TOP 5 PLACES IN UAE TO SPEND YOUR VACATION WHERE YOU GET IMMENSE SERENITY

Every season, the landscape of the United Arab Emirates draws the attention of the tourists! People love to visit the amazing places here and those who have already visited them, keep on praising the beauty of the Island. While planning the vacation trips, most of the people keep the UAE’s top attraction at the top of the list of the places they want to visit. The beautiful and artistic buildings, the white sand and crystal blue water beaches, everything simply offers a serene ambiance that every person desires to enjoy.  

If you are planning a trip to the United Arab Emirates, do upgrade your information about the places that you can visit here. Over the time, the social media marketing services have helped a lot in creating awareness about different things among the people. You can now find the trip information and reviews of the different places using social media networks as well. Keeping in view the details, you can then plan a trip to the fascinating UAE especially UAE Islands.

5 must visit places in UAE!

The places that you must visit on your trip to UAE are as follows:


1. Burj Khalifa and the Amazing Dubai Mall

Image source: http://paradiseintheworld.com

Burj Khalifa is the tallest skyscraper in the world that you can witness visiting. You’ll love the spectacular view of the building and the colorful fountain dance. Reach the top of the building through the elevator and you’ll be amazed by the beautiful panoramic view of Dubai. The Dubai mall in itself is another amazing place to visit. For all the shopping lovers, it is a great place to find peace. All the valuable brands, delicious food offering restaurant, comfortable and peaceful staying hotels and the vibrant and lively aquarium is situated in this mall. 

2. Desert Safari

Image source: http://dubaisafaristour.com

You travel to UAE and you don’t visit the Safari dessert? This must not happen! On your trip to this mind-blowing island, don’t miss your chance to visit the desert Safari. It offers a unique and different atmosphere. Those who find peace in going out on an adventure and living to the fullest must try the dune bashing activity here. Come on a half day trip and experience the camping fun yourself. You can go for a camel ride, watch Turkish dance and enjoy the delicious Lebanese cuisine here. 

3. Sheikh Zayed Mosque

Image source: http://www.aryzauq.tv

The harmonious merging of the modern architecture and ancient craftsmanship will simply melt your heart away. This is one of the most serene places where you can come and discover your inner peace. The creative art pieces and the marvelous design are quite eye catching. The interior of the mosque is like an award-winning exhibition of the stunning glasswork, mosaic tiles, marble and gold. 

4. UAE Beaches and Dhow Cruise Trips

Image source: http://www.timeoutdubai.com

You need to book your Dhow cruise trip as soon as your flight tickets to UAE are booked! This helps you save some money on the Dhow packages and keeps you excited for an upcoming eventful day. The UAE beaches are the perfect places for going cruising. Through the sheer mountains into the curvy sea, you’ll be able to watch the dolphin dance and go snorkeling and swimming at the beach. The trip also includes the visit to small villages that are present in the way. These are immensely beauty and have a strong historical background. 

The topmost beaches in UAE are the Umm al Qawain, Yas Island, Palm Jumeirah and many others. The Palm Island is an artificially designed island and one of the most stunning places in UAE. You can enjoy the serene walk on the beach or watch the dolphins play in the water. The Atlantis themed aquarium is another amazing place to visit. Watching the colorful and unique fished stimulates the brain and makes the sightseeing a peaceful trip.

5. Sharjah Arts Museum

Image source: http://alldubai.ae

Since 1997, the Sharjah arts museum has become the apple of the eye of the art lovers. Passion, creativity and experiments rule the world of artists and this place is a perfect home of the artwork of such people. You can visit this place and enjoy viewing the 500 plus art pieces designed using various mediums and techniques. 

The advertising agency of the Sharjah arts museum has done justice to the museum by bringing in front the amazing collection of the museum. The museum showcases the artwork of the famous Suleiman Mansour, Jamil Hamoudi, Thuraya-al-Baqsami and many others.

UAE inspires visitors from all over the world. It offers delicious cuisine, blissful staying experience, fun-filled shopping days and tour that you would remember for your whole life. Plan your one week trip and enjoy the worth visiting place here. To make your trip peaceful and serene, make sure you have all the arrangements settled beforehand. 

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7 in 10 Filipinos Living in the UAE Are Looking to Buy Property According to Reports

7 in 10 Filipinos living in the UAE are looking to buy property according to New Perspective Media polls, the Philippine Property and Investment Exhibition reports. There are almost 700,000 Filipinos in the UAE, nearly half a million of which live in Dubai. Let’s look at the reasons so many Filipinos in the United Arab Emirates are considering buying homes in Dubai or back home in the Philippines. We’ll also look at their property buying patterns and impact on the real estate market.

The Statistics

According to a 2016 survey, 78% of Filipinos living in the UAE are planning on buying real estate in the Philippines or UAE in the next two years. Their planned purchases range from houses, to condos (flats) or land. This rate is much higher than the 43% who said they were thinking of buying real estate in a 2014 New Perspective Media survey. Those who planned on simply investing in property doubled from 22% to 46% over the same time period.

Buying Patterns

Many Filipinos want to buy real estate as an investment as compared to paying rent each month, while others see buying a property as an investment in itself. Manila’s residential real estate prices are growing the fastest rate in the Asia-Pacific region (not including Vancouver’s ultra-hot real estate market).

The eleven million Filipino expats sent $26 billion back home in 2013, accounting for about 10% of the nation’s GDP. This money is being used by their families to improve their lifestyles, including buying and building new homes in the Philippines. The Filipinos who want to buy real estate in the Philippines are eager to do so as soon as possible to lock in the prices as well as profit from the fast rise in real estate prices.

Filipino’s preferred real estate purchases depend on where they want to buy. Most state they want to buy a house in a gated community, a piece of land in the suburbs where they can build a home of their dreams, or a flat in the city center. Of those who want to buy real estate in the Philippines, 60% want to buy a house on a lot, 30% want to buy a condo, and 10% want to invest in a lot.

Buying land in the suburbs is seen as a way to protect one’s money, since the land will likely appreciate but can be sold to someone else if the owner needs to buy a flat instead.

Impact on the Real Estate Market

Dubai is unusual in allowing expats to buy land and real estate, instead of remaining renters. Filipinos account for about a fifth of the population of Dubai. When the majority of this population decides to buy homes and invest in real estate, it increases the prices of villas for sale and raw land on which homes could be later built. Filipinos are also investing in real estate in Dubai because interest rates are as low as 4% while personal loans are readily available.

Filipino expats buying real estate in the Philippines have enjoyed high wages in a tax-free environment, which is why 13% of those surveyed had a preference for high-end properties costing more than PhP5 million. This is driving up Philippines real estate prices and accounts for why the nation is one of the top ten fastest growing luxury markets on the planet. Most surveyed, though, had a PhP2 million price ceiling.

Many Filipino expats were also considering buying rental real estate to rent out to others in the Philippines, since the nation’s 7.53% rental yield is one of the highest in the world.

Conclusion

Filipino investments in real estate in the UAE and the Philippines are driving up real estate prices. In both locations, they are buying up flats in the city center, homes on lots in the suburbs or land that they can easily sell or build a home upon depending on future circumstances. Those buying homes back in the Philippines are sometimes doing so for investment purposes due to the high rate of return, while others are buying homes now because they don’t think they will be able to afford homes after several more years of inflation.

Who will lead Philippines in the next 6 Years?

Three days from now, May 9, 2016, Filipinos will cast their ballot to elect the new President who will lead the country for the next 6 years. We have seen and heard on tv and and debates what these candidates had to say about national issues. We have heard their platform of government and their vision for the country. As a Pinoy living and working outside the Philippines, I would choose someone who will take care of the issues like healthcare, business opportunities and security.

For me this national election is widely covered by social media. On FB alone, I would see a lot of memes in my timeline, videos, propaganda, ads (paid or not) etc. I would want to believe that these were done voluntarily because people are promoting the candidates platform they believe in and also have the freedom to criticise and candidates they dislike.

But let's take a look once more at the five candidates. 

1. Miriam Defensor Santiago 

Once Dubbed as Iron lady by Asia Magazine in 1989, is a brilliant lawmaker and a member of the senate. She claimed that the votes were rigged in 1992 national elections when she run ran against Fidel ramos which the later won.

She said she beats the lung cancer by taking a wonder pill. She always lagged in the national surveys among presidentiables.

2. Rodrigo Duterte

A long time mayor, vice mayor and congressman from Davao city in Mindanao is known for his zero tolerance against drug addicts and criminals that earned him the title "Punisher".

Issues like human rights violations and unresolved killings in Davao continues to hound him. Recently, he leads the surveys few days leading to the elections. His chances of winning the presidency is boasted the the endorsement of vote blocing Iglesia ni Cristo. 

3. Mar Roxas

Roxas came from a wealthy family and political family. He gave way to the president Noynoy Aquino during the 2010 elections and run as his vice president. He lost to Jejomar Binay in that Election. 

Several issues were hurled against him. Many claimed that he mismanage billions of Yolanda funds when leyte was hit by a strong typhoon, his ineffectiveness as a DOTC secretary etc.

He is married to Korina Sanchez, an ABS CBN news broadcaster.

4. Grace Poe

She is adopted daughter of a famous film actor Fernando Poe Jr. Her qualification to run as president was settled by the supreme court because she was once a US citizen. She lived and work in US for long time.

She topped the senatorial elections in 2013. She was considered as a newcomer among the presidentiables.  

5. Jejomar Binay

Binay is long time mayor from Makati. His wife, son and two daughters were also politicians. He claimed that he transformed makati into a a financial center and will continue to implement the same reforms to the country once elected as a president.

Allegations of over priced contracts were thrown at him but he never appeared during the senate investigation.   

Missing Filipina killed by watchman in 'revenge'

Dubai: A Filipina expatriate whose father had requested help to locate her after pictures were circulated on social media was murdered by a watchman, police said on Monday.

Lenlie Silpao Oliverio, 26, was murdered on February 19 by the watchman of her building who was arrested within 24 hours, an officer said.

The suspect has been transferred to the public prosecution.

On Monday, Major General Khamis Mattar Al Mazeina, Dubai Police Chief, said police investigation points to evidence that the Filipina was killed by her building’s watchman, who had a verbal altercation with her on the same day she died.

“On Thursday, February 19, the operations room received a call around 7pm from an Asian man saying that his friend who lives with him was murdered in their apartment,” he said.

The crime was committed in an area that was under Al Rashidiya police station’s jurisdiction.

The Asian man, who had just returned from work, found Oliverio stabbed multiple times and the apartment ransacked.

Teams from Dubai Police’s Criminal Investigation Department and General Department of Forensic Science and Criminology rushed to the scene and started their investigation.

Maj Gen Al Mazeina said the Asian man, who lived with the victim, said that he had last seen the victim in the morning before going to work, adding that the victim had also spoken to him around midday asking him to buy some things for the house.

He said, “Initially there were no obvious signs as to who could have committed the crime. Teams started looking into people who knew the victim, the victim’s flat-mate, people who live in the building and in nearby shops.”

Major General Khalil Ebrahim Al Mansouri, Assistant to the Dubai Police Chief for Criminal Investigation Affairs, said, “The way the victim was stabbed led us to deduct that revenge could be the reason behind her murder.”

He said that although the watchman was helping out the victim’s friend, and facilitating access to residents while police were in the building, policemen suspected him due to his body language.

“Our teams, who are trained in reading body language, suspected the watchman, although he had no wounds or marks that could link him to the murder. He was taken in for questioning at the Criminal Investigation Department, where he confessed to the crime,” Maj Gen Al Mansouri said.

He said they tested the watchman’s DNA against biological evidence found at the crime scene, which tested positive, linking the man to the crime.

Maj Al Mansouri said the suspect claimed that he was cleaning the floors of the building that morning at around 9am when the victim walked by and spilt the water bucket he was using to clean, after which a heated argument ensued.

“The suspect confessed that he then got a knife, went to her apartment at around 2pm and told her that there was a problem with the fire alarm. So she let him in. When she did, he said he grabbed her, put his hand over her mouth and stabbed her multiple times until he was sure she was dead,” he said.

The suspect then told the police that he cleaned his clothes, closed the door and carried on with his day. Police declined to reveal the number of stab wounds.

Police said the suspect had only been in the country for around two months, where he worked with the same company but in a different building in another emirate.
He had only started working at the victim’s building 10 days before the crime.

Lt Col Adel Al Joker, Head of Investigation at Dubai Police’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID), said that the attention from Maj Gen Al Mazeina and Maj Gen Al Mansouri and their presence at the scene helped catch the suspect in such a short time.

“As soon as he knew the initial details of the murder, Maj Gen Al Mazeina said that the suspect is someone from the building — not an outsider.” Lt Col Al Joker said, adding that this is an isolated incident, and that Dubai Police are always prepared to thwart any criminal attempts.

He said Dubai Police did not reveal the details of the crime until all the procedures were completed.

Family mourns
Earlier Gulf News reported that Eddie Oliverio, Lenlie’s father, was worried about his daughter who was living in Dubai.

Oliverio said his neighbours showed him a Facebook post bearing his daughter’s picture and a text that read: “Justice for Lenlie Silpao Oliverio”, followed by a caption that said Lenlie was brutally murdered in Dubai.

The Philippines consulate officials confirmed the woman’s death on February 24.

Lenlie is survived by her parents and two children, aged 10 and 5.


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source:
http://gulfnews.com/news/uae/crime/missing-filipina-killed-by-watchman-in-revenge-1.1681712

WATCH: 8 Funny and Creepy Images I Found in Google Map in Dubai

Tampering with passports can land you in jail, Filipinos warned

Dubai: Philippine Consulate officials on Tuesday warned Filipinos against resorting to “fixers” and tampering with their passports by getting fake passport extensions — an act that could land them in jail.

The Philippine consulate stopped extending the validity of passports for the purpose of residency visa stamping and travel purposes this January. The embassy followed suit in February. Exemptions were given, however, to passport holders with emergencies such as death in the family, medical or legal emergency.

Consul-General Paul Raymund Cortes said two cases of passport tampering had been reported to his office over the past two weeks.

In both cases, the passports had been stamped with an extension of one year with a “signature” of a consul currently working at the consulate.

“We’re no longer extending passports unless in emergency cases. This stamp is fake,” Cortes told the media.

“His [passport holder] employer called us and asked us if we were still extending passports and I said no,” Cortes said, adding the employer became suspicious and sent him the passport for evaluation.

Consul Ferdinand Flores, whose signature appears on the fake stamp, confirmed that the signature was forged. Upon close scrutiny, the signature is actually part of the stamp itself and was not manually signed on the passport page.

“They used a real person but have the wrong signature,” Flores said.

Deputy Consul-General Giovanni Palec said extending passports for visa purposes no longer makes sense because passports are now processed and delivered in a matter of two to three weeks. Resorting to tampering will only endanger the passport holder.

“The warning is, once you have a false stamp, it nullifies the whole passport. [The passport holder] is in violation of the Philippine Passport Law. That puts him at more risk, legally speaking,” Palec said.

In the UAE, a person who forges a travel document such as a passport and uses it could face between one month and five years in jail, depending on the judge’s decision, according to the UAE Penal Code.

Cortes said the spouse of the passport holder paid Dh700 to a “fixer” outside the consulate for the service.

In reality, if a person needs to extend his passport, he only needs to pay Dh80 for the normal service, and Dh120 for an expedited one. Renewing passports cost Dh240.

Cortes said they will refer the matter to the police for investigation. Consul officials will also give specimen signatures to the immigration if necessary.

Cortes urged Filipinos to only deal with consulate officials wearing proper identification inside the consulate. He also advised them to apply for passport renewal ahead of time, even a year before their passport expires, to avoid any inconvenience.


source:
http://gulfnews.com/news/uae/society/tampering-with-passports-can-land-you-in-jail-filipinos-warned-1.1673894

QA: Can former UAE resident with debts transit through Dubai, Abu Dhabi airports?

I have read an answer of yours about expatriates who have worked in the UAE and have outstanding debts. The article was about people who transit through the UAE to another destination and do not actually go out of the airport or through immigration. I have debt on a credit card, and although not a large amount it is a nightmare to pay it off when not living in the UAE. Even trying to pay the money over the counter at a branch of the bank outside of the UAE has obstacles. Can you confirm that the law is still the same in relation to transiting through the UAE? And how does the passport situation work? Since leaving the UAE I have renewed my passport, as the old one ran out, so would my new passport details be on the UAE system? JC, UK

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There are two separate issues here. If a person is transiting through an airport, they do not technically enter the country and pass through immigration, but there is still a risk, especially if a flight is delayed and they are then asked to exit the airport. If someone with a police case registered against them tries to go through immigration, it is likely they will be arrested. That can still happen with a new passport, as a person can be identified by name and date of birth.

Branches of banks in different countries can operate quite separately, and although it is not usually possible to make a deposit over the counter in another currency, it is possible to make an online transfer to the relevant account in respect of the debt. JC would be advised to contact HSBC in the UAE to make arrangements to repay the debt through online transfer. Once the debt is repaid he can then ask the bank to cancel a police case to avoid future problems when travelling.

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Keren Bobker is an independent financial adviser with Holborn Assets in Dubai, with more than 20 years’ experience. Contact her at keren@holbornassets.com and follow her on Twitter at @FinancialUAE

The advice provided in our columns does not constitute legal advice and is provided for information only

source: http://www.thenational.ae/business/personal-finance/can-former-uae-resident-with-debts-transit-through-dubai-abu-dhabi-airports?src=spotlight

How to apply for an OEC in POLO Dubai and in Abu Dhabi

Secure an appointment through polodubai.com or www.bmonline.ph

If you are an OWWA member with expired membership or you are a first time OWWA applicant .
Update your OWWA  membership or be a member of OWWA first.


Print and Submit (3) copies of accomplished print OEC BM On-Line appointment form, together with the following:

Passport ( be ready with your passport copy and visa page copy)

Confirmed roundtrip plane ticket
Personal appearance is a must.

Additional requirements for Balik-Mangagawa, Household Service Worker or Housemaid:

a. Immigration Contract (original) of the worker with two   (2) xerox copies;

b. Original passport of the worker

c. Passport copy of the sponsor and the worker – two (2) xerox copies;

d. Residence Visa copy of the worker – two (2) xerox copies;

e. If the sponsor is non local, she should include two (2) sponsor’s residence visa copy

g. affidavit of undertaking of sponsor

h. information sheet of sponsor


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downloadable forms :

OWWA membership form  http://owwa.gov.ph/sites/default/files/files/Downloads/OSMP.pdf

Payments:

OWWA membership – AED92

OEC  – AED10

MGA DAPAT MABATID TUNGKOL SA AKING PASSPORT

Valid pa ba ang Passport ko?

Ang passport po ay maaaring magamit lamang para sa pagbyahe, pagrenew o pag-apply ng working visa, o anumang transaction kung ito ay mahigit pa sa anim na buwan ( at least 6 months) bago ang expiration date. Kung mas mababa na sa 6 na buwan (less than 6 months) hindi na po ito pwede magamit sa ibang  opisyal na transaction at lalo na sa pagbiyahe o pag-apply/renewal ng visa.
Sikapin po nating alamin ang expiration date ng ating passport.

Mayroon bang fine kung expired na ang passport na hawak ko?

Wala po. Subalit ang lahat ng inconvenience at problema na dulot nito ay inyong responsibilidad. Sikapin po nating laging valid ang ating passport para maiwasan ang anumang suliranin.

E-passport na ba ang hawak ko?

Ang mga pasaporte (kulay Maroon) na isyu ng Dubai PCG mula 2011 ay e-Passport na. Makikita ang logo ng e-Passport sa harap na cover.

Kung hindi pa e-Passport, kailan ako dapat mag renew?

Kung ang pasaporte na hawak mo ay MRRP (kulay Green) o MRP (maroon pero walang logo ng e-Passport) makabubuting mag apply na ng appointment para sa renewal sa lalong madaling panahon.
Sa dami ng mga gustong mag-renew ng passport, ang pinakamaagang appointment ay nasa dalawang buwan na sa hinaharap (ibig sabihin, kung kukuha ka ng appointment ngayon, February 18, maaaring sa Abril o Mayo na ang pinaka maagang appointment na makuha mo).
Mas maagang kumuha ng appointment, mas maiiwasan ang inconvenience lalo na kung may mga proseso na kailangan ang passport, tulad ng pagbyahe, renewal ng visa, may bagong trabaho, etc.

Saan ako kukuha ng appointment?

Maaaring kumuha ng appointment sa Dubai PCG. Ang pila ay magsisimula ng ika-9 ng umaga. Sa araw na iyon, hindi ka makakapag renew, bibigyan ka lamang ng appointment date. Sa appointment date na iyon ka makakapag apply ng renewal.

Maaaring kumuha ng appointment sa DITO at hindi na po sa Facebook page ng Dubai PCG.Hindi po kayo makakatanggap ng sagot mula sa FB mula 20 February 2014.
Patuloy na isinasaayos ng Dubai PCG ang appointment system para higit itong maging mabuti.

Less than 6 months na ang validity ng aking passport at hindi ko na mahihintay ang appointment na nakuha ko dahil mas marami na ang nauna sa akin sa pagpapa appointment at kailangan ko na ang aking passport para sa emergency travel, official business, visa application, visa renewal at iba pang dahilan, ano ang maaari kong gawin?

Kumuha po kayo ng appointment at siguraduhin na mag renew ng passport sa appointment date na nakuha.

Mag-apply ng pansamantalang passport extension. Makikita ang form sa www.pcgdubai.netPassport Services. Naroon din ang mga requirements at kaukulang bayad. Makabubuti ring magdala ng proof of urgency. Ika-9 ng umaga nagsisimula ang proseso para sa extension. Mas madali kung handa na ang form at mga requirements bago magtungo sa Dubai PCG. Alamin din ang tamang counter na pupuntahan. Makukuha ang extended passport sa panahon ding iyon.

Sa araw ng aking appointment, maaari ba akong mag apply din ng extension dahil kailangan kong valid ang aking lumang passport?

Opo. Pareho po lamang ang mga requirements tulad ng nasa taas.

Sino ang hindi nangangailangan ng passport appointment?

Ang mga babaeng buntis, ang mga Senior Citizen, ang mga may kapansanan, ang mga sanggol at bata limang taon (5 years old) pababa ay hindi nangangailangan ng appointment. Sa Courtesy Lane po kayo magtungo.

Ang mga asawa, magulang, kapatid o kasama ng mga taong exempted sa appointment system ay hindi maaaring sumabay sa exemption na ito.

Kailan dadating ang bago kong passport?

Mula sa renewal date, maaaring umabot sa 6-8 linggo bago maging available ang inyong passport. Ibig sabihin, maximum ang 6-8 weeks ngunit maaaring minimum ng 2-3 weeks.

Hindi kailangang maghintay ng 8 weeks bago maghanap ng pangalan dahil maaaring lumabas na ang inyong passport sa mga unang listahan. Makabubuti na matapos ang 2 linggo, i-monitor na ang mga listahan na ipapaskil ng Dubai PCG sahttp://www.pcgdubai.net/releases/.

Kada linggo ay magpapaskil ng isang listahan. Ang mga listahang ito ay Alphabetical ang pagkakasunud-sunod kasama ang Apelyido, Gitnang Pangalan, at Pangalan. Hindi mahirap na hanapin ang sariling pangalan sa listahang ito.

Wala pa ang passport ko, dumating na ang sa kasabay ko, bakit ganun?

Ang mga passports na nasa listahan ay base sa mga natanggap na passports mula sa Manila. Maaaring nauna ang pagpapadala sa passport ng kasama mo kesa sa iyong passport depende sa printing batch doon. Wala pong itinatago o inihuhuling passport ang Dubai PCG. Ang lahat ng natatanggap ay ipinapaskil. Muli, makabubuting imonitor lamang ang mga listahan ng mabuti.

Ano ang kailangan kong dalhin sa pag claim ng bagong passport?

Pakidala po lamang ang lumang passport at resibo. Hindi po maibibigay ang bagong passport kung wala ang lumang passport. Kung nawala ang resibo, sabihin po ito sa Releasing Area Staff. Kung hindi personal na kukunin ang inyong passport, magpadala ng authorization letter kasama ng kopya ng ID ng taong kukuha nito kasama ang inyong lumang passport at resibo.

source: http://dubaipcg.dfa.gov.ph

List of POEA Registered recruitment Agencies

Many Filipinos in their desire to provide better living conditions for the families. have opted to work abroad where pay is much higher compared to philippines.

However some have fallen victims to bugos agencies who just wanted to take advantage of these Filipinos.

So before applying for jobs abroad, we need to check first the status of the agencies.

Check the link here:

http://www.poea.gov.ph/cgi-bin/aglist.asp

POEA screen shot:

Benefits of an OWWA Member

1. SOCIAL BENEFITS

An OWWA member is provided with the following benefits within the duration of their contract:


Disability and Dismemberment Benefits. A member is entitled to disability/dismemberment benefit of up to PhP 100,000.00 for injuries sustained due to accident while working abroad.
Death Benefit.  A PhP 100,000.00 benefit  in case of death due to natural cause and PhP 200,000.00 in case of death due to accident.
Burial Benefit. On top of death benefit, a rider of P20,000.00 will be received by the legal heirs for the funeral expenses.

2. EDUCATION & TRAINING ASSISTANCE

A. PRE-DEPARTURE EDUCATION PROGRAM
Country Specific Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar (PDOS) - a whole day orientation to OFWs consisting of a comprehensive module on employment contract, profile of the country of destination, stages of the OFWs' life abroad, health and safety, financial literacy, travel tips and airport procedures and government programs and services.

Comprehensive Pre-Departure Education Program (CPDEP) - A 3 to 6-day live out training for Household Service Workers (HSWs) consisting of language training, culture familiarization and stress management to prepare them for life overseas.

B. TRAINING PROGRAMS FOR FILIPINO SEAFARERS


a. Seafarer's Upgrading Program (SUP)
Scholarships for attendance to short-term upgrading courses for seafarers. First availment consists of PhP 7,500.00 training assistance. Availment in another training course every after three (3) recorded membership.


C. SCHOLARSHIPS FOR DEPENDENTS
a. Education for development Scholarship Program (EDSP)
A scholarship offered to qualified dependents of OFWs consisting of a maximum of PhP60,000.00 per school year, leading to a four-to-five year baccalaureate course in any college or university.

b. OFW Dependents Scholarship Program (OFWDSP)
Scholarship consisting of a maximum of PhP20,000.00 assistance per school year leading to a baccalaureate or associate degree in a state college or university for dependents whose active OFW-member parents receive a monthly salary of not more than USD400.00.

c. Education and livelihood Assistance Program (ELAP)
Educational assistance for survivors of a deceased OFW consisting of PhP5,000.00 for college per school year and livelihood assistance amounting to PhP15,000.00 is given to the surviving spouse.

D. SHORT-TERM TRAINING PROGRAMS FOR OFWs AND DEPENDENTS


a. Skills-for-Employment Scholarship Program (SESP)


Scholarship for attendance to short-term training program consisting of a maximum of P14,500.00 per course leading to a completion of a vocational or technical course in any TESDA-accredited school.


b. Information Technology (IT) Training Program


This computer literacy program provides OFWs and their families training and access to technology intended to bridge the communication gap between the OFW and his/her family and allow them to communicate with each other through the Internet. The program also aims to upgrade their IT skills.


3. WORKERS WELFARE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
On-Site Assistance and Services
- Assistance on OFWs whereabouts
- Psycho-social counseling
- Mediation/conciliation with employer
- Airport assistance
- Hospital/prison/work camp visitations
- Legal assistance to OFWs who wish to pursue labor/welfare case against their employer in the host country


In-Country
- Request from families and next-of-kin (NOKs) for assistance from OWWA overseas posts
- Post-repatriation assistance
- Counseling, referral, and other concerns.


Request for assistance from NOKs or from OFWs may be channeled through the 24/7 operation Center.


4. SOCIAL SERVICES AND FAMILY WELFARE SERVICES

a. Repatriation Program


Repatriation includes bringing distressed OFWs back to the country or bringing back human remains. Emergency repatriation is carried out in the event of any political unrest or natural calamities.

Repatriated OFWs are accorded airport assistance, temporary shelter at the Halfway Home, psycho-social counseling, stress debriefing, and provision of transport services or fares for their onward travel to their respective provinces.

b. Reintegration Program

Reintegration is a way of mainstreaming returning OFWs in the Philippine society.

Reintegration Preparedness (on-Site). Includes training on value formation, financial literacy, entrepreneurial development training, and techno skills and capacity building trainings.

Reintegration (in-Country). Implemented under the auspices of the National Reintegration Center for OFWs (NRCO) and the OWWA Regional Welfare Offices consisting of job referrals (local and overseas), business counseling, community organizing, financial literacy seminar, networking with support institutions, and social preparation.


2Billion-Peso Reintegration Fund


A 2Billion-Peso Reintegration Fund for business enterprise development is a loan facility, in cooperation with the Land Bank of the Philippines and the Development Bank of the Philippines, where a member or their legal dependent can avail of a loan between PhP300,000.00 to PhP 2 million.

OWWA-NLDC Livelihood Development Program

A loan facility where an OFWs can avail pf PhP200,000.00 loan or PhP 1 million pesos for group borrowers.



source: http://www.polodubai.com/benefits-of-an-owwa-member.html

How to Apply OEC online

Most Filipinos in the UAE who try to get their Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC) endure long lines and have to head out early to get to either the Philippine Consulate General (PCG) in Dubai or the Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi only to find out all the slots for that day have been given out.


But that would be a thing of the past in a few months as the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) launches an online OEC application process.

OEC is a document attesting that a Filipino is a documented overseas worker who should be allowed to return to his or her jobsite after spending sometime in the Philippines.

It is crucial for every Filipino working overseas, for without it, the airport and immigration personnel would not allow them to board the plane to return to their work abroad.

The soft launch is scheduled to be implemented in the Philippines as early as 2015. Four other hotspots which include Singapore, Hong Kong, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, which have the largest population of OFWs, will go live later in the same year.

“We’re included. I think Dubai is ranked as 4th or 5th in terms of population,” Philippine Labor Attaché Delmer Cruz said in a phone interview.

But he stressed there are still issues that must be addressed like synchronizing all agencies involved in the online system so that when one’s name is checked all the necessary details and membership payments would appear.

For the moment, countless Filipinos are facing problems getting their OEC. Rose Icalla, one of the thousands of Filipinos residing in the UAE, speaking to The Filipino Times said she went to the PCG thrice to get her OEC.

“I went there thrice to get my OEC. The first time I went the 250 per day quota had been maxed out. I returned the next day at 7 am but again all the slots were given out. I decided to come at 3 am. But even at that hour, my number was already at 97. It’s just too much hassle for overseas Filipino workers,” she said, adding that the current location of PCG causes inconvenience as it is away from the Metro, thus, visitors had to take a cab or walk several miles.

Cruz said only a maximum of 400 applications per day can be processed right now at the PCG.

“That is true,” Cruz told TFT referring to unusual and long hours that OFWs spent to apply for OECs, “especially during peak season. We only have two dedicated staff to handle that. We’ve been campaigning for them to get their OEC in the Philippines.”

He said his office even had to delegate other staffers just to accommodate the large number of OEC applicants during peak seasons—March, April, May, Holy Month of Ramadan, November and December.

OEC is valid for three months only and Filipinos must get a new one if they spend more time at home to be able to go back to their host countries.

The Philippine government anticipates the number of Filipinos in the UAE to grow further from the current estimated 750,000 as the World Expo 2020 that Dubai is hosting approaches.

While the majority of Filipinos are employed in the retail and hospitality sectors, a growing number of them are getting key positions in various companies.

Cruz said this is an indication that Filipinos employment skills in various industries are genuinely recognized in the UAE as the country pursues further economic growth.

The labor official, a lawyer by profession, said one of the key skills that Filipinos hold is their ability to write, speak and read English better than other nationalities.

Cruz also said the growing number of Filipinos in the UAE require more resources. Unfortunately, their hands are tied up with whatever the Philippine government allocates for their office.

Nonetheless, he urged Filipinos in the UAE to cooperate with their policies to better serve them as the Philippines tries to move forward to become “Asia’s next economic miracle” and a potential powerhouse in the Asia-Pacific region.

“We must be responsible for ourselves. We should not expect the state to baby us all the time,” Cruz told TFT.

THE OEC CONUNDRUM

OEC is crucial for every Filipino working overseas, for without it, airport and immigration personnel would not allow them to board the plane going back to their jobsites.

The OEC program is under the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration or POEA and costs Dh 10. But one is obliged to renew membership with the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) for Dh92 before the OEC can be issued.

POLO-OWWA is under the Department of Labor and Employment while the Philippine Embassy and PCG are both under the Department of Foreign Affairs. This creates a lot of trouble for Filipinos, who have to shuttle between different departments just to get clearance to come back to their place of work.

Additionally, membership to Pag-IBIG (Mutual Housing Loan Program) must be activated (if inactive) costing Dh10.

Current OEC Requirements

The documents required to process the Balik-Manggagawa OEC include:
1.  Immigration Contract (original) of the worker with two (2) xerox copies
2. Original passport of the worker
3.  Passport copy of the sponsor and the worker – two (2) xerox copies
4.  Residence Visa copy of the worker – two (2) xerox copies
5.  If the sponsor is non local, two (2) sponsor’s residence visa copy
6. OEC forms

7. Preapre the following fees: 10.00 AED for OEC, 92 aed for OWWA membership, 10 aed for Pag Ibig

Click this link: (https://www.bmonline.ph/ ) you will be asked to update your personal information and upload photo. Then you will be directed to choose your appointment date and time.              

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reposted from:

http://filipinotimes.ae/editors-pick/2014/09/05/online-oec-process-by-2015/

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for more information visit:

http://www.polodubai.com/how-to-get-an-oec.html

Filipino authorities cap Dubai travel clearances

Dubai: Issuance of the Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC) or travel exit clearance to Filipino expatriates at the Philippine labour office in Dubai will be limited to 500 a day during peak months like March, July and December, Labour Attache Delmer Cruz told Gulf News.

An OEC is a document required by the Philippine government which proves that a returning Filipino worker is in the Philippines for a holiday and intends to go back to the same employer abroad. It also proves that the he or she has been hired legally.

“In view of the surge in applicants for OEC, we will process the first 500 applications for OEC per day during peak months when OEC applications exceed 500,” Cruz said.

“This is in consideration of our three personnel tasked to issue OEC as they have been working almost non-stop, sometimes until 9pm, just to meet the demand. This practice is taking a toll on our people, and it could compromise their health,” Cruz added.

Cruz said he has already increased the number of staff members issuing OECs to three, despite the limited personnel at the labour office’s disposal. He added that officials have also restricted the processing time per OEC to five minutes at most to be able to maximise time and deliver efficient services.

Cruz offered alternative locations where Filipinos can apply for OECs, such as the Al Shabab Sports Club in Dubai where the labour office will set up a booth every Friday from 1pm to 4pm until July 12. OECs and other labour-related services will be offered at the venue. Up to 100 OECs can be issued every Friday.
Ria Abias, 33, who’s due to fly back to the Philippines on Friday for her wedding, said that she understands the labour office’s decision.

“I am an employee myself and I understand how hard it is when you have to work beyond what is required of you. I calculated it myself and I realised that 500 OECs a day is more than enough,” Abias, an accountant who’s planning to get her OEC on Thursday, told Gulf News.

Cruz said Filipinos can also book appointments online to get their OECs in Manila through the website http://bmappointment.poea.gov.ph/ to avoid long queues and waiting times.

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/