEA administrator Jennifer Manalili attributed the decrease to the economic slowdown starting in the late 2008. “There are still many countries that are reeling from the crisis," she said during press conference at her office on Thursday.

But POEA deputy administrator Hans Cacdac remains optimistic that next year will be better for OFWs. “We are hoping for that positive things will happen next year in the overseas employment sector."

Middle East countries remain to be the top destinations for Filipino workers this year. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia still leads with 251,883 OFWs, followed by the United Arab Emirates with 160,242; Hong Kong with 75,742; Qatar with 72,176; and Kuwait with 38,729

Advice for vacationing Philippine OFWs

2009-12-17T14:28:00.000-08:00

As the Christmas season is when overseas Filipino workers usually come home for a vacation, the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration has issued an advisory on the issuance of POEA travel exit clearances.

In the advisory, vacationing Filipinos are thus advised:

1. If you have just arrived, apply for your overseas employment certificate early either at the POEA main office or at the nearest POEA regional offices and extension units, or avail of the OEC delivery service, so that you avoid last-minute problems prior to their return flights.

2. If you are still abroad, you are encouraged to apply for your OEC at the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (Polo) in the host country prior to coming home. Or, you may apply for your OEC at the POEA main or regional offices early prior to your return flights to your destination.

The POEA noted that the number of OEC applicants double during this season. The agency’s Balik-Manggagawa Processing Division gets about 2,000 such applications a day during this time of the year.
“Congestion and security are major concerns at the POEA premises. Complicating this situation is the number of OFW applicants who have immediate flights,” the POEA said explaining the advisory that seeks to decongest the agency.

The agency also said that regular processing of OECs has been discontinued at the NAIA Labor Assistance Center (LAC), except for weekend or emergency exit within five days from entry.

It reminded OFWs who have not yet registered with the POEA d to bring their contract and/or certificate of employment, and other proofs of employment in order to be documented and be issued an OEC.

The POEA also advises OFWs to regularly check its website for notices especially before they book their flights.

http://www.poea.gov.ph/

Philippine OFWs Deliver Again

2009-12-16T14:59:00.001-08:00

Via INQUIRER.net 12/15/2009 MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines is one of the three East Asian countries (excepting China) that avoided a recession in 2009. The other two are Indonesia and Vietnam.

Registering a positive growth in GDP of at least 1.5 percent (it could been higher had it not been for the devastation caused by super typhoons), the Philippine economy has grown mostly due to private consumption expenditures and government pump priming. Exports dropped precipitously and investments were anemic.

The consumption-led growth, in turn, can be attributed to the more than P800 billion received by the relatives of the overseas Filipino workers whose remittances increased by more than 4 percent for the whole year against all odds. The Philippines would have surely gone into a recession if the OFW remittances had dropped by 6 percent or more, as forecasted by the World Bank and IMF at the beginning of this year.

Thanks to the superior quality of OFWs (the first to be hired and the last to be fired), remittances kept on increasing throughout the year. The only fly in the ointment is the strengthening of the peso at the end of the year, due mostly to the depreciation of the dollar. Many OFWs were expecting an exchange rate closer to P50 to $1 at the end of the year. They would be lucky to get P47.

Be that as it may, the purchasing power of the relatives of the OFWs is a formidable P800 billion or more. Since the government is already reaching its limit of deficit spending of 4 percent of GDP, the Philippine economy will have to be propelled by consumption spending for at least the first half of 2010 for the GDP growth target of 3 to 4 percent for the whole of next year to be attained.

That is why I reiterate my suggestion that OFWs and their relatives take an upbeat mood beyond the traditional Christmas period. I got a lot of feedback about my suggestion that at least for this year, Christmas be extended to at least to the middle of January to coincide with the Sto. Nino celebrations in cities like Cebu. Continue reading here http://globalnation.inquirer.net/columns/columns/view/20091215-242128/OFWs-Deliver-Again

GMA Network eyes wider OFW reach in 2010 via Pinoy TV, Life TV

2009-12-16T13:50:00.001-08:00

12/17/2009 via GMA News GMA Network, Inc. (GMA) wants to reach more Filipino households abroad in 2010 through its two international channels, GMA Pinoy TV and GMA Life TV, a network official said Wednesday.

GMA Vice President for International Operations Joseph T. Francia said in a press briefing that GMA International plans to make its presence felt even more in countries in Europe with large Filipino populations, particularly Italy, the United Kingdom and Germany.

He added that GMA International also eyes expansion in the states of Florida, New York and New Jersey in the United States, where there is also strong Filipino presence.

Francia also said that GMA Pinoy TV and Life TV registered a 13-percent rise in the number of overseas subscriptions this year, or a total of 341,000 subscribers in 2009.

The increasing number of GMA International channels this year translated to total gross revenues of P845 million, making it the network’s second revenue earner in 2009, according to Francia.

Continue reading here http://www.gmanews.tv/story/179566/gma-network-eyes-wider-ofw-reach-in-2010-via-pinoy-tv-life-tv

Meco starts focus on high-value jobs in Taiwan for Filipinos

2009-12-15T14:10:00.000-08:00

Via Manilastandardtoday TAIPEI—Manila Economic and Cultural Office is looking at higher value jobs in Taiwan as it continues to tap non-traditional but higher-paying sectors for Filipino workers.

Labor Attaché Reydeluz Conferido told Manila-based reporters here that the Philippines would now focus its efforts in training and retooling workers who used to be in the domestic services sector so they could move up the value chain to become nursing aides or caregivers.

“We are looking at an arrangement with Taiwan where more Filipino workers have access to higher-end sectors like engineering and banking,” said Conferido.

He said the traditional markets for Filipino workers who wanted to provide higher-end engineering services was the Middle East, while Indonesia was also becoming an emerging market for banking services in the region.

“We want our workers to look beyond the traditional markets not only in terms of countries but also in terms of jobs. We want them to have access to higher-end opportunities,” said Conferido. Continue reading here http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/insideBusiness.htm?f=2009/december/15/business5.isx&d=/2009/december/15

Philippine jobless rate slips to 7.1% in Oct

2009-12-15T13:22:00.001-08:00

Via abs-cbnNEWS.com 12/15/2009 MANILA, Philippines - A total of 2.72 million Filipinos were unemployed last October as the country's jobless rate slipped to 7.1% for that month, the National Statistics Office said Tuesday.

The NSO said the unemployment rate dipped from the previous 7.6% recorded in July, totaling 2.92 million Filipinos unemployed for the month. It was higher than the 6.8% unemployment rate recorded in October 2008.
The National Capital Region posted the highest unemployment rate at 11.8% while the lowest was in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao at 1.8%. The number of unemployed persons was higher among males (63.8%) than among females (36.2%) while about half (50.3%) of the unemployed were in age group 15-24 years.

The total labor force fell slightly to 38.2 million people in October from 38.4 million in July.

Under-employed workers dropped to 6.87 million from 7 million in July. Nearly 60% of the under-employed, mostly from the agriculture and services sector, worked for less than 40 hours a week in October.

Continue reading here http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/business/12/15/09/philippine-jobless-rate-slips-71-oct

Philippine Airport personnel told: Don’t greet passengers Merry Christmas

2009-12-15T13:16:00.001-08:00

GMANews.TV 12/15/2009 Balikbayans and tourists can look forward to happy holidays this Yuletide season as the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) gears up for the needs of passengers.

What they can't look forward to is being greeted by airport employees.

Airport employees have been banned from greeting passengers, “Merry Christmas" and “Happy New Year."

A memorandum issued by MIAA general manager Alfonso Cusi directed employees to refrain from greeting passengers, as this was observed to be their way of indirectly asking for tips. Continue reading here http://www.gmanews.tv/story/179470/airport-personnel-told-dont-greet-passengers-merry-christmas

OFWs see bleak prospects for 2010

2009-12-14T14:50:00.000-08:00

The Philippine Star December 15, 2009 MANILA, Philippines - The outlook for overseas employment opportunities in 2010 is bleak with international labor markets virtually closed because most economies are still hurting from the onslaught of the global financial crisis.

The Federated Association of Manpower Exporters (FAME) said job orders from Australia, New Zealand, and Canada, considered the best countries for expatriates, have stopped.

Australia has dodged recession in the second half of the year but has started cutting back on immigration since the first quarter of the year when recession threatened its economy.

New Zealand emerged from recession in the second half of the year but its economy is still expected to be bumpy in the following months.

Canada exited recession in the third quarter of the year. “Those markets are have dried up and only the Middle East countries of Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, and Libya are hiring workers,” said FAME director Lito Soriano

Japan, which pledged to absorb Filipino nurses into its workforce under the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA), hired only 30 Filipino nurses and caregivers
a few months ago. Continue reading here http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=532541&publicationSubCategoryId=66

OFW families turning to savings and investments

2009-12-14T14:45:00.001-08:00

The Philippine Star December 15, 2009 MANILA, Philippines - Beneficiaries of remittances from overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) are turning to savings and investments to survive the uncertainty brought about by the global financial crisis, data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) showed.

BSP Deputy Governor Diwa Guinigundo said in an interview with reporters that the percentage of households that allocated portions of their remittances to savings and for investments has steadily been increasing over the years.

Guinigundo pointed out that the central bank’s Consumer Expectations Survey (CES) showed that percentage of households that allocated portions of remittances from OFWs increased to 44.8 percent in the fourth quarter of the year from 39.9 percent in the third quarter and from only seven percent in the first quarter of 2007 when the quarterly survey was started.

“This is very important. That means OFWs are becoming more financially literate and conscious that what they are earning overseas would have to be saved which is precisely what is happening now,” Guinigundo stressed.
According to him, families of OFWs have realized the importance of savings and investments especially after the financial crisis struck the US late 2008 that rippled across the globe resulting in a worldwide economic slump. Ctoninue reading here http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=532540&publicationSubCategoryId=66

More OFW families are saving http://www.bworldonline.com/main/content.php?id=3200

Read my blog on business ideas here http://philippinebusinessideas.blogspot.com/
And ecommerce here http://ecommercewonders.blogspot.com/
How to buy real estate http://philippineland.blogspot.com/

Fees cut number of Pinoy domestic help in Taiwan

2009-12-14T14:14:00.000-08:00

Fees cut number of Pinoy domestic help in Taiwan

12/14/2009 from GMA News Indonesian and Vietnamese domestic helpers in Taiwan have given their Filipino counterparts a run for their money.

Fees charged by brokers of Filipino domestic helpers have gone up, reducing Taiwanese employers’ interest in hiring them, the Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO) said.

Brokers charge NT60,000 every year for three years from Taiwanese employers seeking to employ Filipino domestic workers. This is lower than the NT160,000 charged for domestic helpers of other nationalities.

As a result, Taiwan-based Filipino domestic helpers have been cut by a third to the current 20,000 from a peak of 60,000 during the last five years, said Carlo Aquino, MECO director of assistance to nationals said. Continue reading here http://www.gmanews.tv/story/179358/fees-cut-number-of-pinoy-domestic-help-in-taiwan

Also read Taiwan households dump Pinoy DHs

Via Malaya: Filipinos are no longer the housemaids of choice of Taiwanese.

Carlo Aquino, who heads the assistance to nationals program of the Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO), said from a high of 60,000 household service workers and caretakers, the number had dropped to 22,509 as of October this year.

MECO said with the implementation of the direct hiring program – which entails no brokers or placement fee for household service care and caretakers two years ago - the Philippines lost some 15,000 jobs to Indonesians and Vietnamese.

Aquino said a lot of employers still use "brokers" in hiring nannies and maids.

Brokers earn more if they get workers from Indonesia and Vietnam at P160,000 per worker against P60,000 from the Philippines.

Continue reading here http://www.malaya.com.ph/12152009/busi4.html

Reloading stations to be available to OFWs anywhere in the world

2009-12-14T13:57:00.001-08:00

Reloading stations to be available to OFWs anywhere in the world

Press release....IN its thrust to support the Filipino entrepreneurial spirit, Smart Communications Inc. will launch a program that will enable overseas Filipino workers (OFW) to sell load credits to fellow OFWs.

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My comment: SMART and PLDT have many programs and this one seems interesting but when you try to find details online it is impossible....it seems their press releases should reference an exact web location where you can reference and use immediately as a search on google and on the SMARt website brings up nothing on this OFW program details on this OFW load program......all press releases should reference the exact web address to find more details

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Smart envisions to make it possible for an OFW anywhere in the world to find a reloading station near him.

With Smart tapping into technological innovations, the company will continue to find ways to make its services more affordable, she said.

Carag said the Hellow reloadable card for international direct dialing (IDD) did better than initially expected. Smart now plans to expand the Hellow coverage and distribution.

Read more about the P2.5 calling reloadable card here http://smartphilippines.blogspot.com/2009/11/smart-now-has-calls-overseas-as-low-as.html

Since the Hellow card’s launch in September, the company has to produce cards twice the number of its first estimate of 200,000 cards for this year, she said.

The card allows a user to use the credits of the card in any Smart-subscribed phone, including post-paid ones. Hellow cards are available in 16 countries and will be in nine more within six months.

Another product targeted to OFWs, the Smart Pinoy Sim, generated 1.3 million users of international roaming services as of November.

but very expensive texting rates you would better to use chikka or yahoo texting see for details

http://smartpinoy.net.ph/SmartPinoy/SectionPage.aspx?SectionID=2

“I believe we have the biggest coverage of the market,” Carag said.

The OFW Grand Salubong program is on its third year and will run until Jan. 30, 2010. Returning OFWs will get a chance to win a prize from the Smart Pinoy booths at the airport.

OFWs can also join the grand raffle draw where the major prizes are a brand new car from Nissan and a house and lot from Camella Homes.

To earn a raffle entry, arriving Filipino passengers need to register their Smart pre or post-paid subscription at the Smart Pinoy booth.

Recruitment agencies warned (BSP) against making statements about the expected rise in remittances from overseas Filipino workers (OFWs)

2009-12-13T15:11:00.001-08:00

The Federated Association of Manpower Exporters (Fame) said the repeated statements announcing new markets in New Zealand, Canada, Australia, Japan and Guam as possible sources of dollar remittances was just giving more information to illegal recruitment syndicates that entice jobless Filipinos with the promise of high wages.

As for Australia, New Zealand and Canada, Soriano said the “real” situation was that the three countries were in recession and job orders had completely stopped.

In East Asia, Soriano said the POEA deployed only 30 caregivers and nurses to Japan on Sept. 27 while the South Korea trainee deployment has not reached even 4,000 in 2009. Taiwan’s special hiring program has only deployed less than a thousand for 2008 compared to the private sector, which deployed more than 40,000 factory worker and caregivers.

“Those markets have dried up and only the Middle East countries of Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar and Libya where over two million Filipinos are concentrated are steadily increasing remittances flows,” Soriano said.

The recruitment executive, however, warned that the over 200,000 OFWs in Dubai, the second biggest source of remittances this year, were likely to send less next year because of the emirate’s debt crisis. http://globalnation.inquirer.net/news/breakingnews/view/20091213-241816/BSP-projections-aiding-illegal-recruiters--FAME

Reloadable IDD card brings OFW closer to home P2.5 a minute calls overseas

2009-12-11T15:43:00.000-08:00

FILIPINOS with relatives based overseas but have no means of contacting them due to budget constraints can now place international direct dial (IDD) calls even if they don’t own a mobile phone. (but foreigners living here can use too to call overseas)

Smart’s latest offering, Hellow, is the country’s first reloadable international direct dialing (IDD) card which can be used on any Smart or Talk ‘N Text cellphone, to make calls for as low as P2.50 per minute to 17 key destinations where the most number of Filipinos may be found in via sachet-sized load denominations of as low as P15.

A reloadable IDD card is Smart Communications Inc.’s newest service offering which caters to the low-end segment of the market. In particular, these are consumers that have logistics problems and those who do not own a cellular phone.

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But note that PLDT offers P1.5 calls to USA, Canada and Sun offers P2 calls to the same locations cheaper than SMART and SUN uses regular load while PLDT and SMART use a special card although the PLDT card is not reloadable. See the links at the end of this post.

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Dubbed as Hellow, the country’s first reloadable IDD card which can be used on any Smart or Talk ‘N Text cellular phones, allows calls to 17 destinations where the most number of Filipinos may be found, and costs for as low as P2.50 per minute.
-

Unlike other IDD services, anyone can avail of the Hellow reloadable IDD card for P30 from any Smart wireless centers and other accredited resellers. Printed on the plastic card are the unique account number and PIN. The Hellow user just needs to key in these numbers when using any Smart or Talk ‘N Text handset. The per-minute charge is deducted from the Hellow account and not from the Smart or Talk ‘N Text handset.
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The card is already pre-loaded with P30 that may be used up to the last P2.50. Subsequently, sachet-sized load comes in denominations of as low as P15. Reloading can be done through the 1.3 million Smart Load retailers all over the country. “The per-minute charge is deducted from the Hellow account and not from the Smart or Talk 'N Text SIM in the handset,” Carag said.
-

Mojica said this is Smart’s own version of bucket IDD pricing. A regular IDD call made by a Smart subscriber now costs anywhere between P15 to P20 per minute. “The rationale behind this offering is that we are targeting a specific market. We hope that we register 500,000 buyers of Hellow card in a year,” he said.

US, Canada, Guam, Hawaii – P2.50
Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, China, Malaysia, Hong Kong – P5
Japan, Australia, UK, Italy, Thailand – P8
Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates – P10
Rest of the world – $0.40 (about P20)

Questions

what will happen if i reload my Hellow IDD card though I still have P10 remaining balance from my previous load? if my previous load expires two days before I reload, which validity of load prevails?

For everyone's info, here's Smart's reply to query: "The 10 peso 'old' load if unused after 2 days will expire. When used, the first consumed is the 'old' load -- first to load, first to expire. Same with our SIM."

You just have to go to any Smart Load Outlet or Wireless Center and give your 11-digit account number found at the front of the card.

SMART HelLOW
RELOADABLE IDD CARD

Introducing the first reloadable international direct-dialing (IDD) card which lets you make a one-minute call for as low as the price of a piece of a candy.

Overseas call for as low as Php 2.50

Can be reloaded for as low as Php 15 from any Smart     E-Load outlet nationwide.

HelLOW can be used on any Smart or Talk ‘N Text cellphone, allowing to call 17 destinations worldwide.

The per-minute charge is deducted from your HelLOW account and not from the cellphone being used.

It’s easy to use. Just dial *4334 from your cellphone, then follow the voice prompt.
-         enter the 11-digits account number
-         enter your 6-digit PIN

Dial the number you are calling overseas in this format:
        00 + Country Code + Area Code + Number
        Ex. 00 1 713 4257660

Payment can be made thru Smart Money or to any Metrobank branch nationwide.

As soon as payment is confirmed, you will receive your virtual Smart HelLOW card within 24 hrs, pre-loaded with Php 30.00 worth of load and the following details by SMS:
1.      Account Number (11-digits)
2.      PIN (6-digits)

Watch youtube video on hellow card http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hKmeAkKjUYQ&NR=1

You can buy the online at ebay.ph

30 pesos http://cgi.ebay.ph/SMART-HELLOW-RELOADABLE-IDD-30_W0QQitemZ300374826374QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_211?hash=item45efbc1d86

100 pesos http://cgi.ebay.ph/Smart-HelLOW-Reloadable-IDD-Card_W0QQitemZ190343513603QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_211?hash=item2c515b8603

Read other blog posting on cheap calls and telecommunications
1.50 peso call to USA & Canada PLDT Budget Card

Cheap 2 peso phone call Philippines to USA Canada Hong Kong Singapore & China using SUN

Editorial: OFWs need alternative endeavor

2009-12-10T14:52:00.001-08:00

From the Business Mirror........worrisome is the effect of the financial crisis on our workers abroad who may have to face loss of jobs and loss of income, or even reduced income for those who may have to take lower-paying jobs.

He said Filipino workers in Dubai’s construction, real-estate, financial services, retail, trade, and travel and tourism industries could be among those hardest hit by the job losses.

And over the long term, let’s pursue a program of retraining displaced OFWs by pushing livelihood seminars so they can acquire new skills and start new businesses of their own at home. Maybe it’s time to really push the program of turning OFWs into entrepreneurs using their hard-earned money as capital, instead of allowing them to squander it in profligate spending. These OFWs need to be able to get financial education on how to start and manage businesses of their own. This is one of the advocacies being pushed by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, and the government and private sector should support such a great endeavor.

Instead of being nonchalant about it, the government should now get serious about getting really better-paying jobs for Filipinos who will lose their jobs in Dubai, considering that there are no jobs waiting here in the country.

Yes, let’s think of redeploying these workers, instead of allowing them to add to the serious unemployment here at home. Let’s explore other places in the Middle East where there are still markets for OFWs. Continue reading here http://businessmirror.com.ph/home/opinion/19545-editorial-ofws-need-alternative-endeavor.html

SM pours P180M in Pinoy Center

2009-12-10T13:50:00.001-08:00

Thursday, 10 December 2009 Business Mirror THE SM group will spend P180 million in building 36 lounge facilities to attract overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and their families to SM Supermalls.

In an interview with reporters, Hans Sy, president of SM Prime Holdings Inc., said these facilities, which are called Global Pinoy Centers, are intended to meet the needs of returning OFWs and their dependents when they go shopping. According to Sy, each center will cost P5 million.

Sy also said providing OFWs and their families with more comfortable facilities is SM’s way of recognizing their contribution to SM’s growth through their continued patronage.

“Whenever I have trips abroad, I was always being asked by foreign investors what drives SM’s growth and I told them it’s because of the remittances of our overseas-based workers,” said Sy during an interview at the sidelines of the opening of the Global Pinoy Center at the SM Mall of Asia.

Continue reading here http://businessmirror.com.ph/home/companies/19598-sm-pours-p180m-in-pinoy-center.html