Bigger, better OFW Lounge to open at Manila's Terminal 1

 

DMW Secretary Hans Cacdac with OFWs in Lounge (File photo from DMW)

Overseas Filipino workers flying out of Manila International Airport’s Terminal 1 will be able, starting Oct. 1, to access a new and bigger OFW Lounge that will have enhancements such as separate sleeping areas for males and females.

In addition to the chairs in which they can lounge while waiting for their flights, they can also enjoy massage on four mechanized chairs donated by the the New NAIA Infrastructure Corp., the private operator of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) airport.

The lounge will also expand its free food offerings from the usual lugaw and pancit to breakfast, lunch and dinner sets, according to Administrator Patricia Yvonne Caunan of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), which runs the OWF Lounges in Terminals 1 and 3.

PINDUTIN PARA SA DETALYE

And while in the lounge they might as well get their OWWA e-card, which can be printed while they wait at the OWWA booth, as well as discuss their employment concerns with personnel assigned to the Department of Migrant Workers booth.

These features will also be added to the Terminal 3 lounge.

Caunan described the features of the new OFW Lounge in a press briefing with DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac recently to deny earlier rumors that OFW lounges will be closed because funds had run out.

She said OWWA even plans to open new ones in Cebu and Clark international airports.

Basahin ang detalye!

The rumors started after the OFW Lounge in Terminal 1, located in an area after the Immigration counters, closed down. It turned out that a new lounge was being built in another area -- just after the check-in counters and before the x-ray machines of the Office Transport Security and the Immigration counters.

Cacdac belied the rumors that OWWA was running out of money to run the lounge. 

“When it comes to budget, we now have a line item ‘Alagang OWWA’, so it has been institutionalized  and imbedded in the overall cost of the government-facilitated journey of OFWs,” Cacdac said.

“So sustainbility won’t be an issue. It will be integrated into the operation of an airport,” he added.

OFWs all over the world set to join anti-corruption protests in Phl

 

Migrante is calling its worldwide protests as 'OFW Day Against Corruption' 

Tomorrow, Sept. 21, the flood of protests that will begin at Luneta Park in Manila will spread all over the world. This was what Migrante International announced in a statement published this evening.

“Libu-libo ang lalahok para bahain ang Luneta ng protesta laban sa korapsyon bukas. Ngunit hindi lamang sa Luneta magkakaroon ng baha: ang mga migranteng Pilipino ay kikilos din sa buong mundo para sa pagbabago ng sistema!” said Migrante’s statement.

(Thousands will converge in Luneta tomorrow to flood it with protests against corruption. But it is not only in Luneta where there will be floods. Migrant Filipinos all over the world will also take action to press for a change in the system).

The protest in Luneta titled “Baha sa Luneta” will kickstart nationwide protests against the massive corruption in government infrastructure projects, particularly the multi-billion peso ones that were meant for flood control.

PINDUTIN PARA SA DETALYE

From Luneta, Migrante-aligned groups including students, drivers and church people, will march to Malacanang, then pitch camp on Mendiola Avenue in the afternoon where they will continue their protest. 

Separately, an afternoon protest will also be staged at Epifanio delos Santos Avenue (Edsa), where the People Power revolt that toppled then President Ferdinand Marcos, Sr. began 53 years to the day. 

Titled "The One Trillion Peso March," the protest will be led by moderate groups, including civil society leaders and students.

Basahin ang detalye!

Elsewhere in the country, protests against the massive corruption that began in 2016 will also be held, including in several universities and churches. Tens of thousands of students had also walked out of their classrooms at various days last week to express outrage.

Overseas, OFW members of various organizations affiliated with Migrante Intl will stage their own protest actions, including those in Hong Kong, where a “Zumbaha” will be held on Chater Road and a rally outside the Philippine Consulate building in Admiralty. A film screening will be held on Sept. 23.

Migrante urges OFWs to call on family and friends to join the Luneta march

While Migrante puts the blame for the corruption squarely on President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., its members across Europe will stage their protest action at The Hague, where former President Rodrigo Duterte is detained on charges of crimes against humanity.

Migrante is calling on everyone to convince their family members and friends to join what it dubbed as the OFW Day of Action vs Corruption, which is aimed at holding Marcos, Jr. to account for the plunder of public funds, and call for a change in the country’s system of governance.

The other overseas protests lined up tomorrow and in the coming days are as follows:

Japan:

KABAYAN launch, indoor forum and Filipino mass

Indoor forum, Sept 23

South Korea:

Forum on the IGC case

Photo ops, Sept 23

Thailand:

Forum on Philippine corruption, Phuket

KANTALAKAY roundtable discussion, Bangkok

Australia:

Protest action, Sydney Town Hall, Sydney

Protest action, Philippine Consulate, Melbourne

Online forum on corruption and Duterte ICC case, Sept 23

 

New Zealand:

Film screenings, Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch

Protest action, Auckland, Sept 23

Film screening, Wellington, Sept 28

USA

Chicago, IL:

Philippine Consulate, 1:00pm

Los Angeles, CA:

Philippine Consulate, 1:00pm

tinyurl.com/921panagutin

New York, NY:

Philippine Consulate, 9:30am

Philadelphia, PA:

Teach-in, 3:00pm

tinyurl.com/PeoplePowerTeachln

Portland, OR:

Holy Family Catholic Church, September 21, 4:00pm

tinyurl.com/MLVigil25

Queens, NY:

Forest Park, Woodhaven, September 21, 10:00am

San Francisco, CA:

Philippine Consulate, September 21, 7:00pm

Seattle, WA:

Jose Rizal Park, September 21, 1:00pm

Washington, DC:

Dupont Circle, September 21, 2:00pm

CANADA

Vancouver, BC:

Mass commemorating Martial Law victims at St. Mary The Virgin, 10:30 AM

Alay-lakad from St. Mary The Virgin to 41 and Fraser St, 1:00 PM

Rally at Joyce Station, 3:00 PM

Edmonton, AB:

Never Again, Never Forget Forum

Room 296, The Orange Hub, 10045 156 St NW, 12:30 PM

Toronto, ON:

53rd Martial Law anniversary rally and protest against government corruption

Bathurst and Wilson Parkette | 3749 Bathurst St, 1:00 PM

Montreal, OC:

IFI migrants mass, solidarity night, and Martial Law anniversary commemoration

3970 Chem. De La Cote-Ste-Catherine, 5:00 PM

Ottawa, ON:

Community film screening of "Sister Stella L."

UOttawa LMX242, 6:00 PM

Calgary, AB:

Online community meeting against corruption, 7:00 PM

 

EUROPE

The Hague, Netherlands (region-wide):

Protest action, International Criminal Court, 9:00 AM

Props making, Kurdish Community Center, September 22, 9:00 AM

Protest action, September 23, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

London, United Kingdom:

Leicester Square, 11:00 AM

MIDDLE EAST

Region-wide:

Online launching of Kabayan Kontra Korapsyon - Middle East and North Africa

3:00 PM Dubai time

 

 

 

 

Massive anti-corruption protests in Phl set for Sept 21

 

First to show mass outrage were students at UP Diliman (UP Facebook page)

An estimated 30,000 people are expected to turn out for the “A Trillion Peso March” set for 2pm on Sunday, Sept. 21 at the Epifanio delos Santos (Edsa) People Power Monument in Quezon City, to vent their anger at widespread corruption in the country.

The crowd estimate came from the organizers Tindig Pilipinas,  a coalition formed by church leaders angered by recent disclosures of anomalous flood-control projects for which the government spent P1.9 trillion over the past 15 years.

Another big crowd of protesters which include militant groups, students, drivers and church people, are due to gather at 9am on the same day at the Luneta Park in Manila for the "Baha sa Luneta" rally.

Basahin ang detalye!

The protest actions are being held on the 53^rd anniversary of the declaration of martial law in the country by then President Ferdinand Marcos, Sr., who was toppled by the People Power movement that began on Edsa in 1986.

Ironically, Sunday’s anti-corruption protests were triggered by disclosures made by Marcos Sr’s namesake and current president, Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., in his State of the Nation Address in June about the siphoning of billions of pesos in public funds for flood-control projects, a big number of which turned out to be “ghost projects” or were not built at all.

Marcos, Jr. said in recent interviews that he shared the sentiments of the people, and would be out in the streets himself “if he were not president.” He encouraged people to demand accountability but urged them to maintain peaceful protests.

Ateneo posted this call to protest on its FB page

Tindig Pilipinas co-convenor Kiko Aquino-Dee said in a TV interview that the group has coordinated with the police and other government agencies to ensure that the protest will be peaceful and meaningful, especially to participants who are first-time rallyists.

“We’re really taking seriously the idea that it will be the first time that a lot of people will engage in protest this Sunday and we want to make sure that while it’s a venue to express anger, it’s also a place to do it peacefully, safely and it’s a meaningful experience for everyone who will be attending,” he said.

Aquino-Dee also said the protests will be non-partisan in that anyone could speak out against any politician or individual alleged to be involved in the massive corruption, but they should not openly endorse any political leader or group.

He also said that since politicians appear to have been behind the funding of the anomalous projects no politicians will be allowed to speak. Instead, ordinary people affected by the corruption, including flood victims, will take to the stage.

The Luneta protest organized by Taumbayan Ayaw sa Magnanakaw at Abusado Network Alliance (Tama Na) will start at 9am, but participants will gather earlier in various parts of Metro Manila before marching to the park.

Among those taking part is Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan), whose members will gather at three different places at 6am before heading to Luneta Park. One meeting place is the Baclaran church in Paranaque City, another at Mall of Asia in Pasay City, and .the third at Quezon City Hall.

Bayan chairperson Teddy Casino said they were also expecting bikers’ and joggers’ groups to hold their own protests at the park before joining the main event.

A group of jeepney drivers said they will give free rides to those who will join the Luneta protest.

Separate protests were staged earlier by students in different schools, particularly the University of the Philippines in Diliman.

7,000 students and faculty members joined today's protest at UP Los Banos (PhilStar photo)

The latest to show indignation were thousands of students and faculty members in various schools who walked out of their classrooms today, Friday, and held protest actions. They not only expressed anger at the corruption, but also demanded a higher budget allocation for education.

These included those at Ateneo de Manila University and the UP units in Los Banos, Manila, Baguio, and Mindanao.

 At Visayas State University, protesters staged a candlelight vigil to express outrage.

HK on alert over 2 storms; T9 seen next week

Mitag's track as forecast by the HK Observatory

Two cyclones are drawing near, with one prompting the Hong Kong Observatory to raise Signal No. 3 today and another may require Signal No. 9 as it intensifies into a super typhoon northeast of Luzon, two thousand kilometers behind.

The Observatory said  Strong Wind Signal No. 3 will remain in force until 9am tomorrow, as tropical storm Mitag ("my eyes" in Micronesia) edged westerly to the coast of eastern Guangdong.

“Locally, strong winds are affecting high ground. Winds will generally strengthen,” as the storm hits land northeast of Hong Kong within the day and move west, the Observatory said.

Basahin ang detalye!

“The outer rainbands of Mitag are approaching the Pearl River Estuary gradually and will bring a few squally showers and thunderstorms to Hong Kong. Showers will be heavier at times later,” it added.

However, the land masses are expected to weaken Mitag, so it is uncertain if a higher signal may be needed as it gets to within 100 kilometers north of Hong Kong.

Of bigger concern is Ragasa (a Filipino word meaning rapid action)  which is moving through Northern Pacific Ocean, and may reach super typhoon intensity as it enters the sea between Luzon and Taiwan by Monday.

Ragasa's track as forecast by PAGASA

“Winds will strengthen again with heavy squally showers and thunderstorms. Seas will be very rough with swells. As the storm surge may be significant then, there may be flooding over the coastal areas” of Hong Kong, the Observatory said.

In its forecast for the Philippines, PAGASA said, “the center of Nando (local name for Ragasa) may pass close or may make landfall over Babuyan Islands between Monday (22 September) afternoon and Tuesday (23 September) early morning. It may exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility by Tuesday noon or afternoon.

“Nando will continue to intensify while over the Philippine Sea. It may reach typhoon category tomorrow and super typhoon by Monday before its close approach to Babuyan Islands,” it added.

It it maintains its strength and direction, Ragasa is projected to come within 100 kilometers south of Hong Kong on Wednesday (Sept 24) morning with maximum sustained winds near the center of about 175 kilometers per hour.

The city can anticipate gale-force winds, heavy rain, thunderstorms, and a significant storm surge, accompanied by rough seas and large waves. 

The Observatory’s nine-day forecast indicates that the strong northeast winds will reach force 7 to 8, with offshore and highland areas facing force 10 winds, which more than meet the treshold for imposing Typhoon Signal 8.

T8 is triggered when sustained winds range from 63 to 117 kilometers per hour, compared to Signal 3’s range of 41 to 62 kilometers per hour. 

  

DH raises alarm over rising hand, foot and mouth disease cases

 

One of the symptoms of HFMD (Wikipedia photo)

The government today warned against a rising incidence of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD), which a viral disease that attacks mostly children.

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (September 18) also urged schools to immediately report any outbreak.

The CHP reported the number of HFMD outbreaks in institutions/schools has increased from two (affecting six persons) in a week on August 24 to 30, to seven outbreaks per week from Aug. 31 to Sept. 13, affecting 51 persons.

Basahin ang detalye!

In the first four days this week (Sept. 14-17), 14 outbreaks (affecting 32 persons) have been reported. Over 90 per cent of the outbreaks occurred in child care centres/kindergartens (CCC/KG) and primary schools.

In addition, the DH's sentinel surveillance based at CCC/KG and private medical practitioner clinics indicated a significant increase in HFMD activity in the past few weeks.

"As there has been an increase in HFMD activity, parents should stay alert to the health condition of their young children," the Controller of the CHP, Dr Edwin Tsui, said.

Most HFMD patients have mild symptoms and the disease usually begins with fever, poor appetite, tiredness and sore throat. Painful sores may develop in the mouth one to two days after the onset of fever and then often become ulcers. Most patients recover on their own in seven to 10 days.

To prevent HFMD, members of the adopt the following preventive measures:

Maintain good air circulation;

Keep hands clean and wash hands properly. Wash hands before meals, after going to the toilet, when they are soiled by respiratory secretions, such as after sneezing, or after handling diapers or other stool-soiled materials;

Cover the nose and mouth while sneezing or coughing and dispose of nasal and oral discharges properly;

Regularly clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces such as furniture, toys and commonly shared items with 1:99 diluted household bleach (mixing one part of household bleach containing 5.25 per cent sodium hypochlorite with 99 parts of water), leave for 15 to 30 minutes, and then rinse with water and keep dry;

Use absorbent disposable towels to wipe away obvious contaminants such as respiratory secretions, vomitus or excreta, and then disinfect the surface and neighbouring areas with 1:49 diluted household bleach (mixing one part of bleach containing 5.25 per cent sodium hypochlorite with 49 parts of water), leave for 15 to 30 minutes and then rinse with water and keep dry;

Avoid going to overcrowded places;

Children who are ill should be kept out of school until their fever and rashes have subsided and all vesicles have dried and crusted; and

Parents should maintain close communication with schools to let them know the latest situation of sick children.

The CHP's weekly publication, EV SCAN (www.chp.gov.hk/en/resources/29/502.html), is issued every Friday to report the latest local situation of HFMD. Members of the public may also visit the CHP's page (https://www.chp.gov.hk/en/features/16354.html) for more information on HFMD and EV71 infection.

DMW says OFW lounges will not be closed but expanded

 

Caunan welcomed 1millionth visitor to the OFW lounge in July (OWWA photo)

The Department of Migrant Workers has assured the public that the OFW (Overseas Filipino Workers) Lounges at Terminals 1 and 3 at Ninoy Aquino International Airport will not be closed down due to lack of funds but will actually be expanded.

The DMW statement said that instead of closing the two OFW lounges will be expanded and strengthened to serve more OFWs “who deserve the premium treatment as our modern-day heroes.”

It added that a more comfortable lounge will reopen soon at Terminal 1, with additional lounges being prepared in Cebu and Clark and other areas.

Basahin ang detalye!

The report about the possible closure of the free lounges came out after Overseas Workers Welfare Administration chief Patricia Yvonne Caunan told legislators on Friday, Sept. 6 that the the facilities that are open round-the-clock could be shut due to insufficient funds.

She told the House committee on appropriations, “Unfortunately, Mr. Chair, if we follow the Php142-million allocation in the NEP (National Expenditure Program), then we cannot continue the level of service that we’re giving our OFWs for not even one of the lounges. Mr. Chair, these lounges operate 24/7,” Caunan said.

About a week earlier, Caunan said in a press conference in Hong Kong that she was asking the OWWA budget to be raised to Php1.2 billion so it could continue funding the lounges and other projects.

The proposed budget will also fund the continued operations of the OFW Global lounge at United Centre in Admiralty, which also offers free coffee and snacks and hosts various events mostly on Sundays, and is being leased by OWWA at about Php4.5 million each month. 

Ex-House Speaker Martin Romualdez led opening rites for OFW Centre in HK

Sacked former administrator Arnell Ignacio who was behind the opening of the lOFW lounges and the OFW Center, had said in the past that they were funded under the  General Appropriations Act, as sponsored by Rep. Yedda Romualdez, wife of former House Speaker Martin Romualdez.

In its statement, the DMW said the public should only get information from its official social media pages and websites, as well as OWWA's.

In a separate statement, OWWA also labeled the news about the lounge closures as false, but did not deny that it is seeking additional funds so it can upgrade facilities, expand services and sustain the free food and amenities they provide.

It added that more than 1.5 million OFWs have already been served since the lounges opened.

 

 

 

New EM support centers to be set up in line with CE’s Policy Address

 

The Chief Executive holds up copies of his Policy Address 2025 (Handout)

Chief Executive John Lee has unveiled new initiatives to support ethnic minorities (EMs) during his policy address earlier today, underlining their vital role in Hong Kong society.

Among the new measures is the introduction of a pilot project providing support and counseling services to EMS through a dedicated service center; and a new interpretation and translation service to help them cope with life in Hong Kong.

More EM care teams under the Home Affairs Department will also be created, covering the North and Islands Districts, while a Youth Network and a Women's Network will be set up in the 10 existing support service centers.

To help EM job applicants, government departments may also design job-oriented language tests to help them meet language proficiency requirements. Recruitment information will be widely disseminated to attract EM talents to the civil service.

Basahin ang detalye!

For students who do not speak Chinese CE Lee said that learning materials for the Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi Chinese Proficiency Test will be extended to junior secondary levels starting in the 2026/27 school year.

The government will also continue offering after-school Chinese language courses and support cross-school teacher-learning communities to enhance educational support.

Among the new measures announced by CE Lee are the following:

1)    A series of new measures that will allow more public housing tenants to buy government-subsidized flats, and enable those currently housed in government-subsidized flats to move into the private property market

2)    A plan to transform Hong Kong into an international education hub by raising the quota for non-local students at universities, developing universities of applied sciences and speeding up the construction of a university town in the Northern Metropolis

3)    The easing of property investment requirements for its cash-for-residency scheme by keeping the maximum residential property investment amount at $10 million, but lowers the transaction price ceiling from $50 million to $30 million

4)    Further boost the birth rate by, among other things, extending the claim period for additional child allowances for newborns from one year to two, or a total of $260,000 incentive per child; setting up more child care centers and dedicated counters for mothers-to-be seeking medical services, and increasing the quota for assisted reproductive services from 1,100 to 1,500 treatment cycles in this financial year.

House of Representatives picks new speaker

New Speaker Faustino Dy III delivers acceptance speech

The Philippine House of Representatives changed its leadership today, electing Faustino "Bojie" Dy III of Isabela’s 6th District as speaker to replace Martin Romualdez of Leyte, who resigned.

"I step down not in surrender, but in service — for sometimes, the greatest act of leadership is the grace to let go, so that this institution may endure stronger than before," Romualdez said before the vote.

For his part, Dy said in his acceptance speech that his administration will be accountable and transparent. "We will listen to your voices," he added.

The House vote came nine days after the Senate voted Vicente Sotto III as its new president to replace Francis Escudero, and started a revamp that saw senators who support former president Rodrigo Duterte relegated to the minority bloc.

Basahin ang detalye!

Both reorganizations were prompted by the growing scandal over flood control projects.

While the Senate vote to remove Escudero was triggered by efforts to limit the Duterte bloc-led Blue Ribbon Committee’s investigation to projects from 2022 to 2025, instead of from 2016 to cover bigger scandals during the Duterte administration, Romualdez’s resignation came after efforts by critics to link him to “budget insertions” that funded the failed projects.

Some of those critics appear to have been appeased, as only 28 abstained from voting for Dy as compared to 34 who did not vote for Romualdez when the 20th Congress opened last July 28. 

Among the converts were independent congressmen Toby Tiangco (Navotas, Lone District), Duke Frasco (Cebu, 5th District) and Albee Benitez (Bacolod, Lone District), whose vote for the new speaker signified they were joining the majority.

Malacanang welcomed the new House leadership.

“We respect the independence of the chamber and acknowledge the contributions of former Speaker Martin Romualdez. We now look forward to working with Speaker Faustino Dy III to advance measures that strengthen the economy, ensure basic services, and protect our democracy,” Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. had earlier ordered that completed infrastructure projects must now be formally accepted by local government officials before the Department of Public Works and Highways can mark them as finished and pay the contractors.

Marcos said told a press conference that he was surprised to learn that this was removed during the Duterte administration.

Charges laid against lending company RichRen

 

A number of Philippine passports held as collaterals were reportedly found in RichRen's offices

Hong Kong Police have confirmed the filing of charges against RichRen Finance Limited in Mong Kok, which they raided in November last year on suspicion of illegal money lending.

According to the police, RichRen was officially indicted for lending money at excessive rate and accepting prohibited security (like passports) for loan. The case has been scheduled “for mention” in court on October 14.

During the raid, a number of Philippine passports were found inside the financing company’s office and taken away pending further investigation.

Basahin ang detalye!

Similar raids were also carried out at the shops across Hong Kong of two mobile phone retailers suspected of engaging in money lending without a licence.

A total of 46 people were arrested during the crackdown which the police said at the time were related to a syndicate that had illegally extended loans amounting to at least $39 million to 6,500 domestic helpers.

The force said the syndicate had charged an annual interest rate of around 100 percent for the loans.

Following the raids, the Philippine Consulate said those whose passports were being held by the police should contact them directly so they could be informed about the process and conditions for issuing them with new documents.

It also issued a reminder that using or accepting passports as collaterals for loans is a serious offence under the Philippines’ New Passport Law, which prescribes a prison term and fine for violators.

As a matter of practice, the Consulate never returns passports used as collateral for loans, as this could amount to condoning an illegal act. In addition, the replacement passports issued to those who pawned them for loans are valid for only five years, instead of the usual 10.

Passport applicants are also made to sign an undertaking that they will not commit the offense again, otherwise they will only be issued a one-way travel document.