Pagyamanin ang inyong abilidad, ani DCG Deric sa mga OFW

Ang mga nagtapos.

Ni Marites Palma

Ipinagdiwang ng Diwa’t Kabayan BenLife Society Club ang kanilang ika-18 taong anibersaryo, kasabay ang ika-anim na pagtatapos ng mga sumali sa kanilang mga kursong pangkabuhayan, noong ika-26 ng Nob. sa Dynasty Feast sa North Point.

Ang pinaka tema ng kanilang selebrasyon sa taong ito ay “Ang diwa ng edukasyon, tungo sa paghanda sa kinabukasan”.

Deputy Consul General
Roderico C. Atienza

Ang panauhing pandangal na si Deputy Consul General Roderico C. Atienza ay humikayat sa lahat na pagyamanin ang kanilang abilidad upang hindi na mangibang bansa pang muli, lalo na ang mga kababaihang Pilipina. Kailangan din daw nila ng ibayong pagtitipid para makapagpundar ng makinang pangkabuhayan at nang sa gayon ay hindi na aalis pa ng bansa ang mga susunod na henerasyon ng mga kababaihan na mga anak, kapatid, asawa at ina.

Ayon pa kay Atienza, umaabot sa napakamaliit na 10% lang ng mga Pilipino ang nag-iimpok ng pera sa bangko, samantalang sa Japan ay umaabot sa 38% ang nag-iipon para sa negosyo at edukasyon, patunay kung gaano kahalaga ang pera sa kanila.

Sa mga gustong mag-umpisa ng negosyo, depende daw ito sa pangangailangan ng komunidad na kinaroroonan.

Kinumbinsi ni Atienza ang mga OFW na subukang mag-ipon para sa tinatawag na “capital machinery”, o mga makinang panggawa. Gayahin daw ang mga mayayamang bansa tulad ng Japan, Korea at Taiwan kung saan nangongontrata muna ang mga pamilya ng mga trabaho, hanggang makapagpatayo na sila ng kanilang sariling negosyo. Sa pamamagitan daw ng kooperatiba ay maaring makuha ang kaukulang makina na ayon sa iyong negosyo.

Nanawagan din si Atienza na huwag pumayag ang mga manggagawa na kaltasan ang kanilang sahod ng lampas sa itinakda sa batas, at mag-report agad sa POLO, HK Immigration at Labor Department kung may pang-aabusong nakikita laban sa kapwa.

Sa ganitong pamamaraan ay hindi mararamdaman ng naabuso na nag-iisa siyang nakikipaglaban sa amo.

Ang  huling pakiusap ni Atienza ay ang ipagbigay alam nila sa ibang mga kababayan ang paglipat ng POLO-OWWA office sa A16th & 18th Floors, MassMutual Tower, 33 Lockhart Road, Wanchai mula sa ika-10 ng Disyembre.

Umabot sa 70 na kababaihan ang nagtapos sa meat processing ng Diwa’t Kabayan. Pinarangalan ang mga sumusunod sa husay ng kanilang paggawa:
Best in Tinapa Making: Jocelyn Cuaresma
Best in Salted Egg Making: Rubilyn Alfonso
Best in Tocino: Adelaida Garcia
Best in Skinless Longaniza: Jocelyn Cuaresma
Best in Longaniza with Casing: Jovita Duzon
Best in Sardine in Oil: Jocelyn Cuaresma
Best in Sardines in Tomato Sauce: Adelaida Garcia
Best in Fruit Cocktain: Jocelyn Cuaresma and Rubilyn Alfonso

Sa pangalawang grupo ng mga nagtapos, nanguna si Vilma Ibanez. Sa Fashion Jewellery naman, sina Lourdes Duzong  at si Imelda Cariaga ang itinanghal na “outstanding”, at nakuha din ni Cariaga ang creative award.

Sampu naman ang nagtapos sa beadcrafting lesson at ang outstanding ay si Virgin May Yungco.

Sa macrame bag lesson ay 15 ang nagtapos, at si Jocelyn T. Nieva ang outstanding, at nakatanggap ng most creative award; samantalang si Karen B. Dumaguing naman ang nakatanggap ng most artistic award.

Para sa ribbon folding, ang outstanding ay si Mylene Diaz, at natanggap din niya ang best in bridal bouquet at best in motif. Si Ruby Deamboy naman ang nakatanggap ng best in flower girl bouquet award.

Sa stocking flower lesson ay may 15 na nagtapos, at ang outstanding ay si Jocelyn Nieva, na natanggap din ang best in teardrop bouquet, samatantalang si Ruth Salibomba naman para sa bridal bouquet. Ang premyo para sa best in hand tie bouquet-maid of honor bouquet ay nakuha nina Imelda Cariaga at Jocelyn Nieva; samantalang ang para sa best in pomander bouquet-bride maid bouquet ay natanggap nina Jocelyn Nieva at Ruth Saligomba. Nakuha din ni Saligomba ang most creative award.

Ang pinakamalaking grupo ay ang sumali sa basic baking, na umabot sa 103 ang bilang ng nagtapos. Nanguna sa kanila si Ruth Saligomba, na tinanghal na outsdtanding. Ang premyo para sa best in pandesal ay natanggap ni Beatriz Villanueva; ang best in spanish bread ay kay Ruth Saligomba; best in pizza, Estrella Pineda; best in donut, Ruth Saligomba; at best in brownies, Jennifer Panganiban.

Para sa 2nd batch ng bread presentation,  si Myrna Gonzales ang outstanding, at nakuha din niya ang nest in pandesal making, best in spanish bread making,  best in pizza making at best in donut; samantalang si Carmelita Ober naman ang nakakuha sa best in brownies.

Nagdagdag kasiyahan ang pagbibigay ng isang maikling sayaw nina Katherine de Guzman ng PNB, Merlinda Mercado ng Metro Bank, at Rosabelle Wolf ng Afreight, na kilala sa bansag na “Mars”.

Rules on migrant domestic workers’ accommodation

By Cynthia Tellez

Policy related to Accommodation: 
There are major portions of the Standard Employment Contract (SEC) of Foreign Domestic Workers (FDWs) on accommodation.  It says in Clause No. 3: “The Helper should work and reside in the employer’s residence as stated in the contract.”  FDWs are bound by this mandatory live-in requirement. Unfortunately, many FDWs are made to sleep in miserable conditions.
Accommodation is covered in clauses 3 and 4(a) to 4(c), mentioning the live-in requirement and restrictions on employment. This is expounded in the attached Schedule of Accommodations in pages 3 and 4; the size, amenities, co-occupants if there are, should still ensure suitable accommodation. However, it mentions only two examples of unsuitable accommodation: In a narrow corridor and shared room with adult of opposite sex.
With limited guidelines on accommodations, violations of suitable and decent living area often happen.

Situation – Health, Safety and Privacy:
A research of Mission For Migrant Workers (MFMW) published last year (2016) revealed that unsuitable accommodation, denial of privacy, and deprivation of amenities for migrant domestic workers (MDWs) persist in Hong Kong.
It showed that:
• 3 out of 5 FDWs in Hong Kong endure alternative living arrangements;
• Or their designated bedroom serves multiple functions in the household;
• One in every 50 of sleeps in areas such as toilets, backdoor, basement, balcony, rooftop, closet, or in a room with just a divider for sleeping space. (Research copies available at MFMW centre);
• Lack of privacy makes FDWs feel vulnerable and tense, especially if they are made to sleep in common areas in employer’s home; 
• Or, in relation to the privacy issue, 47% of those who responded as having their own room, revealed that they did not have their own key to the room, while 35% said their employers enter the room even without their consent.
Alternative accommodation arrangements are unhealthy, inhumane, and violate even the already insufficient standards set by Hong Kong in its SEC.

MFMW’s Advocacy
We can see from that survey that there are a lot of FDWs who are made to accept unsuitable and inhumane living arrangements. Obviously, the current mechanism to protect FDWs is failing; neither do policies for FDWs measure up to international human and labour standards.
We always hear that “Hong Kong already has an acute space problem.” We believe that there is no justification for not providing suitable accommodation to FDWs as human beings. The current legislation and policies are not effective to protect FDWs from being exploited and should be developed. The unsuitable arrangements should be clearly spelled out in the attached Schedule of Accommodations and domestic work.
Therefore, we are advocating for the Hong Kong government to reconsider the live-in requirement and make live-out as an option for FDWs, depending on specific circumstances of the households.
While the reality of the live-out option for FDWs is not yet possible, we strongly suggest to the authorities to define “suitable accommodation” in the SEC by listing down unsuitable arrangements, such as toilets and cupboards. This is aside from Immigration Department claims that they have regulatory and monitoring mechanisms wherein submitted accommodation arrangement of the employer is followed.

What can you do if you are made to sleep in a problematic situation? 
Many only become aware of the problematic accommodation in the employer’s home on their first workday. Somehow, FDWs usually believe that what is most important is to keep a good relationship with the people they work with to be able to extend the contract.
However, if you are in a situation that is physically and emotionally taxing, first, we encourage you to try talk with your employer, if possible. As workers, we also have to understand the limitations employers are in and therefore try to negotiate a more acceptable arrangement.
We know that some of you are scared that you may risk losing your job, but it is always good if mutual understanding can be developed. Find a way in which you can honestly explain your situation and its effect/s on your health. That way, they may also be able to express their regret for being unable to provide you better living conditions. For all we know, most of the employers are also trying to find a way to tell you how they feel about their limitations. In many such cases that we handled, both employers and workers found ways to remedy the situation.
There are, however, unreasonable people who might ignore what you are presenting. Usually, such employers just say, “take it or leave it.”  They may take your approach as complaining about them, instead of listening to you in a more objective manner, understanding what you really mean (which in most cases is not the job but the accommodation). Try another time if the mood and the conversation turn sour. Approach them next time, saying that it is not about the job, but perhaps there may be some remedy to your sleeping arrangements. If you get the same results, and in some cases, treatment worsens, perhaps you can consider bringing the matter to the authorities.
When facing violation of contract, including problems with accommodation, you can complain to the Immigration Department and also the Labour Department. It is suggested to lodge a complaint to both departments when it comes to the issue of accommodation as the employer might be giving false statements to the Immigration Department as well if they conceal the actual accommodation.
If you have decided to lodge a complaint, there are steps we suggest for you to follow:
 1. Keep records or evidences on the accommodation you are made to accept and make use of it to explain the problem you are facing. (Usually photos or short videos of consecutive days showing the area that you sleep in.)
2. Relate how the accommodation arrangement caused a serious toll on your health. Describe your current condition.
3. Relate how you tried to approach the employer to be able to settle the matter among yourselves and how those attempts turned sour. (Remember the date, time, and the content of the conversation. Make a written statement or any other kind of records if possible) and that you do not want the whole matter to worsen.
4. Include your suggestions to practically settle the matter, if any. 
5. Consult MFMW if you need assistance (2522-8264).
Have a VERY Merry Christmas, everyone!

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This is the monthly column from the Mission for Migrant Workers, an institution that has been serving the needs of migrant workers in Hong Kong for over 31 years. The Mission, headed by its general manager, Cynthia Tellez, assists migrant workers who are in distress, and  focuses its efforts on crisis intervention and prevention through migrant empowerment. Mission has its offices at St John’s Cathedral on Garden Road, Central, and may be reached through tel. no. 2522 8264.

Sino ngayon ang nagsisinungaling?

Ni Vir B. Lumicao

Hindi natin alam kung sino ang nagsisinungaling ukol sa kaso ng mga daan-daang OFW na nabibiktima ng “human trafficking” mula sa Hong Kong papunta sa Brazil, Russia at Turkey: ang ating Konsulado o ang gobyerno ng Hong Kong.

Sa kanyang opinyon na nalathala sa isang pahayagang dito kamakailan, sinabi ni Chief Secretary Matthew Cheung, na dating labour secretary ng Hong Kong, na hindi raw ipinarating ng mga opisyal ng Konsulado sa gobyerno ang mga malawakang panlilinlang ng mga employment agency rito sa mga manggagawang Pilipino.

At iginiit din niyang protektado ng mga batas ng Hong Kong ang lahat ng mga dayuhang katulong sa lungsod na ito.

Nakakapagtaka dahil madalas naming tanungin ang mga opisyal ng Konsulado kung natatalakay nila o naipaparating sa pamunuan ng Hong Kong sa mga pagpupulong ng Technical Working Group ang malaon nang nagaganap na panlilinlang ng ilang ahensiya sa mga Pilipinong nais lumipat sa ibang bansa at ang sagot nila ay “oo”.

Ang mga bansang inilalako ng mga mapanlinlang na ahensiya ay hindi lamang Brazil, Russia at Turkey, kundi maging ang Britain at Canada. At karamihan sa kanilang mga nalinlang ay mga kasambahay na nagtatrabaho sa Hong Kong at mga kamag-anak ng  mga OFW sa Pilipinas.

Natuwa ang mga OFW, mga opisyal ng Konsulado at ang pamahalaan ng Pilipinas nang mapabalita ang pagsalakay at pag-imbestiga ng mga awtoridad sa tatlong employment agency sa Hong Kong na nagpapadala diumano ng mga Pinay sa ibang mga bansang.

Pagkaraan kasi ng mahabang panahon ay ngayon lang uli nagsiyasat ang mga pulis sa mga ahensiyang nambibiktima sa mga kababayan nating kasambahay at sa pagkakataong ito ay naging malaking balita dahil nalathala sa malalaking pahayagan ng Hong Kong.

Noong 2010 ay pinuntahan din ng mga pulis ang Natino Employment Service and Trading sa North Point pagkatapos dinggin ng Small Claims Tribunal ang kasong isinampa ng tatlong biktima ni Mila Ipp, ang kinatawan ng Natino na sumingil diumano ng hanggang US$2,000 sa bawat isa para sa mga hindi naibigay na trabaho sa Canada.

Ngunit walang nangyari sa kaso ni Ipp at pagkaraan ng dalawang taon ay nakapanloko na naman siya ng 15 katulong na Pilipina sa Hong Kong sa pamamagitan ng pag-aalok at paniningil sa kanila ng umaabot sa $28,000 para mga pekeng trabaho sa Cyprus. Sa pagkakataong iyon ay pinalitan lang niya ang pangalan ng kanyang ahensiya ng Limestone Overseas Services Trading Company.

Nitong mga nakaraang taon, napabalita ang JEM Employment and Trading Company, Excellent Nannies, at Emry’s Employment Agency/Mike’s Secretarial Services na sumingil din ng hindi bababa sa $10,000 sa bawat isa sa daan-daang mga aplikante sa mga trabaho sa Britain at Canada na  pawang hindi nagkatotoo.

Sa ilang pagkakataon ay marami sa mga biktima ang nagreklamo sa pulisya ngunit nabinbin lamang sa istasyon ang mga sumbong nila at ang iba ay tahasang tinanggihan ng mga imbestigador dahil paniningil lang daw ng pautang ang mga kaso nila.

Minsan ay isang tagapagsalita ng pulisya ang nagpayo sa mga bagong-dating na katulong sa isang post-arrival orientation seminar, o PAOS, sa Philippine Overseas Labor Office na huwag silang magdalawang-isip na lumapit sa Commercial Crime Bureau kapag sila ay niloko ng mga scammer at illegal recruiter.

Nang sinamahan namin ang isang pangkat ng mahigit 10 biktima sa pulisya at kinausap namin ang mismong tagapagsalita ng CCB, sinabi niyang ang mga kasong tinatanggap ng nasabing sangay ng kapulisan ay iyon lamang mga kinasasangkutan ng $1 milyon pataas.

Sa kaso ni Ester Ylagan ng Emry’s/Mike’s nag-aatubili ang mga pulis na imbestigahan o sampahan ng dimanda si Ylagan tulad din ng pag-iwas nila sa mga reklamo laban kina Au ng JEM’s, Grace Chan ng Excellent Nannies at ilan pang mga recruiter.

Tuwirang naapektuhan ang Hong Kong nang suspindihin ng Department of Labor and Employment ang overseas employment certificate, o OEC, noong Nobyembre at ito ang nagbunsod kay Chief Executive Carrie Lam na magbanta ng mariing aksiyon sa ahensiyang nanlilinlang at nangangalap ng mga katulong papunta sa ibang bansa.

Pagkaraan niyon ay saka pa lamang kumilos ang mga pulis at tauhan ng  Labour Department at sinalakay ang tatlong ahensiyang nagpapadala ng mga Pinay sa Brazil, Russia at Turkey.

Marahil ay nais ipakita ng Hong Kong ang sinasabi ni Matthew Cheung na protektado ng gobyerno ang mga dayuhang katulong dito, at upang ipakita rin sa madla na kung ipinarating lang ng Konsulado sa kanila ang problema sa human trafficking at illegal recruitment ay malaon na nilang inaksiyunan ito.

Joma faces losing asylum status

Jose Maria Sison may lose his political asylum status once the court declares the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and its armed wing, the New People’s Army, as terrorist organizations, Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano said.

 Sison has been living in the Netherlands since 1987.

President Duterte had cancelled peace talks with the CPP-NPA and cited threats to security the armed group posed as justification for extending martial law in Mindanao for one year.

 The Department of Justice recently ordered the Office of the Prosecutor General to file a formal petition before a regional trial court seeking to declare the CPP/ NPA terrorist groups.

Under Section 17 of Republic Act 9372, or the Human Security Act (HSA) of 2007, the DoJ needs to seek clearance from the court before an organization, association or group could be declared terrorist.

Once the court outlawed the CPP, the Philippines can transport Sison back to the country and make him answer for his crimes, Cayetano said.

“There is no asylum for terrorism, so if it can be proven that they are not in fact legitimate victims of persecution but are terrorists, then a country can decide to reverse the granting of asylum,” Cayetano said in a chance interview at the sidelines of the Philippine-Cambodia 2nd Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation (JCBC) in Manila.

Analyst Ramon Casiple shared the view that a court ruling outlawing the CPP-NPA could result in the cancellation of Sison’s political asylum status and even his passport.

Even if there is no existing extradition treaty between the Philippines and the Netherlands, the Dutch government could go after Sison once the court legally declared the CCP as a terrorist group, Casiple said.

The Dutch government has its own anti-terrorism law and the CPP founder would be considered violating that law, explained Casiple, executive director of the Institute for Political and Electoral Reforms.

 In a speech on Thursday, Duterte criticized Sison for living the good life in Utrecht while members of the NPA struggle daily in the mountains.

 He dared Sison to leave his “sanctuary” in The Netherlands and bring the fight in the Philippines.

Casiple said Duterte’s move to tag the CPP as a terror group showed that he has lost confidence on communist leaders because of their recent actions and pronouncements.

He cited the order of the CPP leadership to intensify offensives against government forces when the military was preoccupied with the crisis in Marawi City.

 Casiple said the CPP even used the declaration of martial law in Mindanao as justification for the attacks even if it was clear that the group was not the target.

Incoming travelers to be charged travel tax

The Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprises Zone Authority (Tieza) is proposing the government’s scrapping of travel tax imposed on outbound travelers on international flights.

Pocholo Paragas, general manager and chief operating officer of Tieza, said the proposal had been forwarded to Malacanang and that President Rodrigo Duterte is reviewing it.

“We presented it to the President… I think it is about time to do something about it,” Paragas said.

International travelers are charged P1, 620.00 in travel tax upon checking in at the airport. Some airlines already include travel tax in the tickets for the convenience of travelers who would no longer line up at the airport to pay it.

However, travel tax would not be completely scrapped because it would be charged instead to incoming travelers, and would be included in the ticket price.

It would be called tourism development fund instead of travel tax, Paragas said.

“Put it inside the ticket so that people coming in will not feel it. It will be the same fund that will be used to make their next trip better,” he explained.

“We will adjust it based on requirements of the country. If there is none, zero. If we can get other investments coming in from other countries, coming from the banking industry, then we can lower it immediately. Every two years, we do review,” he added.

Paragas said the Tieza is targeting to collect P5 billion from tourists this year. The Department of Tourism had announced that it is expecting 12 million in tourists arrivals by the end of 2020.

State-run think tank National Tax Research Center (NTRC) earlier said the imposition of the foreign tourist tax will only make the Philippines uncompetitive and may lessen tourism activities in the future.

“The potential of the proposed foreign tourist tax to raise much needed revenue for the government to be used for tourism-related projects and programs, its imposition, as of the moment, may need further study given the negative effect it may pose to the tourism industry and the administrative difficulty in identifying those who travel purely for leisure and/or vacation purposes who are the real target of the proposed tax and those who visit the country for medical treatment, official trip/mission or potential business venture,” the NTRC study said.

 “A foreign tourist tax of P1,620 may be charged to airline tickets, which is equivalent to the travel tax paid by Filipinos when traveling abroad. For the succeeding five years, around P15.3 billion annually is expected to be raised by the government from this source,” it added.

The International Air Transport Association also earlier urged the government to not overcharge the aviation sector through the tourism tax.

“The more tax you put on the passenger, the less prosperity you will bring into the country,” said Alexandre de Juniac, IATA director general and chief executive officer.

De Juniac said short-term budget gains quickly disappear when tourist arrivals drop, and the Philippine government must instead focus on making wise investments in the tourism infrastructure that will encourage people to visit.

“The extra tourist dollars you attract will pay the investments and make a greater economic contribution,” de Juniac said.

What's on, where?

POLO Transfer:  
The public is hereby informed that from Dec. 10, 2017, the Philippine Overseas Labor Office has relocated to the 16th and 18th floors of the Mass Mutual Tower, 33 Lockhart Road, Wanchai. The following services will be provided by POLO: contract processing, OEC and BMOnline registration, OWWA-related matters and inquiries, complaints against employers and employment agencies and labor-related inquiries.

Holidays:
The Philippine Consulate General and its affiliate agencies including POLO will be closed on the following dates:
Dec. 25 (Monday) – Christmas Day
Dec. 26 (Tuesday) – Boxing Day or Day After Christmas HK Holiday
Dec. 31 (Sunday) – Last Day of the Year
In case of emergency, please call 9155 4023 (Consular Assistance), 2866 0540 (POLO) or 6315 8324 (OWWA)

Paskong Pinoy 2017 at Chater Garden
Dec 24, 2017;  8pm-12pm – Chater Garden, Central.
Filipino community celebration of Christmas starting with the display of entries in the PaStaran 2017 lantern-making competition. Judging of entries and announcement of winners. The Misa de Aguinaldo will follow. A parade of the lanterns and playing of Christmas carols will cap the evening.

Rizal Day remembrance activities
Dec 30, 2017, 7am-9am, Central, HK
Laying of wreath at commemorative plaque for Dr Jose Rizal at 5 D’Aguilar Street (exterior wall of Century Square), the site of a clinic where the Philippine national hero practised opthalmology from December 1891 to June 1892. Another wreath-laying will be held at Rednaxela Terrace in Mid-Levels, next to the Central giant escalator, where Rizal lived in a rented flat during his stay in Hong Kong. A third wreath will be laid at a site relating to Rizal on Ice House Street also in Central. 

Marching band parade 2017
Dec 30, 2017;   2pm-4pm, Hong Kong Cultural Centre Piazza, Tsimshatsui. A joint presentation of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department and the Hong Kong Marching Band Association. Free admission. For enquiries:  2591 1340 (Leisure and Cultural Services Department) or 2774 0896 (Hong Kong Marching Band Association).

Youth music and dance marathon
Jan 7, 2018, 1pm-8pm. Hong Kong Cultural Centre Piazza, Tsimshatsui.. Music and dance festival organized by the Leisure and Cultural Services Departtment.

Community Thematic Carnival series
Jan 14, 2018; 3m-7pm – The Sheung Shui Legend.  Sheung Shui Garden No.1, Sheung Shui, New Territories. Don’t miss the chance to rediscover the fun and joy in the district.

‘Mga Kwentong Pagkain’ Contest
Jan 28, 2018 – Deadline for submitting entries to the Mama Sita Foundation’s contest, “Mga Kwentong Pagkain”
The contest, with the theme “Regional Food Heritage,” is open to all Filipinos abroad who are willing to tell an interesting story about food-detailed accounts of local or regional recipes, ingredients, food preparation, rituals or personal experiences. For details, email MSF at mgakwentongpagkain@gmail.com.

Ateneo team pounds Singapore, 12-7, in HK Baseball Open

The Philippine contingent is joined by Vice Consul Bob Quintin and Philippine Sluggers president Cecil Calsas in photo op.

By Vir B. Lumicao

Defending champions Ateneo Blue Eagles set their sights on a third trophy as they walloped Singapore 12-7, on the opening day of the WBSC Hong Kong International Baseball Open 2017 in Lamtin, Kwuntong on Dec 14.

The Blue Eagles entered the four-day tournament with confidence, and easily hurdled the challenge from Singapore at the Sai Tso Wan Recreation Ground diamond on Sin Fat Road.

The Filipinos, led by team manager Randy Dizer, are eager to take home their third trophy this year despite newcomer Australia joining the tussles as an unknown factor.

The tournament opened with a simple ceremony led by Hong Kong Baseball Association president Philip Li, who welcomed the seven participating teams.

“The Hong Kong International Baseball Open is getting more and more popular in the international baseball community and moving forward to attract the participation of many more athletes,” Li said.

A team from Australia’s Sydney University debuted in the tournament, which saw Russia and China vying for honors. Eight teams – four national and four club – originally registered, but Team Nepal could not obtain visitor visas for its contingent.

Vice Consul Bob Quintin and a diplomat from the Australian Consulate General were among the dignitaries who graced the opening ceremony.

The games are all slated at Sai Tso Wan as organizers HKBA were forced to reshuffle the schedules after.

Ateneo will next play Hong Kong Blue club team in a 2:30pm match on Friday.

“We are well-prepared for this tournament,” coach Bocc Bernardo told The SUN before the opening ceremonies.

Bernardo said Hong Kong is traditionally its strongest rival for the championship. “We unseated Hong Kong last time after they became champions in 2016 because we did not participate,” he said.

The Blue Eagles beat Hong Kong Red in a tight match, 7-6, in January this year, foiling an attempt by the local boys to take back avenge their loss to the Filipinos in 2015.

Bernardo said the Hong Kong tournament is the last championship campaign for the Blue Eagles before they go to Clark late this month for several months of training. 

Dizer said he brought 20 players who can play any position in this tournament. He said that would make sure the team won’t be crippled if some players could not be fielded because of personal injuries or other causes.

UPAA-HK elects new officers

A doctor has been elected as the new president of the University of the Philippines Alumni Association in Hong Kong.

Dr. Carlo Mendoza, who works for a private firm in Hong Kong, was elected president during UPAA-HK’s annual general assembly and Christmas party on Dec. 11 at Pier 7 bar in Central.

Outgoing officers turn over the association to the newly-elected leaders.

Elected as vice president was Gelica Lomibao; Ananda Mandalihan, secretary; Klerwin Collado, treasurer; Pam Casequin-Smith, auditor; and Jennifer Paguio, PRO.

The new officers immediately took their oath before the Consulate’s Acting Head of Post, Roderick Atienza, who is himself an alumnus of the state university.

About 40 members of UPAA HK group also used the occasion to celebrate Christmas, and their having recaptured the top prize in the annual “Rambulan” event held among alumni of UP, Ateneo University, De La Salle University, and University of Sto. Tomas.

A minute of silence was called by outgoing president Patrick Angco to pray for the recovery of past president Butch Durias who remains unconscious in hospital in Oroquieta City, following surgery for aneurysm.

Mga opisyal ng Isabela, isinulong ang pagtatayo ng OFW cooperative

Ang mga kasapi at bisita ng Isabela Federation, sa kanilang pagtitipon sa Chater Road.

Ni Marites Palma

Isang malaking sorpresa ang nangyari nang magtipon-tipon ang mga miyembro ng Isabela Federation noong ika-10 ng Disyembre sa Chater Road, Central. Bigla silang napatayo sa kanilang kinauupuan nang biglang tumambad sa kanilang harapan ang mga Board Member ng probinsya ng Isabela, na sina Napoleon Hernandez, Abbie Sable, Alfredo Alili at Marcelino Espiritu.

Hinikayat ng apat na opisyal ng lalawigan na gawing modelo ng IsaFed ang San Agustin at Jones Chapter para sa pagtatayo ng OFW Cooperative na ayon sa kanila ay makakatulong nang malaki kapag nag forgood na ang kanilang mga miyembro.

Ginawang halimbawa ni Hernandez ang cooperatiba ng mga kapitan sa Isabela na nagsimula lamang sa kapital na Php40,000, na ngayon ay umaabot na sa Php9 million sa loob lamang ng ilang taon.

Hinikayat ni Hernandez ang mga opisyal ng grupo ng Jones at San Agustin na gumawa ng group chat nila upang masimulan na nila ang pag-uusap para sa mga dapat gawin sa pagtatayo ng kooperatiba.

Masigasig ang mga opisyal sa pagsusulong sa proyekto dahil ang Isabela Cooperatives ang tinanghal na Most Outstanding Provincial Cooperative sa buong Pilipinas kamakailan.

Ibinalita din ni Hernandez na maaring magkaroon ng Provincial  Health Care Card ang mga naiwang kapamilya sa Pilipinas ng mga OFW. Lumapit lamang daw sila sa Kapitolyo at maaring magkaroon ng “on-the-spot” na Philhealth coverage para sa kanilang kapamilya na may karamdaman.

Napahanga ang mga bisita nang kantahin ng mga choir member ng IsaFed Performing Club ng kantahin ang Isabela Hymn at Isabela March nang walang mali.

Maging ang tradisyunal na kantang Nuang (Kalabaw) ay inawit ng buong buo ng mga taga San Agustin, na nakadagdag sa paghanga ng mga opisyal.

Bilang kapalit, kinanta naman ni board member Alili ang “Totoy Bibo”, na sinabayan naman ng sayaw ng buong tropa.

Naging makabuluhan ang maiksing pagtatagpo dahil nagkaroon ng pagkakataon ang mga OFW na personal na makaniig ang mga opisyal ng kanilang lalawigan.

Nagkaroon ng salo-salo pagkatapos ng programa na inihanda ng  mga taga San Agustin Forever Friends.

Ifugao ‘bululs’ make global debut at HKU exhibition

By Vir B. Lumicao

Antique Cordilleran tribal art and culture, best represented by Ifugao wooden sculptures, are on their debut international exhibition at the University Museum and Art Gallery at HKU. The exhibit will run until Feb 4 next year.

The 50 sculpture pieces, which date back to the 14th, 18th, 19th and 20th centuries, were brought to Hong Kong by Swiss lawyer and art collector Martin Kurer in cooperation with Asia Art:Future, a collector specializing in contemporary and antique Asian art.

The exhibition, “Ifugao Sculpture: Expressions in Philippine Cordillera Art”, is set up in an oblong hall of the gallery with a blown up panoramic sepia picture of the Banaue rice terraces by photographer At Maculangan as backdrop, giving visitors a feel of the natural locale where the carvings originated.

The exhibition, which museum director Dr Florian Knothe said was the first of its kind from the Philippines, was supported by the Philippine Consulate General.

Foreign Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano, who formally opened the rare exhibition on Nov 30, said in his opening remarks that cultural exchanges between the Philippines and Hong Kong strengthen the close relationship that already exists between them.

Cayetano expressed his gratitude to Kurer, who has made his home in Manila a gallery of Cordilleran tribal art and contemporary Asian art, and the Hong Kong art enthusiasts for making the exhibition a reality.

He related how he overheard one of those who helped set up the exhibition saying, “It took a Swiss guy to put up Ifugao fire at the world stage…no, he’s a Filipino na.”

Kurer said the trove of hardwood “bululs” or rice gods and ritual boxes carved by Ifugao, Bontoc and Kankaney artists centuries ago were simple but powerful expressions of tribal art. Carbon-dating showed one bulul was carved as early as the 14th century.

He said there was a movement in Italy, France and Germany at the beginning of the 18th century which captured the “raw power and simplicity” of tribal art.

“The collection is our future, and this is the really remarkable part of it,” Kurer said, describing the artistic quality of the Cordillera tribal art as equal to that which influenced the 20th century and 21st century artists like Picasso and Brancusi.

Yet, he said those great painters could not have traveled to Africa and Oceania to pick up the influences of tribal art, but could have seen bulul sculptures brought by European souvenir hunters and art collectors.

Knothe, who also teaches at HKU, said the university gallery holds a dozen exhibitions every year that represent different cultures, like the Ifugao sculptures.

“To do this exhibition is very important to us. We want to connect to the community, the Filipino community is hugely, hugely important to Hong Kong, and we want to show an art form that has to be, or can be seen, and we want to present it here,” Knothe said.

Speaking later to The SUN, Knothe said he was very impressed at the sculptures because each of the figures had a different expression on its face.

“They are very serene and very calm. It’s a very beautiful art form,” Knothe said.

Vice Consul Bob Quintin, a Cordilleran who heads the cultural section of the Consulate, told The SUN he will invite groups to perform cultural activities such as tribal dances and seminars on the region’s culture that are related to the exhibition while it is running.

“Now that we have connections here, we are trying to do more,” Quintin said.

Cayetano announces hike in legal aid fund for OFWs

By Gina N. Ordona

Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter S. Cayetano said the budget for legal assistance for Filipinos abroad has increased, during a forum held at Duke of Windsor House in Wan Chai on Dec. 10.

Speaking to a group of more than 100 overseas Filipino workers, Cayetano said that the budget for legal assistance fund (LAF) has gone up to Php 400 million from Php100 million, and assistance-to-nationals (ATN) fund to Php 1 billion from Php 400 Million.

“Ibinilin ng pangulo na kailangan kapag may legal problems ang ating mga kababayan ay asikasuhin agad. Kaya from any legal distress, puwede nang gamitin ang legal assistance fund,” said Cayetano.

He said that the implementing guidelines for making the bigger budget more accessible to OFWs in need are now being drafted. Under the new rules, the fund will be immediately available from the time of the distressed OFW’s arrest until the final resolution of the case.

Under Republic Act No. 10022 known as the Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995, the legal assistance fund will only be released to aid OFWs facing charges, in filing cases against erring or abusive employers abroad, or to pay for bail and other litigation expenses.

Cayetano also confirmed President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s announcement during his second state of the nation address last July that the ATN fund would be jacked up.

“Ang utos po natin ay huwag sayangin pero huwag tipirin.” Marami po kasi ang napapauwi, let’s say taga-Cagayan de Oro or taga-Gensan. Ang ticket po, hanggang Maynila lang. Wala man lang pangkain at ticket pauwi sa kanilang bayan,” Cayetano said. ATN fund is allocated for distressed Filipinos abroad for their transportation, food and other assistance.

Cayetano also unveiled the government’s plan to create a program that would protect the investments of OFWs in the Philippines. He said the Department of Trade and Industry will be providing up to Php1million “soft loan budget” for OFWs.

“I’ll try to give the guidelines right away to the Consulate. Kasi kung puwede naman na ang mga kamag-anak ninyo ang mangutang sa atin, bakit hindi. Una, it’s safer for you and that gives them also some responsibility,” he said.

Araw ng Karapatang Pantao, ginunita

Pinaikutan ng mga nag-martsa ang isang parte ng Chater Road, na nagsilbing entablado sa pagpapahayag ng niloloob.

Ni George Manalansan

Nagsagawa ng kilos-protesta ang isang grupo ng mga migrante noong ika-10 ng Disyembre sa Central, bilang paggunita sa pandaigdigang selebrasyon ng Araw ng Karapatang Pantao.

Pinangunahan ng Bagong Alyansang Makabayan Hong Kong at Macau (Bayan HK-Macau) ang martsa na nagtapos sa Chater Road bandang alas-4 ng hapon.

Tinuligsa ng mga nagprotesta ang extra-judicial killing o ang pagpatay sa libo-libong katao sa Pilipinas sa ngalan ng kampanya laban sa droga ng pamahalaan ni Pangulong Rodrigo R. Duterte. Kabilang sa kanilang mga isinigaw ay: “Puro pangako, walang pinag-iba! Puro paasa, walang pag asa!”., “Walang pagbabago sa ilalim ni Rodrigo!”, “Kami ay aktibista, hindi terorista!”, “Stop killing the poor!”, “Stop human rights violation!”

Ayon kay Bayan chairperson Eman Villanueva, kailangang manindigan ang mga migrante laban sa maling ginagawa ng mga pulis sa Pilipinas na pinapatay ng parang insekto ang mga pinaghihinalaang gumagamit o nagtutulak ng droga. Ayon sa kanya, marami sa mga pinatay ay inaapakan, inihahampas, kinakaladkad palabas ng bahay kahit nasa gitna ng hapunan, at pagkatapos ay babarilin at tatawaging adik. Gawain daw ito ng mga pulis dahil binibigyan sila ng quota para sa kanilang mga napapatay.

Diin ni Villanueva, hindi dapat patayin ang isang tao ng walang “due process”, o kaukulang paglilitis sa kasong isinampa laban sa isang akusado. Dapat daw silang dalhin sa korte para malaman kung tunay silang nagkasala, at hindi basta-basta na lang pinapatay.

Pinalakpakan nang husto si Villanueva, lalo na nang sabihin niya na ang laging target ng mga pumapatay ay ang mga mahihirap na nakatira sa mga barong-barong, at hindi ang mga sindikato na nagkakamal ng pera dahil sa pagbebenta ng droga.

Kinondena din ni Villanueva ang pagpatay sa nagtataguyod ng karapatang pantao gaya nina Tito Paez at Bishop Alberto Ramento, samantalang hindi man lang inaaresto ang mga pulitikong gahaman, mayor na may kaso ng panggahasa o pagkamkam ng lupa, at iba pang abusadong opisyal ng gobyerno.

Kabilang sa mga nagsalita si Dolores Pelaez ng United Filipinos in Hong Kong (Unifil-Migrante) na nanawagan sa alahat na manindigan para sa kanilang karapatan at pagpapahalaga sa buhay ng bawat Pilipino.

Sabi pa niya, marami sa mga migranteng manggagawa ang kinakabahan dahil hindi nila maproteksiyunan ang kanilang pamilya sa Pilipinas, katulad ng kaso ni Kian de los Santos, isang anak ng OFW na pinatay gayong hindi naman drug addict.

Nanawagan si Pelaez sa gobyerno ni Duterte na itigil na ang pamamaslang sa mga inosente para  hindi na madagdagan pa ang 13.000 na napatay.

Kabilang sa mga dumalo ang ilang mga pari at pastor. Isa sa kanila, si Pastor Joram Calimutan, ang nagsabi na ang pangulo daw ng Pilipinas ngayon ay isang makabagong Herodes.

“Naririnig ng Diyos ang ating karaingan at alam ang ating kalagayan”, ang sabi ni Pastor Joram. “Ang pinaka mainit na lugar sa impiyerno ay hindi para sa mga makasalanan ,bagkus ito ay para sa mga walang ginagawa para itama ang kasamaan.”

Ayon sa isang tagapagsalita Ang ating Pangulo ng bansa ngayon ay isang Makabagong Herodes. Naririnig ng Diyos ang ating karaingan at alam ang ating kalagayan.  ang sabi, ang pinaka mainit na lugar sa impiyerno ay hindi para sa mga makasalanan ,bagkus ito ay para sa mga walang ginagawa para itama ang kasamaan.

Sa bandang huli, nagkaisa ang mga dumalo, kabilang ang ilang mga pari at pastor, na magsindi ng kandila bilang tanda ng  kanilang panata na ipagpatuloy ang pakikibaka para sa hustisya at karapatang pantao.

Nagtapos ang programa sa pag-awit ng “Bayan Ko.”

Consulate issues warning, PEYA posts apology over flights mess

A distressed passenger 

By The SUN Staff

The Philippine Consulate in Hong Kong has advised the public against transacting with PEYA Travel, as hundreds more of the company’s customers who had hoped to be home in time for Christmas failed to board their flights on Tuesday, Dec. 19.

“The Consulate General of the Philippines in Hong Kong SAR is deeply concerned over the incidence of unissued and unconfirmed bookings of Filipino nationals supposedly purchased from PEYA Travel,” said a statement posted on the Consulate’s Facebook page at 7:15 pm on Dec. 19.

“In this regard, the public is advised not to transact with PEYA Travel until such time that this issue is resolved and all aggrieved parties have received just compensation.”

The statement urged the complainants to keep calm, while calling on PEYA Travel to take responsibility for the ticketing mess.

About two hours later, PEYA responded with an apology to all affected passengers, and said it was taking full responsibility for what happened.

“Makakaasa po kayo na pinagsusumikapan namin at paninindigan ang lahat ng responsibilidad kaugnay nito,” said the statement posted on PEYA’s Facebook page.

However, the apology fell largely on deaf ears, as most of those who responded gave vent to their anger at being left stranded at the airport, or uncertain about whether they could still fly home in time for the holidays. Most demanded a refund, while some called for sanctions against the travel agency.

One said it would have been her first time to spend Christmas with her family in 10 years, while another shared how frustrated she was that she may not have the chance to see and talk to her child who didn’t want to speak to her.

At PEYA’s shop at World Wide Plaza in Central, hundreds of irate customers demanded a refund after failing to board their flights, or learning that their bookings had been canceled by airlines reportedly because the agency failed to pay for their tickets.

Police kept constant watch at the shop, and at the close of office hours invited PEYA’s marketing manager Arnold Grospe for questioning at the Central Waterfront station.

Grospe who had been manning the shop solo since Monday when word of the booking mess spread, was allowed to leave the station about five hours later with no charges being laid.

Irate passengers swarmed PEYA's office

By mid-afternoon, more than 300 bumped off passengers and others who were scheduled to fly home from Dec 19 onwards with supposedly confirmed bookings had trooped to PEYA, waving so-called itinerary receipts at Grospe as they demanded their money back.

Grospe reportedly tried to appease the customers by promising a refund sometime after the New Year but did not specify the date.  

Grsospe faced the mad passnegers alone

He scribbled “Refund applied Dec 19” on the itinerary receipts then asked the complainants to sign below the notation. Some refused, saying it could be a ruse which PEYA could later claim as proof they had been paid back.    

A Caucasian employer who was one of the estimated 50 complainants packing PEYA’s small office insisted to get back the money he paid for his helper’s ticket. “I want a refund now,” he demanded angrily.

Another employer, a Hong Kong woman who declined to give her name, told The SUN she also asked Grospe to return her money, but he only replied: “You can shout at me but I can’t do anything.”

The employer said she had been sourcing her helpers’ air tickets from PEYA because it was reliable. “We have never had this kind of problem,” she said. For the Dec 23 flight, the employer paid more than $2,000 when she booked it for her maid in June.

But when the helper called Cathay Pacific to reconfirm her flight, an airline staff said her booking was not confirmed because no payment was ever received. PEYA said it was due to system glitch.

Grospe reportedly gave the same excuse to the other complainants, many of whom disbelieved him.

The employer would not believe that. “If it was indeed a system breakdown, would it last two months?” she exclaimed.

Police kept the crowd in check

Yet another Hong Kong employer, Mrs Cheng, went to World-Wide Plaza after her maid called her and told her about the fiasco. The helper bought her ticket in October and was due to take her vacation from Dec 22 but discovered her booking was cancelled for non-remittance of the payment.

One woman from Bacolod, carrying a year-old boy, cried as she vented her frustration at her fouled up travel plans. “This should be my first Christmas vacation is more than six years and my children are anticipating it,” she said.

The woman said she felt so bad because her flight was set for Dec 22, but, when she called the airline after hearing about the mess, she was told she had no booking. Yet, she had a supposedly confirmed itinerary receipt.

“This is too much. I’ve looked forward to this vacation. My children are waiting for me and now everything’s all muddled up,” she said.

Three batches of angry victims went to the Consulate on Dec 19 to seek help, but they were advised to take their complaints to the Travel Industry Council in North Point, a staff at the assistance to nationals section said.

WorldRemit to invest in the Philippines

The Philippines will host the new regional center of WorldRemit, a leading digital money transfer service.

The company had earlier raised $40 million to drive its next phase of growth, starting with the setting up its Asia-Pacific regional center in the Philippines, its biggest receive market, to handle customer queries. A hundred jobs are expected to be created in the Philippines by the end of 2019.

Currently sending from over 50 countries to 148 destinations, WorldRemit will also use the funding to expand its mobile-first digital service into new markets.

The investment comes at a time of significant company growth across the APAC region which now accounts for more than 25% of WorldRemit’s global money transfers. In the Philippines, WorldRemit's largest receive market, the number of transactions has grown at more than 100% over the last year.

The new center in the Philippines, along with its existing operations in Denver and London, will ensure that WorldRemit customers have access to a round-the-clock service across the globe.
WorldRemit handles a growing share of the $600 billion migrant money transfer market, better known as remittances.

Michael Liu, Regional Director for APAC, comments: “WorldRemit was founded because we believed there was a better way for customers to send money home to their families and communities.”

He added: “This new funding will not only allow us to expand our network and service in the Philippines, but also build our regional centre which will allow us to create more jobs for the country’s economy as well as improve our service to customers globally. “

Since its last funding round in 2015, WorldRemit has launched 206 new services across the globe and has grown its transaction volume by 400%. Last month WorldRemit became Arsenal FC’s first-ever online money transfer partner. 

The Series C round was led by LeapFrog Investments - a dedicated equity investor in emerging markets, supporting fast-growth firms that deliver social impact alongside commercial returns. The round also had    significant participation from existing investors Accel and Technology Crossover Ventures (TCV).

This latest funding round follows a Series B investment raised from TCV in 2015 and a Series A from Accel and Project A in 2014 - then one of the largest ever Series A rounds in Europe. 

Scores of PEYA customers stranded, held up at airport

Irate customers flock to the Worldwide Plaza office of Peya Travel.

By The SUN

Around 200 Filipinos, mostly foreign domestic workers on their way home to the Philippines for the Christmas holidays, were left stranded or held up at Chek Lap Kok airport over the past two days when their tickets issued by Peya Travel were not honored at the check-in counters.

The scenario could recur in the next few days ahead of Christmas, as hundreds more Filipinos who could have booked with Peya prepare to go home to spend their much-awaited vacation with family members.

Most of the stranded passengers said they were told by airline staff that the travel agency had failed to pay for their tickets, but Peya’s management blamed the fiasco on a technical glitch.

Peya’s owner Rhea Donna Boyce, told The SUN via online chat that she discovered the booking problem on Saturday and “I was really furious about it,” she said, without going into details.

Boyce said she managed to rebook the tickets on Sunday of around 100 passengers who were unable to board their flights, even if it meant paying $3,200 for each one-way ticket to Manila. She said the return tickets issued to them by Peya cost only $2,080 each.

But today, around the same number of passengers encountered the same problem, and many of them descended on the Peya office on the third floor of World Wide Plaza in Central to complain, some with police in tow.

The travel agency’s staff members were so unnerved by the invasion of the irate customers that they walked out on their jobs, leaving only the sales director, Arnold Grospe, to deal with the complaints.

The angry passengers included Belen, an OFW from Bicol who was on her way home for the burial of her father-in-law, which had already been postponed for five days to await her arrival.

Belen, like many others who could not board their flights on Monday, was furious because her relatives had rented a vehicle so they could pick her up at Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila for her scheduled arrival at 8pm so they could get to Bicol in time for the burial.

Belen rushed to PEYA’s office at mid-afternoon after finding out about the fiasco at the check-in counter, and was verging on tears as she angrily demanded her money back.

“May emergency kami tapos ganito pa ang nangyari. Ibalik nila ang pera ko,” she said, adding that the $5,000 she had paid for her ticket was her last money, and did not know where to get more cash to buy a new one.

Another was Perla Santos, who went to HK International Airport early as she was supposed to leave on the 7:50am flight of Philippine Airlines, but was shocked to learn that she was not on the list of passengers.

After fuming for hours at the airport, she decided to just book a 7:20pm flight to Clark Airport aboard Cebu Pacific so she would at least arrive home within the same day.

Like Belen, her relatives had hired a vehicle to pick her up in Manila, but on learning that she failed to board her scheduled flight,  they decided to go back home to Pampanga. They told her to just call them when her plane had landed in Clark.

Another customer, Vhie Azares Endaya, said she was concerned about her children who had been preparing to fetch her at the airport in Legaspi City, because she would miss her 10pm flight tonight. “Actually, my employer would be happy that I would not be leaving,” she added.

“Hindi birong pagod,gutom at puyat ang binuno namin para kitain ang pinambili namin ng ticket na yan kahit pa napakamahal makasama lang namin pamilya namin,” she said later in a Facebook post.

Many furious passengers swarmed over Grospe, demanding a return of their money.

“Bakit, anong nangyari? Ibalik nyo ngayon din ang pera namin para makabili kami ng panibagong ticket. Naghihintay na ang mga anak ko sa airport,” an angry OFW who rushed back to Central from the airport along with her luggage shouted.

Grospe, who frantically tried to help file applications to refund the tickets of the passengers, told The SUN he was unsure what had caused their bookings to disappear from their system.  “Parang na-virus,” he said.

The affected passengers were mostly on Philippine Airlines and Cathay Pacific flights; they were booked but not confirmed. He also found out, upon checking, that some of the passengers on Cebu Pacific had confirmed flights. 

Grospe offered to process refund claims as a crowd filled the Peya office, asking them to leave copies of their booking form, receipt and HK identification card to support their applications.

But he added that he could not promise the complainants when or how much refund would be paid.

At any one time, about 20 irate customers crowded in front of Grospe, who listened to their complaints and assured them they would get rebooked, or get their money back.

Earlier in the day, complainants called police who sent investigators and made inquiries.

The Travel Industry Council (TIC) also sent staff to inquire about complaints it had received. It was not yet known what actions TIC will take but a search of the directory of travel agents indicates that Peya is still listed.

“They (TIC) know about this already. We have reported this to them,” Grospe told an employer who inquired on behalf of her helper who missed her flight today.

TIC is the government agency that issues licenses to travel agencies. It also administers the Travel Industry Compensation Fund, under which up to 90 per cent of the cost of the tickets could be recovered in case the issuing travel agency closes, as long as these payments include its 0.15 per cent levy on the cost of air tickets.

The scene at the airport is no less chaotic.

Some of those who came back from the Hong Kong International Airport said there was a bigger crowd of OFWs there who were unable to leave because their names were not on the flight manifest of either PAL, Cathay Pacific or Cebu Pacific.

PAL’s country manager, Leah Nicolas, was also at a loss when asked what could have gone wrong with Peya’s bookings, but said that as far as the airline is concerned, “the tickets were not issued”.

Nicolas said that PAL does not get bookings directly from Peya, as it is not accredited with IATA (International Air Travel Association). That means Peya had to go through an accredited agency to get the airline to issue the tickets, which did not happen.

“But in the past, we have had passengers booked through Peya and we didn’t have this kind of problem, so this is really strange, ” Nicolas said.

Asked if it was possible for PAL to deploy extra flights to accommodate the hundreds of mainly overseas Filipino workers who made their bookings through Peya and are scheduled to depart within the week, Nicolas said she could try asking.

“We can check but there’s a big demand for our aircraft right now because of the holiday season,” she said.

Nevertheless, Nicolas said she would send a staff member to Peya to inquire how they could help ease the burden on the affected passengers. 

Many of the passengers who had been bumped off their flights also sought help from the Consulate, to ask if they could take action.

But the Consulate’s acting head of post, Roderick Atienza, said “There’s really not much that we can do at this stage because we still don’t know what really happened. The culpability or lack of it by the agency still has to be established.”

Nevertheless, he said he expected the agency to “fix the mess”, and that the Consulate will continue to monitor the situation to make sure the affected OFWs get appropriate help.

Among those who sought the Consulate’s  help was Ma Teresa Macatangay who told the assistance to nationals section that when she checked her PAL flight on Dec. 22 which she booked through Peya she was told that her booking had not been confirmed.

Macatangay said she paid $3,700 for her return air ticket originally, and was asked by Peya to pay an additional $1,700 when she rebooked her return to Jan. 2. She was angry that despite shelling out so much money, her hope of spending the holiday season with her loved ones now look uncertain.

Govt gets flak for putting president’s photo on OFW ID

Militant overseas Filipino workers in Hong Kong have given the thumbs down to the newly launched OFW ID, also known as iDOLE, for featuring a big color picture of President Rodrigo R. Duterte in front, alongside that of the holder.

This was despite an announcement from Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello IIII that the ID would be given away free, in contrast to his previous statement in July that employers would be charged for the card, causing an uproar among OFWs.

Bello, in succeeding announcements, said the design will not be altered because there had been no formal objection.

Duterte himself had said in the past he did not want his picture displayed in government offices, as well as in government-issued documents.

“Kelangan talagang may mukha ng presidente ang OFW ID? Iilan pa lang ang nabigyan, baka pwede pang alisin ito,” said Eman Villanueva, chairman of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan Hong Kong and Macau.

Villanueva likened it to disgraced President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s move to put her picture on Philhealth cards which were given away free to poor Filipinos ahead of her bid for re-election in 2004.

Other OFWs posted on Facebook that they’d rather not have the ID, saying they didn’t want to keep Duterte’s picture inside their wallets.

Some Duterte supporters, however, said the President may not have approved of the card’s look himself, as he is known to have even ordered government offices not to display his photo on their walls.

The much-awaited OFW card was unveiled by Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III on Dec. 7, who said he had issued it to a limited number of returning overseas workers, calling it President Duterte’s “best gift” to them.Bello said the OFW ID, which was on its first phase of issuance, was intended to test and secure the features of the Integrated Department of Labor and Employment eServices.

“This is only the first phase of implementation and will cater first to our Balik-Manggagawa until the system is ready for all OFWs. We are doing this to secure the database and for further improvements in the system,” Bello said.

Backtracking to a promise he made to OFWs in Hong Kong last year, he said that the OFW ID is free, as it will be funded by the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration.

“This is free for our OFWs. We do not want our OFWs to shoulder the cost because this is a gift from the President to recognize their sacrifices and immense contribution to our economy,” he said.

During an interview with assistant secretary for communication Mocha Uson in July, however, Bello clarified that the ID was free for OFWs but employers would have to pay for the cost of production. A price of Php500 plus Php200 for postage was originally floated as the cost of obtaining one.

Balik-Manggagawa, or vacationing OFWs, are required to log into their BM Online accounts to apply for the ID, which they can use to avail themselves of travel tax and terminal fee exemptions.

 They can log in and create an account with the iDOLE.ph or the iDOLE One-Stop Online Facility/Portal and apply for the OFW ID by inputting their latest and valid OEC number. The unique ID is equipped with decrypted QR code for security.

 The DOLE said the ID will free OFWs from queuing up to transact with agencies for OECs, as they can access government services online in further phases of the iDOLE eServices implementation.

The first phase links DOLE with the Department of Foreign Affairs, Philippine Overseas Employment Administration, OWWA and the Bureau of Immigration.

PH eyes deal on sending OFWs to China by next year

By Vir B. Lumicao

Foreign Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano sees China’s “Belt and Road” initiative as an opportunity to supply the Chinese mainland with Filipino talent, such as professionals, including English teachers.

Foreign Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano

The foreign secretary, who was a guest at a “Belt and Road” trade fair at Chater garden on Dec 1, said he is hoping for a breakthrough in moves to secure an agreement by the end of the first quarter of 2018 on exporting Filipino workers to China.

“The sooner any agreement that would give the Filipinos legal protection is good, and although they are treating the Filipinos very well, to be staying in a country legally and having a work contract is more desirable,” Cayetano told The SUN.

“So, we’re hoping to have a breakthrough in the first quarter next year because of the relationship getting better and better and many cooperation agreements going,” he said.

But he said the government is not only focusing on the employment, “but also on how to better the lives, especially through education, of our workers abroad, so that they will have a career path, a ladder where they can improve their situation as the years go by”.

He said China, especially Beijing, has programs for expatriates and workers, but Filipino workers are not covered as they do not have job contracts there.

“It’s a matter of getting the agreement and seeing which programs will be available to them,” he said.

He said China is very keen to hire English teachers, such that its foreign minister had followed up talks about getting the teachers from the Philippines.

“It’s even their foreign minister who followed up and their Belt & Road initiative will be a very big idea that will affect the world and especially our region, and even the Chinese themselves have said that they not only need the cooperation, collaboration, but they will need the best talents from all over the world, and they recognize Filipino talent,” he said.

Cayetano said the Philippines would need to do a balancing act because it sends workers out to earn for their families and help the economy, but it also have to keep the best people at home “so we can develop and we don’t want to see people separating from their families”.

He said the ideal setup is one like in the US, where Filipino nurses can bring their spouses who can’t work, for a year. He said this is better than separating families.

In a press briefing in Macau, Cayetano said he had a “short and fruitful meeting” with Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam, partly about the OEC suspension that effectively stopped the deployment of all new overseas Filipino workers from Manila. But the issue became moot when Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III lifted the 15-day suspension as scheduled on Dec. 1.

Cayetano said his talk with the CE covered the human trafficking issue, but only in relation to the OEC. But he said the Philippine government is quietly talking with countries which are take-off points for traffickers like Hong Kong.

Whether it is illegal recruitment, white slavery or all other types of trafficking, this has to be addressed, he said. “It’s only when we consider it as a transnational crime, meaning it is not only a problem on one side, on the Philippine side, but it’s a problem among nations, can we truly address it,” he said.

“Both with Hong Kong and China, we are also stepping up our intelligence so that we can identify more (culprits), especially illegal recruiters or the people who are doing the trafficking,” Cayetano said.

Hirap nang dahil sa OEC

Mahigit dalawang oras nang nakapila papasok sa Philippine Overseas Labor Office si Ate Magdalena, 61 taong gulang at taga Ilocos Sur, nang mapansin siya ng isang volunteer. Dahil hindi na kailangang pumila pa ang mga senior citizen ay tinanong si Ate Magdalena ng volunteer kung ano ang sadya nito.

Ipinakita agad ni Ate Magdalena ang email at password ng kanyang BMOnline account, sabay sabi ng, “Ne, patulong naman aakyat ako kuha ng OEC”.

Naawa na naaliw ang volunteer kaya tiningnan muna ang e-mail address at password nito, at sinubukan siyang I log-in gamit ang kanyang sariling cellphone. Nabuksan naman ang account ni ate kaya na-edit pa ng volunteer ang ilang impormasyon bago siya inaplayan ng OEC exemption.

Naglapitan naman ang ilang tao sa pila para malaman kung makakatulong ba sa kanila ang paliwanagan. Sinabi ng volunteer kay ate na hindi na niya kailangan pang pumila para makaakyat para sa OEC dahil puwede iyang ipakita na lang ang kanyang exemption number.

Ngunit hindi pumayag si ate na wala siyang hawak na papel katulad ng dati. Naisip ng volunteer na gamitin ang mismong telepono ni ate para doon kunin ang exemption number nito at ipa print sa amo, pero wala pala itong smart phone.

Kahit anong paliwanag ng volunteer ay hindi pa rin maintindihan ng matanda kaya sinamahan na lang siya ng volunteer sa isang computer shop para doon ipa print ang kanyang exemption slip. Kahit nagbayad ng $15 sa isang pirasong papel ay natuwa pa rin si ate dahil hindi na siya kailangan pang pumila ulit.

Ibinigay ng volunteer ang kanyang pangalan at numero para sa susunod na pag-uwi ni ate ay tatawagan na lang siya nito para matulungan. Si Ate Magdalena ay 32 taon na sa Hong Kong nguni’t hanggang ngayon ay hindi pa rin maintindihan ang proseso ng pagkuha ng OEC exemption para masiguradong makakabalik siya sa kanyang trabaho sa Hong Kong pagkatapos magbakasyon sa Pilipinas - Rodelia Villar

Kumusta na?

“Uuwi na yata ako ate, ilang buwan ko pa lang dito pero nahihirapan na ako.” Ito ang naging kasagutan ni Lorna nang kumustahin ng kapwa niya kunyang na noon lang niya nakita, at nakasabay lang sa paglalakad.

Malungkot kasi ang mukha ni Lorna sa araw na iyon kaya kinumusta siya ni ateng. Sa sinabing iyon ni Lorna ay naikwento ni ateng na mayroong mga OFW na mas malala pa ang sitwasyon sa kanya ngunit nagtitiis dahil alam na marami sa mga Pilipino ang nangangarap na sa Hong Kong makapagtrabaho. Iniisip daw nila na kapag uuwi sila ay wala naman silang mapapasukang trabaho na ang suweldo ay mahigit sa beinte mil (Php20,000) sa isang buwan.

Napag-isip isip si Lorna sa tinuran ni ateng, bago ngumiti, sabay sabi ng “Pinapatibay mo ang loob ko ate”.

Pagkaraan lang ng ilang araw ay nagkalubong muli ang dalawa sa daan, at kitang-kita sa mukha ni Lorna ang saya dahil sinunod daw niya ang pangaral ni ateng na dapat ay kausapin ang amo kung mayroon siyang hindi naiintidihan sa mga sinasabi sa kanya.

Dahil dito ay naging masiyahin na siya. Paggising daw ng mga amo sa umaga ay nag gu good morning siya sa kanila, at good night naman bago sila matulog. Higit sa lahat ay nakukuha na niyang alukin sila ng maiinom kapag dumadating sila galing sa trabaho, gaya ng tsaa o kape.

Iyun lang at mukhang nakuha na niya ang kiliti ng mga amo, kaya malamang daw na tatagal din siya sa Hong Kong katulad ni ateng na naka ilang dekada na dito. Naisip ni ateng na may malaki din palang epekto ang pagbati sa mga nakikita na malungkot, dahil ang kaunting pagpapakita ng malasakit ay malaki ang nadudulot na ginhawa, lalo sa mga bagong dating na OFW. S

i Lorna ay 28 taong gulang, dalaga at mula sa kabisayaan. Namamasukan siya ngayon sa mga among taga Shatin. – Marites Palma

Sisante bigla at walang nakuhang bayad

Nahulog mula sa kuna ang 18 walong buwan na alaga ni Hanna habang nagluluto siya ng pagkain para sa isa pa niyang alaga na 4 na taon at sa 80 taong gulang na lola.

Pinababa siya ng among Intsik ng walang karampatang bayad at sinabihan na sa agency na lamang sila maghaharap. Pagdating doon ay tinakot daw si Hanna ng tauhan ng agency para pumirma siya sa termination letter dahil siya naman daw ang may kasalanan sa pagkahulog ng kanyang alaga.

Kahit wala naman daw makita na galos man lang sa bata ay sinabi ng ahente sa kanya na baka makulong pa siya pagkalipas ng ilang araw dahil baka may makita nang diperensya sa alaga.

Marami sa mga kaibigan ni Hanna ang nagsabi na huwag siyang pipirma sa termination letter pero ginawa pa rin niya. Dahil dito ay wala siyang nakuhang isang buwang sahod kapalit ng pasabi, kundi ang sahod lang sa mga araw na pinagtrabaho niya, at para sa tiket pauwi sa Pilipinas.

Tinangka niyang maghanap ng ibang amo sa mga ahensya ngunit puro tanggi daw ang inabot niya. Nawalan na siya ng kumpiyansa sa sarili kaya nagdesisyon siyang umuwi na lang na masama ang loob, lalo at naalala niya na hindi siya binibigyan ng amo ng pagkain sa umaga at pati kumot niya ay siya ang bumili.

Si Hanna ay 30 taong gulang, may asawa at anak, at tubong Cagayan Valley. Ang dating amo niya ay nakatira sa Shau Kei Wan. – Marites Palma