Online system set to ease travel hassles for Filipinos

Lifted from Gulfnews

Dubai: The hassle of physically securing travel exit clearances from the Philippine missions here and elsewhere will soon be a thing of the past as plans to make the application system available online are set to go live within the year, Gulf News has learnt.

The Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC) or travel exit clearance is a document that proves a returning Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) is in the Philippines for a holiday and intends to go back to the same employer abroad. Manila airport officials do not allow OFWs to return to their jobs abroad without the document.

Contrary to media reports in Manila, the OEC system will not be abolished but will be improved in response to complaints by OFWs of the "slow processing" of the OEC, Labour Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz told Gulf News from Manila.

"It is not an abolition of the OEC system. The OEC still stays but we will make the process easier and more efficient," Baldoz clarified.

"We are working on a system wherein all OEC applications and processing will be done online. We also plan to have the OEC co-terminus with the validity of the contract so that the OFW does not need to apply for it every time," Baldoz added.

Details of the project will be announced during Migrant Workers' Day on June 7 alongside other outreach projects of the Philippine Overseas Employment Agency (POEA) for Filipino migrant workers.

"Our IT group already has the concept for this project but we are still working on the nitty-gritty details of the project. If things go as planned, we will launch the project within the year," Amy Reyes, POEA Deputy Administrator for Management who oversees the project, told Gulf News.

POEA and many Philippine missions, including the ones in the UAE, have been faulted for the hassle reportedly brought about by applying for OECs.

"Usually an employee will need to take a day off or half day from work just to get it [OEC]. Every year when you go back home, you have to secure this document and go through the same process," Bryan Vergara, a Filipino worker who applied for an OEC recently, said.

"This move by the POEA is a good one because getting this OEC is a burden for OFWs as it is time consuming," he added.

"When I applied for my OEC here in Dubai last April, it took me one whole day…I think the online system is a good idea to avoid the inconvenience of queuing for a long time under the sun at the labour office," Wilson Ariem, Sr, a technical manager, said.

Acting labour attaché Venus Abad said: "The application process takes time because of the volume of applicants that we receive on a daily basis. During the peak months in April and May, we process around 400 OECs per day. For non-peak months, we process around 200 a day."

"We are working on a system wherein all OEC applications and processing will be done online. We also plan to have the OEC co-terminus with the validity of the contract so that the OFW does not need to apply for it every time," Baldoz added.

Details of the project will be announced during Migrant Workers' Day on June 7 alongside other outreach projects of the Philippine Overseas Employment Agency (POEA) for Filipino migrant workers.

"Our IT group already has the concept for this project but we are still working on the nitty-gritty details of the project. If things go as planned, we will launch the project within the year," Amy Reyes, POEA Deputy Administrator for Management who oversees the project, told Gulf News.

POEA and many Philippine missions, including the ones in the UAE, have been faulted for the hassle reportedly brought about by applying for OECs.

"Usually an employee will need to take a day off or half day from work just to get it [OEC]. Every year when you go back home, you have to secure this document and go through the same process," Bryan Vergara, a Filipino worker who applied for an OEC recently, said.

"This move by the POEA is a good one because getting this OEC is a burden for OFWs as it is time consuming," he added.

"When I applied for my OEC here in Dubai last April, it took me one whole day…I think the online system is a good idea to avoid the inconvenience of queuing for a long time under the sun at the labour office," Wilson Ariem, Sr, a technical manager, said.

Acting labour attaché Venus Abad said: "The application process takes time because of the volume of applicants that we receive on a daily basis. During the peak months in April and May, we process around 400 OECs per day. For non-peak months, we process around 200 a day."

Senate Convict Corona

While watching the finale of impeachment hearing today, where CJ Corona was found guilty of Article 2 of the impeachment complaint filed against him for non disclosure of his SALN, I was wowed by the explanation of Senator judge Enrile's "paghihimay-himay" explanation of his Guilty verdict.

At the age of 88, Enrile still commands respect among the much younger senators.

His mastery of laws and his full control of the full length of impeachment hearing swas very impressive.

Lapid being a broken record as always kept reminding the public of his being a high school graduate and for not understanding the Republic Acts and for not speaking English.

Villar however, was liking himself to the present situation of Corona where everyone was prejuding him in the media.

With all the drama in the Senate today, let just pray that these honorable senators can finally close these episode and focused on more pressing matters in the country.

The senators have spoken. and so let it be..

Guide to safe living: Dos and Don'ts in the UAE

* Bathing suits are OK only in hotel pools and private beaches

* Men are also expected to dress decently with no bold overtones.

* Absolutely no cross-dressing

* Holding hands and kissing are unacceptable and can lead to arrest

* During Ramadan, the Muslim fasting month, people are expected to abstain from alcohol, dancing, chewing gum, smoking and singing in public during the day

* Eat/drink with your right hand as the left hand is considered to be unhygienic in this part of the world

* Don’t show the soles of your feet or shoes as this implies disrespect to others — that you are comparing the person to soles or ‘dirt’/‘trash’*

* If a Muslim is praying, do not walk in front of him or stare at him

* If you have not accepted Islam as your religion, take prior permission before entering a mosque

* Do not point fingers at others as this is considered disrespectful

* Taxi passengers should avoid sitting in the front seat of a taxicab;“small talk” can be misinterpreted as over-friendliness or even a form of propositioning by taxi drivers

* Prescription and over-the-counter medications are often considered illegal or a controlled substance.

* Keep your medicines in their original containers and bring a letter from your doctor as a well as a copy of your prescription with you

* Possession of illegal drugs, or the presence of an illegal substance in a blood or urine test, clothing, body, or in your luggage, could lead to arrest

* Don’t drink and drive. Alcohol is served at bars in major hotels but is intended for hotel guests.

* Drinking or possession of alcohol without a Ministry of Interior liquor permit is illegal and may lead to fines and imprisonment

* Avoid making obscene hand gestures, using inappropriate (foul) language to a police officer

Procedures and Fees for Notary at Philippine Consulate in Dubai

General Procedures

Fill out appropriate Aplication Form.

Prepare two (2) sets of documents including attachments and passport copy.

Proceed to Notary Window for processing.

Pay appropriate fee at the Cashier (Room 3).

On release date, proceed to Releasing Area and present your receipt.



Processing Schedules

Affidavits, Certification, NBI, Seen and Noted,                                              3   working days

Affidavit of Support and Guarantee,                                                              10  working days

Attestation (for foreign national or company as guarantor for visit visa,            5   working days

Special Power of Attorney/Attestation of docs,                                              5   working days

Fees: AED 100.00 per document.

How to apply or renew passport at Dubai consulate

TO GET AN APPOINTMENT

Write to: mrpdxb@yahoo.com (include full name and mobile number)
OR Visit us to get appointment date.

PASSPORT APPLICATION/RENEWAL
1. Get an appointment.
2. On date of appointment, fill out E-passport Application Form.
3. Proceed to Passport Processing Area [1]
4. Proceed to Encoding Area [2]
5. Payment [3]
6. Proceed to Releasing Section on date of release[4]

REQUIREMENTS: Personal appearance, Old passport, Photocopy of a. Data page b. Visa page c. Last page

REQUIREMENTS FOR BABIES/INFANTS.

1. Parents do not need to get appointment for the passport application of their infants. E-Passport Application Form, accomplished by either parent (if out of wedlock, by mother);
2. Birth Certificate issued by the UAE Ministry of Health, duly stamped by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (translated into English), (6 copies);
3. Report of Birth Form, (6 copies);
4. Photocopies of the Passport of each parent, (6 copies);
5. Authenticated Marriage contract of Parents (6 photocopies); Report of Marriage (both Filipinos but married outside Consulate General, duly Authenticated by Ministry of Justice and Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dubai.
6. Personal appearance of Filipino parent(s) and infant/child;

FEE: Passport Renewal: 240 AED

PASSPORT RENEWAL + EXTENSION OF VALIDITY OF PASSPORTS FOR EXPIRED/NO LONGER VALID (LESS THAN 6 MONTHS)
1. Get an appointment. Note: Extension of validity of old passport is only for emergency purposes. Validity of old passport cannot be extended if applicant will not apply for renewal at the same time.
2. On day of appointment, fill out the following:
a. E-passport Application Form and
b. Application for Amendment/Extension of Validity of Passport
c. Affidavit (stating reason for Extension)
3. Proceed to Passport Processing Area [1]
4. Payment [3]
5. Proceed to Encoding Area [2]
6. If expedited (same day release) come back on designated time [1]. If regular process,
proceed to Releasing Section [4] on date of release.

FEE: Passport Renewal: 240 AED + Expedite Extension (same day release): 120 AED or Regular Extension (2 days after): 80 AED

REQUIREMENTS: Personal appearance, Old passport, Photocopy (2 sets) of a. Data page b. Visa page c. Last page, 1 pcs. passport size picture

AMENDMENT OF ENTRY
1. Fill out Application for Amendment Form.
2. Proceed to Passport Processing Area [1]
3. Payment [3]
4. If expedited (same day release) come back on designated time [1]. If regular process,
proceed to Releasing Section [4] on date of release.

REQUIREMENTS: Personal appearance, Old passport, Photocopy of a. Data page b. Visa page
c. Last page, 1 pcs. passport size picture, and

If amendment is from Single to Married:

1. Authenticated Marriage Contract by DFA Manila (both Filipinos and married in the Philippines) or Authenticated by Ministry of Justice and Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dubai (one party not Filipino or married outside the Consulate General).
2. Report of Marriage (both Filipinos but married outside Consulate General/ one party not Filipino)

If amendment is from Married to Single:

1. Authenticated Annotated Marriage Contract by DFA Manila.

FEES: Expedite Extension (same day release): 120 AED
Regular Extension (2 days after): 80 AED

LOST PASSPORT

Procedures same as Application of Passport. No need to secure appointment date.

REQUIREMENTS
a. Police Report on Lost Passport (with English Translation);
b. Duly accomplished Affidavit of Loss (form available at the Philippine Consulate General);
c. Photocopy of lost passport (if available) or Birth Certificate (Duly Authenticated by DFA Manila)

FEES: MRRP (Green) and MRP (Maroon) = 360 AED
E-Passports= 600 AED
Affidavit of Loss = 100 AED

RELEASING OF PASSPORTS
On date of release, bring old passport and receipt at Releasing Section.
To track your passport: http://passport.pcgdubai.net/

Shoes for hire outside Philippine consulate in Dubai

  

Lifted from Gulfnews

Illegal cabbies cash in on rule that forbids visitors from entering the consulate in flip-flops by offering shoes for hire. Rentals start from Dh20

DUBAI: A little-known rule requiring visitors to the Philippine Consulate in Dubai to be dressed appropriately — no shorts and flip-flops — is generating windfall profits for illegal private taxi operators who rent out shoes for between Dh20 and Dh50 for the duration of the visit.

The illegal cabbies offer the service to male visitors applying for passport renewal or getting documents authenticated.

Rod, a Dubai-based Filipino aviation executive, alerted XPRESS about the practice after a visit to the consulate on Thursday.

"These people are minting money off people who are unaware about the dress code," said Rod, who came to the consulate in his BeachWalk slippers. Rod, however, grabbed the Dh30 rental offer to save time and money: it would cost more to bring his own shoes from his Al Baraha flat.

To check the complaint, this reporter wore white sandals on Monday, but was barred from entering the consulate gate at 9.45am. One of the Nepalese security guards said I could rent a pair of shoes from one of the "guys" outside the gate. He called a certain "boy". Then the haggling began. It turned out that the rent depends on the distance between the consulate and the customer's house and day of the week. "So where do you live?" ‘boy' asked me. "Al Quoz," I said. "Then it's Dh25," he said. "No, Dh20," I tried haggling. "OK. I'm just trying to help you. Just return the pair to the car after you're done, even if I'm not here."

Further probing revealed a whole bunch of shoes-for-hire men working outside the consulate. They keep the pairs ready in their car boot parked in a nearby sand patch. Over two days, XPRESS saw numerous Filipino men wearing slippers being flagged down at the gate. The guards point to an overhead notice that says "shorts and slippers are not allowed".

Benito Valeriano, the Philippine Consul General to Dubai, told XPRESS that their dress code simply follows the rules of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA). "I've observed that some Filipinos who come to the consulate have complete disregard for the institution," said Valeriano. "They come in ‘Puruntong' (Bermuda shorts) and flip-flops. They wouldn't wear that kind of dress while visiting other government institutions."

The dress code, posted on DFA's website, was first implemented in Manila in May 2010. Reports have it that women who come in sleeveless or spaghetti-strap tops are barred from entering DFA's Manila facility.

Nhel Morona, an official of the Migrante NGO group, said private guards must face disciplinary action if their ties with the illegal cabbies are proven. "Even if the dress code rule was posted on the DFA website, not everyone has access to the web. And Filipinos in the UAE only go to the consulate once or twice a year; so it's not easy to get updates," he said.

Matt Bagunu, acting head of the Filipino Community (Filcom), which groups 60 organisations in the UAE, said: "We accept that a public office needs a dress code... But that's more of an appeal, rather than an absolute rule. It's one thing to have a dress code, but it's quite another if it's being enforced strictly for private gain."

As for the shoes-for-hire guys, Valeriano said: "For security reasons, only those with legitimate business are allowed inside the consulate compound."