By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Stressing its commitment to safeguarding the welfare of Filipino seafarers, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) on Wednesday (24 April 2024) issued an order prohibiting their deployment on passenger and cruise ships that are set to traverse the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.
In his Department Order No. 2, DMW officer-in-charge (OIC) Hans Leo Cacdac underscored that all Filipino seafarers to be employed for passenger and cruise vessels shall not be allowed to sail in the two bodies of water that were recently included in the list of high-risk areas and war-like zones.
“The DMW remains steadfast in its commitment to safeguarding the well-being of Filipino seafarers. These measures reflect the DMW’s dedication to ensuring safe working conditions and protecting our seafaring workforce,” the DMW said in a statement.
Under DO 2, licensed manning agencies (LMAs) are required to sign an affirmation letter guaranteeing that the ship that will be boarded by the Filipino seafarers will not navigate the Red Sea or the Gulf of Aden.
It also provides that Filipino seafarers listed as crew members must likewise sign an affirmation letter acknowledging that their vessel will not enter the two areas.
This affirmation letter, along with the vessel’s detailed itinerary, must be submitted to the DMW during the documentation of crew employment contracts or before their deployment.
It will then be uploaded to the DMW’s Online Processing System for Sea-based, along with the processed Standard Employment Contract (SEC).
(el Amigo/MNM)
By Junex Doronio
MANILA – In a tragic turn of events amid the unexpected flooding in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) — the worst in 75 years — Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) officer-in-charge Hans Leo Cacdac confirmed on Sunday (21 April 2024) that three overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) lost their lives while two sustained severe injuries.
Cacdac stated that arrangements are underway for the repatriation of the two OFWs’ remains.
“No specific date has been set yet. However, given our past experiences in the UAE, they are known for their expedited document processing… On the DMW side, our labor counterparts there are easily accessible… Setting a date is challenging, but it’s highly probable that all three will be brought home this month,” the DMW OIC added.
Meanwhile, two Filipinos involved in vehicular accidents during the UAE floods are currently recovering in an undisclosed hospital.
Cacdac mentioned that the two Filipinos were initially in the intensive care unit (ICU) but are now “on the path to recovery.”
“They were involved in vehicular accidents. They have already been visited and assured of government assistance, in line with the directives of our President,” Cacdac stated in an interview with Super Radyo dzBB.
He further noted that the floods in the UAE are receding, with normalcy gradually returning to the daily lives of its residents.
The DMW highlighted that despite approximately 650,000 Filipinos in Dubai, none have requested repatriation thus far, despite the floods caused by the heaviest rains in 75 years, a phenomenon attributed by experts to climate change.
(el Amigo/MNM)
Ana
Ana Fed
News/national
PANGANDAMAN CONDEMNS SCAMMERS USING DBM
By Junex Doronio
MANILA — DBM Secretary Mina Pangandaman has expressed outrage over the deceptive tactics of scammers posing as representatives of the Department of Budget and Management.
Pangandaman strongly denounced the fraudulent scheme of soliciting money in exchange for government contracts.
The DBM issued a stern warning following the arrest by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in late March of eight individuals allegedly involved in the scam.
These individuals had reportedly promised potential contractors substantial sums of money in exchange for a bribe of P500,000, purportedly for government projects.
“We vehemently condemn such activities. If individuals approach you claiming they can secure funds from the DBM, please report them immediately to the proper authorities,” Pangandaman stated in a released statement.
The fraudulent scheme came to light when a potential victim cross-checked with the DBM and discovered that the individual offering the deal was not affiliated with the department, and the project being touted did not exist.
Authorities are preparing to file charges of Estafa and Usurpation of Authority against the eight suspects, as announced by the DBM.
Additionally, the DBM urged the public to report any such incidents or file complaints through various channels: the DBM public assistance office (public_assistance@dbm.gov.ph), its hotline at 8657-3300 local 2524, and the Usapang Budget Natin Facebook page.
Complaints may also be directed to the NBI through their hotline at 8523-8231 to 38.
(el Amigo/MNM)
By Junex Doronio
MANILA — In accordance with the marching order of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) has assured full government support and assistance for the four Filipino seafarers who were among the crew of container ship MSC Aries, which Iranian forces seized near the Strait of Hormuz.
On Saturday (13 April 2024), Iran’s Revolutionary Guards reportedly seized a container ship, with four Filipino seafarers among the crew on board MSC Aries, in apparent retaliation to an Israeli attack on Iran consulate in Syria.
“Upon directive of the President, we are in touch with the families of our dear seafarers and have assured them of full government support and assistance,” the DMW said in a statement.
It added that it is now coordinating with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) as well as the seafarers’ manning agency and MSC Aries’ ship manager and operator “to ensure the safety and well-being, as well as the release, of our dear seafarers.”
To recall, some Filipino crew members of an oil tanker that Iran seized in January in response to the US seizure of crude from Iran on the same vessel in 2023 were sent back to the Philippines in March.
(el Amigo/MNM)
By Junex Doronio
MANILA — The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) on Friday said it is continuing to search for Filipinos who were possibly hurt in the 7.2 magnitude earthquake last April 3 in Taiwan as a fourth Filipino has been reported injured.
Maharlika NuMedia gathered that the Taiwan quake death toll has risen to 10 and 38 missing.
“She sustained head injuries due to falling debris. She is out of harm’s way and is being treated by a doctor,” DMW Officer-in-Charge Hans Cacdac said in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
He added that the still unidentified overseas Filipino worker (OFW) only sustained minor injuries, was treated in a hospital, and has since been discharged.
However, the DMW OIC said 30-year-old Chris Gumahin remains in the hospital after he fainted and still losing consciousness for hours after the main shock.
“The DMW Migrant Workers Offices (MWO) in Taipei, Taichung, and Kaohsiung continue to monitor the situation and are ready to assist OFWs who need it,” Cacdac assured.
(el Amigo/MNM)
By Junex Doronio
MANILA — In its bid to facilitate the claims of relatives of deceased overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) of bankrupt companies in Saudi Arabia between 2015 and 2016, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) on Wednesday (26 March 2024) advised them to submit legal affidavits and public documents tying claimants to the OFW as well as a Special Power of Attorney (SPA) designating the owner of the receiving bank account as a claimant.
“The DMW shall identify the rightful executor or heirs of the deceased Saudi OFW claimant and facilitate the endorsement of checks for deposit and processing,” the DMW said in a statement.
It advised the claimants that they may receive the payouts through the Landbank of the Philippines and the Overseas Filipino Bank (OFBank).
“Advisory No. 5 complements the Memorandum of Agreement between the DMW, LANDBANK, and the OFBank as it provides for the implementing guidelines that will simplify the process for the encashment of indemnity checks of widows and survivors of deceased OFW claimants. It also provides a mechanism that will prevent the checks sent to deceased OFW claimants from November to December last year from going stale, disenfranchising their widows and heirs from collecting what was due them,” the DMW added.
The agency further clarified that documents for the first batch of claimants will be accepted until April 15 this year.
Claimants may submit the requirements through the Office of the Director for Internal Audit Services, located on the 3rd Floor of the Blas F. Ople Building, Ortigas Avenue corner EDSA, Mandaluyong City 1501.
(el Amigo/MNM)
By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Reiterating government support, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) on Friday (08 March 2024) revealed that the remains of two Filipinos who were killed in the Houthi rebels’ attack in the Gulf of Aden in Yemen are still to be retrieved from the Greek-owned and Barbados-flagged ship True Confidence.
“Iyong dalawang labi ng dalawang nasawi ay nasa barko pa. Kasi nung tinamaan yung fuel section ng barko, instant fire ang nangyari. Ang term doon sa report ay ‘engulfed in flames’ yung lugar kung nasaan yung dalawang nasawi,” DMW chief Hans Leo Cacdac said in an interview on Super Radyo dzBB.
He added that the ship was still around the area where the attack happened.
“Kaya’t noong nag-emergency evacuation, dumating ang Indian Navy sa barko, naiwan. So babalikan, may salvaging operations ngayon kaya umaasa tayo na ma-retrieve ang kanilang mga labi,” Cacdac said.
Three severely injured Filipinos were brought to a hospital while 10 unharmed others were evacuated to a hotel in Djibouti, he further said.
The DMW chief assured that transportation arrangements are being prepared for the Filipino victims.
Citing the US Central Command, Reuters reported the Houthis attacked the Greek-owned and Barbados-flagged ship True Confidence on Wednesday (6 March 2024) killing three seafarers onboard including two Filipinos.
(el Amigo/MNM)
By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Appealing for diplomatic efforts to address the Middle East conflict that caused attacks by Houthi rebels sympathetic to Hamas militants, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) on Thursday (07 March 2024) assured its full support and assistance to all the affected Filipino seafarers.
The DMW made the statement following a Houthi missile attack on a bulk carrier navigating the Gulf of Aden which has resulted in the death of three seafarers, two of whom have been identified as Filipino nationals.
It added that two other Filipino crewmen were “severely injured” in the attack which set the ship ablaze around 50 nautical miles off the coast of Yemen’s port of Aden.
“On the direction of the President, the DMW is extending the fullest support and assistance to the families of our seafarers. The DMW has coordinated with the principal shipowner and manning agency to work on the repatriation of the remaining Filipino crew members,” the DMW said in a statement.
It was gathered that the Houthis claimed responsibility for the attack on the Greek-owned, Barbados-flagged ship True Confidence on Wednesday (6 March 2024) that killed three seafarers onboard.
Two of the fatalities were Filipino seafarers.
“We in the Department of Migrant Workers sincerely extend our deepest condolences to the family and kin of our slain, heroic seafarers. For reasons of privacy, we are withholding their names and identities,” a DMW statement said.
The DMW also reiterated its call for ship owners to avoid “high-risk areas,” particularly the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea where Houthi rebels have concentrated their maritime attacks.
(el Amigo/MNM)
By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Saying that some individuals are taking advantage of the seasonal workers program (SWP) in South Korea, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) is now investigating 66 individuals who may be involved in the illegal recruitment of Filipinos seeking temporary employment in South Korea.
“Nakakatanggap tayo ng balita na may P20,000, P30,000 o P40,000 na hinihingi sa worker bago siya umalis… kung hindi niya mabayaran, may pautang,” DMW officer in charge Hans Cacdac said on Saturday (02 Mar 2024) in a press conference.
He said some individuals have been taking advantage of the SWP, where Filipinos are hired in South Korea for at least two months to augment the number of farm workers during the East Asian country’s peak harvest season.
The DMW OIC lamented that some Filipinos fell victim to these illegal brokers as they can earn around P80,000 a month as temporary farmhands in South Korea.
“Mayroong Korean agent na may kilala doon at dito mayroon na ring kinuhang Filipino counterpart,” Cacdac disclosed.
He further bared: “They will work for 2 to 5 months, and the contract is extendable by 3 months. At least mga one-fourth ng kita, napupunta sa brokers.”
(el Amigo/MNM)
MANILA – The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) has expressed satisfaction with the recent ruling by the Kuwait Appeal Court, affirming the conviction of the perpetrator involved in the tragic killing of overseas Filipino worker Jullebee Ranara.
In a statement released Wednesday (21 Feb 2024) night, DMW officer in charge Undersecretary Hans Leo Cacdac praised the Gulf state’s appellate court for upholding the 16-year prison sentence imposed on the defendant, comprising one year for driving without a license and 15 years for the murder charge.
“We have personally informed the Ranara family about the Court’s decision and assured them of our unwavering support and assistance, as directed by President Marcos,” he added.
Cacdac stated that he conducted a virtual meeting with the Ranara family via Zoom, providing them with a comprehensive update on the developments in Kuwait.
Attending the session were Jullebee’s parents, her brother Emor, Overseas Workers Welfare Administrator Arnell Ignacio, Migrant Workers Office Kuwait (MWO-Kuwait) Labor Attaché Manuel Dimaano, Lawyer Khaled Al-Mass (the legal counsel retained by MWO-Kuwait handling the Ranara case), and other DMW officials.
“I have instructed our Migrant Workers Office in Kuwait (MWO-Kuwait) to collaborate with our retained legal counsel in initiating a civil action for damages against the father of the convicted perpetrator,” Cacdac remarked.
In September 2023, a juvenile court in Kuwait found the 17-year-old suspect guilty.
Ranara, a 35-year-old domestic worker, was discovered deceased in a desert in Kuwait in January 2023.
(el Amigo/MNM)
MANILA — The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) announced that 300 Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) who lost their jobs in Saudi Arabia would receive their unpaid wages.
DMW officer-in-charge Hans Leo Cacdac said that the bank would “clear” their checks in the next few weeks.
“This is just the start of what we see as a deliberate process of distribution of claimants’ checks and encashment resulting into the full payout of each of our displaced OFWs’ unpaid claims and other benefits,” Cacdac said.
Based on the statement of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., Cacdac said that the payment of the unpaid wages of 1,104 OFWs started in January.
“We will continue working with our Saudi counterparts to resolve these issues and we will continue assisting our OFWs and their families through this final stage in receiving their long overdue wages and benefits,” Cacdac said.
(el Amigo/MNM)
By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Hope springs eternal for the safety and immediate repatriation of the 18 Filipino crew of the oil tanker that was seized in the Gulf of Oman.
On Sunday, Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) officer-in-charge Hans Cacdac disclosed that the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is taking care of the negotiations for the safe return of the crew back to the Philippines.
“’Yung sa aspeto ng pakikipag-usap tungkol sa kanilang pagpapauwi nang ligtas, ay nasa kamay ng DFA. At ayon naman sa DFA, mayroon na ring pakikipag-usap sa larangan na ‘to sa Iranian authorities,” Cacdad said in a Super Radyo dzBB interview.
On Saturday (January 13), Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs Eduardo De Vega described the 18 Filipino seafarers as “collateral damage” after they were seized by Iran’s navy last January 11.
“Hindi sila kinuhang hostage, ibang situation ito kasi ang tinarget ng Iranians [ay] ‘yong bapor mismo, so in a way collateral damage ‘yong crew. So we’re confident that hindi sila sasaktan at in time papakawalan na rin ‘yan,” De Vega said.
The incident brought to 35 the number of Filipino seafarers abducted in sea jackings after 17 Filipino seafarers were seized by Iran-backed Houthi rebels who began threatening commercial shipping in the Red Sea last November.
Cacdac expressed the belief that the 18 Pinoy seafarers seized by Iran’s navy were safe.
“Alam natin na sila ay ligtas sa ngayon. Tayo ay nagdadasal kasama ng pamilya ng mga nasa St. Nikolas na sila’y makauwi na sa lalong madaling panahon,” he said.
(el Amigo/MNM)
By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Suddenly the “New Zealand Dream” for more than 700 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) became a nightmare when they unexpectedly lost jobs before Christmas last year and good thing the Department of Migrant Workers is now providing financial assistance to them to tide over the crisis.
Maharlika NuMedia gathered that the OFWs found themselves jobless when ELE, described by the New Zealand government as a “skilled labor hire agency in the construction and manufacturing sector,” shut down unannounced just four days before Christmas.
“Yung DMW po very proactive yung stance dito. You know pa dati nangyari na po ito sa [Kingdom of Saudi Arabia] so agad-agad nakipag-ugnayan tayo sa counterpart natin — yung [Migrant Workers Office] natin nakatutok,” DMW Undersecretary Patricia Yvonne Caunan said.
She disclosed that 107 affected OFWs have already received 1,050 New Zealand dollars (around P36,000) with another 72 set to receive the same.
“Hindi lang po ‘yan ‘yung financial na assistance is just one thing — ang importante po sa kababayan natin ay magkaroon pa rin sila ng trabaho diyan sa New Zealand,” Caunan said.
She said that “several employers” have reached out to the MWO saying they are interested in hiring the displaced Filipino workers.
“So kami naman po kung ganyan kaganda yung intention ng employer sa New Zealand, ipa-facilitate po namin yan lalo na kung makakatulong na magkakaroon ng trabaho doon,” she said.
The MWO in New Zealand has also reached out to various employers in the country to accommodate the displaced Filipino workers.
The OFWs lamented that ELE initially promised to pay their remaining salary but “until now” there was no news of when this would happen.
It was learned that most of the OFWs had not even been in New Zealand for more than a year.
(el Amigo/MNM)
By Junex Doronio
MANILA — With almost nil threat of the Covid-19 virus, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) has observed that overseas employment for Filipinos returned to pre-pandemic levels in 2023.
On Thursday, DMW officer-in-charge Hans Leo Cacdac said the agency issued some 2.5 million overseas employment certificates (OECs) and passes to OFWs last year.
“By and large, talagang bumalik sa pre-pandemic levels and more ang overseas employment ng ating mga mahal na OFWs, 2.5 million ang overseas employment certificates and passes ang na-issue ng ating mga tauhan…para magkaroon, mag-facilitate ng mga trabaho ng mga OFWs,” the DMW OIC said in a public briefing.
Cacdac credited the efforts of the late former DMW Secretary Susan “Toots” Ople for reducing the time needed to process the OECs from the previous 30 days to only one or two weeks.
At the same time, there has been efficient provision of assistance to distressed OFWs.
“Of course, iyong ating pagbubukas ng merkado sa Saudi after a deployment ban ay nagbigay-daan din sa restoration of Saudi-Philippines bilateral labor relations na nagbigay ng empleyo sa higit-kumulang na mga 90,000 OFWs na nagtungo sa Saudi Arabia,” Cacdac noted.
(El Amigo/MNM)
By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Showing compassion in line with the spirit of Christmas, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) and Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) on Monday (18 December 2023), distributed P55,000 to each of the abused Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) who arrived from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Those with children received an additional P5,000.
Maharlika NuMedia learned that the 50 OFWs were recipients of financial assistance from the government’s “Pamaskong Salubong 2023” program.
The “Pamaskong Salubong” is a yearly program of the government as a way of showing appreciation for the OFWs’ contribution to the country.
One of these distressed OFWs was Jeanie Banaag, 44, who experienced maltreatment during her three months in Riyadh.
She claimed that her employer did not give her food and locked her inside the house.
This compelled Banaag to seek help from the Philippine Embassy which immediately took action and helped her get home.
With her harrowing experience, Banaag remarked that she would no longer work abroad and would try to make ends meet in the Philippines for her child.
Even the vacationing migrant workers were also welcomed by a choir and received loot bags from the “Pamaskong Salubong” program.
(ai/mnm)
By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Good news for those who want to work abroad as the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) has bared that the Czech Republic and Austria have struck an agreement with the Philippines for the sustainable recruitment of 5,000 to 10,000 skilled workers.
The DMW said in exchange for Filipino healthcare workers, these countries will sponsor scholarships for Filipino students to ensure an adequate number of skilled workers in the country.
On the other hand, the Ambassador of Italy expressed his country’s interest in accepting more overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).
“We might have more and more Filipino and Filipina nurses in Italy, but also in other kinds of sectors even more professional than that. Even engineers,” Italian ambassador Marco Clemente said.
According to DMW, it has spoken to Hungarian labor officials who have offered “world-class” benefits that include housing for qualified OFWs in the manufacturing, agricultural, and hospitality sectors.
“Gusto din nila tumulong (They want to help) to ensure that there will be more Filipino workers, not only for Austria but for the Philippines, so nandyan yung mga scholarship, yung mga training,” DMW Undersecretary for Policy and International Cooperation Attorney Patricia Yvonne Caunan quipped.
She added that Germany would also like to accommodate non-healthcare workers in their triple-win agreement with the Philippines.
“Ang maganda dito, as you know, yung mga opportunity dito. Hindi lamang sa ating workers, pati na para sa mga pamilya nila,” Caunan revealed.
The DMW advised interested applicants not to fall prey to scammers and to always check their list of available job orders via their website.
(ai/mnm)
By Junex Doronio
FOLLOWING THE STATEMENT of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia assured him that the settlement of the unpaid salaries of some 10,000 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) was already being processed, Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) officer-in-charge Hans Leo Cacdac on Wednesday said they will continue following up its release.
To recall, in November last year, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman committed to allocate some 2 billion riyals for the unpaid salaries of some 10,000 overseas Filipinos employed by construction companies that declared bankruptcy in 2015 and 2016.
“From our talks with our own counterparts there…we were also informed that the Ministry of Finance is on board to take care of the financial matters because this would involve disbursement of funds,” Cacdac disclosed when interviewed on CNN Philippines.
Migrante Philippines chair Arman Hernando had proposed that the government advance the unpaid salaries while awaiting the money transfer from the Saudi government.
“Kung talagang seryoso sila na ibigay na ‘yung unpaid salaries ng mga Saudi OFWs – matagal na nga po naming panawagan diyan eh – abonohan muna nila…. Sinasabi ni Pangulong Marcos na pinahahalagahan niya ang sakripisyo ng ating mga OFWs. Eh di unahin na nilang bayaran, at i-reimburse na lang nila kapag nagbayad ang Saudi Arabia sa kanila,” Hernando said earlier.
Last March, the DMW said it would provide P10,000 in aid to each worker waiting for the Saudi government to fulfill its promise.
Maharlika NuMedia learned that the promised funding to the OFWs would come from the DMW which has a budget of P15.8 billion for 2023 and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
“It’s just hard to pin down a timeline at this point because the Saudi processes still continue. In principle, we respect the Saudi processes, and at the same time we’ll continue to persist in terms of coordination and follow-ups with the Saudi government,” Cacdac explained.
(ai/mnm)
By Junex Doronio
PRESENCE OF MIND must have saved the lives of two overseas Filipino workers when they hid inside a “safe room” amid the fierce fighting between Israeli soldiers and Hamas militants who made a surprise attack on Israel early Saturday morning but five OFWs are still missing.
This developed as the Department of Migrant Workers (DMWz) said on Monday at least one Filipino was injured following a massive offensive by Hamas against Israel.
“We know of one who got injured in the process of rescue. He got shot in the arm, and grazed by a bullet. But he is not in a life-threatening situation, he is in a hospital,” DMW officer-in-charge Hans Leo Cacdac said in an interview with ANC’s “Dateline.”
He added that the DMW helped at least 25 OFWs and their families move to safer ground in Israel after the Hamas militant group launched its surprise early Saturday.
Meanwhile, Philippine Ambassador to Israel Pedro Laylo Jr. said Israeli authorities were able to locate two of the seven Filipinos who were earlier reported to be unaccounted for.
“Actually lima na lang (ang unaccounted), ‘yung dalawa bale noong nag-clearing operations ‘yung IDF [Israel Defense Forces] may dalawa na nakita sila,” the envoy said in his interview with Super Radyo dzBB.
He added that Philippine authorities continue to coordinate with their counterparts in Israel to ensure the safety of Filipinos and locate those who have remained unaccounted for.
But the OFWs in Gaza refused to be repatriated at the moment, according to OWWA Administrator Arnell Ignacio
.Around 200 OFWs are braving the retaliatory Israeli airstrikes that have flattened some residential buildings in the Gaza Strip. (ai/mnm)