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Posts tagged as “OFW”

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

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

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

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

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

This is great news for OFWs.

Saudi Arabia extends curfew to 3:00 PM

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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