P16-M ang gastos ng gobyerno sa pagpunta ni P-Noy sa APEC

 

P16-M ANG GASTOS NG GOBYERNO SA PAGPUNTA NI P-NOY SA APEC

 

GAGASTOS ang Palasyo ng tinatayang P16.34 milyon para sa limang araw na pagbisita ni Pangulong Noynoy Aquino sa Japan para sa 18th APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting, ayon kay Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa, Jr.

 

Ang naturang halaga ay para sa gastusin sa akomodasyon, transportasyon, pagkain, at pasahe sa eroplano ng 51 katao na kasama ng Pangulo sa kanyang unang partisipasyon sa pulong ng mga pinuno ng Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) sa Yokohama mula Nobyembre 12 hanggang 15. 

 

Sinabi ni Ochoa na nasanay na ang mga empleyado ng Malakanyang sa mga paraan ng pagtitipid ng Punong Ehekutibo.

 

“Everyone is conscious about the President’s desire to cut back on unnecessary expenses, so support staff are aware that they have to trim back their numbers to the barest minimum to perform their tasks during the trip,” paliwanag ni Ochoa.

 

Ayon sa Executive Secretary, ipinatutupad din ang paghihigpit ng sinturon sa iba pang tauhan ng gobyerno na nagnanais na magbiyahe sa ibang bansa.

 

“Only agency heads, for example, are allowed to use business class for commercial flights abroad and only on long-haul flights to destinations like the United States,” aniya. “For shorter flights, everyone—without exception—has to fly economy.”

 

Kabilang sa mga opisyal ng Gabinete na kasama ng Pangulo sa Japan sina Foreign Secretary Alberto G. Romulo, Finance Secretary Cesar V. Purisima, Energy Secretary Rene Almendras, Presidential Management Staff head Julia Abad, at Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning head Ramon A. Carandang.

Ang APEC ay mayroong 21 miyembro na naglalayong payabungin ang malayang kalakalan at pang-ekonomiyang kooperasyon sa Asia-Pacific region.

 

Ang mga bansang miyembro ng APEC ay bumubuo sa 40 porsiyento ng populasyon ng mundo, humigit-kumulang 54 porsiyento ng gross domestic product ng mundo, at 44 porsiyento ng pandaigdigang kalakalan.  

Be alert, cautious during raids by Saudi authorities, migrant group advises OFWs

Receiving several requests for assistance from the families of OFWs who have been jailed for alleged drugs possession in Saudi Arabia, an alliance of Filipino migrant rights group in the Middle East today advised fellow OFWs to be alert and cautious as Saudi authorities have stepped up its anti-drugs campaign and are conducting sporadic raids in selected expatriate workers' accommodations or quarters.

 

John Leonard Monterona, Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator, said if during the past months Saudi authorities have been noticed active in conducting raid to crack down illegal and undocumented foreign workers in its major cities like Jeddah, Riyadh and in the Eastern region.

 

“We have noticed that the local authorities have shifted on hunting down suspected individuals or groups engage in illegal drugs activities, hence we should be alert and cautious not to be implicated,” Monterona added.

 

On September, Monterona cited the case of two Filipino workers sent to jail after Saudi authorities raided their accommodation in Hail City, part of Saudi's central region and 1000km far from Riyadh.

 

“The authorities have allegedly found a sachet of heroin on their possession, though the 2 OFWs denied the allegations; on mid-October, the court have sentenced them for 3 years imprisonment and 600 lashes, and then they will be deported,” Monterona added.

 

The 2 OFWs' families have sought assistance to the Department of Foreign Affairs and the PHL embassy in Riyadh to file an appeal.

 

Last week, Monterona said another reported case of alleged drug possession reached to their attention as the family of the OFW had sought assistance to Migrante.

 

On the case referral sent to Migrante-Middle East (M-ME) via email, the family said they have been informed that OFW Danilo (not his real name) was “put to jail -because of an alleged association with a drug pusher in his pad”.

 

“The pad was said to have been raided by police and those persons who were living there were taken to jail, including OFW Danilo,” a relative of the OFW said on his email to Migrante.

 

Monterona said OFW Danilo may have been wrongly implicated as he is about 3 months in Saudi Arabia and that he is only staying at his pad after work. His family said he is “shy and a submissive” person.

 

Monterona said Migrante welfare case officers in Dammam have already been informed to follow closely the case of OFW Danilo and coordinate with the POLO-OWWA officials in Eastern region in finding the whereabouts of OFW Danilo who is believed now detained in Dammam central jail.

 

“These cases would have serve as a warning to our fellow OFWs to be alert and cautious to avoid being implicated on illegal drugs activities; unfortunately the local authorities are closely keeping their watch to foreign workers like OFWs and other Asian workers,” Monterona added.

 

Monterona, likewise, urges the PHL posts in Riyadh, Jeddah and the Eastern Region to issue a corresponding advisory to the Filipino community and various OFWs organizations to caution and remind them to take extra care.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Migrant group warns Customs agency

 

 

Stop imposing additional charges to OFW -Migrante-ME

 

AN alliance of overseas Filipino workers in the Middle East today warns the Philippine Bureau of Customs (BoC) that it will be facing strong opposition from various OFWs organizations abroad including the 120 plus Migrante chapters around the world if it will push through its plan of charging anew all departing OFWs.

 

According to reports the BoC has proposed to charge all departing passengers, mostly OFWs, the amount of $1 to $2 to cover the payment of the overtime (OT) pay of its workers.

 

John Leonard Monterona, Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator, said they have known that the BoC has already proposed to ink a memorandum of agreement in charging all departing passengers with the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Bureau of Immigration and other concerned government agencies.

 

“The idea of charging anew the OFWs for payment of BoC employees OT is ridiculous, illegal and anti-OFW; it goes against the mandate of Migrant workers law and state policy of the government,” Monterona said.

 

Monterona added the agency that is perceived to earn a lot from tariffs and taxes is now passing the burden of paying its own employees to OFWs and their families.

 

“The inability of the BoC to pay its own employees OT has nothing to do with OFWs, they should raise their concern to the President by asking for a suitable budget allocation,” Monterona averred.

 

The Saudi-based OFW leader said every time there is a budget shortage in any concerned government agency, government officials could easily pin point OFWs as 'never-ending-source' of funds.

 

“We would like to tell the Aquino government to stop thinking that OFWs are like 'goose that lays a golden egg'; every peso or dollar we earn abroad is a product of our own hard labor,” Monterona added.

 

Monterona said if the BoC has a budget shortage or could not meet its target collection it is because of the perceived rampant corruption inside the agency and partly due to the government's blind adherence to WTO-GATT.

 

“Countries which subscribed the policies of WTO-GATT are told to relax the imposition of tariffs and taxes on foreign products so that it could freely penetrate the local market, this only favors foreign exporters,” he added.

 

'We would like to make our message clear to Aquino administration, Migrante vows to oppose any additionall government charges or fees to OFWs,” Monterona ended.

Saudi implements airports 'no smoking' policy, migrant group urges PHL post to issue advisory

 

'No smoking', or 'Smoking is prohibited' signages in Saudi Arabia's domestic and international airports are expected to be seen in the coming days as Saudi's airports authorities started to implement a 'no smoking' policy.

 

Saudi's General Authority for Civil Aviation head Abdullah Rahimi yesterday is quoted in various local news reports saying that his office started to implement a smoking ban covering the 27 domestic and international airports in the oil-rich Kingdom.

 

It will cover travelers as well as airports and immigration employees.

 

The new measure would 'help protect the smoker's health and reduce harm to others', Rahimi quoted in Agence France Press reports.

 

On the first day of its implementation, reports said there are 16 smokers that have been apprehended at Jeddah International airport. They have been fined of 200 Saudi riyals.

 

Smoking in airports is not totally prohibited as there are designated smoking areas.

 

Meanwhile, a Filipino migrant group advocating rights and welfare of migrant workers in the Middle East urges the Philippine posts in Saudi Arabia to issue a corresponding advisory.

 

“We are urging the concerned Philippine posts officials to issue an advisory so that the Filipino community and the various Filipino organizations will be informed of this latest airport authority's policy of 'no smoking' on prohibited areas,” said John Leonard Monterona, Migrante-Middle regional coordinator.

 

He added that OFWs should be informed to avoid being caught and fined.

 

“PHL post advisory is needed to caution OFWs who are frequently seen in various airports upon arrival and those who will be home for vacation especially during November and December,” the Saudi-based OFW leader added.

 

He pointed out that there about 1.2-M OFWs working in Saudi Arabia.

 

 

OFW trailer driver killed on a vehicular accident in Saudi, migrant group calls for assistance

 

 

A chapter of Migrante-Middle East in Al-Khobar, Saudi Arabia today reported that an OFW trailer truck driver had figured out a vehicular accident on November 1.

 

“Because his family is yet to be informed about the sad news of the accident that curtailed his life, we are not yet disclosing the identity of the OFW trailer driver who had died on the spot when the trailer he is driving figured out a vehicular accident,” said John Leonard Monterona, Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator.

 

Monterona said he just received today a confirmed report from Migrante chapter in Al-Khobar, Saudi Arabia of the sad news when the co-workers of the said OFW relayed the information to Migrante officers in Al Khobar.

 

On November 1, the OFW victim is driving on Tabuk-Doba highway when he figured out an accident that resulted to his death.

 

The OFW has been working as a trailer truck driver for 2 years and 2 months. He was deployed by PERT-CPM, a Manila-based local recruitment agency.

 

Monterona said Migrante-ME has already sent an electronic email to Charges de Affaires Ezzadin Tago of the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh to attend for the identification and retrieval of his remains.

 

Monterona has likewise requested the PHL embassy in Riyadh to inform the family of the OFW after it confirmed the identity of the victim.

 

“We will also be endorsing his case to the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) head office and will request to provide assistance, like burial and financial assistance, to the family,” Monterona averred.

AMID MIXED EMPLOYMENT DATA FOR 2010, ILO URGES G20 TO INTENSIFY FOCUS ON JOBS

GENEVA (ILO News) - Amid a *fragile labour market* marked by persistent
high unemployment, *slack*  jobs growth and declining wages, the
International Labour Office (ILO) today urged the Group of 20 to intensify its
focus on *productive employment and job-intensive growth policies* at its
upcoming summit in Seoul. ILO Director-General Juan Somavia is expected to
attend the meeting.

In a new statistical update prepared for the 11-12 November G20 summit, the ILO
says unemployment increased in 10 countries of the G20 in 2010 compared to 2009,
but declined in eight*.  It also says that most emerging economies have seen a
rise in employment and a decrease in unemployment in 2010.

Although the report finds positive employment growth in all countries in
2010-stronger in emerging countries than in high income economies-it also says
this employment growth has not been strong enough to reverse the slack that
accumulated in the labour market during the economic crisis.

At the same time, the ILO analysis said unemployment hovers at an all-time high
of 210 million, some 30 million more than on the eve of the crisis in 2007,
while real wages have sunk an average of 4 percent below pre-crisis levels.

Today, rising income inequality and low or no wage growth for a large majority
of salaried workers, ultimately translates into deficient aggregate demand and
current account imbalances.

The ILO analysis says that G20 countries will need to create some 21 million
jobs each year over the next decade - approximately half of the 44 million
required globally - just to keep pace with the increase in the working age
population.

*Unemployment is not the only issue*, says Rafael Diez de Medina, Director
of the ILO Department of Statistics, noting that the ILO had found declining
hours of work and labour force participation rates in high income economies and
a significant increase in the number of discouraged workers.

*This is quite worrying*, he added, *since they are not part of the
unemployment figures and have a clear impact on social cohesion. Time-related
underemployment has stabilized in 2010, but remains high in several countries of
the G20*.

The report*s other major findings, include:

-  For the 18 countries with data in the first half of 2010, 70 million persons
are registered as unemployed (15.5 in Europe, 22 in other high income economies
and 32.5 in emerging economies)
-  Unemployment rates across the G20 ranged between 25 and 5 per cent with a
median of 7.8 per cent. In Mid 2010, unemployment is 70 per cent above its
pre-crisis level in high income countries (excluding Europe) and 30 per cent
higher in Europe.
-  Across all countries, unemployment for men has risen more than for women.
-  Youth unemployment is on average twice the rate of total unemployment, at 19
per cent across G20 countries.
-  The crisis has accelerated structural change in all economies, with a
significant decline in manufacturing employment in all G20 economies (between
1.5 and 3 percentage points as a share of total employment). Construction
employment declined across most countries.
-  Reduction in male labour force participation is observed in all regions
whereas female labour participation has increased in Europe and emerging
economies.

Building on previous ILO contributions to other G20 meetings, the ILO paper
argues for an income-led approach based on productive employment and
job-intensive growth policies that would include higher investments and access
to credit, greater attention to small enterprises, gradual expansion of basic
social protection in all countries, real wages rising in line with productivity
increases and better protection of low-wage earners through minimum wages. The
report also says these policies would go a long way towards reducing global
imbalances across all countries.

__________

* The report*s data are aggregated into three groups: Europe includes France,
Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, and United Kingdom. High Income Economies
(except Europe) include Australia, Canada, Japan, Korea, and the United States.
Emerging Economies include Argentina, Brazil, Indonesia, Mexico, Russia, South
Africa, and Turkey.

Ochoa: RP should get maximum benefits from VFA review

 

 

 

Office of the President

of the Philippines

Malacañang

 

OCHOA: RP SHOULD GET MAXIMUM BENEFITS FROM VFA REVIEW

 

The Aquino Administration is committed to a thorough review of the RP-US Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) so that refinements can be introduced to ensure that the country obtains the maximum benefits of the bilateral agreement, Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. said on Sunday.

"The VFA was envisioned to be a mutually beneficial agreement that would serve the interests of both our country and the United States," said Ochoa, who also chairs the Presidential Commission on the VFA. "The President, however, believes that a review is necessary because we must evaluate whether we are getting the most out of the VFA."

According to the Executive Secretary, the commission was created in 2000 under the Office of the President "to ensure that visiting U.S. troops respect Philippine laws, policies, public morals, customs and traditions."

Ochoa stressed that enough time has passed to provide insight with regard to assessing the impact of the bilateral pact. 

"It has been over a decade since the VFA was ratified, and we have over ten years' worth of experience with regard to the implementation of the agreement to serve as bases for a thorough and objective assessment of its costs and benefits." 

"We are also conscious of the fact that there have been specific incidents that necessitate an evaluation of provisions that deal with the handling of visiting American armed forces personnel that violate Philippine laws," Ochoa explained.   

Ratified in 1999, the VFA serves as the framework for the treatment of visiting U.S. forces in the Philippines and governs the entry and exit of American troops in the country in connection with the activities approved by the government.

It also establishes the manner in which criminal cases are handled against any member of the U.S. troops, as well as a procedure for resolving differences that may arise between the two sides in this regard.

On October 1, the President issued Executive Order No. 9, which amended E.O. No. 67 released in January 2002.  It reorganized the Presidential Commission on the VFA and named the Executive Secretary chair of the commission, and Foreign Secretary Alberto G. Romulo and Defense Secretary Voltaire T. Gazmin as co-chairs.

The other members of the commission are the secretaries of the Departments of Justice and Social Welfare and Development, the executive director of the commission, and a private sector representative to be appointed by the President.

 

FW: Five-day Vietnam trip to cost taxpayers P11.3 million

 

 

 

Office of the President

of the Philippines

Malacañang

 

FIVE-DAY VIETNAM TRIP TO COST TAXPAYERS P11.3 MILLION

 

Malacañang is spending around P11.3 million for President Benigno Aquino III's five-day trip to Vietnam for the 17th Association ofSoutheast Asian Nation (ASEAN) Summit, according to Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr.

The amount covers the expenses for the 52-man delegation accompanying the President on his second foreign trip since he became President last June. This includes accommodations, transportation, food and the cost of commercial airfares.

"The President is being consistently prudent when it comes to his trips. He insisted on cutting the support staff to minimum and paring down expenses so that taxpayers' money is wisely spent," Ochoa said.

Ochoa added that the President's trip to the United States last month reinforced the Chief Executive's views that huge delegations were unnecessary and wasteful.

"If the first foreign trip taught us anything, it is that it is possible to limit the delegation size and keep costs down and still meet the objectives of the trip," Ochoa explained. "Last month the President brought home US$2.4 billion worth of investments and more than 40,000 new jobs and still achieved those results with a lean staff."

"At the end of the day, it's not about how big the delegation is; what matters is who's leading them," Ochoa said.

This time five Cabinet officials are accompanying the President in Vietnam. They are Finance Secretary Cesar V. Purisima, Trade Secretary Gregory L. Domingo, Foreign Secretary Alberto G. Romulo, Presidential Management Staff Chief Julia R. Abad and Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning head Ramon A. Carandang.

Prior to the gathering of the ASEAN heads of states and governments from October 28 to 30, the President is scheduled to meet with Vietnam President Nguyen Minh Triet during the state visit on October 26 and 27. ###

 

Mid-East based OFW alliance joins calls to fire RP Labor attache Romulo Salud

An alliance of Overseas Filipino workers in the Middle East joins the calls to Philippine Labor department chief to fire or recall the RP labor attache in Hong Kong who allegedly verbally abused a distress OFW after the latter had sought assistance from the former but instead received abrasive words from the labor official.

 

“In the name of responsible and professional civil service, DoLE Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz must recall her labor attache Romulo Salud, pending the investigation it will be conducted on the complaints filed by distress OFW Agnes Tenorio and other concerned migrant groups and advocates in Hong Kong,” said John Leonard Monterona, Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator.

 

Monterona said there are many distress OFWs who have not been given a cordial treatment by RP posts abroad especially those who are in the Consular department and overseas labor offices who are duty-bound to provide assistance to distress OFWs.

 

“This kind of (mal)treatment to OFWs is prevalent in the Middle East amongst RP post officials, consular or labor; thus, distress OFWs are running and seeking help instead to Migrante and other migrant groups who are openly willing to provide them assistance that they need,” Monterona added.

 

Speaking on his own experience, Monterona said when he was just new in Saudi attending OFWs cases, he too had been badmouthed by Consular and labor officials of the RP embassy in Riyadh after he followed up the status of OFW cases for updates as per the request of distress OFWs and their relatives in the Philippines.

 

“Often, when we follow updates on OFWs cases we have endorsed to RP embassy officials for their action, we are maligned and not getting the respect due us from RP officials,” Monterona added.

 

“This culture of neglect and arrogance among RP embassy, consular and labor officials must be changed; rendering disciplinary action and administrative sanctions to labor attache Romulo Salud is the first step,” Monterona averred.

 

Monterona said his group would lobby to allies and pro-OFWs legislators to pass a law criminalizing inaction, gross neglect and arrogance of RP officials abroad in relation to their sworn duty to provide honest and genuine public service.

Migrante-Jeddah chapter in Saudi Arabia joins calls for the release of Morong 43

 

What is preventing President Aquino to order the release of the Morong 43?

Free the Morong 43!

 

(Joint Statement of Migrante chapters in the Middle-East and the OFWs Muslim-Christian 

Alliance for Justice and Peace in the Philippines [MCA-JPP] )

 

 

Migrante chapters in the Middle East and the Saudi-based coalition of OFW Muslims and Christians advocates for Justice and Peace in the Philippines (MCA-JPP), join the calls of various sectors in the Philippines as well as of different international human rights organizations abroad, for Pres. Aquino to immediately release the Morong 43 who have been illegally detained since February 6. 

 

The 43 health workers who are conducting community health trainings at the farmhouse of UP College of Medicine Professor Dr. Melecia Velmonte have been raided by the elements of the 202 Infantry Brigade of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and thereafter charged them of illegal possession of firearms and explosives.

 

November 6 marks the 9th month in detention of the 43 health workers.

 

Human rights lawyers and legal luminaries believed that the manner of the arrest and the filling of trumped up charges against the 43 health workers showed gross violations of the constitutional rights of the 43 against illegal arrest and detention.

 

In fact, the Philippine Justice department Secretary had already made her recommendation after the President himself asked her to review the case of the Morong 43, months ago. Justice Secretary Leila De Lima has indicated that her recommendation will lead to the release of the 43 health workers.

 

Even the President had also said during a press conference that the search warrant is defective, but he is quick to add that the 43 health workers release will have to be sanctioned by the courts.

 

Now we asked what is preventing the President to issue an order for the immediate and unconditional release of the Morong 43? He could instruct the Justice department to file a motion to withdraw the cases filed against the 43, which are fabricated charges anyway!”

 

It seems, indicative of the actuations of the President, he is not willing to act on the case of the 43 health workers despite that he has the mandate to implement and defend the Constitutional provisions guaranteed in the 'Bill of Rights' especially if it is to correct a mistake committed by any Executive branch agency, personnel or the AFP itself under his command.

 

Or he is still awaiting the “green light” from its US-imperialist master in its continued adherence to US “war on terror” and counter-insurgency policy especially that the 43 health workers have been wrongly accused by the AFP of being members of the New Peoples Army?

 

If the President is looking for political gains out of political concessions just like what he had done in granting amnesty to about 400 military coup plotters, then he is acting on his own and his administration's interests and not of the people, not of the 43 health workers and other political prisoners.

 

The President should be reminded of the ‘democratic ideals and aspirations’ his parents stood for, and he should realize that and move to order the immediate and unconditional release of the Morong 43 and all political prisoners in the country who have been victim of fabricated charges.

 

Migrante chapters in the Middle East and the OFWs Muslim-Christian Alliance in Saudi Arabia will simultaneously hold their respective press conferences and indoor protests starting from November 2 to 6, coinciding the 9th month in detention of the 43 health workers and the BAYAN-led internationally coordinated action, to press hard the Aquino govt. to effect the immediate and unconditional release of the Morong 43. 

 

 

For and in behalf of Migrante chapters in the Middle East and the OFWs Muslim-Christian Alliance for Justice and Peace (MCA-JPP)

 

'Stop overcharging OFWs!'

Migrant group asks OWWA to adjust reference rate for OFWs membership fee

 

An alliance of Filipino migrant rights group in the Middle East today asks the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) to consider adjusting its self-imposed reference rate in charging OFWs compulsory membership.

A look at the home page of OWWA's website (www.owwa.gov.ph), at the upper left-side, it indicates that OWWA reference rate for November 2010 in charging OFWs membership fee is 1:43.516, dollar-peso exchange rate.

John Leonard Monterona, Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator said the peso is better appreciating against the dollar for the past weeks. He noted that as of November 3, it closed to 42.59.

“If OWWA is indeed using its self-imposed referencerate of 1:43.516 and not the present 1:42.59 exchange rate, then it is overcharging OFWs,” Monterona averred.

He said the almost P1 difference is like a 'heavy load' on striving OFWs' shoulder.

The payment of US$25 for OFWs membership to OWWA is a requirement, aside from the P900 premium and yearly charge for Philhealth coverage, for an OFW to acquire the required Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC).

“It is prudent on the part of OWWA administrator Carmelita Dimzon to order the adjustment of the OWWA membership reference rate based on the present dollar-peso exchange,” he added.

 

P42 at year-end

On a related issue on the forecast that the peso may close to 42 by the end of this year, Monterona said the government must consider putting up a stabilization fund to lessen the impact of strong peso against the dollar.

“Obviously, stronger peso against the dollar would financially hurt if not put OFWs and their families on dire economic drawback considering that the prices of basic goods and services are continuously on the rise for the last months,” Monterona said.

He said it is OFWs apprehension every time peso is showing strong appreciation against the dollar.

Monterona cited for instance in 2006, dollar-peso is about 1:48, then reached to a peak of 1:56 exchange rate on the same year.

“This simply means an automatic reduction or lost of income of P2,000 using the example above, and such lost of income is more than the price of a sack of rice enough for OFW family 1 month consumption,” Monterona explained.

Normally, Monterona said, skilled OFWs in Saudi Arabia and in other countries in the Middle East are receiving a monthly salary of US$400, while constrcution workers and domestic helpers are receiving a meager income of US$260 to US$320a month.

Monterona said strong peso is hitting hard the OFWs and their families amid the rising cost of living and prices of goods and basic services.

“The Aquino administration must do something about this, but not necessarily to directly intervene on the foreign exchange market,” Monterona ended.

Migrant group scores RP post for not even acknowledging OFWs cases endorsed to their attention and action

Most RP post officials abroad are acting like tourists, not public servants

Migrante-Middle East slammed the Philippine Embassy officials in Riyadh and Consular officials in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia for not even acknowledging several cases that have been endorsed by the group's rights and welfare officers.

“We have been endorsing several cases of distress OFWs through emails and calls from the RP concerned officials at the Philippine embassy in Riyadh, but these were not even acknowledge,” said John Leonard Monterona, Migrante-Middle regional coordinator.

Monterona said for the past months they have been re-sending case referrals, twice and even third reminders, but still no reply from the concerned RP embassy officials.

He further said “when we called consular and labor and welfare officials on their mobile phones, the usual reply to us is that they have already submitted a report to the DFA-Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs (OUMWA), or to DoLE and that they are not allowed to give any information.”

Various Migrante chapters in the Middle East have been receiving request for assistance from distress OFWs to an average of 7 to ten cases daily.

In Saudi Arabia alone, it averages 5 cases daily, aside from the cases that have been referred to us by the families in the Philippines thru Migrante International-Philippine office.

Most of these cases are abused and maltreated domestic workers leading to rescue them from their abusive employers.

Monterona said this is the reason why Migrante case officers along with the victims have to come to the Philippine embassy for a case dialog to follow the updates of the cases that have been endorsed to the embassy, “otherwise we would not know if embassy officials are properly attending on cases we have endorsed to them,” he averred.

“Sad to say that what our distress OFWs are getting is lip service from Embassy officials who are in fact have the obligation to provide assistance to distress OFWs without dilly-dallying,” Monterona added.

“We are urging Pres. Aquino to do the 'cleaning' himself by institutionalizing an effective 'recall' system of inept and arrogant Embassy and consular officials abroad especially the various post in the Middle-East in line with his order to all concerned government agenices to attend OFWs woes and concerns,” Monterona ended.

DRILON MOVES TO SCRAP ROAD BOARD

Senator Franklin Drilon has moved to abolish the controversial Road Board, amid allegations that the proceeds from the motor vehicle user’s charge (MVUC) or road user’s tax fall to corruption.

 

The board, which oversees the disposal of the road user’s tax, has exclusive jurisdiction over the projects which will be funded by the proceeds from MVUC, even as Republic Act 8794 that created it cites specific purposes for its use such as maintenance of roads, improvement of drainage system, installation of road safety devices and air pollution control, said Drilon.

 

“We have heard horror stories regarding the use of MVUC. The problem is the board is the one who determines what the projects are. We cannot help but raise eyebrows when you look at the usage of MVUC,” said Drilon, chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, adding that this was the practice during the Arroyo administration.

 

Drilon also questioned the board’s authority to appropriate public funds, since only Congress can appropriate public funds.

 

As the MVUC does not form part of the budget, Drilon calls for transparency in allocating the MVUC, saying that Congress must exercise its oversight functions. He said the funds must be deposited to the national treasury and subsequently appropriated by Congress in the budget.

 

He said part of the fund misuse was its diversion from the specific purposes listed by law to payment of salaries, allowances, maintenance and other operating expenses. The fund was even used for former President Arroyo’s OYSTER (out-of-school youth serving towards economic recovery) program, which is not clearly a road maintenance project but a political accommodation program, said Drilon.

 

The road tax collected from 2001 up to the present reached a total of P64 billion. The fee is collected from owners who are mandated by law to register their private, public as well as government vehicles annually at the Land Transportation Office. The Road Board is composed of four Cabinet members from Public Works, Transportation, Budget, and Finance, with three private sector representatives.

 

Drilon said 41 projects amounting to some P360 million were approved by the Road Board and funded by MVUC in previous years even if the projects were not officially listed by the Public Works department. He added that either the Board overrules the decision of the Public Works secretary or the secretary is in collusion with the Board.

 

“Somebody is just playing around with this. That is why there is so much flak that the MVUC is getting because of the corruption,” Drilon stated.

 

 

-END-

 

PAL ground employees not jobless-DOLE

 

 “None of the 2,600 affected PAL employees will be rendered jobless.”

 

Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz said this following the release by the DOLE of its decision on the 28 June 2010 motion for reconsideration of the Philippine Airlines Employees Association (PALEA) of the earlier decision of former DOLE acting secretary Romeo C. Lagman upholding the planned outsourcing of services and consequent severance from employment of the 2,600 affected PAL employees.

 

In its decision, the DOLE emphasized that the 2,600 Philippine Airlines employees who are part of its in-flight catering, airport services (cargo handling), and call center reservations operations, all identified as non-core activities of the airline in its 1998 Supplemental Rehabilitation Plan approved by the Securities and Exchange Commission, are all guaranteed with employment and hefty transition benefits.

The decision, in declaring valid the termination of the covered rank-and-file employees, established two parameters under the CBA: (1) the exercise of the management prerogative was done in a just, reasonable, humane, and lawful manner; and (2) the observance of the 45-day consultation period, required in the CBA, before implementing the reorganization.

 

Baldoz said that the just and humane exercise of the management prerogative to close and outsource the services is reflected in the improved transition benefits that will be granted all affected employees which, Baldoz explained in the decision, are “over and above the benefits granted in the original decision and even under existing laws”.

The DOLE affirmed the original decision to specifically provide the employees a one-year guarantee of entry point salaries with the service providers.

 

The terminated employees shall be absorbed by their respective service providers, and PAL shall guarantee payment of their salaries for a period of at least one year from the time of their separation from employment as the original decision provided.

 

The employees shall be absorbed by SkyKitchen Phil. Inc. (catering), SkyLogistics Phil. Inc. (airport services) and ePLDT Ventus, a PLDT subsidiary (call center), according to the decision.

 

The affected employees shall also be entitled to a separation pay equivalent to 1.25 percent per year of service.  This is an improvement of one-fourth the amount of the employees’ one month salary which is provided for in the original decision.

 

They shall also continue to enjoy trip pass benefits in accordance with the CBA between the PAL and PALEA and the PAL Personnel Policies and Procedures Manual, graduated under the following terms: lifetime trip passes for employees with 15 years in service and more; eight sets of trip passes for those with 10-15 years of service; five sets of trip passes for those with 5-10 years of service; and two sets of trip passes for those with less than 5 years in service.

 

The DOLE decision also provides for the following:

 

1.    Additional gratuity of fifty thousand pesos (P50,000.00) per affected employee;

2.    Vacation leave balance that is 100 percent commutable to cash regardless of years of service;

3.    Sick leave balance that is 100 percent commutable to cash regardless of years of service; and

4.     Extension of one (1) year of the medical and hospitalization package based on Articles XIII to XV of the CBA and pertinent company policy;

 

Baldoz noted that the first two benefits had been ordered in the original decision, but she improved it, while the rest of the benefits were initially offered by PAL to its employees affected by the outsourcing program under its early retirement program.

 

In rendering the decision, the DOLE said the PAL’s contracting out of the functions is also lawful and reasonable pursuant to the CBA between PAL and PALEA, the law between the parties.

 

“The CBA affirmed the management prerogative of PAL “to organize, plan, direct and control operations”, as well as the prerogative to “reorganize its corporate structure for the viability of its operations”.

 

The decision cited several Supreme Court decisions upholding the exercise of management prerogatives.

 

The decision also noted that based on the CBA and Article 283 of the Labor Code, PAL’s closure of the three departments was reasonable and lawful as it was a measure to address PAL’s accumulated net losses and deficits; the numerous factors adversely affecting its operations, such as the surge in fuel prices in 2008, the ban for PAL to enter the air space of 27 European Union member states, and the IATA suspension of PAL remittance facilities; and PAL’s need to survive in a highly competitive airline industry.

 

According to the decision, the DOLE had established that PAL more than complied with the 45-day consultation requirement under the CBA, considering the consultations and preventive mediation conferences between the PAL and the PALEA before the National Conciliation and Mediation Board as far back as September 2009.

 

The DOLE also ruled that the termination of services does not constitute unfair labor practice on the part of PAL. This, the decision said, is in accordance with the finding that management’s prerogative to close and outsource services in the three departments was done in good faith and was in accordance both with the CBA and the Labor Code.

 

“The ‘good faith’ efforts of the company to prevent business losses and maintain competitiveness negate any suspicion that contracting out services was motivated by the intention to discourage the exercise of, or interfere with, the right to self-organization,” the decision said.

 

“In fact,” the decision noted, “PALEA shall continue to exist even after the outsourcing of services in the three departments with its officers and members in unaffected operations and departments” having commenced “collective bargaining negotiations with the company.”

 

END