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Posts tagged as “OFW”

Saudi Government will no longer shoulder the COVID-19 cost for patients in private hospital

March 19, 2022

Saudi Arabia will no longer pay for the treatment of COVID-19 cost for patients in private private sector.

This was announced by Council of Health Insurance (Dhaman) last Tuesday, 14th of March, that the government will no longer bear the treatment costs of COVID-19 patients in the private hospitals and other health facilities. The announcement was made through a Dhaman circular sent to all the approved healthcare service providers and the qualified health insurance companies in the Kingdom.

Dhaman circular also emphasis the need to be vaccinated as well as take the booster shots for all the people inside the Kingdom in accordance with the directives of the Ministry of Health (MoH) and the Public Health Authority (Weqaya).

Patients who are not eligible with for treatment or insurance coverage, can still avail of the services by getting the approval from MoH.

For more details, you can read the full report from Saudi Gazette;

Philippine Embassy in Saudi Arabia announces the extension for Overseas Voting Registration until 14 October 2021

September 30, 2021
Philippine Embassy in Saudi Arabia announces the extension for Overseas Voting Registration until 14 October 2021

Philippine Embassy in Saudi Arabia has announced that the Overseas Voting Registration will be extended until 14 October 2021. The Overseas Voting Registration can be done in the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh, VFS Riyadh and in Al Khobar branches.

Documents required for the Overseas Voting Registration are;

  1. Completed OV Form No. 1, which you can download from https://irehistro.comelec.gov.ph/irehistro/ovf1.
  2. Valid Philippine Passport
  3. For OFW that has dual citizenship, provide a certified true copy of the signed ‘Oath of Allegiance/Order of Approval/Identification Certification.

Then just submit the required documents to the Embassy/Consulate for processing.

You can go to Philippine Embassy in Saudi Arabia official facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/PHLinKSA/posts/6531414980264852, for more information.

GACA issue new guidelines for residents and visitors entering Saudi Arabia and shorten quarantine period

September 14, 2021

Saudi’s General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) issued today, Sept. 13th, new instructions to all airliners operating in the Kingdom’s airports to update their respective entry mechanism and procedures, for residents and visitors arriving in the Kingdom from permitted countries and to reduce the period of institutional quarantine.

Here’s the official statemenet from GACA;

First: A non-vaccinated person who has received one dose of the approved vaccines in the Kingdom, provided that he submits a negative (PCR) exam of a sample swab taken within (72) hours before leaving to the Kingdom at the latest, and that institutional quarantine procedures are applied to him for a period of five days. Furthermore, a corona exam to be conducted within (24) hours of arrival, and another exam on the fifth day after arrival (the recipient must adhere to the times of the corona examination based on what appears to him in the “Tawakkalna” application in the chronology service). The period of institutional quarantine ends with the appearance of a negative test result.

Second: Arriving passengers who completed one of the vaccines not approved by the World Health Organization (WHO) and not approved in the Kingdom, or who completed one of the vaccines approved by the World Health Organization and not approved in the Kingdom, provided that he submits a negative PCR exam of a sample swab taken within (72) hours before leaving for The Kingdom at the highest estimate, and that institutional quarantine procedures are applied to him for a period of five days, and that a corona examination is conducted within (24) hours of arrival and another examination on the fifth day after arrival (the recipient must adhere to the times of corona examination based on what appears to him in the Tawakkalna application, in the chronology service), and the period of institutional quarantine ends with the appearance of a negative test result.

GACA also stated that dependents can also enter the country with their “immune” relatives, in accordance to the following;

First: Unvaccinated dependents under the age of eighteen shall be subject to home quarantine procedures for a period of five days, provided that a corona exam (for those who have completed eight years and above) is conducted on the fifth day, and that they’re committed to applying all precautionary measures determined by the Ministry of Health.

Second: Institutional quarantine procedures are applied to unvaccinated dependents who are eighteen years of age, or older.

These new guidelines will take effect on Sept 23rd.

GCA also stressed the following;

  • Arriving residents must complete the vaccine doses available in the Kingdom after the end of the institutional quarantine period, and whoever completed one of the vaccines approved by the organization and not approved in the Kingdom (currently the Sinopharma vaccine and the Sinovac vaccine) should obtain a booster dose from one of the vaccines available in the Kingdom after arrival.
  • Arriving passengers must register on “Quddum” platform before going to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
  • Isolation procedures will be applied according to the Ministry of Health protocols, for those who will be tested positive during institutional quarantine
  • Recovery from infection with the Coronavirus is not considered as a justification to not undergo Institutional quarantine procedures.

GACA also added that the amendment of the home quarantine procedures also applies to the non-vaccinated, which requires a home quarantine for a period of five days, and a PCR exam will be conducted on the fifth day in accordance to Ministry of Health protocols. A person will not be allowed to all places, activities, events and government and private facilities and the use of public transportation without being vaccinated with one of the approved coronavirus vaccines in the Kingdom.

Source: GACA

Overseas Voting Registration is still ongoing in the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh and VFS Riyadh and Al Khobar branches

August 18, 2021
Overseas Voting Registration is still ongoing in the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh and VFS Riyadh and Al Khobar branches

The Facebook page of Philippine Embassy in Saudi Arabia just posted that Overseas Voting Registration is still ongoing in The Philippine Embassy in Riyadh and VFS Riyadh and Al Khobar branches. The Overseas Voting Registration started last May 29th, 2021 and expect to continue until further notice.

The Overseas Voting Registration is still ongoing in The Philippine Embassy in Riyadh and VFS Riyadh and Al Khobar branches.

For more information on the Overseas Voting Registration in The Philippine Embassy in Riyadh: https://rb.gy/pjqgr6

For more information on the Overseas Voting Registration in VFS Global Al Khobar Branch: https://rb.gy/vywy8q

To know more about the documentary requirements: https://rb.gy/b3jqma

Filipino Seafarers are now included in the priority list of National COVID-19 Vaccination Program

April 12, 2021

Good news to all Filipino Seafarers, since Department of Transportation (DOTr) announced that the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) approves the recommendation of the DOTr to include them in the priority list of the government’s national vaccination rollout.

“This is a very good development for our maritime industry champions— our seafarers. Now, our Filipino seafarers will be given priority to be vaccinated. Paulit-ulit ko pong inilalarawan ang ating maritime workforce bilang mga silent workers ng bayan. They work silently, yet their contribution is as crucial as keeping the economy thriving. Not only are they frontliners, but they are undoubtedly HEROES, too,” DOTr Secretary Arthur P. Tugade expressed.

There are currently 730,651 Filipino seafarers and all are for consideration in the A4 category. You can go here for more details on the groups of persons listed under A4 category.

Here’s the full text of Department of Transportation (DOTr) official statement;

FILIPINO SEAFARERS NOW INCLUDED IN PRIORITY LIST IN THE NAT’L COVID-19 VACCINATION PROGRAM

Filipino seafarers get a closer shot at getting vaccines against COVID-19 as the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) approves the recommendation of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to include them in the priority recipients listed in the government’s national vaccination rollout.

“This is a very good development for our maritime industry champions— our seafarers. Now, our Filipino seafarers will be given priority to be vaccinated. Paulit-ulit ko pong inilalarawan ang ating maritime workforce bilang mga silent workers ng bayan. They work silently, yet their contribution is as crucial as keeping the economy thriving. Not only are they frontliners, but they are undoubtedly HEROES, too,” DOTr Secretary Arthur P. Tugade expressed.

DOTr OIC Assistant Secretary for Maritime VADM Narciso Vingson Jr., who also chairs the Inter-Agency Working Group tasked to firm up the DOTr’s proposal on the priority vaccination of Filipino seafarers in recognition of the vital role they play amid the present global crisis, presented the proposal and justification in a meeting with the IATF.
“The working group is in the unified position to push for the prioritization of Filipino seafarers in the country’s COVID-19 vaccination program to secure their employment, and to ensure the safe shipping operations of essential goods amid the pandemic,” Asec. Vingson said.

Aside from DOTr, the working group is composed of officials from the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Philippine Overseas Employment Agency (POEA), Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ), and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) through its Maritime and Ocean Affairs Office (MOAO). It also represents the local Licensed Manning Agencies through the membership of the Association of Licensed Manning Agencies (ALMA), Joint Manning Group (JMG), Filipino Association for Mariner’s Employment (FAME), and the Philippine Association of Manning Agencies and Ship Managers (PAMAS).

From falling under B3 (Other essential workers) or B5 (Overseas Filipino Workers) in the Vaccination Priority Framework, the Inter-Agency Working Group has requested for the reclassification of Filipino seafarers to A4 (Frontline personnel in essential sectors, including uniformed personnel and those in working sectors identified by the IATF as essential during ECQ). This makes seafarers move at the top 4 priority groups to be vaccinated.
With the arrival of COVID-19 vaccines in the country, the IATF has adopted early this year the prioritization framework and criteria of the national immunization rollout to allocate the first tranches of vaccines given its limited global supply.

Furthermore, the prioritization of seafarers in the vaccination is based on the following grounds: Filipino seafarers are declared key workers globally and locally; Filipino seafarers are considered mobile, who, as part of their jobs, frequently enter various ports across the world; and shipping companies prefer their workforce to be vaccinated to ensure that their operations will remain smooth, unhampered, and somehow immune to the severe effects of COVID-19.

To further determine the specific population to be prioritized, the Working Group classified seafarers into two. Top priority will be given to active seafarers or those with recorded sea service within the last three (3) years, while new seafarers or those with last recorded sea service beyond 2018 shall be ranked second.
Per MARINA and POEA data, there are a total of 549,000 active seafarers registered in their system, wherein around 497,000 are those deployed overseas and 51,000 are serving locally. Meanwhile, a total of 181,000 seafarers are without updated sea service within the last three (3) years.

In summary, there are 730,651 Filipino seafarers who are for consideration in the A4 category.

DFA release advisory for non-OFW Filipinos and Foreign Nationals going to the Philippines.

February 2, 2021
DFA release advisory for non-OFW Filipinos and Foreign Nationals going to the Philippines.

Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) just release its latest advisory regarding non-OFW Filipinos and Foreign Nationals going to the Philippines.

The advisory basically list all the steps that the traveler needs to take and also what to expect when visiting or returning to the Philippines.

The post list down all the steps and fees that needs to be paid, and also things that you need to expect from the whole process; from registering to the electronic case investigation from (E-CIF), to the booking of your stay in Bureau of Quarantine (BoQ)-accredited quarantine hotel, to the total number of days it will take before you are cleared and the fees that you need to pay.

In total, everything goes well, the procedure will take at least 21 days and the traveller will spend an approximately PHP4,000.00.

I’ve embedded the whole advisory below.

You can also go here for more details.

300 OFW Went Home for the First Repatriation Flight for 2021

January 4, 2021

Looks like it will be a Happy New Year to more than 300 OFW, as they take the first repatriation flight of Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) for 2021.

The January 2021 repatriation flight are for the previously confirmed passenger for the December 23 2020 flight of DFA, which was cancelled after all internationals flights were suspended by the Saudi Governments.

The repatriation flight is the combined effort Philippine Embassy in Riyadh and Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO).

Source: Philippine Embassy in Saudi Arabia

OFW: POLO releases the first issue of POLO News

December 5, 2020

From the official facebook page of Philippine Embassy POLO Riyadh and Central Region Office, announce the first issue of POLO News, a print and digital newsletter that features the latest POLO Projects, programs and services to support the OFW in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

You can download the digital copy by going to https://qrgo.page.link/pRXM1 or by scanning the QR code below;

MESSAGE FROM LABATT Nasser S. Mustafa for the pioneer issue of POLONEWS.

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful; may peace and blessings be upon you all, and congratulations to the men and women behind this POLO Newsletter.

I join as you start this project of trying to make sure that our OFWs in particular and the Filipino community in general would be able to get abreast of the programs and services that we continue to do for them through this POLO Newsletter. As you embark on this task, may I wish that you will do it with dedication, professionalism and vigor because I am inspired to do the same to support you in the service of the OFWs, the Filipino community, our beloved country, and God, the Almighty.

Let this newsletter be one of our vehicles in serving, protecting, empowering, and educating our OFWs who are the modern day heroes. As such, let me assure you that we are here for you; we are here to help you; POLO and its staff are here to deliver the assistance and services you need with commitment, wholeheartedness and dedication.

Again, congratulations on the maiden issue of POLO Newsletter. Mabuhay!

Watch Disney’s Filipino-themed Christmas advert

November 9, 2020
Watch Disney’s Filipino-themed Christmas advert

We are proud to reveal Disney’s Xmas advert, a heart-warming story #FromOurFamilyToYours.

While times change and people grow, beloved family traditions make lifelong memories that cross generations and hold us together, especially over the festive period.
Lola and her granddaughter share a love of Disney and Christmas crafting, but over time their yearly ritual of making star lanterns begins to fade away. Looking back into Lola’s past and seeing her grandmother’s much-loved Mickey Mouse inspires her granddaughter to create a festive surprise that lights up her Christmas morning and renews their special bond. We hope you enjoy this special Christmas video, From Our Family To Yours.

PhilHealth premiums for OFW is only voluntary for the duration of the pandemic

June 11, 2020
PhilHealth premiums for OFW is only voluntary for the duration of the pandemic
FB page

Even though it was reported that President Duterte directs PhilHealth to make the payment of premiums voluntary for OFWs, it appears that this only true during the COVID-19 pandemic but R.A. 11223 a.k.a. Universal Health Care Act of 2019 will still be enforced once the country is in the clear.

PhilHealth did reiterates that the Universal Health Care Act of 2019 is “pending amendments of the Law, if any, by the Congress of the Republic of the Philippines.” So until the UHC Law is amended, PhilHealth will still enforced it.

PhilHealth made the announcement of PhilHealth Advisory No. 2020-037 on their official FB page

President Duterte directs PhilHealth to make the payment of premiums voluntary for OFWs via ABS-CBN News

May 4, 2020
President Duterte directs PhilHealth to make the payment of premiums voluntary for OFWs via ABS-CBN News

This is great news for OFWs.

Saudi Arabia extends curfew to 3:00 PM

March 26, 2020

Three days after imposing a curfew, Saudi government announced that the curfew will now extend to 3:00 Pm in the afternoon from the previous time of 7:00 PM.

The new curfew time took effect today, March 26, 2020, as the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases reached 1,012. There were also reports that a curfew violators have been apprehended in the Eastern region of the country.

The new curfew time will not affect the previously reported exemption like “employees of the security, military and media sectors, and workers in the sensitive health and service sectors.”

Source: Arab News

Philippine Embassy Advisory on the Imposition of Curfew in KSA

March 24, 2020

With the recent announcement of the nation-wide curfew, the Philippine Embassy in Saudi Arabia also released an advisory for the OFW in the country.

The advisory provided additional information on the imposed curfew and encourages OFW in the Kingdom to stay at home to prevent the further spreading of COVID-19.

The Philippine Embassy in Riyadh also deleted the advisory that they released yesterday regarding “the new rule from Saudi Government that all shops except supermarket and medical store will only be open from 6 am to 8 pm.”

Here’s their official statement;

Saudi Government enforces curfew to slowdown the spreading of COVID-19

March 24, 2020

In an effort to slowdown the spread of the highly contagious novel coronavirus or COVID-19, the Saudi Arabian government has mpose a kingdom-wide curfew for 21 days, which started today, Monday, March 23, 2020.

The curfew will be for the “health and safety of citizens and expatriates” within the Kingdom. Exempted from the curfew “are the employees of the security, military and media sectors, and workers in the sensitive health and service sectors.” The Saudi government released a separate announcement providing additional information on the “Curfews’ Exceptions.” you read the full text of the announcement here.

The Saudi Government is also urging everyone to stay at home during the curfew period and not to leave unless it is extremely necessary.

The curfew was impose a day after the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia reported that there have been more than 500 confirmed cases of COVID-19.

Source: SPA
Image By lawepw via flickr

Philippine Embassy’s response on the news regarding the new rule from Saudi Government

March 23, 2020
Philippine Embassy’s response on the news regarding the new rule from Saudi Government

Philippine Embassy in Riyadh just release a statement regarding “the new rule from Saudi Government that all shops except supermarket and medical store will only be open from 6 am to 8 pm.”, which is circulating in different social media platform and being shared to OFW within the Kingdom.

Here’s their official statement;

This is fake news and if ever someone sent this to you, just inform them and stop spreading the news.

Arab News: Saudi Arabia now have 511 Confirmed Cases of COVID-19

March 23, 2020

There are now 511 confirmed coronavirus (COVID-19) in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

In a report by Arab News, “Saudi Health Ministry spokesman Mohammed Abdelali said that 72 of the newly diagnosed people were Turkish nationals under quarantine in the holy city of Makkah after interacting with an infected compatriot.”

You can go to Arab News to read the full report.

Temporary suspension of regular consular services at the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh

March 20, 2020
Temporary suspension of regular consular services at the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh

Philippine Embassy in Riyadh is temporarily suspending all their regular consular services in view of the measures to limit the spread of the Coronavirus Disease (COVID 19). Exempted from the suspension are emergencies like issuance of travel documents in case of death, medical emergencies and release of passports.

You can read the full announcement below;

Philippines now included in Saudi Arabia Travel Restriction

March 12, 2020

If you are coming from the Philippines, you won’t be able enter Saudi Arabia, since the Kingdom just included Philippines in their travel restriction list.

You are exempted from the travel ban if you are a health workers in as long as you take the necessary precautions and cleared enter the country.

Here are the list of countries as reported by Arab News;

Region

1. Bahrain
2. Egypt
3. Iraq
4. Kuwait
5. Lebanon
6. Oman
Syria
7. Turkey
8. UAE
ASIA

1. China
2. India
3. Pakistan
4. Philippines
5. South Korea
6. Sri Lanka

AFRICA

1. Djibouti
2. Eritrea
3. Ethiopia
4. Kenya
5. Somalia
6. South Sudan
7. Sudan

EUROPE

1. Austria
2. Belgium
3. Bulgaria
4. Croatia
5. Cyprus
6. Czech Republic
7. Denmark
8. Estonia
9. Finland
10. France
11. Germany
12. Greece
13. Hungary
14. Ireland
15. Italy
16. Latvia
17. Lithuania
18. Luxembourg
19. Malta
20. Netherlands
21. Poland
22. Portugal
23. Romania
24. Slovakia
25. Slovenia
26. Spain
27. Sweden
28. Switzerland (non-EU member)

Behind the scene footage of Mr. and Ms. Philippines – Saudi Arabia 2018 Photoshoot

July 23, 2018

From Datu Chris Dee;

These were behind the scene footages during the official photoshoot for Mr. and Ms. Philippines – Saudi Arabia 2018, with the Theme: Fiesta Filipinas – Kultura, Tradisyon, at Kasuotang Filipino. The Pre-Pageant is on August 31 and Final Coronation will be held on September 7.

For ticket reservation, kindly contact:
Rian Miranda
Emmanuel Natividad
Leslie Ann Fiestan

Pre-Pageant Ticket Rate: SR 75 (Limited to 100 seats only, First come, first serve.)

Grand Coronation Night:
Premier Seat (next to VIPs) – SR 200
Middle Row – SR 150
Balcony Level 1 – SR 120
Balcony Level 2 – SR 100
General Admission – SR 75

For Further details please contact:
Art Basilio Capulong, Overall Event Director (0540584333)

These will be the new price of fuel in Saudi Arabia

January 1, 2018

It’s the first day of 2018 and it will the first day that the new price of fuel in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will take effect.

As of today, the Octane 91 fuel which originally cost 75 halalas per liter will now be available at SR1.37 per liter, more than 82% increase, while the 95 octane which cost 90 halalas per liter will now cost SR2.04 per liter, which is more than doubled its original price. The new prices already include Value Added Tax (VAT).

Diesel for industries and utilities will cost SR0.378 and the price of diesel for transport remains unchanged at SR0.47. Kerosene price also remains unaffected at SR0.64. The prices already include Value Added Tax (VAT).

Source: Saudi Gazatte