Undersecretary Hans Leo Cacdac emphasized this after hearing about cases where Filipinos went to Canada without doing things correctly, instead relying on illegal recruiters who charged them way too much.

He mentioned that on April 12, the DMW issued Advisory 9, which lays out the steps and rules for Filipinos going to Canada through its immigration programs.

The main issue here is making sure all documents are verified properly and the workers are processed correctly before going to Canada. There are different programs in Canada for things like permanent residency, but first, you typically need a job offer or a work permit.

According to Advisory 9, Filipinos going to Canada through various programs like the Atlantic Immigration Pilot or different work permits need to have their contracts and documents verified by the DMW to avoid illegal recruitment.

Cacdac explained that the DMW will handle the documentary process for OFWs, usually through licensed Philippine Recruitment Agencies.

He also mentioned that certain types of work, like clerical or administrative roles, even if with a religious institution, still need DMW verification.

However, certain individuals, like spouses of foreign nationals in high-skilled jobs or full-time students with valid permits, don’t need to go through the DMW process.

Lastly, Cacdac emphasized the importance of the “no placement fee policy” for OFWs applying to Canada.

The post No placement fee for OFWs applying for Canada appeared first on kabayan-ofw.com.

Hey there! Have you ever heard of OFWs? They’re our modern heroes, making a big difference both at home and around the world. Let me tell you a bit about them.

So, imagine saying goodbye to your family and heading off to a faraway place to work. That’s what OFWs do. They leave behind the comfort of home to support their loved ones by working abroad. It’s not easy – they must deal with being away from family and adjusting to life in a new country. But they do it because they want to give their families a better life.

Now, here’s the really cool part: while they’re working hard overseas, OFWs send money back home to their families. This money, called remittances, is like a lifeline for many families in the Philippines. It helps pay for things like school fees, medical bills, and even starting small businesses. So, you can see why OFWs are so important to our economy and society.

But being an OFW is about more than just sending money home. They also represent our country wherever they go. They share Filipino culture, traditions, and values with people from all over the world. It’s like they’re our ambassadors, spreading goodwill and building connections across borders.

OFWs contribute significantly to the Philippine economy through their remittances. The money they send back home serves as a lifeline for millions of families, supporting basic needs like food, education, healthcare, and housing. Without the financial support of OFWs, many households in the Philippines would struggle to make ends meet. Their contributions help boost local businesses, stimulate economic growth, and alleviate poverty across the country.

Moreover, OFWs are not just providers of financial support; they are also nation-builders. By working abroad and sending money home, they invest in the future of their families and communities. They fund education for their children, enabling them to pursue better opportunities and break the cycle of poverty. They support local businesses and contribute to the development of infrastructure and social services in their hometowns. In essence, OFWs are instrumental in driving progress and prosperity in the Philippines.

Beyond their economic contributions, OFWs serve as cultural ambassadors, representing the best of Filipino values and traditions to the world. They showcase the resilience, hospitality, and hard work that define the Filipino spirit, fostering understanding and goodwill across borders. Through their interactions with people from diverse backgrounds, they promote cultural exchange and build bridges of friendship between nations.

The importance of OFWs cannot be overstated, especially in a globalized world where migration and mobility are increasingly common. They sacrifice their own comfort and well-being to provide for their families, embodying the spirit of selflessness and sacrifice. Their resilience in the face of challenges, their determination to succeed, and their unwavering commitment to their loved ones make them true heroes in the eyes of many Filipinos.

In summary, OFWs have become the new heroes of the Philippines because of their indispensable contributions to the economy, their role as nation-builders, and their representation of Filipino values on the global stage. They exemplify the best of Filipino resilience, generosity, and determination, and their impact reverberates far beyond the borders of their homeland. It is this combination of economic, social, and cultural significance that has rightfully earned them the admiration and respect of the nation.

The post OFWs: Modern Heroes Shaping the Philippine Landscape appeared first on kabayan-ofw.com.

What is OWWA OFW E-Card?

The OWWA OFW e-CARD is a confirmation that you are an active member of OWWA and its purpose is to facilitate access to OWWA services and programs. It also serves as a government-issued ID and can be presented to any Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO), Embassy or Consulate abroad and in government agencies once assistance or service is needed.

Who can apply for OWWA OFW E-Card?

All Returning Workers or Balik-manggagawa with active OWWA membership, valid Overseas Employment Certificate/Exemption Number and valid Philippine passport are entitled for an OFW e-CARD. Note that your OWWA membership should be valid for more than 90 days from the day of your application to obtain an OWWA OFW e-CARD.

Who are Returning Workers or Balik-manggagawa?

As stated by the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) rules and regulations, Returning Workers or Balik-manggagawa are OFWs who have completed or are currently terminating their employment contract at:

a. Return to the same employer in the previous place of work
b. Return to the same employer in the new workplace

Note that direct-hires, new-hires, and Government Placement Branch (GBP) -hired workers are NOT considered as Return-Workers or Balik-manggagawa.

What are the benefits of having an OWWA OFW E-card?

The OWWA OFW e-CARD has lots of benefits for active OWWA members, such as the following:

• Can be use as exit clearance out of the country
• Faster access to OWWA services and programs
• Can be use as recognized government-issued identification card
• Obtaining a permanent OWWA / OFW membership number
• Availability of Digital OWWA OFW e-CARD in OWWA Mobile App that can be used just like OWWA OFW e-CARD

How to apply for OWWA OFW E-card?

1. Go to ecard.owwa.gov.ph
2. Enter the requested information
3. Select which OWWA Regional Welfare Office to pick up your OFW e-CARD
4. Check the Data Privacy Act and Captcha
5. Click the “Submit” button after all the requirements have been answered
6. A tracking number will be displayed as proof that your application for the OWWA OFW e-CARD has been received
7. Enter your e-mail address or Facebook profile name to find out the status of your OWWA OFW e-CARD application
8. Get the OWWA OFW e-CARD at the selected OWWA Regional Welfare Office

For any questions or assistance regarding the OFW e-CARD please call any of the following numbers.

• (+632) 804-0639
• (+632) 833-0244
• (+632) 551-3647
• (GLOBE) (+63) 977-396-2809, (+63) 977-3962-819, (+63) 977-396-2818, (+63) 977-396-2804
• (SMART) (+63) 918-605-3017, (+63) 918-605-3026, (+63) 918-605-3037, (+63) 918-6053-046

You can also send an email to support@owwa.gov.ph

The post How to apply for an OWWA OFW E-Card? appeared first on kabayan-ofw.com.

Philippines granted permission to Elon Musk’s satellite internet company Starlink. NTC or National Telecommunications Commission approved the registration of Starlink Internet Services Philippines Incorporated as value added services provider. Satellite internet has the capability of having internet services wherever you are. Accoding to Departement of Trade and Industry, Philippines will be the first country in South East Asia that will have satellite internet service.

SpaceX plans to deploy its Starlink gateway in Philippines by June 2022, before the term of President Rodrigo Duterte ends. It is confirmed to arrive within the last quarter of 2022.

Starlink is a satellite internet constellation owned and operated by Elon Musk’s SpaceX. It provides satellite internet access to more than 32 countries.

What is the speed of Starlink internet?

According to Starlink, data speed can reach upto 200Mbps and latency as low as 20ms in most locations, Starlink enables video calls, online gaming, streaming, and other high data rate activities that historically have not been possible with satellite internet. Users also have the option to take Starlink with them via the Portability feature or Starlink for RVs service.

What is the cost of Starlink internet?

In October 2021, Starlink initiated its beta program in the US (see below for other countries), where users can test out the service for themselves. Beta testers cost is $499 (around P25,000) for the Starlink Kit (satellite dish and Wi-Fi router), which is delivered to your address, as well as the service fee of $99 which is around 5,200 pesos monthly.

The post Starlink first in South East Asia appeared first on kabayan-ofw.com.

Released by dfa.gov.ph

The post Process For Non-OFWs, Returning Overseas Filipinos & Foreign Nationals When Travelling to the Philippines appeared first on kabayan-ofw.com.

OF Bank in Philippines

Did you know that we Filipinos have a branchless bank?
Yes we do and it’s called Overseas Filipino Bank (OFBank). Overseas Filipinos (OFs) and their beneficiaries can apply conveniently for their own Overseas Filipino Bank Debit Account.

The OFBank Visa Devit Card allows convenient, safe and real-time fund transfer. The Visa Direct Facility enables these fund transfers using your and your beneficiaries’ account details.

The use of OFBank mobile banking app to transfer funds to your beneficiaries’ OFBank accounts is totally free.

The post First Filipino Branchless Bank appeared first on kabayan-ofw.com.

OFWs in Kuwait waiting for their departure.

Millions of Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) might loose their job this year 2021 as the world economy continues to go down due to the current pandemic (COVID-19), according to analysts and officials.

As stated by Filipino Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III there are almost 400,000 OFWs affected by the COVID-19 virus. “Either they lose their job because of COVID-19, or they were virus positive.”

The DOLE forecasted that the number of displaced OFWs would rise from the current figure , around 800,000 by June 2021, and tipping over the 1 million mark by the end 2021.

The majority of Overseas Filipino Workers expected to lose their jobs are employed in the Europe, US, Asia, and the Middle East.

The post Millions of OFWs might lose their job in 2021 appeared first on kabayan-ofw.com.

Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) is a term often used to refer to Filipino migrant workers, people with Filipino citizenship who reside in another country for a limited period of employment.

The term “Overseas Filipino Worker” (OFW) was used as early as the 1990s to refer to Filipino migrant workers, when Republic Act 8042, also known as the Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995 was enacted. The term was officially adopted by the Philippine government when the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) adopted the 2002 POEA Rules and Regulations Governing the Recruitment and Employment of Land-based Overseas Workers. Historically, particularly during the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos, the term “Overseas Contract Worker” (OCW) was used.

The post What is OFW? appeared first on kabayan-ofw.com.