Several stories about OFW's compiled by the OFW Journalism Consortium
November 10, 2011 in News Flash
From a
report of Philippines News Agency
KALIBO-A petition to ask the city government of Vancouver, Canada to create a "Pinoy Town" in the city gained ground from the Filipino-Canadians in the area.
Jojo Quimpo of Altavas, Aklan based in Vancouver, Canada said that those who still want to sign the petition could sign in at all the major Pinoy stores in Vancouver.
The proposed "Pinoy Town" is located at the part of Fraser Street between Kingsway and 33rd Avenue of Vancouver. Already, the area is considered "Little Manila" as most of the firms there are occupied by Filipino-Canadians.
"This petition is not meant to single out one ethic community and to claim exclusive use of the area. What we are only asking is an official designation of a place where we can embrace and celebrate with pride our history, culture and heritage. As the second largest minority group here in Vancouver, this designation will be a form of recognition to our community's contribution to the multicultural fabric of our City and will in fact add to the multicultural vibrancy of the City," he said.
The Filipino-Canadian group is confident that the city government will hear its petition after it recently declared nearby a "Little Saigon" area for the community of Vietnamese. (PNA)
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November 9, 2011 in News Flash
MANILA-An overseas Filipino worker (OFW) in Saudi Arabia committed suicide for still an unknown motive according to a Filipino migrants' rights group Migrante.
The Riyadh-based Migrante affiliate organization, the Samahan ng Migranteng Mangagawang Nagkaka-isa sa Batha at Al-Sinaya Gadeem (SAMAKABA) chairperson Joseph Valenzuela reported the said incident that happened on November 1.
Migrante did not name the 22-year old OFW who committed suicide while in his room.
"As per the victim's co-worker, the OFW was seen kneeling while his neck is hanged with a shoe lace tied on his room's door knob at around 2 pm of November 1 as they are preparing to report for work for the afternoon shift," Valenzuela quoting the victim's co-worker.
The victim works as a mechanic for a car shop in Gadeem Sinaya (Old Industrial area), near Batha in Saudi's capital Riyadh.
He arrived in Saudi Arabia to work along with his father sometime on 2009.
"According to his father, who has been in Riyadh for eight years whom I talked the other day, the OFW is silent type guy who seldom talked even to him and that he does not know any motive or reason why his son committed suicide," Valenzuela added.
According to Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator John Leonard Monterona the case is the first that his group has documented in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Monterona calls on the Philippine embassy to ask the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to reconsider deploying additional social workers to attend on the emotional and mental counseling of distressed OFWs.
"OFWs committing suicide underscore the need of deploying more social workers and counselors in most stressful OFWs destination like Saudi Arabia and other countries in the middle-east with large concentration of OFWs," Monterona said.
November 8, 2011 in News Flash
MANILA-President Aquino is set to lobby for the implementation of the rights of migrants workers during the Association of Southeast Asian Nation Summit in Bali next week.
In a statement, the Philippines will push for the need to finalize a binding instrument for the implementation of the Declaration on the Protection and Promotion of Rights as soon as possible.
The said instrument is important for the country as there are about 700,000 Filipino migrant workers in Southeast Asia.
President Aquino will meet with his ASEAN counterparts, as well as the leaders of Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, Russia and the United States, and United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon, when he attends the 19th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits on November 17 to 19.
The President will also promote several advocacies as part of the Philippines' contribution to building an ASEAN Community
The Philippines will also push for measures to combat human trafficking such as the adoption of the ASEAN Convention on Trafficking in Persons.
The other advocacies that the Philippines will advocate include:
Education. The Philippines supports the ASEAN implementation of the five-year work plan on education, which organizes the objectives and strategic priorities of ASEAN on education aimed at enabling individual ASEAN member states' education sector to offer progressive, systemic and organizational capacities, practices and programmes that support and promote ASEAN's education access and quality as well as the region's competitiveness in the global market. The program has been approved and endorsed for implementation during the ASEAN Education Ministers Meeting in Brunei Darussalam in January 2011.
Maritime Security. The Philippines welcomes the finalization of the Guidelines on the Implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea or the West Philippine Sea and underscores the importance of a peaceful resolution of the disputes in the West Philippine Sea/South China Sea. President Aquino at the 18th ASEAN Summit also offered a framework to transform the West Philippine Sea to a Zone of Peace, Freedom, Friendship and Cooperation (ZoPFF/C) with respect for international law, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and the DOC. The Philippines believes ZoPFF/C is the next step after the Guidelines and contributes to efforts in achieving peace and prosperity in the region.
Non-Proliferation. The Philippines values the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone (SEANWFZ) as our region's contribution towards a world free from nuclear weapons. The Philippines is committed to continue to work towards an ASEAN consensus to resolve our differences particularly on the outstanding issues in the SEANWFZ Treaty and find ways for Nuclear Weapon States (NWS) to accede to the Protocol of the SEANWFZ Treaty. The Philippines further emphasizes the importance of implementing the three pillars of Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) namely, nuclear disarmament, nuclear non-proliferation and peaceful uses of nuclear energy.
Food Security. Being a region that has to deal regularly with natural calamities, there is a need to ensure that mechanisms are in place in order to guarantee continuous food supply in ASEAN. The Philippines is pleased with the signing of the ASEAN Plus Three Emergency Rice Reserve (APTERR) Agreement at the 11th Meeting of the ASEAN Agriculture and Forestry Ministers and the Ministers of Agriculture of China, Japan and Republic of Korea (AMAF Plus Three) held on October 7, 2011 in Jakarta, Indonesia. The APTERR is a facility that the Philippines can tap especially in times of distress.
Disaster Management. As part of the collective efforts at the formation of an ASEAN Community, the Philippines actively pursues undertaking ASEAN initiatives in building "disaster-resilient nations and safer communities" in the ASEAN region. The Philippines looks forward to the signing of the Agreement on the Establishment of the ASEAN Coordinating Center for Humanitarian Assistance on Disaster Management (AHA Center) at the 19th ASEAN Summit this November in Bali.
Connectivity. The Philippines strongly advocates the creation of a nautical highway through the Roll-on/ Roll-off (RO-RO) concept in addition to road connectivity to complete the missing links in the region. The Philippines looks forward to working with ASEAN's dialogue partners on connectivity initiatives, especially on the feasibility study on the ASEAN Roll-On/Roll-Off (RO-RO) Network and Short-Sea Shipping, a Philippine initiative included in the 15 flagship programs in the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity.
Biodiversity. The Philippines underlines the importance of ASEAN Member States to ratify the ASEAN Center for Biodiversity (ACB) Establishment Agreement to provide the ACB with full capacity to lead the region in its biodiversity efforts. The region is home to the highest marine life on earth with 25% known coral species and 3,000 species of fish.
Drug Trafficking. The Philippines is committed to the vision of a drug-free ASEAN through the successful and effective control of illicit drug activities, and enhanced coordination on anti-drug efforts among ASEAN Member States.
Human Rights. The Philippines remains steadfast in its commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights in ASEAN through the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR).
November 8, 2011 in News Flash
MANILA-An overseas Filipino worker (OFW) was reported missing in Saudi Arabia, organization migrant workers in Saudi Arabia said.
According to John Leonard Monterona, Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator, a male OFW was allegedly abducted by two persons in Malaz district, Riyadh on October 31.
Monterona said that the OFW's co-worker sought for Migrante's assistance for the alleged abduction. Migrante declined to name the victim.
"Receiving reports on missing OFWs is quite alarming especially if we are getting report of the incident every month," Monterona said.
According to Monterona, on the evening of October 31, the OFW's co-worker received a message on his mobile phone stating that he was "grabbed by two locals with deadly weapons" and that he was a "kidnap victim"
"He doesn't know where exactly he is, thus he asked for assistance," Monterona said, referring to the kidnapped OFW.
"The OFW's company human resources manager had already informed and dispatched a staff to coordinate with the Philippine embassy about the incident but was told that it will attend after Eid holidays," Monterona said.
According to Migrante, the group is receiving at least one incident of missing OFW per month.
Early this year, the group received two separate incidents of abduction involving OFWs nurses in Riyadh, while in Dubai, there were six OFWs allegedly abducted by their employer's staff asking for an amount in exchange of their release.
"In such cases, the Philippine embassy must have a quick reaction team to be dispatched immediately to attend any reported incidents of missing OFWs even during non-working days to locate their whereabouts," Monterona said.
November 6, 2011 in News Flash
Vanishing Filipino Americans: The Bridge Generation
By Peter Jamero
Book launching and Talk
Saturday, November 19, 2011
2:30pm - 4:30pm
Carson Public Library
151 E. Carson Street
Carson, CA 90745
(310) 830-0901
Documentation of Filipino American history is largely limited to the Manong Generation that immigrated to the US in the early 1900s. Their second-generation children - the Bridge Generation - are now in their sixties, seventies, and eighties; however, the literature is silent regarding their life in America. Vanishing Filipino Americans explores the Bridge Generation's growing up years; their maturation as participants in Filipino youth clubs; their development of a unique subculture; their civic participation; and their triumphs and struggles in America's workforce. Jamero begins the process of documenting the experiences and contributions of these second-generation Filipino Americans, addressing a significant void in the history of Filipinos in America.
Peter Jamero belongs to the Bridge Generation. He is a retired health services executive who served as assistant secretary of the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services, director of the Washington State Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, director of the King County (WA) Department of Human Resources, vice president of the United Way of King County, executive director of the San Francisco City and County Human Rights Commission, branch chief in the US Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, and executive director of the Asian American Recovery Services.
After retiring, he wrote Growing Up Brown: Memoirs of a Filipino American which he will also sign at this event. His first book, The Filipino Young Turks of Seattle: A Unique Experience in the American Sociopolitical Mainstream is now out of print. If you will
be unable to attend but would like to get an autographed copy of his two latest books, please call or email Linda Nietes.
The event is an ongoing community outreach program of Philippine Expressions Bookshop ( http://www.linkedin.com/redirect?url=www%2Ephilippineexpressionsbookshop%2Ecom&urlhash=-0VB&_t=mbox_mebc >. This is their last literary event for
2011. It is co-sponsored by the Filipino American National Historical Society (FANHS), LA Chapter and by The Friends of Carson Library. Free and open to the public. RSVP is requested. Tel. (310) 514-9139 or email linda@philippineexpressionsbookshop.com
November 6, 2011 in News Flash
From a report of the Philippine Information Agency
TACLOBAN CITY-The Overseas Filipino Workers Congress headed by Alex Bello of Leyte, submitted to Vice President Binay, a position paper that calls for the resolution of pending cases of OFWs in Saudi Arabia and imposition of strict penalties on erring recruitment agencies.
Vice President Jejomar C. Binay who was in Saudi as the representative of President Aquino to offer condolences to the royal family on the death of Crown Prince Sultan, Sultan bin Abdel Azziz al Saudi, met with the Filipino community in Riyadh at the Philippine Embassy on October 27.
Vice President Binay who is also the presidential adviser for OFWs assured the leaders of OFWs in the area that he was happy to meet with them to find out their concerns and seek solutions.
Bello, in a communication sent to the Philippine Information Agency, said that the position paper brought to the attention of Binay several OFW concerns such as the early resolution of cases of OFWs in the Kingdom.
Of the more than 2 million OFWs in the Middle East, 10 percent are domestic helpers. Among the concerns of the OFWs is the imprisonment of 1,200 OFWs including eight who are in the death row.
Another is the case of the murdered domestic helper Romilyn Ecoy-Ibanez. Moreover, there is also the concern on distressed OFWs numbering about 120, staying at the Bahay Kalinga shelter in Riyadh.
The OFW congress also called on the government to impose stricter penalties to unscrupulous owners of recruitment agencies who are found to be involved in human trafficking and violations of OFW's human rights.
Sexual abuses and violations of human rights remain to be the biggest concern of OFW domestic workers in the area, Bello said.
OFW Congress is a conglomeration of all the OFW Organizations in Saudi Arabia.
November 6, 2011 in News Flash
From a report of the Philippines News Agency
MANILA-President Aquino said his government is carrying out multi-pronged approach to create better local job opportunities so that Filipinos will not have to seek greener pastures abroad.
In an interview over Youtube's World View interview series on Friday, the President said his administration is trying to attract both domestic and international investors to create more job opportunities for Filipinos to prevent them from leaving.
The President cited successes that he had on his foreign trips. He noted that in his trip to China, he got between US$ 1.2 billion and US$ 1.8 billion worth of new investments.
One of the major focuses is to boost investments for the country's manufacturing sector, the Chief Executive said, adding that China is ready to set up manufacturing vehicles, trucks, and heavy equipment.
The President said that Chinese investors are looking for 10,000 hectares of land located in the country's freeport zone to set up their manufacturing business. He also mentioned the Philippines's prospects in shipbuilding.
"We are already the fourth biggest shipbuilding country in the world, and again, we want to go everywhere where there are prospects for our people to have jobs in this country," he said.
While enticing investors to come in, the President said his administration is also tackling reforms within the educational system to ensure better job match-ups for new graduates.
He said that there are around 50,000 to 60,000 jobs available in the country but these positions could hardly be filled up because of skills mismatches.
"We have tasked the education sector to include vocational aspects in the higher and basic education, to prepare our students, in coordination with the Department of Labor and Employment, for jobs that will be available upon graduation," he said.
According to the President, there are also bright prospects in the business process outsourcing industry, saying that the BPO industry could have about 640,000 direct jobs this year creating multiplier effects.
Aside from manufacturing and BPO industries, the President said investments in the agriculture sector could also create new employments that would result to more local jobs.
Youtube's interview of President Aquino is the first for an Asian leader. The World View series had earlier this year featured influential leaders like U.S. President Barack Obama, British Prime Minister David Cameron and European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso, among others.
November 6, 2011 in News Flash
From a report of Philippines News Agency
DAVAO CITY-The congregation of the Oblates of Notre Dame in Cotabato City sent three missionary nuns to the Naha, Japan to handle pastoral care ministry for Filipino migrants and their families.
Sister Rose Susan Montejo, superior general of the OND sisters sent off Srs. Stella Marie LLerin, Teresita Caytor and Rochelle Caminse in a ceremony held at Our Lady of Hope chapel at the OND Novitiate grounds, in Tamontaka, Datu Odin Sinsuat.
Montejo said the mission was accepted by the OND congregation following the recommendation of Father Alfie Africa, moderator of the Mission Society of the Philippines to Bishop Bernard Oshikawa, Order of Friars Minor of the Diocese of Naha, Japan.
She said the deployment of OND sisters in Japan was preceded by her personal visit in the area where she saw the great pastoral need to accompany the Filipino migrants who are living with the Okinawans.
She assured that the three missionary nuns underwent training in Japanese language proficiency to enable them to integrate effectively in the Japanese-Okinawan way of life.
Montejo said the missionary nuns will establish a Christian formation program for Filipino wives and their succeeding generation while establishing a self-sustaining center there.
November 3, 2011 in News Flash
From a report of The National Newspaper
A FILIPINA expatriate in United Arab Emirates is this year's Bagong Bayani award for community and social services.
DUBAI'S Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department senior adviser Wafa Roscales Kasimieh will receive the award on December 1.
The award is given every two years and recognizes exemplary overseas Filipino workers.
A muslim convert, Kasimieh has helped a lot of fellow Filipino workers in Dubai by visiting jails and police detentions centers. She offers not only spiritual guidance helping them return home after serving their sentence.
The 53-year old Sarah San Gabriel is benefactor of Kasimieh. After losing her job as a remittance cashier, Kasimieh helped her find another job.
"She sent my nephew to an Arabic school and has helped so many orphaned children to get a good education," San Gabriel said.
Kasimieh supports a high school in Iloilo, and has provided scholarships to 30 secondary and university students for five years.
The award will be presented to Kasimieh on December 1. She is the only Filipino in United Arab Emirates to be given the award.
November 3, 2011 in News Flash
From a report of the Asian Journal
A HEALTH care center in Los Angeles in the United States will close down in December, forcing more than a hundred elderly people, mostly of Filipino descent, to look for another home.
The Silver Lake Adult Day Health Care Center is set to close on December 1 after its state funding is set to end by next month. The center houses more than a hundred senior citizens who participate in daily health, therapeutic, and social services.
"Our patients are getting stressed already," said Silver Lake ADHC program director Mila Anguluan-Coger. "We have been telling our patients of the possible situation and that we are here to support and help them."
Adult Day Health Care Centers have been established in the 1970s and was seen as an alternative to nursing homes or other medical institutions and a more humane way of treating the elderly population in the state.
EDITOR'S NOTES: These news exclusives and their URLs are free to be published/broadcast/uploaded online/shared, provided the OFW Journalism Consortium is properly acknowledged and the URL link to the story is included.
News digests of overseas Filipino-related stories in the provinces and in overseas countries are also available by viewing the Consortium's auxiliary news flash service (see http://www.ofwjournalism.net/article/category/news-flash/).
This online news flash service, an auxiliary to the Consortium's usual newspackets, is voluntarily done by the women and men of the OFW Journalism Consortium.
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