Overseas Filipinos in Laos are Respected: Welcomes the President of the Philippines for ASEM summit

CHEERS FROM LAOS. Aquino can expect a grand welcome from Pinoys in Laos.

Filipinos in Laos to welcome Aquino ASEM Summit

 The Filipino community in Laos will give President Benigno Aquino III a 'grand welcome' on Sunday, November 4, when he arrives for the 9th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM 9 Summit) in Vientiane, Lao People's Democratic Republic (PDR).

Aquino will be attending the ASEM summit for the first time from November 5 to 6.

Philippine Ambassador to Lao PDR Maria Lumen Isleta said some members of the Filipino community, especially those who work in mining sites, travelled to Vientiane to participate in the welcome dinner for the president.

The program, which will be held at the Mekong Restaurant, will showcase performances by Filipino community members and their children in Vientiane.

"The Filipino community here actively partnered with the Embassy to prepare the program and give the President a grand welcome. Some of them have volunteered to perform onstage or help out in the reception and in ushering. They are really very much ready to roll out the welcome mat, so to speak," Isleta said.

There are 550 Filipinos in Laos, most of whom work in the education, mining, engineering, agriculture and services sectors. Some also work as consultants in international organizations such as the United Nations, Asian Development Bank and the World Bank.

"Filipinos usually receive high praise from Laotians due to their professionalism, skills and general disposition at work. They are looked at as being hardworking and cheerful," Isleta said.

Aquino's dinner with the Filipino community is his first stop in Laos.

He will be attending the high-level ASEM in the next two days along with Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario, Philippine ambassador to Laos People's Democractic Republic Maria Lumen Isleta, Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima, Presidential Communications Office Secretary Herminio Coloma, Trade Secretary Gregory Domingo, and Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan and newly-swore in secretary to the Cabinet Rene Jose Almendras.

Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa said the ASEM trip costs P8.9 million, with the funds covering the chartered flight, accommodation, transportation, food, and equipment and telecommunications requirements of the delegation.

Rappler

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POEA Launching online appointment system exit clearance or overseas employment certificate (OEC)

Click the link below to apply OEC online

http://bmappointment.poea.gov.ph/

The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) will launch tomorrow an online appointment system for "balik manggagawa" - to allow overseas Filipino workers (OFW) vacationing in the country to process documents via Internet.

POEA Administrator Hans Leo Cacdac, in a statement, said the online appointment system is an option for vacationing overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) to set an appointment with POEA for the processing of their exit clearance or overseas employment certificate (OEC).

The system, according to Cacdac, was developed for the convenience of returning workers who have limited time to spend with their families during their stay in the country specially this coming holiday season.

Cacdac advised OFWs to use the appointment system which is free and available by logging on at http://bmappointment.poea.gov.ph  particularly during the peak months of March, April, May, November, December, and January when the bulk of OFWs return home for vacation.

While encouraging the use of the system, Cacdac explained that the POEA has not totally scrapped its facility for walk-in clients.

"We are just starting out with the system and we believe that OFWs without access to internet would still prefer getting their OEC the usual way without setting an appointment with us," Cacdac said.

The POEA has put up counters at its main office in Mandaluyong City, Duty Free Philippines in Parañaque City and SM Manila to accommodate those who choose to get their exit clearance at a specific date and time.

Cacdac emphasized that the documentary requirements for those using the appointment system and walk-in processing are the same: 

1) passport valid for six months from time of departure; 

2) valid working visa/work permit: 

3) proof of employment such as certificate of employment, company ID, pay slip, and other equivalent document.

Returning workers have to pay ₱100 for POEA processing fee; $25 or its peso equivalent for OWWA contribution on a per contract coverage; ₱1,200 for one year PhilHealth coverage; and a minimum of ₱100 contribution to Pag-ibig Fund, Cacdac added.

Fees Summary

• Processing Fee ₱100.00
• OWWA contribution on a per contract ($25) ₱Depending on the Value of Dollars
• PhilHealth coverage ($25) ₱1,200.00
• Pag-ibig Fund contribution ₱100.00   

An approximate total of ₱2,600.00   

Cacdac said OFWs may also get their exit clearance or OEC at the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) nearest their jobsite before their departure to the Philippines, or at the POEA regional offices while they are in their respective provinces.

Click the link below to apply OEC online

http://bmappointment.poea.gov.ph/

Philippines Iinformation Agency

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