e-BULLETIN :: UMANGAT Migrante

Rome OFWs - THUMBS DOWN TO HB 3576

11/04/2014 07:46

Posted by Pahayag ng Migrante

Rome, Italy 10.04.2014

(Photo: Belarmino Dabalos Saguingh)

HB 3576, a bill filed in the House of Representatives requiring overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) to send money back to their family or dependents in the Philippines or else their passport will not be is a resurrected Marcos law.

It is stupid, unnecessary and obviously just another money-making scheme and the OFWs of Rome Italy is vehemently opposing its passage.

Section 1 of HB 3576 states that OFWs ”are required to remit regularly a portion of their foreign exchange earnings to their family or legal dependent recipient in the Philippines.”

The bill also states that “Ambassadors, Consul Generals, Chiefs of Mission, or Charge d’ Affaires are authorized to withhold the renewal or approval of the passport of an erring OFW unless proof of compliance of the remittance requirement of his financial support is submitted,”

The bill is a clear thrtowback of Marcos’ draconian EO 857 “forced remittance law” that “drove OFWs in deeper debt.

It a slap in the face of OFWs around the world who are already knee-deep in debt and barely coping with the global economic crisis, by a representative who doubtlessly ignorant of the OFW situation.

EO 857, which was enacted December 13, 1982, required seamen, contractors, doctors, engineers, and other professional workers, to remit 70 percent of their basic salary while domestic and other service workers should remit 50 percent.

Section 4 of EO 857 states that “the Ministry of Labor and Employment shall not approve the renewal of employment contracts and agency or service agreements unless proof of remittance of foreign exchange earnings is submitted.

Punishment also includes the non-renewal of the OFWs passport and suspension or exclusion from the list of eligible workers for overseas employment.

We strongly refuse to accept this resurrection of a law that we have already junked many years ago.

OFWs remitted more than $21.4 billion in 2012, according to the records of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas. The figure has steadily risen from $20.1 billion in 2011 and $18.7 billion in 2010. This bill appears to be designed with the assurance that the remittances will be flowing into the coffers regularly, which make the bill an unnecessary burden for the migrant wotker who left the country precisely to enable them to have a chance to give their family a decent human life which is not possible to attain since the government has neglected to create jobs in the country that is driving more and more workers to flee the country in search of a better alternative.

Meantime, an e-petition opposing the said bill is circulating among OFWs worldwide.

OFWs signing petition vs. HB 3576 in, Italy 06042014 (Photo: Pahayag ng Migrante)

This bill is not favourable to all OFWs and we will make sure that it does not get approved,

Nationalism and People’s Empowerment

22/03/2014 22:28

Posted by
Pahayag ng Migrante
21032014

About a week ago, I read in a post on facebook about nationalism being the cure for corruption.

But it, too has its shortcoming. Nationalism as the ideology of governance point to the overwhelming subjective force of reactionary politicians under the patronage system as the cornerstone of our malformed state culture that we inherited from colonial politics of our conquerors that provided a fertile soil for pervasive corruption to thrive. There are some doubt if the nationalism of our “nationalist” politicians, if any of them has the chance to become Chief Executive, could empower the people to pursue societal change as a sustainable program to shoulder their own social reform agenda.

If in case any of them would have become president, It would be doubtful if he could outwit and outlive the politically dominant reactionary politicians. And above all, could US imperialism be benign enough as to allow him to proceed thorough agrarian reform and nationalist industrialization. The president’s position in power would have been very tenuous and shaky. Only the support of a highly politicized and empowered masses of the population could provide the impetus for a successful social transformation. In any undertaking for societal reconstruction, it will always be the organized and empowered masses who will constitute the motive forces.

But have no misconceptions! The reactionary politicians have always been mouthing empty rhetorics on people empowerment. They introduce projects such as hog-raising or scholarship programs and call them programs of people empowerment that ensued from the absurdity of the reactionary politicians’ logic of deception and cajolery. of genuine people’s empowerment does not consist in one or two—or at most, a few—individuals having been raised into a well-to-do standing in the community. This only engenders selfish individualism which is anathema to Nationalism.

There can only be genuine people empowerment when the people consciously engage in participatory and/or collective endeavor as an integral part of the over-all long-term goal of emancipating the entire nation from the scourges of poverty and underdevelopment. .The nationalist standpoint should always be the basis of the banner call in crystallizing the concerns and issues necessitating collective actions.

Read more: https://pahayag.blogspot.ro/2014/03/nationalism-and-peoples-empowerment.html

HB3576; WHAT IT IS ALL ABOUT

15/03/2014 21:49

Pahayag ng Migrante

Rome, Italy 13/03/2014

House Bill 3576 also known as forced remittance bill and mandating all embassies to enforce the obligatory remittance is all about raising funds for the government and makes one feel nothing but contempt for its proponents. House Bill 3576 authored by former ambassador Roy Señeres from the party-list group OFW Family Club seeks to penalize overseas Filipino workers (OFW) who fail to remit money through formal banking channels to the Philippines, as if it is a magnanimous gesture for our family.

For this reason, Ofws around thew world immediately raised their voices and fists in protest against this utterly absurd bill with reactions ranging from outright indignation to sarcastic ones like inquiring Señeres’ account number so they can remit to him directly.

The unpopular bill that is rightly considered by Ofws as another burden for Filipino migrants. : labour export is a multibillion dollar industry for the Philippine government. OFW remittance comprised 10% of the country’s GDP in 2012 and by the first half of 2013, already registered a 5.8 percent increase as compared to the level of the same period in 2012. Remittance is the crux to the neoliberal globalization model of migration for development and HB3576, advertently or inadvertently, trails along such line that treats overseas workers as commodities and mere dollar-earners.

To migrant workers, the bill is an attempt to revive the draconian EO857 of the Marcos regime in 1982 with similar provisions. Opposition to EO857 was like a wildfire that mobilized thousands of OFWs around the world and in Hong Kong, it triggered the formation of the United Filipinos Against Forced Remittance or UNFARE later renamed United Filipinos in Hongkong (UNIFIL-HK) and spread to other countries and later bonded together to form the alliance Mingrante International.

For someone that claims to champion OFW rights and wellbeing, Señeres is way off touch with the real condition and sentiments of Filipinos abroad.

Let OFWs face it squarely, from Facebook to the streets, with a collective strength that will be a present-day horror for the author and this BS government.

HB 3576? It is all about collecting money from the Ofws.

HOUSE BILL NO. 3576 BY OFW FAMILY PARTYLIST REPRESENTATIVE ROY SENERES

Principal Author: SEÑERES, ROY V.

Main Referral: OVERSEAS WORKERS AFFAIRS

Status: Pending with the Committee on OVERSEAS WORKERS AFFAIRS since 2013-12-16

AN ACT AUTHORIZING AMBASSADORS, CONSUL GENERALS, CHIEFS OF MISSIONS OR CHARGE D’ AFFAIRS TO ORDER AND DIRECT AN OVERSEAS FILIPINO WORKER (OFW) TO SEND SUPPORT TO HIS OR HER LEGAL DEPENDENTS AS REQUIRED BY EXISTING LAWS

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Remittance of Foreign Exchange Earnings. – Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), whether sea-based or land-based are required to remit regularly a portion of their foreign exchange earnings to their family or legal dependent recipient in the Philippines through the Philippine banking system or any authorized credit unions, money transfer operators or through the postal mail. Private employment agencies and other entities authorized by the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) to recruit Filipino workers for overseas employment are similarly required to assist OFWs in the remittance of their foreign exchange earnings as provided for in this Act.

SEC. 2. Obligations and Duties of Overseas Filipino Workers. – It shall be the obligation and duty of every OFW to continue to observe and respect the laws, customs, traditions and practices of the Philippines wherever they may be. It shall also be the obligation and duty of every OFW to provide material or financial and moral support to one’s family or dependent in the Philippines during the period of overseas employment.

SEC. 3. Designated Recipient of Support. –The designated recipient of support of the OFW shall be one of those entitled to support from the OFW under existing laws. The designation of a recipient or dependent shall be in accordance with the enumeration in Article 195 of Executive Order No. 209, otherwise known as the “Family Code of the Philippines” which pertains to those who are obliged to support each other.

SEC. 4. Proof of Remittance. – For purposes of this Act, proof of compliance with the mandatory remittance requirement as mentioned in Section 1 hereof, may consist of any of the following documents showing that the OFW had in fact effected the aforesaid remittance to his or her designated recipient or dependent:
a) Confirmed bank (foreign) remittance receipt;
b) Receipt of International Postal Money Order;
c) A Sworn Statement from the dependent that said support has already been satisfied and/or settled;

SEC. 5. Ambassadors, Consul Generals, Chiefs of Mission or Charge d’ Affairs Authorized to Withhold Renewal or Approval of Passport. – Passports issued to OFWs may be renewed by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) upon submission of the usual requirements and presentation of documentary proof of compliance to the remittance requirement provided for in this Act. Upon receipt of a duly notarized Complaint for Support from any OFW dependent, which sworn statement duly authenticated by the Mayor or Governor of the dependent’s place of residence, Ambassadors, Consul Generals, Chiefs of Mission or Charge d’ Affairs are authorized to withhold the renewal or approval of the passport of an erring OFW unless proof of compliance of the remittance requirement of his financial support is submitted.

SEC. 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – Within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this Act, the Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) in consultation with the Secretary of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), the Administrator of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), the Administrator of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act.

SEC. 7. Non-impairment Clause. – Nothing in this Act shall be construed to diminish, impair or repeal the rights granted to OFWs under existing laws, rules and regulations.

SEC. 8. Separability Clause. – If any provision or part of this Act is declared unconstitutional or invalid, the remaining parts or provisions not affected shall remain in full force and effect.

SEC. 9. Repealing Clause. – All laws, decrees, ordinances, rules and regulations and other issuances or parts thereof, which are inconsistent with this Act, are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 10. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) national newspapers of general circulation.

A new Bureau of Immigration guideline to filter Filipinos travelling abroad

15/03/2014 21:33

Pahayag ng Migrante 1403/2014

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) chief Siegfred Mison on Friday issued strict guidelines designed to deter the exodus of undocumented Overseas Foreign Workers (OFWs) by making the said blanket requirement for all who travel as tourists. From now on, no tourist will be allowed to leave the country unless he can show proof of financial capability to travel, proof of work and financial support from benefactors.

Mison appealed to Filipino travelers for understanding as they would be inconvenienced by the new procedure aimed at protecting Filipinos from being victims of human traffickers.

Presently, more than 40 suspected illegal workers disguised as tourists are offloaded daily at the Ninoy Aquino Internal Airport (NAIA).

He said the bureau adopted the policy to fight the nefarious activities of human trafficking syndicates.

Behind the seemingly anti trafficking aims claimed, this new directive surely will affect real tourists and Filipino pensioners with permanent residency status abroad. This may be another ploy by the Philippine government to ensure that more remittances will be collected.

No, BI Chief Mison! our patience is running thinner and thinner by now. It is you who should understand the people.

Source: https://www.mb.com.ph/bi-requires-all-tourists-proof-of-financial-capability-to-travel/

PHILHEALTH PREMIUM INCREASE BINATIKOS NG MIGRANTE

15/03/2014 20:44

Pahayag ng Migrante

Migrant issues

Sa pananaw ng pandaigdigang alyansa ng mga Pilipino sa ibayong dagat at ng kanilang mga pamilya, ang 100% na itinaas ng Philhealth premium ay “panibagong anyo ng pangingikil ng estado” sa mga OFW.

Inilabas kamakailan ng Philippine Health Insurance Corporation o Philhealth board ang kautusan na naggagawad ng 100% na papapataas sa premium fee ng National Health Insurance Program (NHIP). Nagkabisa ang kautusan nitong Enero 2014 na apektado ang lahat ng myembro at enrollees kasama na ang OFWs.

Una dito, ipinasya ng Philhealth na ipasunod ang pagpapataas ng premium fee mula sa P900 - P1,200 na lumalabag sa sarili nilang Circ. No. 0087 ng 2012 na nagpapaantala sa implementasyon ng premium fee bilang konsiderasyon ng kahilingan ng civil society at mga NGO na huwag munang itaas ang nasabing premiun dahil sa kasalukuyang krisis na naging dahilan ng pagpapauwi sa maraming OFWs.

Ayon kay Garry Martinez, chairperson ng Migrante International na ang pagpapataas ng premium fee ng naunang pagtaas buhat sa P900 sa P1200 at ang kasalukuyang P1,200 sa P2,400 ay walang legal na batayan.

Maging ang POEA ay hindi rin naglabas ng anumang circular na nagpapahintulot sa mga ahensya ng rekruter na mangulekta ng karagdagang premium na P1500. Sa katunayan, ang mga ahensya ay pinapahintulutan na maningil ng P900 at ito ay hindi pa binabago ng POEA ayon kay Martinez.

Samakatuwid, ayon kay Martinez, ang mga pagtataas ng premium fee ng Philhealth ay walang legal na batayan. May karapatan ang mga OFWs na tumangging magbayad ng P2400 na iginigiit ng mga agency at ang pwede nilang bayaran lamang ay ang orihinal na premium na P900.

Labis na ikinagagalit ng alyansang Migrante ang mga ILIGAL na paniningil ng halagang P2400 sa mga OFW sapagkat malinaw na ito ay pangingikil na ipinapataw sa mga manggagawang migrante na walang katampatang konsultasyon sa sektor ng mga migrante at iba pang sangkot na sector, dagdag pa ni Martinez.

Sinusuportahan ng Migrante International ang natatalagang imbestigasyon ng Kongreso sa pagtataas ng premium fee at magsusulong ng legal na pagkilos ang alyansa laban sa pagpapatupad ng Philhealth sa paniningil ng dagdag sa premium fee na walang legal na batayan. Pinasinungalingan ni Martinez ang sinasabi ng Philhealth na ang pagtaas ng premium fee ay upang maipatupad ang adhikain ng universal health care sapagkat ito ay dapat libre. Ang labis na paniningil ng Phjilhealth ay tanda ng kasibaan sa tubo ng pamahalaan at hindi upang mapahusay ang paglilingkod sa mga mamamayan. Sa ngayon ay masusing pinag-aralan ng alyansa ang hakbang ng Philhealth na isang tahasang paglabag sa RA 8042 na sinususugan ng RA 1022 na nagbabawal sa anumang papapataas ng mga singilin ng pamahalaan sa mga serbisyo para sa mga OFW at kanilang mga dependente.

Ang tsapter ng Migrante International sa Hong Kong ay naglunsad na ng protesta laban sa Philhealth, at inaasahan ang gayunding pagkilos ng mga tsapter at kaalyadong grupo sa iba’t ibang panig ng mundo ayon sa lider ng mga migrante.

Read more: https://pahayag.blogspot.it/2014/03/philhealth-premium-increase-binatikos.html

Pahayag ng Migrante 2014

05/03/2014 15:44

Taong 2013 muli na namang nagpagkita nang isang masigasig na pagkilos ang hanay ng migrante sa pamumuno ng Ugnayang Manggagawang Migrante Tungo sa Pag-uunlad (UMANGAT) sa Roma at sa buong mundo bilang pakikiisa sa milyon-milyong migranteng Pilipino pinagkaitan ng kanilang karapatang makapagtrabaho sa sariling bayan. Humigit kumulang sa 2 milyong Filipino ang sapilitang lumuwas sa Pilipinas upang nakipag-sapalaran sa ibang bansa dahil sa pagtindi ng krisis sa ekonomiya sa Pilipinas .... (PAHAYAG MARSO 2014.pdf (2,4 MB - Klik at i-DOWNLOAD )

Pahayag ng MIGRANTE Mayo 2013

04/06/2013 16:41

Bago pa nagsimula ang Overseas Absentee Voting (OAV), kapansin-pansin ang kawalang gana ng mga kababayang migrante na bumoto. Nahimok man nila ang kanilang mga pamilya sa loob at labas ng bansa, lantad pa rin ang pagkadismaya at kawalan ng tiwala ng mga filipino sa halalan. Ngunit ang militanteng hanay ng mga migrante di-nawalan ng pag-asa, mataas ang moral at masugid ang pagpapaliwanag sa mga kapwa migrante gamit ang malikhaing pamamaraan. Sigaw nila - Iboto ang ating hanay, MIGRANTE partylist, iboto si Teddy Casino para sa Senado at iba pang mga partylist na may tunay na layunin na ipagtatanggol ang kapakanan ng mga migrante.

Click image to view the file.

Kinse na ang UMANGAT

19/04/2013 23:07

Matagumpay na nai-daos noong naka-raang Marso 24, 2013 ang ika-15 taong anibersaryo ng Ugnayan ng mga Manggagawang Migrante Tun-go sa Pag-unlad (UMANGAT-MIGRANTE) at ika-14 na taong anibersaryo ng Ugnayan sa Himpa-pawid Radio Program, na ginanap sa lokale ng Gran Madre di Dio Fili-pino Community sa Ponte Melvio, Rome, Italy.

marso 2013.pdf (2,2 MB)

PANIBAGONG PROTESTA NG MIGRANTE SA ITALIA

08/12/2010 07:08

Panibagong problema na naman ang kinakaharap nating migranteng Pilipi-no dito sa Roma, Bolzano, Trento, Aosta, Palermo at Cagliari ang bagong CIRCOLARE 29 (Registrazione del nome dei cittadini della Reppublica Filippine) ng Ministero dell’Interno ng Italya na nag-uutos sa pagtanggal ng MIDDLE NAME sa ating mga dokumento, sa kahilingan ng Embahada ng Pilipinas [Al fine di evitare che il nome di mezzo venga confuse con second nome pro-prio, l’Ambasciata ha chiesto alle autorita italiane di ometterne l’indicazione di.Cf.p. 2 ,par 3]

click here to read more ...nov2010[1].pdf (1,6 MB)

3rd International Assembly of Migrants & Refugees

22/11/2010 14:47

Highlights of the IAMR

The five-day International Assembly (IAMR) shall hold a conference workshops, exhibits and an international cultural solidarity night in Mexico City, a peoples caravan against the GFMD from Mexico City to Guadalajara, and a mobilization on the opening day of the Global Forum on Migration and Development (GFMD) in Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco.

[Click oct2010.pdf to continue reading]

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