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Politics

INCLUDE FAMILIES OF OFWS IN GOV’T COVID-19 AID PACKAGE — ACTS-OFW

As the world is severely hit by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, many Filipinos abroad, and their families in the Philippines are also suffering from the adverse socio-economic impact brought by the coronavirus disease. According to ACTS-OFW Partylist Chairman John Bertiz, the government should reconsider the inclusion of families of OFWs in its list of […]

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Politics

HOUSE APPROVES CREATION OF OFW DEPARTMENT – SPEAKER CAYETANO

The House of Representatives has approved on third and final reading a bill creating the Department of Filipinos Overseas and Foreign Employment (DFO). With 173 affirmative votes, 11 negative votes, and no abstention, the chamber passed House Bill 5832, which seeks to create a new department that shall be the primary agency tasked to protect […]

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Politics

NO NEED TO RUSH LIFTING OF DEPLOYMENT BAN TO KUWAIT — ACTS OFW

ACTS-OFW, a coalition of migrant workers organizations on Monday slammed the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) for the “urgent lifting” of the ban on the deployment of Filipino domestic helpers to Kuwait, stressing that there was no need to rush anything, yet it was still done in a hurry.“Blood will be on the hands of […]

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Politics

TAIWAN TRAVEL BAN LIFTING TO BENEFIT OFWS — ABANTE

Minority Leader Rep. Benny Abante Jr. on Saturday welcomed the government’s decision to remove Taiwan from the list of areas covered by the country’s travel ban, saying the move would benefit the 120,000 overseas Filipino workers in Taiwan and help lessen the impact of the COVID-19 coronavirus on the economy. “This is good news for […]

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Politics

GORDON TO LONE PH FACE MASK MANUFACTURER: ADD MORE MACHINES TO MEET DEMAND

Amid the outbreak of the novel coronavirus or 2019-nCOV which has triggered an increased demand for face masks, Senator Dick Gordon called on the country’s lone manufacturer of medical masks to ensure that they are able to meet the high demand. Gordon said MedTecs Group, which produces masks and other personal protective equipment and medical […]

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Politics

GATCHALIAN TO DFA: BE READY TO EVACUATE OFWs IN WUHAN

The rapid spread of the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) should prompt the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to have systems in place for the evacuation of Filipinos in Wuhan, China, Senator Win Gatchalian said. It is important, Gatchalian noted, that these Filipinos should be located ahead of a possible evacuation, adding that the DFA should constantly monitor […]

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Government

FILIPINOS MUST HEED MANDATORY REPATRIATION ORDER – NOGRALES

Faced with imminent danger amid tensions between the United States and Iran, Filipinos must heed the Philippine government’s order for mandatory repatriation, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said. “I suppose may mga mixed reactions diyan (there have been mixed reactions from Filipinos in Iraq). But at the end of the day, ‘pag sinabi nating (when we say) mandatory repatriation, no ifs and […]

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Politics

HELP RETURNING OFWS FROM MIDDLE EAST BECOME ‘ENTREPINOYS’ – GATCHALIAN

Amid tensions in the Middle East, Senator Win Gatchalian is urging the government to help turn displaced and returning Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) into local “entrepinoys” by extending them entrepreneurial programs. Latest data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) show there are around 1.26 million Filipinos who are in the Middle East and may be […]

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Politics

SENATE READY TO HEED DUTERTE’S REQUEST FOR SPECIAL SESSION – ZUBIRI

The Senate is ready to heed President Rodrigo Duterte’s request for Congress to convene a special session amid the escalating tensions in the Middle East, Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri said. “If ever the President will request for a special session for the need to pass a supplemental budget to help repatriate our kababayans (countrymen) from […]

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Government

DUTERTE ORDERS CIMATU TO MEET WITH MIDDLE EAST OFFICIALS – PANELO

President Rodrigo Duterte has ordered Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu, a former special envoy to the Middle East, to meet with officials of the Gulf states and discuss the Philippines’ plan to evacuate Filipino migrant workers there, Malacañang said. The Chief Executive issued the directive during the 45th Cabinet meeting recently held at Malacañan Palace, said […]