DH assures vaccine supply against seasonal influenza

 

Hong Kong’s Department of Health (DH) today announced that the seasonal influenza vaccine (SIV) will be widely available and urged the public to heighten their vigilance against respiratory tract infection by getting themselves vaccinated.

“The Government has been keeping close contact with vaccines suppliers and will continue to endeavor to ensure an adequate supply of vaccine for the vaccination programs,” the DH said.

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“In view of the vaccine usage and public needs, the Government has increased the procurement amount to over 1 million doses for the free vaccination programmes. Relevant vaccine suppliers have also undertaken to ensure a steady supply of vaccines procured by the Government,” it added.

With the DH announcement, a vaccination team giving jabs to Filipinos on Sundays at the Migrant Workers Office (MWO), may soon resume its operations.

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The MWO announced last Nov. 15 that it had cancelled the vaccinations on Nov. 19, 26 and 28 because it ran out of vaccines. It has yet to issue an update.

Among the targets of the DH reminder are those leaving Hong Kong for the Christmas and New Year holidays, who should receive seasonal influenza vaccination (SIV) for their own protection.

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“It is important for individuals planning to travel outside Hong Kong, especially high-risk groups, to take proactive measures to ensure their personal protection,”

“Given that it typically takes about two weeks for antibodies to develop, members of the public should prepare ahead and receive SIV at appropriate times prior to the winter influenza peak,” the DH said.

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Its apparent aim is to ensure that Hong Kong residents will not bring the the ailment when they return.

According to the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the DH, the latest surveillance data showed local seasonal influenza activity continued to remain low.

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“The percentage of respiratory specimens testing positive for seasonal influenza viruses received by the CHP's Public Health Laboratory Services Branch and the Hospital Authority was 3.92 per cent which was below the baseline threshold of 9.21 per cent, and the admission rate with the principal diagnosis of influenza in public hospitals was 0.16 per 10 000 population in the week ending November 25,” the DH reported.

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“For the other respiratory pathogens, the percentages of respiratory specimens testing positive for them in the week ending November 25 were comparable with the preceding week. More active respiratory pathogens included Rhinovirus/enterovirus, parainfluenza viruses and adenovirus,” it added.

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8 Filipinas who passed on passports for loan left empty-handed

 

Runners of the illicit 'passport-for-loan' deals hang out around Statue Square in Central

If you get desperate for money, try going around Statue Square  in Central on a Sunday, and chances are, a runner for loan sharks will approach you with an offer you a loan in exchange for your passport.

This is what MM, a Filipina, revealed, as she, along with seven other fellow domestic helpers asked for help after their passports were taken, but the loan promised them was not handed over by one of three runners they met on Oct. 29.

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Angered by what happened and scared that they could get into trouble for pawning their passports which is forbidden under the law in both the Philippines and Hong Kong, the eight workers are set to go to the Consulate on Sunday to ask for help in recovering them.

They also want sanctions imposed on the runner they identified as Jemalyn and whose HKID copy is with them, who allegedly ran away with their money.

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Their plight was first brought to the attention of the FDW group, Social Justice for Migrant Workers by MM, who shared a copy of the HKID of the alleged fraudster on their Facebook page, saying: “Itong babae na may HKID na ito (ay) kinuha ang passport naming at kinuha ang pera. Isang buwan na ang nakakalipas. Sana matulungan niyo po kami at mga trabaho na naming nakasalalay (dito).”

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(This woman with this HKID took our passports, and also the money. It’s been a month since. I hope someone would help us as this has put our jobs on the line).

MM said they all knew that it was illegal to pawn their passports but they were desperate for money. In her case, she said she could not meet the monthly payment for the loan she took from a financing company and was scared that collectors would pester her with phone calls.

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MM said she agreed to borrow $2,500 from the runner’s financier, said to be a Filipina married to a local Chinese, and pay back $3,500 in less than a month, or a 40% interest.

To secure the loan, she turned over her passport to one of the runners, who assured her that the money would be transferred to her e-wallet. However, no transfer was made to her or to the other seven Filipinas who surrendered their passports at the same time.

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As a consequence, collectors from the loan company they borrowed from started harassing them with phone calls so that one of the borrowers was fired by her employer recently and she was forced to return to the Philippines on a one-way travel document.

Last Sunday, MM said she was set on calling the police to complain against the people who left them with no cash and no passport, but was asked to reconsider by the first runner who in exchange, promised to testify against the one who fled with their money.

The Consulate has repeatedly warned that it is illegal to pawn passports

Their effort to recover their passports could, however, be futile.

According to the Philippines’ Foreign Service Circular No 214-99 issued on Aug 19, 1999 all passports used as guarantee for loans or debts are “automatically cancelled” even if the passport holder reports the document as lost.

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This means that once cancelled, the passport holder will have to apply for a new one, which will not only cost more than a regular renewal, but will also come with a stern warning that a second offence could lead to the person being perpetually barred from acquiring a travel document.

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Umela holds 14th graduation rites

 

Umela graduates and trainors are joined by their guests in a photo-op

Fifteen years into its existence and having gone through tough challenges posed by the pandemic, a migrant workers’ group specializing in providing massage training to their fellow domestic helpers in Hong Kong has again managed to hold a culmination and recognition rites for their graduates.

A total of 33 migrant domestic workers who completed the tough training given by United Migrants Entrepreneurship and Livelihood Association (Umela) were recognized at ceremonies held on Nov. 26 at the Bayanihan Centre in Kennedy Town.

The graduates who made up batches 56 to  59, were presented at Umela’s 14^th commencement exercises by founder and president Ofelia Baquirin before guests that included Vice Consul Angelo Manuel and Welfare Officer Marilou Sumalinog of the Consulate, as well as various business and community leaders.

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Umela’s training is made up of six months of lectures on four general  topics - basic anatomy, physiology, microbiology and pathology - followed by 72 hours of hands-on training in massage therapy and Swedish massage.

Completing the course qualifies one to take the NC2 examination administered by Technical Education and Skills Development Academy (Tesda) in the Philippines. If they pass, they become licensed massage therapists and can operate their own spa or massage clinic in the country.

Top 3 students Abala, Visperas and Agustin (R to L) are recognized

The graduation’s highlight was the surprise announcement of special awards to outstanding students.

Named most outstanding trainee was Aileen Q. Zabala, while Elena Agustin and Janice Visperas were tied for the merit award.

Visperas also won the leadership award while the entrepreneurship prize was given to Maria Luisa Almandrones.

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Three students were recognized in the hands-on category: Daisy D. Gum-o, Annalyn C. Picones and Susan T. Carig; while two – Reynalita A. Echan and Elena R. Lozano - were named best in clinical exercise.

Awarded for being most supportive was Ma Cristina Gonzales, most courageous was Lydia R. Caran, best in sportsmanship was Develyn M. Dacoco, while best in entertainment was Laarnie A. Jiquinto.

Among the guest speakers was Cynthia A. Tellez, general manager of the Mission for Migrant Workers, who praised Umela’s painstaking work that has benefited many MDWs, and present certificates for a special session on pain management provided by Karl Zedwolfe Tellez and organized by the Mission.

Baquirin supervises the hands-on training of students in their secluded public space (File)

Umela is a regular participant in the Mission’s Care to Caregivers project and in other community events where its provides free massage to the public, and in particular to their fellow domestic workers.

The SUN editor Daisy CL Mandap, who is Umela’s adviser, cited Umela’s selfless work in providing training to MDWs even in the most difficult of times and places, particularly when pandemic restrictions made it extremely difficult for them to gather.

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But at the same time, she advised them to do their best to save enough money so they could go back home quickly, and enjoy a better quality of life.

“Hong Kong is not forever, especially for migrant workers,” Mandap said

(Those interested to join Umela’s next training session could send a message through WhatsApp at 69790766.)

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$83 LANG SMARTONE INTERNET NG MGA OFW SA HONG KONG! MURA NA, MABILIS PA!

 

Barkadahan ang SIM ng mga Pinoys sa Hong Kong dahil ito ang Number 1 Most Used Network ng mga OFW, ayon sa Anova Market Research Company ng 2020. At dahil diyan, may pa promo ulit ang SmarTone.

Pwede kang maka subscribe ng Basic Unlimited Data Plan na $83 lang basta ang pang bayad mo ay E-wallets.

Ano ba ang mga E-wallets? Ito ang WeChat Pay, Alipay HK, Octopus Wallet, PayMe, Visa, MasterCard Credit Card o SmarTone Self-service counters.

Ano naman ang benefit ng e-top up sa e-wallets? Kahit nasa bahay ka, pwede ka magload.

Paano naman maka subscribe sa $83 na internet? Madali lang! Dapat meron kang My SIM Account App kasi naka link na ang mobile number mo pati na rin sa e-wallets. Dapat may laman ang e-wallet apps mo bago gamitin.  

1.       Open My SIM Account app > i-tap ang “Plans & Services”

2.       Choose $83 Basic Data Plan > “Next”

3.       Choose E-Wallet na gagamitin at sundin ang steps hanggang sa pagbayad > Confirm  

Wala kang My SIM Account app? Download sa Google Play o App Store o i-tap https://wap.smartone.com/bssapp/ para i-install.

Kung kailangan mo ng tulong, pwede kang pumunta sa Barkadahan shop sa 159 Worldwie House sa Central o Shop B, 1F Jollibee Shopping Arcade, Yuen Long o sa mga promoters sa mga suking Pinoy tindahan sa Hong Kong.

Para malaman nasaan ang SmarTone sa Jollibee Yuen Long, press https://bit.ly/3HPaoVU .

Para naman malaman ang iba pang mga offers sa Barkadahan, press https://www.barkadahansasmartone.com/service-site/BSS/view/english/AL.html.

Kung may tanong, mag text sa WhatsApp Hotline https://wa.me/94478231.

Mas bongga talaga sa Barkadahan, pramis!

Barkadahan sa SmarTone for the OFW, with the OFW!

2 Filipinas, one aged 71, charged with submitting fake FDH contracts

 

Two Filipinas charged with using fake work contracts to get domestic helper visas, including one who is 71 years old, managed to get their cases postponed at Shatin Court yesterday because they were not defended by a lawyer.

But 71-year old Virginia Jovilla, and her co-accused Elynette Montalban, 43, were warned that they will have to enter a plea and their prosecution will proceed in the next hearing whether or not they have a lawyer.

Jovilla and Montalban each faces two charges of conspiracy to defraud for submitting fake work contracts to the Immigration Department and getting permission to stay in Hong Kong. 

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They waited in vain the whole morning for their cases to be called. Jovilla was called about 3pm, and Magistrate David Chum noted that she was not represented, although she was given a lawyer for free by the Duty Lawyer Service in the previous hearing.

“I was not informed that I would need a lawyer now,” she said. “I want to plead guilty but I think I need a lawyer now.”

Magistrate Chum stood down the case and allowed Jovilla to go to the Duty Lawyer Service office within the building.

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He then called Montalban, who was holding a baby and was also unrepresented.

She said he failed to get a duty lawyer because she was required to have a bank account, which she did not have because she had no Hong Kong ID.

Chum also stood down the case to allow Montalban to go to the Duty Lawyer office.

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When they came back, saying there were no lawyers available, Chum adjourned their cases separately.

He told them to come back on Jan. 16, extended their $1,000 bail with a new condition: that they will not leave Hong Kong while the case is pending.

Chum went the extra mile because as charged, the two were at risk of being imprisoned.

Jovilla faces two counts of conspiracy to defraud. She was accused of entering into two separate fake work contracts with Kung Yee-chee and Lee Wai-kong, with the help of agents Liu Chung-hang and Kathleen Vizcarra, which resulted in Immigration officers granting her permission to enter and remain in Hong Kong.

Montalban is charged with entering into a fake work contract with Tan Ka-ki with the help of the same agents and got a visa from Immigration, which it would not otherwise have granted.

Vizcarra was also named as co-conspirator of two Filipinas who admitted submitting two fake employment contracts in succession, which resulted in them being sentenced on Tuesday to six months in jail after pleading guilty to the charges.

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Filipino in Chater Rd assault case told to make sure he gets a lawyer

 

The bus stop on the left side of Chater Road was where the alleged assault happened

A bar tender accused of assaulting a fellow Filipino was today given a final warning by a magistrate to make sure he has a lawyer to defend him when he appears in court, otherwise the case will proceed without him benefiting from the Duty Lawyer Service.

Mark Anthony Malunao was told this after the prosecutor relayed his request to Eastern Court Magistrate Ivy Chui for another adjournment so he could ask for further legal advice.

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In reply, Magistrate Chui said Malunao had already been told the last time he was in court that he could no longer seek a further adjournment as the case had already dragged on.

But after being told that the defendant did not get to talk again to the counsel who represented him then, the magistrate relented, and reset the hearing of the case on Jan. 11, 2024, or after six weeks. 

Malunao's bail of $500 was extended until then.

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The magistrate proceeded to give detailed instructions to Malunao to renew his bail, then go up to the 7^th floor of Eastern Court where the Duty Lawyer Scheme has an office, and make sure he gets representation at the next hearing date, when he would be expected to enter a plea.

“Should you still fail to get legal representation the next time you come here, you will not be granted a further adjournment,” warned Chui.

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Malunao is charged with common assault for allegedly assaulting Edgardo A. Sumang at the bus stop along Chater Road on July 9 this year, a Sunday, when the street is  closed to vehicular traffic. No further details are given in the charge sheet.

The offence is a violation of Common Law, and is punishable under the Offences Against the Person Ordinance by up to a year in prison.

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