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Thursday, March 16, 2017

Why OFWs Always Avail of Loans Abroad Despite the Risks and High Interest Rates?

No matter where OFWs go, the shadow of availing loans pursue them. Some of the are already indebted with a certain sum of money even before they can actually work abroad. As perceived by many non-OFWs, the OFWs do not really have a lot of money, what they have are lots of remittance receipts and debts (not all, actually). Is there any way that the OFWs can avoid dealing with "loan sharks"? One way to recognize that you are already “buried in debt” is to check if you could still pay sufficiently to your list of credits. Debt is something you cannot disregard or just neglect just because it can be paid in other time. Once you recognized that you are “buried in debt”, then you can start changing your lifestyle when it comes to spending. Remember, acceptance is the key. Loan sharks are people who lend money for a very high interest. if you borrow money from a loan shark, be ready to pay interest up to 120% COMMON MONEY MISTAKES WHY OFWs REMAIN BROKE Filipinos are around the globe. They work not for themselves but for their family. They leave the Philippines to give their family a good life and a brighter future. But, the question is, are they on the right track to become a successful Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW)? We cannot hide that most Pinoys have a soft heart and they want to give everything for their family. But does following their heart on this matter means they are doing the right thing? Loan sharking is prohibited in Hong Kong and is subject to legal prosecution if caught. A Hong Kong couple and eight Filipino domestic helpers including the couple's house help were arrested in connection with loan sharking, which allegedly victimized over 1,000 other Filipina domestic helpers. The ringleader couple, aged 49 and 50 years, lent money to Filipino helpers from March to October last year. They employed the eight Filipina helpers, who would receive referral fees for every loan, to help them thrive in their loan scheme. Each victim borrowed cash from 4,000 to 15,000 Hong Kong dollars (P26,000 to P97,000), but they were made to pay a monthly interest of 10 percent, which is twice the limit for loans. The couple collected a total of HK$12 million (P77.5 million). An operation with a codename “Operation Polarline”, was part of the Guangdong, Macau and Hong Kong police’s larger operation, “Thunderbolt 17”, which targeted loansharking activities. Bureau Superintendent Chan Hon-ming, said that they confiscated 242 Philippine passports, $106,285 cash, 14 employment contracts, eight mobile phones, jewelries, a large number of bank records, and debt notes. The couple's 8 housemaids reach out to other domestic helpers, offer them loan, and ask for their passports for collateral. The couple provide the fundings, while the 8 helpers act as agents and is given commissions for every "client" they will provide. “In January this year, the Bureau identified a local loan shark syndicate that had given out loans to a large number of Filipino domestic helpers working in Hong Kong at excessive interest rate on the condition that these borrowers surrender their passports and employment contracts as collaterals,” Chan said. The couple and the 8 helpers will be held criminally liable for their acts. Under the Money Lenders Ordinance, lending money above the annual interest rate of 60 per cent carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in jail and a HK$5 million fine. DUE to debt, a Filipina domestic worker in Hong Kong was strangled after physically assaulted by a 56-year old South Asian man. The incident happened in footbridge in Central last December 4 and several Filipino household workers were able to take the video of the said incident. In a video posted on Facebook by a netizen, the man is seen shouting at the Filipina, pulling her back, grabbed her by the neck and strangled her. (HERE'S THE VIDEO) The incident was stopped by several bystanders in the area. The Filipina, who named was not released was taken to Queen Mary Hospital by police officers who responded to a 999 call. She was reportedly discharged after being declared in good condition. According to some Filipino who witnesses the incident, the victim acted as a guarantor to a friend who did not repay a debt to the man. (WATCH ANOTHER VIDEO) SEE ALSO: ANOTHER REMINDER TO ALL OFWS: BEWARE OF "UTANG" IN ABROAD WARNING: IN SAUDI ARABIA, BE WARY OF BEING A DEBT GUARANTOR, YOU COULD END UP IN JAIL NEWS POST: SOME REMINDERS TO ALL OFWS AND EXPATS IN SAUDI ARABIA OFWs IN HONG KONG URGE TO REGISTER ONLINE FOR OEC EXEMPTION OFW LOSES 200K IN ATM SCAM On the other news, a 40-year-old Filipina domestic worker from Bacolod City was found dead on the evening of Dec 4 in her kitchen bed space, one day after reportedly complaining of a migraine. The helper, Johana Periera had been working for her employer for five months in Hong Kong. Police said she was “found collapsed” and certified dead, with no suspicious circumstances. Her body was taken to a hospital for postmortem examination. (Periera was found dead in one of the tower blocks in Royal Ascot in Shatin) According to the report, Periera complained to her employer that she's having a migraine last December 3. She was told to rest until the next day which happens to be Sunday and her day off. The employer found her unconscious, Sunday night but the emergency response from police and ambulance staff said, she was dead. According to her friends in the area, they did not know that Periera is suffering from a migraine but prior to the incident, she reportedly had an argument with her employer. (Source:http://www.sunwebhk.com/) RECOMMENDED POST: JAPAN JOBS FOR FILIPINOS THIS DECEMBER 2016 JOBS AVAILABLE FOR CRUISE SHIPS AND CARGO VESSELS, LOCAL AND ABROAD LOCAL FASTFOOD CHAINS, RESTAURANTS, AND MALLS PLEDGE SUPPORT FOR LOCAL ONION AND GARLIC PRODUCERS FORMER DOTC SECRETARY JOSEPH EMILIO ABAYA, 7 OTHERS, FACES GRAFT CHARGES OVER P3.8 BILLION ANOMALOUS LICENSE PLATE DEAL UNION BANK AND PNB FORECLOSED PROPERTIES AUCTION THIS DECEMBER ©2016 THOUGHTSKOTOWATCH VIDEO:PINAY DH IN HONG KONG STRANGLED IN PUBLIC DUE TO FRIEND'S DEBT Read more: Sources: sunwebhk, inquirer.net, South China Morning Post Recommended: Why OFWs Remain in Neck-deep Debts After Years Of Working Abroad? From beginning to the end, the real life of OFWs are colorful indeed. To work outside the country, they invest too much, spend a lot. They start making loans for the processing of their needed documents to work abroad. From application until they can actually leave the country, they spend big sum of money for it. But after they were being able to finally work abroad, the story did not just end there. More often than not, the big sum of cash they used to pay the recruitment agency fees cause them to suffer from indebtedness. They were being charged and burdened with too much fees, which are not even compliant with the law. Because of their eagerness to work overseas, they immerse themselves to high interest loans for the sake of working abroad. The recruitment agencies play a big role why the OFWs are suffering from neck-deep debts. Even some licensed agencies, they freely exploit the vulnerability of the OFWs. Due to their greed to collect more cash from every OFWs that they deploy, it results to making the life of OFWs more miserable by burying them in debts. The result of high fees collected by the agencies can even last even the OFWs have been deployed abroad. Some employers deduct it to their salaries for a number of months, leaving the OFWs broke when their much awaited salary comes. But it doesn't end there. Some of these agencies conspire with their counterpart agencies to urge the foreign employers to cut the salary of the poor OFWs in their favor. That is of course, beyond the expectation of the OFWs. Even before they leave, the promised salary is already computed and allocated. They have already planned how much they are going to send to their family back home. If the employer would cut the amount of the salary they are expecting to receive, the planned remittance will surely suffer, it includes the loans that they promised to be paid immediately on time when they finally work abroad. There is such a situation that their family in the Philippines carry the burden of paying for these loans made by the OFW. For example. An OFW father that has found a mistress, which is a fellow OFW, who turned his back to his family and to his obligations to pay his loans made for the recruitment fees. The result, the poor family back home, aside from not receiving any remittance, they will be the ones who are obliged to pay the loans made by the OFW, adding weight to the emotional burden they already had aside from their daily needs. Read: Common Money Mistakes Why Ofws remain Broke After Years Of Working Abroad Source: Bandera/inquirer.net NATIONAL PORTAL AND NATIONAL BROADBAND PLAN TO SPEED UP INTERNET SERVICES IN THE PHILIPPINES NATIONWIDE SMOKING BAN SIGNED BY PRESIDENT DUTERTE EMIRATES ID CAN NOW BE USED AS HEALTH INSURANCE CARD TODAY'S NEWS THAT WILL REVIVE YOUR TRUST TO THE PHIL GOVERNMENT BEWARE OF SCAMMERS! RELOCATING NAIA THE HORROR AND TERROR OF BEING A HOUSEMAID IN SAUDI ARABIA DUTERTE WARNING NEW BAGGAGE RULES FOR DUBAI AIRPORT HUGE FISH SIGHTINGS From beginning to the end, the real life of OFWs are colorful indeed. To work outside the country, they invest too much, spend a lot. They start making loans for the processing of their needed documents to work abroad. NATIONAL PORTAL AND NATIONAL BROADBAND PLAN TO SPEED UP INTERNET SERVICES IN THE PHILIPPINES In a Facebook post of Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol, he said that after a presentation made by Dept. of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Rodolfo Salalima, Pres. Duterte emphasized the need for faster communications in the country.Pres. Duterte earlier said he would like the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) "to develop a national broadband plan to accelerate the deployment of fiber optics cables and wireless technologies to improve internet speed." As a response to the President's SONA statement, Salalima presented the DICT's national broadband plan that aims to push for free WiFi access to more areas in the countryside. Good news to the Filipinos whose business and livelihood rely on good and fast internet connection such as stocks trading and online marketing. President Rodrigo Duterte has already approved the establishment of the National Government Portal and a National Broadband Plan during the 13th Cabinet Meeting in Malacañang today. In a facebook post of Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol, he said that after a presentation made by Dept. of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Rodolfo Salalima, Pres. Duterte emphasized the need for faster communications in the country. Pres. Duterte earlier said he would like the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) "to develop a national broadband plan to accelerate the deployment of fiber optics cables and wireless technologies to improve internet speed." As a response to the President's SONA statement, Salalima presented the DICT's national broadband plan that aims to push for free WiFi access to more areas in the countryside. The broadband program has been in the work since former President Gloria Arroyo but due to allegations of corruption and illegality, Mrs. Arroyo cancelled the US$329 million National Broadband Network (NBN) deal with China's ZTE Corp.just 6 months after she signed it in April 2007. Fast internet connection benefits not only those who are on internet business and online business but even our over 10 million OFWs around the world and their families in the Philippines. When the era of snail mails, voice tapes and telegram and the internet age started, communications with their loved one back home can be much easier. But with the Philippines being at #43 on the latest internet speed ranks, something is telling us that improvement has to made. RECOMMENDED BEWARE OF SCAMMERS! RELOCATING NAIA THE HORROR AND TERROR OF BEING A HOUSEMAID IN SAUDI ARABIA DUTERTE WARNING NEW BAGGAGE RULES FOR DUBAI AIRPORT HUGE FISH SIGHTINGS NATIONWIDE SMOKING BAN SIGNED BY PRESIDENT DUTERTE In January, Health Secretary Paulyn Ubial said that President Duterte had asked her to draft the executive order similar to what had been implemented in Davao City when he was a mayor, it is the "100% smoke-free environment in public places."Today, a text message from Sec. Manny Piñol to ABS-CBN News confirmed that President Duterte will sign an Executive Order to ban smoking in public places as drafted by the Department of Health (DOH). If you know someone who is sick, had an accident or relatives of an employee who died while on duty, you can help them and their families by sharing them how to claim their benefits from the government through Employment Compensation Commission. Here are the steps on claiming the Employee Compensation for private employees. Step 1. Prepare the following documents: Certificate of Employment- stating the actual duties and responsibilities of the employee at the time of his sickness or accident. EC Log Book- certified true copy of the page containing the particular sickness or accident that happened to the employee. Medical Findings- should come from the attending doctor the hospital where the employee was admitted. Step 2. Gather the additional documents if the employee is; 1. Got sick: Request your company to provide pre-employment medical check -up or Fit-To-Work certification at the time that you first got hired . Also attach Medical Records from your company. 2. In case of accident: Provide an Accident report if the accident happened within the company or work premises. Police report if it happened outside the company premises (i.e. employee's residence etc.) 3 In case of Death: Bring the Death Certificate, Medical Records and accident report of the employee. If married, bring the Marriage Certificate and the Birth Certificate of his children below 21 years of age. FINAL ENTRY HERE, LINKS OTHERS Step 3. Gather all the requirements together and submit it to the nearest SSS office. Wait for the SSS decision,if approved, you will receive a notice and a cheque from the SSS. If denied, ask for a written denial letter from SSS and file a motion for reconsideration and submit it to the SSS Main office. In case that the motion is not approved, write a letter of appeal and send it to ECC and wait for their decision. Contact ECC Office at ECC Building, 355 Sen. Gil J. Puyat Ave, Makati, 1209 Metro ManilaPhone:(02) 899 4251 Recommended: NATIONAL PORTAL AND NATIONAL BROADBAND PLAN TO SPEED UP INTERNET SERVICES IN THE PHILIPPINES In a Facebook post of Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol, he said that after a presentation made by Dept. of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Rodolfo Salalima, Pres. Duterte emphasized the need for faster communications in the country.Pres. Duterte earlier said he would like the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) "to develop a national broadband plan to accelerate the deployment of fiber optics cables and wireless technologies to improve internet speed." As a response to the President's SONA statement, Salalima presented the DICT's national broadband plan that aims to push for free WiFi access to more areas in the countryside. Read more: http://www.jbsolis.com/2017/03/president-rodrigo-duterte-approved.html#ixzz4bC6eQr5N Good news to the Filipinos whose business and livelihood rely on good and fast internet connection such as stocks trading and online marketing. President Rodrigo Duterte has already approved the establishment of the National Government Portal and a National Broadband Plan during the 13th Cabinet Meeting in Malacañang today. In a facebook post of Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol, he said that after a presentation made by Dept. of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Rodolfo Salalima, Pres. Duterte emphasized the need for faster communications in the country. Pres. Duterte earlier said he would like the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) "to develop a national broadband plan to accelerate the deployment of fiber optics cables and wireless technologies to improve internet speed." As a response to the President's SONA statement, Salalima presented the DICT's national broadband plan that aims to push for free WiFi access to more areas in the countryside. The broadband program has been in the work since former President Gloria Arroyo but due to allegations of corruption and illegality, Mrs. Arroyo cancelled the US$329 million National Broadband Network (NBN) deal with China's ZTE Corp.just 6 months after she signed it in April 2007. Fast internet connection benefits not only those who are on internet business and online business but even our over 10 million OFWs around the world and their families in the Philippines. When the era of snail mails, voice tapes and telegram and the internet age started, communications with their loved one back home can be much easier. But with the Philippines being at #43 on the latest internet speed ranks, something is telling us that improvement has to made. RECOMMENDED BEWARE OF SCAMMERS! RELOCATING NAIA THE HORROR AND TERROR OF BEING A HOUSEMAID IN SAUDI ARABIA DUTERTE WARNING NEW BAGGAGE RULES FOR DUBAI AIRPORT HUGE FISH SIGHTINGS NATIONWIDE SMOKING BAN SIGNED BY PRESIDENT DUTERTE In January, Health Secretary Paulyn Ubial said that President Duterte had asked her to draft the executive order similar to what had been implemented in Davao City when he was a mayor, it is the "100% smoke-free environment in public places."Today, a text message from Sec. Manny Piñol to ABS-CBN News confirmed that President Duterte will sign an Executive Order to ban smoking in public places as drafted by the Department of Health (DOH). Read more: http://www.jbsolis.com/2017/03/executive-order-for-nationwide-smoking.html#ixzz4bC77ijSR EMIRATES ID CAN NOW BE USED AS HEALTH INSURANCE CARD TODAY'S NEWS THAT WILL REVIVE YOUR TRUST TO THE PHIL GOVERNMENT BEWARE OF SCAMMERS! RELOCATING NAIA THE HORROR AND TERROR OF BEING A HOUSEMAID IN SAUDI ARABIA DUTERTE WARNING NEW BAGGAGE RULES FOR DUBAI AIRPORT HUGE FISH SIGHTINGS How to File Employment Compensation for Private Workers If you know someone who is sick, had an accident or relatives of an employee who died while on duty, you can help them and their families by sharing them how to claim their benefits from the government through Employment Compensation Commission. If you know someone who is sick, had an accident or relatives of an employee who died while on duty, you can help them and their families by sharing them how to claim their benefits from the government through Employment Compensation Commission. Here are the steps on claiming the Employee Compensation for private employees. Step 1. Prepare the following documents: Certificate of Employment- stating the actual duties and responsibilities of the employee at the time of his sickness or accident. EC Log Book- certified true copy of the page containing the particular sickness or accident that happened to the employee. Medical Findings- should come from the attending doctor the hospital where the employee was admitted. Step 2. Gather the additional documents if the employee is; 1. Got sick: Request your company to provide pre-employment medical check -up or Fit-To-Work certification at the time that you first got hired . Also attach Medical Records from your company. 2. In case of accident: Provide an Accident report if the accident happened within the company or work premises. Police report if it happened outside the company premises (i.e. employee's residence etc.) 3 In case of Death: Bring the Death Certificate, Medical Records and accident report of the employee. If married, bring the Marriage Certificate and the Birth Certificate of his children below 21 years of age. FINAL ENTRY HERE, LINKS OTHERS Step 3. Gather all the requirements together and submit it to the nearest SSS office. Wait for the SSS decision,if approved, you will receive a notice and a cheque from the SSS. If denied, ask for a written denial letter from SSS and file a motion for reconsideration and submit it to the SSS Main office. In case that the motion is not approved, write a letter of appeal and send it to ECC and wait for their decision. Contact ECC Office at ECC Building, 355 Sen. Gil J. Puyat Ave, Makati, 1209 Metro ManilaPhone:(02) 899 4251 Recommended: NATIONAL PORTAL AND NATIONAL BROADBAND PLAN TO SPEED UP INTERNET SERVICES IN THE PHILIPPINES In a Facebook post of Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol, he said that after a presentation made by Dept. of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Rodolfo Salalima, Pres. Duterte emphasized the need for faster communications in the country.Pres. Duterte earlier said he would like the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) "to develop a national broadband plan to accelerate the deployment of fiber optics cables and wireless technologies to improve internet speed." As a response to the President's SONA statement, Salalima presented the DICT's national broadband plan that aims to push for free WiFi access to more areas in the countryside. Read more: http://www.jbsolis.com/2017/03/president-rodrigo-duterte-approved.html#ixzz4bC6eQr5N Good news to the Filipinos whose business and livelihood rely on good and fast internet connection such as stocks trading and online marketing. President Rodrigo Duterte has already approved the establishment of the National Government Portal and a National Broadband Plan during the 13th Cabinet Meeting in Malacañang today. In a facebook post of Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol, he said that after a presentation made by Dept. of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Rodolfo Salalima, Pres. Duterte emphasized the need for faster communications in the country. Pres. Duterte earlier said he would like the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) "to develop a national broadband plan to accelerate the deployment of fiber optics cables and wireless technologies to improve internet speed." As a response to the President's SONA statement, Salalima presented the DICT's national broadband plan that aims to push for free WiFi access to more areas in the countryside. The broadband program has been in the work since former President Gloria Arroyo but due to allegations of corruption and illegality, Mrs. Arroyo cancelled the US$329 million National Broadband Network (NBN) deal with China's ZTE Corp.just 6 months after she signed it in April 2007. Fast internet connection benefits not only those who are on internet business and online business but even our over 10 million OFWs around the world and their families in the Philippines. When the era of snail mails, voice tapes and telegram and the internet age started, communications with their loved one back home can be much easier. But with the Philippines being at #43 on the latest internet speed ranks, something is telling us that improvement has to made. RECOMMENDED BEWARE OF SCAMMERS! RELOCATING NAIA THE HORROR AND TERROR OF BEING A HOUSEMAID IN SAUDI ARABIA DUTERTE WARNING NEW BAGGAGE RULES FOR DUBAI AIRPORT HUGE FISH SIGHTINGS NATIONWIDE SMOKING BAN SIGNED BY PRESIDENT DUTERTE In January, Health Secretary Paulyn Ubial said that President Duterte had asked her to draft the executive order similar to what had been implemented in Davao City when he was a mayor, it is the "100% smoke-free environment in public places."Today, a text message from Sec. Manny Piñol to ABS-CBN News confirmed that President Duterte will sign an Executive Order to ban smoking in public places as drafted by the Department of Health (DOH). Read more: http://www.jbsolis.com/2017/03/executive-order-for-nationwide-smoking.html#ixzz4bC77ijSR EMIRATES ID CAN NOW BE USED AS HEALTH INSURANCE CARD TODAY'S NEWS THAT WILL REVIVE YOUR TRUST TO THE PHIL GOVERNMENT BEWARE OF SCAMMERS! RELOCATING NAIA THE HORROR AND TERROR OF BEING A HOUSEMAID IN SAUDI ARABIA DUTERTE WARNING NEW BAGGAGE RULES FOR DUBAI AIRPORT HUGE FISH SIGHTINGS Requirements and Fees for Reduced Travel Tax for OFW Dependents What is a travel tax? According to TIEZA ( Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority), it is a levy imposed by the Philippine government on individuals who are leaving the Philippines, as provided for by Presidential Decree (PD) 1183. A full travel tax for first class passenger is PhP2,700.00 and PhP1,620.00 for economy class. For an average Filipino like me, it’s quite pricey. Overseas Filipino Workers, diplomats and airline crew members are exempted from paying travel tax before but now, travel tax for OFWs are included in their air ticket prize and can be refunded later at the refund counter at NAIA. However, OFW dependents can apply for standard reduced travel tax. Children or Minors from 2 years and one (1) day to 12th birthday on date of travel. Accredited Filipino journalist whose travel is in pursuit of journalistic assignment and those authorized by the President of the Republic of the Philippines for reasons of national interest, are also entitled to avail the reduced travel tax. If you will travel anywhere in the world from the Philippines, you must be aware about the travel tax that you need to settle before your flight. What is a travel tax? According to TIEZA ( Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority), it is a levy imposed by the Philippine government on individuals who are leaving the Philippines, as provided for by Presidential Decree (PD) 1183. A full travel tax for first class passenger is PhP2,700.00 and PhP1,620.00 for economy class. For an average Filipino like me, it’s quite pricey. Overseas Filipino Workers, diplomats and airline crew members are exempted from paying travel tax before but now, travel tax for OFWs are included in their air ticket prize and can be refunded later at the refund counter at NAIA. However, OFW dependents can apply for standard reduced travel tax. Children or Minors from 2 years and one (1) day to 12th birthday on date of travel. Accredited Filipino journalist whose travel is in pursuit of journalistic assignment and those authorized by the President of the Republic of the Philippines for reasons of national interest, are also entitled to avail the reduced travel tax. For privileged reduce travel tax, the legitimate spouse and unmarried children (below 21 years old) of the OFWs are qualified to avail. How much can you save if you avail of the reduced travel tax? A full travel tax for first class passenger is PhP2,700.00 and PhP1,620.00 for economy class. Paying it in full can be costly. With the reduced travel tax policy, your travel tax has been cut roughly by 50 percent for the standard reduced rate and further lower for the privileged reduce rate. How much is the Reduced Travel Tax? First Class Economy Standard Reduced Rate P1,350.00 P810.00 Privileged Reduced Rate P400.00 P300.00 Image from TIEZA ©2017 THOUGHTSKOTO

No matter where OFWs go, the shadow of availing loans pursue them. Some of the are already indebted with a certain sum of money even before they can actually work abroad.
As perceived by many non-OFWs, the OFWs do not really have a lot of money, what they have are lots of remittance receipts and debts (not all, actually).
Is there any way that the OFWs can avoid dealing with "loan sharks"?

Loan sharking is prohibited in Hong Kong and is subject to legal prosecution if caught.
A Hong Kong couple and eight Filipino domestic helpers including the couple's house help were arrested in connection with loan sharking, which allegedly victimized over  1,000 other Filipina domestic helpers.

 The ringleader couple, aged 49 and 50 years, lent money to Filipino helpers from March to October last year. They employed the eight Filipina helpers, who would receive referral fees for every loan, to help them thrive in their loan scheme.

Each victim borrowed cash from 4,000 to 15,000 Hong Kong dollars (P26,000 to P97,000), but they were made to pay a monthly interest of 10 percent, which is twice the limit for loans. The couple  collected a total of HK$12 million (P77.5 million).
An operation with a codename “Operation Polarline”, was part of the Guangdong, Macau and Hong Kong police’s larger operation, “Thunderbolt 17”, which targeted loansharking activities. Bureau Superintendent Chan Hon-ming, said that they confiscated 242 Philippine passports, $106,285 cash, 14 employment contracts, eight mobile phones, jewelries, a large number of bank records, and debt notes. The couple's 8 housemaids reach out to other domestic helpers, offer them loan, and ask for their passports for collateral. The couple provide the fundings, while the 8 helpers act as agents and is given commissions for every "client" they will provide.

“In January this year, the Bureau identified a local loan shark syndicate that had given out loans to a large number of Filipino domestic helpers working in Hong Kong at excessive interest rate on the condition that these borrowers surrender their passports and employment contracts as collaterals,” Chan said. 

 The couple and the 8 helpers will be held  criminally liable for their acts. Under the Money Lenders Ordinance, lending money above the annual interest rate of 60 per cent carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in jail and a HK$5 million fine.
No matter where OFWs go, the shadow of availing loans pursue them. Some of the are already indebted with a certain sum of money even before they can actually work abroad. As perceived by many non-OFWs, the OFWs do not really have a lot of money, what they have are lots of remittance receipts and debts (not all, actually). Is there any way that the OFWs can avoid dealing with "loan sharks"? One way to recognize that you are already “buried in debt” is to check if you could still pay sufficiently to your list of credits. Debt is something you cannot disregard or just neglect just because it can be paid in other time. Once you recognized that you are “buried in debt”, then you can start changing your lifestyle when it comes to spending. Remember, acceptance is the key. Loan sharks are people who lend money for a very high interest. if you borrow money from a loan shark, be ready to pay interest up to 120% COMMON MONEY MISTAKES WHY OFWs REMAIN BROKE Filipinos are around the globe. They work not for themselves but for their family. They leave the Philippines to give their family a good life and a brighter future. But, the question is, are they on the right track to become a successful Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW)? We cannot hide that most Pinoys have a soft heart and they want to give everything for their family. But does following their heart on this matter means they are doing the right thing? Loan sharking is prohibited in Hong Kong and is subject to legal prosecution if caught. A Hong Kong couple and eight Filipino domestic helpers including the couple's house help were arrested in connection with loan sharking, which allegedly victimized over 1,000 other Filipina domestic helpers. The ringleader couple, aged 49 and 50 years, lent money to Filipino helpers from March to October last year. They employed the eight Filipina helpers, who would receive referral fees for every loan, to help them thrive in their loan scheme. Each victim borrowed cash from 4,000 to 15,000 Hong Kong dollars (P26,000 to P97,000), but they were made to pay a monthly interest of 10 percent, which is twice the limit for loans. The couple collected a total of HK$12 million (P77.5 million). An operation with a codename “Operation Polarline”, was part of the Guangdong, Macau and Hong Kong police’s larger operation, “Thunderbolt 17”, which targeted loansharking activities. Bureau Superintendent Chan Hon-ming, said that they confiscated 242 Philippine passports, $106,285 cash, 14 employment contracts, eight mobile phones, jewelries, a large number of bank records, and debt notes. The couple's 8 housemaids reach out to other domestic helpers, offer them loan, and ask for their passports for collateral. The couple provide the fundings, while the 8 helpers act as agents and is given commissions for every "client" they will provide. “In January this year, the Bureau identified a local loan shark syndicate that had given out loans to a large number of Filipino domestic helpers working in Hong Kong at excessive interest rate on the condition that these borrowers surrender their passports and employment contracts as collaterals,” Chan said. The couple and the 8 helpers will be held criminally liable for their acts. Under the Money Lenders Ordinance, lending money above the annual interest rate of 60 per cent carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in jail and a HK$5 million fine. DUE to debt, a Filipina domestic worker in Hong Kong was strangled after physically assaulted by a 56-year old South Asian man. The incident happened in footbridge in Central last December 4 and several Filipino household workers were able to take the video of the said incident. In a video posted on Facebook by a netizen, the man is seen shouting at the Filipina, pulling her back, grabbed her by the neck and strangled her. (HERE'S THE VIDEO) The incident was stopped by several bystanders in the area. The Filipina, who named was not released was taken to Queen Mary Hospital by police officers who responded to a 999 call. She was reportedly discharged after being declared in good condition. According to some Filipino who witnesses the incident, the victim acted as a guarantor to a friend who did not repay a debt to the man. (WATCH ANOTHER VIDEO) SEE ALSO: ANOTHER REMINDER TO ALL OFWS: BEWARE OF "UTANG" IN ABROAD WARNING: IN SAUDI ARABIA, BE WARY OF BEING A DEBT GUARANTOR, YOU COULD END UP IN JAIL NEWS POST: SOME REMINDERS TO ALL OFWS AND EXPATS IN SAUDI ARABIA OFWs IN HONG KONG URGE TO REGISTER ONLINE FOR OEC EXEMPTION OFW LOSES 200K IN ATM SCAM On the other news, a 40-year-old Filipina domestic worker from Bacolod City was found dead on the evening of Dec 4 in her kitchen bed space, one day after reportedly complaining of a migraine. The helper, Johana Periera had been working for her employer for five months in Hong Kong. Police said she was “found collapsed” and certified dead, with no suspicious circumstances. Her body was taken to a hospital for postmortem examination. (Periera was found dead in one of the tower blocks in Royal Ascot in Shatin) According to the report, Periera complained to her employer that she's having a migraine last December 3. She was told to rest until the next day which happens to be Sunday and her day off. The employer found her unconscious, Sunday night but the emergency response from police and ambulance staff said, she was dead. According to her friends in the area, they did not know that Periera is suffering from a migraine but prior to the incident, she reportedly had an argument with her employer. (Source:http://www.sunwebhk.com/) RECOMMENDED POST: JAPAN JOBS FOR FILIPINOS THIS DECEMBER 2016 JOBS AVAILABLE FOR CRUISE SHIPS AND CARGO VESSELS, LOCAL AND ABROAD LOCAL FASTFOOD CHAINS, RESTAURANTS, AND MALLS PLEDGE SUPPORT FOR LOCAL ONION AND GARLIC PRODUCERS FORMER DOTC SECRETARY JOSEPH EMILIO ABAYA, 7 OTHERS, FACES GRAFT CHARGES OVER P3.8 BILLION ANOMALOUS LICENSE PLATE DEAL UNION BANK AND PNB FORECLOSED PROPERTIES AUCTION THIS DECEMBER ©2016 THOUGHTSKOTOWATCH VIDEO:PINAY DH IN HONG KONG STRANGLED IN PUBLIC DUE TO FRIEND'S DEBT Read more: Sources: sunwebhk, inquirer.net, South China Morning Post Recommended: Why OFWs Remain in Neck-deep Debts After Years Of Working Abroad? From beginning to the end, the real life of OFWs are colorful indeed. To work outside the country, they invest too much, spend a lot. They start making loans for the processing of their needed documents to work abroad. From application until they can actually leave the country, they spend big sum of money for it. But after they were being able to finally work abroad, the story did not just end there. More often than not, the big sum of cash they used to pay the recruitment agency fees cause them to suffer from indebtedness. They were being charged and burdened with too much fees, which are not even compliant with the law. Because of their eagerness to work overseas, they immerse themselves to high interest loans for the sake of working abroad. The recruitment agencies play a big role why the OFWs are suffering from neck-deep debts. Even some licensed agencies, they freely exploit the vulnerability of the OFWs. Due to their greed to collect more cash from every OFWs that they deploy, it results to making the life of OFWs more miserable by burying them in debts. The result of high fees collected by the agencies can even last even the OFWs have been deployed abroad. Some employers deduct it to their salaries for a number of months, leaving the OFWs broke when their much awaited salary comes. But it doesn't end there. Some of these agencies conspire with their counterpart agencies to urge the foreign employers to cut the salary of the poor OFWs in their favor. That is of course, beyond the expectation of the OFWs. Even before they leave, the promised salary is already computed and allocated. They have already planned how much they are going to send to their family back home. If the employer would cut the amount of the salary they are expecting to receive, the planned remittance will surely suffer, it includes the loans that they promised to be paid immediately on time when they finally work abroad. There is such a situation that their family in the Philippines carry the burden of paying for these loans made by the OFW. For example. An OFW father that has found a mistress, which is a fellow OFW, who turned his back to his family and to his obligations to pay his loans made for the recruitment fees. The result, the poor family back home, aside from not receiving any remittance, they will be the ones who are obliged to pay the loans made by the OFW, adding weight to the emotional burden they already had aside from their daily needs. Read: Common Money Mistakes Why Ofws remain Broke After Years Of Working Abroad Source: Bandera/inquirer.net NATIONAL PORTAL AND NATIONAL BROADBAND PLAN TO SPEED UP INTERNET SERVICES IN THE PHILIPPINES NATIONWIDE SMOKING BAN SIGNED BY PRESIDENT DUTERTE EMIRATES ID CAN NOW BE USED AS HEALTH INSURANCE CARD TODAY'S NEWS THAT WILL REVIVE YOUR TRUST TO THE PHIL GOVERNMENT BEWARE OF SCAMMERS! RELOCATING NAIA THE HORROR AND TERROR OF BEING A HOUSEMAID IN SAUDI ARABIA DUTERTE WARNING NEW BAGGAGE RULES FOR DUBAI AIRPORT HUGE FISH SIGHTINGS From beginning to the end, the real life of OFWs are colorful indeed. To work outside the country, they invest too much, spend a lot. They start making loans for the processing of their needed documents to work abroad. NATIONAL PORTAL AND NATIONAL BROADBAND PLAN TO SPEED UP INTERNET SERVICES IN THE PHILIPPINES In a Facebook post of Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol, he said that after a presentation made by Dept. of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Rodolfo Salalima, Pres. Duterte emphasized the need for faster communications in the country.Pres. Duterte earlier said he would like the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) "to develop a national broadband plan to accelerate the deployment of fiber optics cables and wireless technologies to improve internet speed." As a response to the President's SONA statement, Salalima presented the DICT's national broadband plan that aims to push for free WiFi access to more areas in the countryside. Good news to the Filipinos whose business and livelihood rely on good and fast internet connection such as stocks trading and online marketing. President Rodrigo Duterte has already approved the establishment of the National Government Portal and a National Broadband Plan during the 13th Cabinet Meeting in Malacañang today. In a facebook post of Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol, he said that after a presentation made by Dept. of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Rodolfo Salalima, Pres. Duterte emphasized the need for faster communications in the country. Pres. Duterte earlier said he would like the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) "to develop a national broadband plan to accelerate the deployment of fiber optics cables and wireless technologies to improve internet speed." As a response to the President's SONA statement, Salalima presented the DICT's national broadband plan that aims to push for free WiFi access to more areas in the countryside. The broadband program has been in the work since former President Gloria Arroyo but due to allegations of corruption and illegality, Mrs. Arroyo cancelled the US$329 million National Broadband Network (NBN) deal with China's ZTE Corp.just 6 months after she signed it in April 2007. Fast internet connection benefits not only those who are on internet business and online business but even our over 10 million OFWs around the world and their families in the Philippines. When the era of snail mails, voice tapes and telegram and the internet age started, communications with their loved one back home can be much easier. But with the Philippines being at #43 on the latest internet speed ranks, something is telling us that improvement has to made. RECOMMENDED BEWARE OF SCAMMERS! RELOCATING NAIA THE HORROR AND TERROR OF BEING A HOUSEMAID IN SAUDI ARABIA DUTERTE WARNING NEW BAGGAGE RULES FOR DUBAI AIRPORT HUGE FISH SIGHTINGS NATIONWIDE SMOKING BAN SIGNED BY PRESIDENT DUTERTE In January, Health Secretary Paulyn Ubial said that President Duterte had asked her to draft the executive order similar to what had been implemented in Davao City when he was a mayor, it is the "100% smoke-free environment in public places."Today, a text message from Sec. Manny Piñol to ABS-CBN News confirmed that President Duterte will sign an Executive Order to ban smoking in public places as drafted by the Department of Health (DOH). If you know someone who is sick, had an accident or relatives of an employee who died while on duty, you can help them and their families by sharing them how to claim their benefits from the government through Employment Compensation Commission. Here are the steps on claiming the Employee Compensation for private employees. Step 1. Prepare the following documents: Certificate of Employment- stating the actual duties and responsibilities of the employee at the time of his sickness or accident. EC Log Book- certified true copy of the page containing the particular sickness or accident that happened to the employee. Medical Findings- should come from the attending doctor the hospital where the employee was admitted. Step 2. Gather the additional documents if the employee is; 1. Got sick: Request your company to provide pre-employment medical check -up or Fit-To-Work certification at the time that you first got hired . Also attach Medical Records from your company. 2. In case of accident: Provide an Accident report if the accident happened within the company or work premises. Police report if it happened outside the company premises (i.e. employee's residence etc.) 3 In case of Death: Bring the Death Certificate, Medical Records and accident report of the employee. If married, bring the Marriage Certificate and the Birth Certificate of his children below 21 years of age. FINAL ENTRY HERE, LINKS OTHERS Step 3. Gather all the requirements together and submit it to the nearest SSS office. Wait for the SSS decision,if approved, you will receive a notice and a cheque from the SSS. If denied, ask for a written denial letter from SSS and file a motion for reconsideration and submit it to the SSS Main office. In case that the motion is not approved, write a letter of appeal and send it to ECC and wait for their decision. Contact ECC Office at ECC Building, 355 Sen. Gil J. Puyat Ave, Makati, 1209 Metro ManilaPhone:(02) 899 4251 Recommended: NATIONAL PORTAL AND NATIONAL BROADBAND PLAN TO SPEED UP INTERNET SERVICES IN THE PHILIPPINES In a Facebook post of Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol, he said that after a presentation made by Dept. of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Rodolfo Salalima, Pres. Duterte emphasized the need for faster communications in the country.Pres. Duterte earlier said he would like the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) "to develop a national broadband plan to accelerate the deployment of fiber optics cables and wireless technologies to improve internet speed." As a response to the President's SONA statement, Salalima presented the DICT's national broadband plan that aims to push for free WiFi access to more areas in the countryside. Read more: http://www.jbsolis.com/2017/03/president-rodrigo-duterte-approved.html#ixzz4bC6eQr5N Good news to the Filipinos whose business and livelihood rely on good and fast internet connection such as stocks trading and online marketing. President Rodrigo Duterte has already approved the establishment of the National Government Portal and a National Broadband Plan during the 13th Cabinet Meeting in Malacañang today. In a facebook post of Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol, he said that after a presentation made by Dept. of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Rodolfo Salalima, Pres. Duterte emphasized the need for faster communications in the country. Pres. Duterte earlier said he would like the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) "to develop a national broadband plan to accelerate the deployment of fiber optics cables and wireless technologies to improve internet speed." As a response to the President's SONA statement, Salalima presented the DICT's national broadband plan that aims to push for free WiFi access to more areas in the countryside. The broadband program has been in the work since former President Gloria Arroyo but due to allegations of corruption and illegality, Mrs. Arroyo cancelled the US$329 million National Broadband Network (NBN) deal with China's ZTE Corp.just 6 months after she signed it in April 2007. Fast internet connection benefits not only those who are on internet business and online business but even our over 10 million OFWs around the world and their families in the Philippines. When the era of snail mails, voice tapes and telegram and the internet age started, communications with their loved one back home can be much easier. But with the Philippines being at #43 on the latest internet speed ranks, something is telling us that improvement has to made. RECOMMENDED BEWARE OF SCAMMERS! RELOCATING NAIA THE HORROR AND TERROR OF BEING A HOUSEMAID IN SAUDI ARABIA DUTERTE WARNING NEW BAGGAGE RULES FOR DUBAI AIRPORT HUGE FISH SIGHTINGS NATIONWIDE SMOKING BAN SIGNED BY PRESIDENT DUTERTE In January, Health Secretary Paulyn Ubial said that President Duterte had asked her to draft the executive order similar to what had been implemented in Davao City when he was a mayor, it is the "100% smoke-free environment in public places."Today, a text message from Sec. Manny Piñol to ABS-CBN News confirmed that President Duterte will sign an Executive Order to ban smoking in public places as drafted by the Department of Health (DOH). Read more: http://www.jbsolis.com/2017/03/executive-order-for-nationwide-smoking.html#ixzz4bC77ijSR EMIRATES ID CAN NOW BE USED AS HEALTH INSURANCE CARD TODAY'S NEWS THAT WILL REVIVE YOUR TRUST TO THE PHIL GOVERNMENT BEWARE OF SCAMMERS! RELOCATING NAIA THE HORROR AND TERROR OF BEING A HOUSEMAID IN SAUDI ARABIA DUTERTE WARNING NEW BAGGAGE RULES FOR DUBAI AIRPORT HUGE FISH SIGHTINGS How to File Employment Compensation for Private Workers If you know someone who is sick, had an accident or relatives of an employee who died while on duty, you can help them and their families by sharing them how to claim their benefits from the government through Employment Compensation Commission. If you know someone who is sick, had an accident or relatives of an employee who died while on duty, you can help them and their families by sharing them how to claim their benefits from the government through Employment Compensation Commission. Here are the steps on claiming the Employee Compensation for private employees. Step 1. Prepare the following documents: Certificate of Employment- stating the actual duties and responsibilities of the employee at the time of his sickness or accident. EC Log Book- certified true copy of the page containing the particular sickness or accident that happened to the employee. Medical Findings- should come from the attending doctor the hospital where the employee was admitted. Step 2. Gather the additional documents if the employee is; 1. Got sick: Request your company to provide pre-employment medical check -up or Fit-To-Work certification at the time that you first got hired . Also attach Medical Records from your company. 2. In case of accident: Provide an Accident report if the accident happened within the company or work premises. Police report if it happened outside the company premises (i.e. employee's residence etc.) 3 In case of Death: Bring the Death Certificate, Medical Records and accident report of the employee. If married, bring the Marriage Certificate and the Birth Certificate of his children below 21 years of age. FINAL ENTRY HERE, LINKS OTHERS Step 3. Gather all the requirements together and submit it to the nearest SSS office. Wait for the SSS decision,if approved, you will receive a notice and a cheque from the SSS. If denied, ask for a written denial letter from SSS and file a motion for reconsideration and submit it to the SSS Main office. In case that the motion is not approved, write a letter of appeal and send it to ECC and wait for their decision. Contact ECC Office at ECC Building, 355 Sen. Gil J. Puyat Ave, Makati, 1209 Metro ManilaPhone:(02) 899 4251 Recommended: NATIONAL PORTAL AND NATIONAL BROADBAND PLAN TO SPEED UP INTERNET SERVICES IN THE PHILIPPINES In a Facebook post of Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol, he said that after a presentation made by Dept. of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Rodolfo Salalima, Pres. Duterte emphasized the need for faster communications in the country.Pres. Duterte earlier said he would like the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) "to develop a national broadband plan to accelerate the deployment of fiber optics cables and wireless technologies to improve internet speed." As a response to the President's SONA statement, Salalima presented the DICT's national broadband plan that aims to push for free WiFi access to more areas in the countryside. Read more: http://www.jbsolis.com/2017/03/president-rodrigo-duterte-approved.html#ixzz4bC6eQr5N Good news to the Filipinos whose business and livelihood rely on good and fast internet connection such as stocks trading and online marketing. President Rodrigo Duterte has already approved the establishment of the National Government Portal and a National Broadband Plan during the 13th Cabinet Meeting in Malacañang today. In a facebook post of Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol, he said that after a presentation made by Dept. of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Rodolfo Salalima, Pres. Duterte emphasized the need for faster communications in the country. Pres. Duterte earlier said he would like the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) "to develop a national broadband plan to accelerate the deployment of fiber optics cables and wireless technologies to improve internet speed." As a response to the President's SONA statement, Salalima presented the DICT's national broadband plan that aims to push for free WiFi access to more areas in the countryside. The broadband program has been in the work since former President Gloria Arroyo but due to allegations of corruption and illegality, Mrs. Arroyo cancelled the US$329 million National Broadband Network (NBN) deal with China's ZTE Corp.just 6 months after she signed it in April 2007. Fast internet connection benefits not only those who are on internet business and online business but even our over 10 million OFWs around the world and their families in the Philippines. When the era of snail mails, voice tapes and telegram and the internet age started, communications with their loved one back home can be much easier. But with the Philippines being at #43 on the latest internet speed ranks, something is telling us that improvement has to made. RECOMMENDED BEWARE OF SCAMMERS! RELOCATING NAIA THE HORROR AND TERROR OF BEING A HOUSEMAID IN SAUDI ARABIA DUTERTE WARNING NEW BAGGAGE RULES FOR DUBAI AIRPORT HUGE FISH SIGHTINGS NATIONWIDE SMOKING BAN SIGNED BY PRESIDENT DUTERTE In January, Health Secretary Paulyn Ubial said that President Duterte had asked her to draft the executive order similar to what had been implemented in Davao City when he was a mayor, it is the "100% smoke-free environment in public places."Today, a text message from Sec. Manny Piñol to ABS-CBN News confirmed that President Duterte will sign an Executive Order to ban smoking in public places as drafted by the Department of Health (DOH). Read more: http://www.jbsolis.com/2017/03/executive-order-for-nationwide-smoking.html#ixzz4bC77ijSR EMIRATES ID CAN NOW BE USED AS HEALTH INSURANCE CARD TODAY'S NEWS THAT WILL REVIVE YOUR TRUST TO THE PHIL GOVERNMENT BEWARE OF SCAMMERS! RELOCATING NAIA THE HORROR AND TERROR OF BEING A HOUSEMAID IN SAUDI ARABIA DUTERTE WARNING NEW BAGGAGE RULES FOR DUBAI AIRPORT HUGE FISH SIGHTINGS Requirements and Fees for Reduced Travel Tax for OFW Dependents What is a travel tax? According to TIEZA ( Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority), it is a levy imposed by the Philippine government on individuals who are leaving the Philippines, as provided for by Presidential Decree (PD) 1183. A full travel tax for first class passenger is PhP2,700.00 and PhP1,620.00 for economy class. For an average Filipino like me, it’s quite pricey. Overseas Filipino Workers, diplomats and airline crew members are exempted from paying travel tax before but now, travel tax for OFWs are included in their air ticket prize and can be refunded later at the refund counter at NAIA. However, OFW dependents can apply for standard reduced travel tax. Children or Minors from 2 years and one (1) day to 12th birthday on date of travel. Accredited Filipino journalist whose travel is in pursuit of journalistic assignment and those authorized by the President of the Republic of the Philippines for reasons of national interest, are also entitled to avail the reduced travel tax. If you will travel anywhere in the world from the Philippines, you must be aware about the travel tax that you need to settle before your flight. What is a travel tax? According to TIEZA ( Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority), it is a levy imposed by the Philippine government on individuals who are leaving the Philippines, as provided for by Presidential Decree (PD) 1183. A full travel tax for first class passenger is PhP2,700.00 and PhP1,620.00 for economy class. For an average Filipino like me, it’s quite pricey. Overseas Filipino Workers, diplomats and airline crew members are exempted from paying travel tax before but now, travel tax for OFWs are included in their air ticket prize and can be refunded later at the refund counter at NAIA. However, OFW dependents can apply for standard reduced travel tax. Children or Minors from 2 years and one (1) day to 12th birthday on date of travel. Accredited Filipino journalist whose travel is in pursuit of journalistic assignment and those authorized by the President of the Republic of the Philippines for reasons of national interest, are also entitled to avail the reduced travel tax. For privileged reduce travel tax, the legitimate spouse and unmarried children (below 21 years old) of the OFWs are qualified to avail. How much can you save if you avail of the reduced travel tax? A full travel tax for first class passenger is PhP2,700.00 and PhP1,620.00 for economy class. Paying it in full can be costly. With the reduced travel tax policy, your travel tax has been cut roughly by 50 percent for the standard reduced rate and further lower for the privileged reduce rate. How much is the Reduced Travel Tax? First Class Economy Standard Reduced Rate P1,350.00 P810.00 Privileged Reduced Rate P400.00 P300.00 Image from TIEZA ©2017 THOUGHTSKOTOWATCH VIDEO:PINAY DH IN HONG KONG STRANGLED IN PUBLIC DUE TO FRIEND'S DEBT

Read more: 
Sources: sunwebhk, inquirer.net, South China Morning Post

Recommended:
Why OFWs Remain in Neck-deep Debts After Years Of Working Abroad?
From beginning to the end, the real life of OFWs are colorful indeed. To work outside the country, they invest too much, spend a lot. They start making loans for the processing of their needed documents to work abroad. From application until they can actually leave the country, they spend big sum of money for it. But after they were being able to finally work abroad, the story did not just end there. More often than not, the big sum of cash they used to pay the recruitment agency fees cause them to suffer from indebtedness. They were being charged and burdened with too much fees, which are not even compliant with the law. Because of their eagerness to work overseas, they immerse themselves to high interest loans for the sake of working abroad. The recruitment agencies play a big role why the OFWs are suffering from neck-deep debts. Even some licensed agencies, they freely exploit the vulnerability of the OFWs. Due to their greed to collect more cash from every OFWs that they deploy, it results to making the life of OFWs more miserable by burying them in debts. The result of high fees collected by the agencies can even last even the OFWs have been deployed abroad. Some employers deduct it to their salaries for a number of months, leaving the OFWs broke when their much awaited salary comes. But it doesn't end there. Some of these agencies conspire with their counterpart agencies to urge the foreign employers to cut the salary of the poor OFWs in their favor. That is of course, beyond the expectation of the OFWs. Even before they leave, the promised salary is already computed and allocated. They have already planned how much they are going to send to their family back home. If the employer would cut the amount of the salary they are expecting to receive, the planned remittance will surely suffer, it includes the loans that they promised to be paid immediately on time when they finally work abroad. There is such a situation that their family in the Philippines carry the burden of paying for these loans made by the OFW. For example. An OFW father that has found a mistress, which is a fellow OFW, who turned his back to his family and to his obligations to pay his loans made for the recruitment fees. The result, the poor family back home, aside from not receiving any remittance, they will be the ones who are obliged to pay the loans made by the OFW, adding weight to the emotional burden they already had aside from their daily needs. Read: Common Money Mistakes Why Ofws remain Broke After Years Of Working Abroad Source: Bandera/inquirer.net NATIONAL PORTAL AND NATIONAL BROADBAND PLAN TO SPEED UP INTERNET SERVICES IN THE PHILIPPINES NATIONWIDE SMOKING BAN SIGNED BY PRESIDENT DUTERTE EMIRATES ID CAN NOW BE USED AS HEALTH INSURANCE CARD TODAY'S NEWS THAT WILL REVIVE YOUR TRUST TO THE PHIL GOVERNMENT BEWARE OF SCAMMERS! RELOCATING NAIA THE HORROR AND TERROR OF BEING A HOUSEMAID IN SAUDI ARABIA DUTERTE WARNING NEW BAGGAGE RULES FOR DUBAI AIRPORT HUGE FISH SIGHTINGS
From beginning to the end, the real life of OFWs are colorful indeed. To work outside the country, they invest too much, spend a lot. They start making loans for the processing of their needed documents to work abroad.


NATIONAL PORTAL AND NATIONAL BROADBAND PLAN TO  SPEED UP INTERNET SERVICES IN THE PHILIPPINES
In a Facebook post of Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol, he said that after a presentation made by Dept. of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Rodolfo Salalima, Pres. Duterte emphasized the need for faster communications in the country.Pres. Duterte earlier said he would like the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) "to develop a national broadband plan to accelerate the deployment of fiber optics cables and wireless technologies to improve internet speed." As a response to the President's SONA statement, Salalima presented the  DICT's national broadband plan that aims to push for free WiFi access to more areas in the countryside. 

Good news to the Filipinos whose business and livelihood rely on good and fast internet connection such as stocks trading and online marketing. President Rodrigo Duterte has already approved the establishment of the National Government Portal and a National Broadband Plan during the 13th Cabinet Meeting in Malacañang today. In a facebook post of Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol, he said that after a presentation made by Dept. of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Rodolfo Salalima, Pres. Duterte emphasized the need for faster communications in the country. Pres. Duterte earlier said he would like the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) "to develop a national broadband plan to accelerate the deployment of fiber optics cables and wireless technologies to improve internet speed." As a response to the President's SONA statement, Salalima presented the DICT's national broadband plan that aims to push for free WiFi access to more areas in the countryside. The broadband program has been in the work since former President Gloria Arroyo but due to allegations of corruption and illegality, Mrs. Arroyo cancelled the US$329 million National Broadband Network (NBN) deal with China's ZTE Corp.just 6 months after she signed it in April 2007. Fast internet connection benefits not only those who are on internet business and online business but even our over 10 million OFWs around the world and their families in the Philippines. When the era of snail mails, voice tapes and telegram and the internet age started, communications with their loved one back home can be much easier. But with the Philippines being at #43 on the latest internet speed ranks, something is telling us that improvement has to made. RECOMMENDED BEWARE OF SCAMMERS! RELOCATING NAIA THE HORROR AND TERROR OF BEING A HOUSEMAID IN SAUDI ARABIA DUTERTE WARNING NEW BAGGAGE RULES FOR DUBAI AIRPORT HUGE FISH SIGHTINGS

NATIONWIDE SMOKING BAN SIGNED BY PRESIDENT DUTERTE
In January, Health Secretary Paulyn Ubial said that President Duterte had asked her to draft the executive order similar to what had been implemented in Davao City when he was a mayor, it is the "100% smoke-free environment in public places."Today, a text message from Sec. Manny Piñol to ABS-CBN News confirmed that President Duterte will sign an Executive Order to ban smoking in public places as drafted by the Department of Health (DOH).

If you know someone who is sick, had an accident or relatives of an employee who died while on duty, you can help them and their families by sharing them how to claim their benefits from the government through Employment Compensation Commission. Here are the steps on claiming the Employee Compensation for private employees. Step 1. Prepare the following documents: Certificate of Employment- stating the actual duties and responsibilities of the employee at the time of his sickness or accident. EC Log Book- certified true copy of the page containing the particular sickness or accident that happened to the employee. Medical Findings- should come from the attending doctor the hospital where the employee was admitted. Step 2. Gather the additional documents if the employee is; 1. Got sick: Request your company to provide pre-employment medical check -up or Fit-To-Work certification at the time that you first got hired . Also attach Medical Records from your company. 2. In case of accident: Provide an Accident report if the accident happened within the company or work premises. Police report if it happened outside the company premises (i.e. employee's residence etc.) 3 In case of Death: Bring the Death Certificate, Medical Records and accident report of the employee. If married, bring the Marriage Certificate and the Birth Certificate of his children below 21 years of age. FINAL ENTRY HERE, LINKS OTHERS Step 3. Gather all the requirements together and submit it to the nearest SSS office. Wait for the SSS decision,if approved, you will receive a notice and a cheque from the SSS. If denied, ask for a written denial letter from SSS and file a motion for reconsideration and submit it to the SSS Main office. In case that the motion is not approved, write a letter of appeal and send it to ECC and wait for their decision. Contact ECC Office at ECC Building, 355 Sen. Gil J. Puyat Ave, Makati, 1209 Metro ManilaPhone:(02) 899 4251 Recommended: NATIONAL PORTAL AND NATIONAL BROADBAND PLAN TO SPEED UP INTERNET SERVICES IN THE PHILIPPINES In a Facebook post of Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol, he said that after a presentation made by Dept. of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Rodolfo Salalima, Pres. Duterte emphasized the need for faster communications in the country.Pres. Duterte earlier said he would like the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) "to develop a national broadband plan to accelerate the deployment of fiber optics cables and wireless technologies to improve internet speed." As a response to the President's SONA statement, Salalima presented the DICT's national broadband plan that aims to push for free WiFi access to more areas in the countryside. Read more: http://www.jbsolis.com/2017/03/president-rodrigo-duterte-approved.html#ixzz4bC6eQr5N Good news to the Filipinos whose business and livelihood rely on good and fast internet connection such as stocks trading and online marketing. President Rodrigo Duterte has already approved the establishment of the National Government Portal and a National Broadband Plan during the 13th Cabinet Meeting in Malacañang today. In a facebook post of Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol, he said that after a presentation made by Dept. of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Rodolfo Salalima, Pres. Duterte emphasized the need for faster communications in the country. Pres. Duterte earlier said he would like the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) "to develop a national broadband plan to accelerate the deployment of fiber optics cables and wireless technologies to improve internet speed." As a response to the President's SONA statement, Salalima presented the DICT's national broadband plan that aims to push for free WiFi access to more areas in the countryside. The broadband program has been in the work since former President Gloria Arroyo but due to allegations of corruption and illegality, Mrs. Arroyo cancelled the US$329 million National Broadband Network (NBN) deal with China's ZTE Corp.just 6 months after she signed it in April 2007. Fast internet connection benefits not only those who are on internet business and online business but even our over 10 million OFWs around the world and their families in the Philippines. When the era of snail mails, voice tapes and telegram and the internet age started, communications with their loved one back home can be much easier. But with the Philippines being at #43 on the latest internet speed ranks, something is telling us that improvement has to made. RECOMMENDED BEWARE OF SCAMMERS! RELOCATING NAIA THE HORROR AND TERROR OF BEING A HOUSEMAID IN SAUDI ARABIA DUTERTE WARNING NEW BAGGAGE RULES FOR DUBAI AIRPORT HUGE FISH SIGHTINGS NATIONWIDE SMOKING BAN SIGNED BY PRESIDENT DUTERTE In January, Health Secretary Paulyn Ubial said that President Duterte had asked her to draft the executive order similar to what had been implemented in Davao City when he was a mayor, it is the "100% smoke-free environment in public places."Today, a text message from Sec. Manny Piñol to ABS-CBN News confirmed that President Duterte will sign an Executive Order to ban smoking in public places as drafted by the Department of Health (DOH). Read more: http://www.jbsolis.com/2017/03/executive-order-for-nationwide-smoking.html#ixzz4bC77ijSR EMIRATES ID CAN NOW BE USED AS HEALTH INSURANCE CARD TODAY'S NEWS THAT WILL REVIVE YOUR TRUST TO THE PHIL GOVERNMENT BEWARE OF SCAMMERS! RELOCATING NAIA THE HORROR AND TERROR OF BEING A HOUSEMAID IN SAUDI ARABIA DUTERTE WARNING NEW BAGGAGE RULES FOR DUBAI AIRPORT HUGE FISH SIGHTINGS

How to File Employment Compensation for Private Workers
If you know someone who is sick, had an accident  or relatives of an employee who died while on duty, you can help them and their families  by sharing them how to claim their benefits from the government through Employment Compensation Commission.
If you know someone who is sick, had an accident or relatives of an employee who died while on duty, you can help them and their families by sharing them how to claim their benefits from the government through Employment Compensation Commission. Here are the steps on claiming the Employee Compensation for private employees. Step 1. Prepare the following documents: Certificate of Employment- stating the actual duties and responsibilities of the employee at the time of his sickness or accident. EC Log Book- certified true copy of the page containing the particular sickness or accident that happened to the employee. Medical Findings- should come from the attending doctor the hospital where the employee was admitted. Step 2. Gather the additional documents if the employee is; 1. Got sick: Request your company to provide pre-employment medical check -up or Fit-To-Work certification at the time that you first got hired . Also attach Medical Records from your company. 2. In case of accident: Provide an Accident report if the accident happened within the company or work premises. Police report if it happened outside the company premises (i.e. employee's residence etc.) 3 In case of Death: Bring the Death Certificate, Medical Records and accident report of the employee. If married, bring the Marriage Certificate and the Birth Certificate of his children below 21 years of age. FINAL ENTRY HERE, LINKS OTHERS Step 3. Gather all the requirements together and submit it to the nearest SSS office. Wait for the SSS decision,if approved, you will receive a notice and a cheque from the SSS. If denied, ask for a written denial letter from SSS and file a motion for reconsideration and submit it to the SSS Main office. In case that the motion is not approved, write a letter of appeal and send it to ECC and wait for their decision. Contact ECC Office at ECC Building, 355 Sen. Gil J. Puyat Ave, Makati, 1209 Metro ManilaPhone:(02) 899 4251 Recommended: NATIONAL PORTAL AND NATIONAL BROADBAND PLAN TO SPEED UP INTERNET SERVICES IN THE PHILIPPINES In a Facebook post of Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol, he said that after a presentation made by Dept. of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Rodolfo Salalima, Pres. Duterte emphasized the need for faster communications in the country.Pres. Duterte earlier said he would like the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) "to develop a national broadband plan to accelerate the deployment of fiber optics cables and wireless technologies to improve internet speed." As a response to the President's SONA statement, Salalima presented the DICT's national broadband plan that aims to push for free WiFi access to more areas in the countryside. Read more: http://www.jbsolis.com/2017/03/president-rodrigo-duterte-approved.html#ixzz4bC6eQr5N Good news to the Filipinos whose business and livelihood rely on good and fast internet connection such as stocks trading and online marketing. President Rodrigo Duterte has already approved the establishment of the National Government Portal and a National Broadband Plan during the 13th Cabinet Meeting in Malacañang today. In a facebook post of Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol, he said that after a presentation made by Dept. of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Rodolfo Salalima, Pres. Duterte emphasized the need for faster communications in the country. Pres. Duterte earlier said he would like the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) "to develop a national broadband plan to accelerate the deployment of fiber optics cables and wireless technologies to improve internet speed." As a response to the President's SONA statement, Salalima presented the DICT's national broadband plan that aims to push for free WiFi access to more areas in the countryside. The broadband program has been in the work since former President Gloria Arroyo but due to allegations of corruption and illegality, Mrs. Arroyo cancelled the US$329 million National Broadband Network (NBN) deal with China's ZTE Corp.just 6 months after she signed it in April 2007. Fast internet connection benefits not only those who are on internet business and online business but even our over 10 million OFWs around the world and their families in the Philippines. When the era of snail mails, voice tapes and telegram and the internet age started, communications with their loved one back home can be much easier. But with the Philippines being at #43 on the latest internet speed ranks, something is telling us that improvement has to made. RECOMMENDED BEWARE OF SCAMMERS! RELOCATING NAIA THE HORROR AND TERROR OF BEING A HOUSEMAID IN SAUDI ARABIA DUTERTE WARNING NEW BAGGAGE RULES FOR DUBAI AIRPORT HUGE FISH SIGHTINGS NATIONWIDE SMOKING BAN SIGNED BY PRESIDENT DUTERTE In January, Health Secretary Paulyn Ubial said that President Duterte had asked her to draft the executive order similar to what had been implemented in Davao City when he was a mayor, it is the "100% smoke-free environment in public places."Today, a text message from Sec. Manny Piñol to ABS-CBN News confirmed that President Duterte will sign an Executive Order to ban smoking in public places as drafted by the Department of Health (DOH). Read more: http://www.jbsolis.com/2017/03/executive-order-for-nationwide-smoking.html#ixzz4bC77ijSR EMIRATES ID CAN NOW BE USED AS HEALTH INSURANCE CARD TODAY'S NEWS THAT WILL REVIVE YOUR TRUST TO THE PHIL GOVERNMENT BEWARE OF SCAMMERS! RELOCATING NAIA THE HORROR AND TERROR OF BEING A HOUSEMAID IN SAUDI ARABIA DUTERTE WARNING NEW BAGGAGE RULES FOR DUBAI AIRPORT HUGE FISH SIGHTINGS
Requirements and Fees for Reduced Travel Tax for OFW Dependents

What is a travel tax?
According to TIEZA ( Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority), it is a levy imposed by the Philippine government on individuals who are leaving the Philippines, as provided for by Presidential Decree (PD) 1183. 

A full travel tax for first class passenger is PhP2,700.00 and PhP1,620.00 for economy class. For an average Filipino like me, it’s quite pricey. Overseas Filipino Workers, diplomats and airline crew members are exempted from paying travel tax before but now, travel tax for OFWs are included in their air ticket prize and can be refunded later at the refund counter at NAIA.

However, OFW dependents can apply for  standard reduced travel tax. Children or Minors from 2 years and one (1) day to 12th birthday on date of travel.

Accredited Filipino journalist whose travel is in pursuit of journalistic assignment and 

If you will travel anywhere in the world from the Philippines, you must be aware about the travel tax that you need to settle before your flight. What is a travel tax? According to TIEZA ( Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority), it is a levy imposed by the Philippine government on individuals who are leaving the Philippines, as provided for by Presidential Decree (PD) 1183. A full travel tax for first class passenger is PhP2,700.00 and PhP1,620.00 for economy class. For an average Filipino like me, it’s quite pricey. Overseas Filipino Workers, diplomats and airline crew members are exempted from paying travel tax before but now, travel tax for OFWs are included in their air ticket prize and can be refunded later at the refund counter at NAIA. However, OFW dependents can apply for standard reduced travel tax. Children or Minors from 2 years and one (1) day to 12th birthday on date of travel. Accredited Filipino journalist whose travel is in pursuit of journalistic assignment and those authorized by the President of the Republic of the Philippines for reasons of national interest, are also entitled to avail the reduced travel tax. For privileged reduce travel tax, the legitimate spouse and unmarried children (below 21 years old) of the OFWs are qualified to avail. How much can you save if you avail of the reduced travel tax? A full travel tax for first class passenger is PhP2,700.00 and PhP1,620.00 for economy class. Paying it in full can be costly. With the reduced travel tax policy, your travel tax has been cut roughly by 50 percent for the standard reduced rate and further lower for the privileged reduce rate. How much is the Reduced Travel Tax? First Class Economy Standard Reduced Rate P1,350.00 P810.00 Privileged Reduced Rate P400.00 P300.00 Image from TIEZA


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