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Showing posts with label Labor. Show all posts

Thursday, May 28, 2020

PAPAYAG KA BA? 35 NA ORAS NA LANG ANG MAGIGING TRABAHO KADA LINGGO?

Bagama't unti-unti nang nagsisimula muli ang operasyon ng iba't ibang mga kumpanya, hindi maiiwasan na mayroon pa ring mga empleyado na hindi makapasok at piliin na lamang manatili sa bahay.

Ngunit ang hiling ng Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) sa mga nagmamay-ari at namamalakad ng kumpanya, intindihin muna ang mga hindi pa rin makababalik para gampanan ang kani-kanilang tungkulin.

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Sa isang meeting, hiniling ni Labor Undersecretary Ana Dione na bigyan ng konsiderasyon ang mga manggagawa at empleyado na hindi pa makakabalik sa trabaho, lalo na at nariyan pa rin ang problema sa transportasyon na limitado pa rin hanggang ngayon.

“Please take care of the workers because we’re in a difficult situation. Wala po sanang mga disciplinary action na kaagad-agad gagawin," aniya. "Take a look at it on a case-to-case basis. Overall, ang gusto lang natin ay umandar (ang ekonomiya), (but) at the same time, tingnan ang kapakanan ng manggagawa. Ibalanse po natin.

Bagama't hindi nakalilimutan ng ahensya na kailangan ng mga kumpanya ang mga empleyado nila para magsimula ang kani-kanilang operasyon, umaasa raw ito na magiging mas mabait ang mga employer sa pagkakataong ito.

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Saturday, July 13, 2019

Will Pres. Duterte Shut Down Recruitment Agencies?

In a speech during a program appreciating the overseas Filipino workers (OFW), President Rodrigo Duterte said that he wants the department of OFWs to be hastened , thus, he certified it as urgent expecting it to be in place before the year ends.

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President Duterte said that when the department is up and running, it will also handle the recruitment of the OFW's to be deployed overseas instead of being handled by private recruitment agencies which charges too much for the placement fee.

In a speech during a program appreciating the overseas Filipino workers (OFW), President Rodrigo Duterte said that he wants the department of OFWs to be hastened , thus, he certified it as urgent expecting it to be in place before the year ends. Ads President Duterte said that when the department is up and running, it will also handle the recruitment of the OFW's to be deployed overseas instead of being handled by private recruitment agencies which charges too much for the placement fee. However, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello clarified President Rodrigo Duterte’s statement on prohibiting agencies from recruiting Filipinos to become Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) due to repeated cases of abuse. Bello said in an interview with GMA News that the government will not order the shut down of recruitment agencies. Instead the recruitment activities being conducted by the recruitment agencies will be subjected to scrutiny. Ads Sponsored Links “Hindi naman po, tutukan lang nang mabuti ‘yung kanilang mga activities, especially doon sa pagre-recruit,” Bello said. Bello added that he also talked with Senator Bong about making a law that will not only treat the OFWs but also the labor sector which described by Bello as "having too much responsibility but without powers."

However, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello clarified President Rodrigo Duterte’s statement on prohibiting agencies from recruiting Filipinos to become Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) due to repeated cases of abuse.

Bello said in an interview with GMA News that the government will not order the shut down of recruitment agencies. Instead the recruitment activities being conducted by the recruitment agencies will be subjected to scrutiny.

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Thursday, July 20, 2017

Comparison of Employee Benefits in Asia Pacific Region

Different countries in Asia Pacific Region has different rules and regulations with regards to the employee benefits. Each rules can be exactly the same or slightly different from each of them.

Here are the comparison of employee benefits in each country in Asia Pacific:

Cambodia is significantly has the highest allowed paid yearly holiday compared to the rest of its neighboring countries in Asia Pacific. However, it does not give parental leave while other countries do.

The comparison is based on different benefits that an employee can get such as statutory paid holiday per annum, statutory annual paid leave, standard working hours, statutory paid sick leave, maternity leave, parental leave including paternity leave, minimum wage, unemployment insurance among others.

Read More:

China's plans to hire Filipino household workers to their five major cities including Beijing and Shanghai, was reported at a local newspaper Philippine Star. it could be a big break for the household workers who are trying their luck in finding greener pastures by working overseas China is offering up to P100,000 a month, or about HK$15,000. The existing minimum allowable wage for a foreign domestic helper in Hong Kong is around HK$4,310 per month. Dominador Say, undersecretary of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), said that talks are underway with Chinese embassy officials on this possibility. China’s five major cities, including Beijing, Shanghai and Xiamen will soon be the haven for Filipino domestic workers who are seeking higher income. DOLE is expected to have further negotiations on the launch date with a delegation from China in September. according to Usec Say, Chinese employers favor Filipino domestic workers for their English proficiency, which allows them to teach their employers’ children. Chinese embassy officials also mentioned that improving ties with the leadership of President Rodrigo Duterte has paved the way for the new policy to materialize. There is presently a strict work visa system for foreign workers who want to enter mainland China. But according Usec. Say, China is serious about the proposal. Philippine Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello said an estimated 200,000 Filipino domestic helpers are presently working illegally in China. With a great demand for skilled domestic workers, Filipino OFWs would have an option to apply using legal processes on their desired higher salary for their sector. Source: ejinsight.com, PhilStar Read More: The effectivity of the Nationwide Smoking Ban or E.O. 26 (Providing for the Establishment of Smoke-free Environment in Public and Enclosed Places) started today, July 23, but only a few seems to be aware of it. President Rodrigo Duterte signed the Executive Order 26 with the citizens health in mind. Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella said the executive order is a milestone where the government prioritize public health protection. The smoking ban includes smoking in places such as schools, universities and colleges, playgrounds, restaurants and food preparation areas, basketball courts, stairwells, health centers, clinics, public and private hospitals, hotels, malls, elevators, taxis, buses, public utility jeepneys, ships, tricycles, trains, airplanes, and gas stations which are prone to combustion. The Department of Health urges all the establishments to post "no smoking" signs in compliance with the new executive order. They also appeal to the public to report any violation against the nationwide ban on smoking in public places. Read More: ©2017 THOUGHTSKOTO www.jbsolis.com SEARCH JBSOLIS, TYPE KEYWORDS and TITLE OF ARTICLE at the box below Smoking is only allowed in designated smoking areas to be provided by the owner of the establishment. Smoking in private vehicles parked in public areas is also prohibited. What Do You Need To know About The Nationwide Smoking Ban Violators will be fined P500 to P10,000, depending on their number of offenses, while owners of establishments caught violating the EO will face a fine of P5,000 or imprisonment of not more than 30 days. The Department of Health urges all the establishments to post "no smoking" signs in compliance with the new executive order. They also appeal to the public to report any violation against the nationwide ban on smoking in public places. ©2017 THOUGHTSKOTO

Dominador Say, undersecretary of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), said that talks are underway with Chinese embassy officials on this possibility. China’s five major cities, including Beijing, Shanghai and Xiamen will soon be the destination for Filipino domestic workers who are seeking higher income.
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Thursday, April 20, 2017

OFW Pre-Employment Medical Examination: What Tests An OFW Wannabe Should Pass?

What sort of tests do you need to pass if you are aspiring to be an OFW?
Well, it will take more than wit and skills. You need to be perfectly functional if you want to work overseas whether you want to work on board a ship or land based. You need to be sure that you are fit to work. You should know what could hinder your plan to work abroad.
First, you must need to know the essential facts about the medical exam.

1. When do you need to take the medical exam?

Medical exam should be taken after you passed the final interview and you already got your job offer from the principal employer or in some instances, after signing your job contract. If your agency asked you to have a medical exam even before the interview, withdraw from that recruiter at once.

2. Medical tests that you need to pass.
The medical exam for aspiring OFWs usually has 2 parts or phases which can be completed in a day.

First phase includes :

-Urine Test

-Stool Test

-Blood Test

-X-Ray

-Dental

-Hearing Test

-Eye/vision Test

The Second Phase includes:

-Physical Exam

-Psychological Exam

3. The medical tests vary per country.

Those who are bound to Middle Eastern countries or the GCC, which includes Bahrain, Oman, Kuwait, Qatar, UAE, and Saudi Arabia has to comply with the standards set by the GCC Accredited Medical Clinics Association Or GAMCA. For OFWs bound for Qatar or Kuwait where they are not issuing a block-visa, a pre-medical is required. For Saudi Arabia where they can transfer visas to another person if they found you unfit, a pre-medical is not required.

What kind of tests do you need to pass if you are planning to be an OFW? Well, it will take more than wit and skills. You need to be perfectly functional if you want to work overseas whether you want to work on board a ship or land based. You need to be sure that you are fit to work. You should know what could hinder your plan to work abroad. First, you must need to know the essential facts about the medical exam. 1. When do you need to take the medical exam? Medical exam should be taken after you passed the final interview and you already got your job offer from the principal employer or in some instances, after signing your job contract. If your agency asked you to have a medical exam even before the interview, withdraw from that recruiter at once. 2. Medical tests that you need to pass. The medical exam for aspiring OFWs usually has 2 parts or phases which can be completed in a day. First phase includes : -Urine Test -Stool Test -Blood Test -X-Ray -Dental -Hearing Test -Eye/vision Test The Second Phase includes: -Physical Exam -Psychological Exam 3. The medical tests vary per country. Those who are bound to Middle Eastern countries or the GCC, which includes Bahrain, Oman, Kuwait, Qatar, UAE, and Saudi Arabia has to comply with the standards set by the GCC Accredited Medical Clinics Association Or GAMCA. For OFWs bound for Qatar or Kuwait where they are not issuing a block-visa, a pre-medical is required. For Saudi Arabia where they can transfer visas to another person if they found you unfit, a pre-medical is not required. *Note: If you are bound to Middle East, they still do not rely on the medical exam you underwent in the Philippines. They will run another series of test to determine if you are indeed fit to work. 4. Medical exam results expire. Medical certificate is only good for 90 days. If you are not deployed within that period, you may need to take another medical exam. 5. The medical result is very important for the job order. Passing the final interview or having the right skills does not guarantee you that you will get hired even if you already signed a contract. If your medical test shows that you are not fit to work, your job offer can be cancelled. If you are being scheduled for the medical exam, you need to eat healthy. A day prior to the exam, they will advise you to do an 8-hour fasting. Don't you worry, after you are done with the laboratory exams, you can already have your meal. Some advices I got from "older" OFWs was to drink a can of sterilized milk before bed time and a glass of pineapple juice in the morning three days prior to the medical exam schedule. I am not sure if it does work but I got a "fit to work" stamp on my medical certificate. Health is wealth. And if you want to get the job you want, you need to take care of your health. After all, for OFWs like us, it is not really only for ourselves but for the future of our sons and daughters. Source: DOH Recommended: There has always been a debate if oarfishes can really predict earthquakes before it even happens. But whether it is a coincidence or they have a supernatural power or ability to foresee or feel the coming earthquake, the bottom line is that every needs to be cautious and ready should any emergency or anything of that sort happens. There was also sightings of the mysterious oarfish before the recent earthquakes that happened in Mindanao, particularly in Surigao City that destroyed their airport just earlier this year. Dr. Rachel Grant , a researcher in animal biology who study the possibility of detecting earthquakes using animal behavior said that the 'myth' about the oarfish being able to sense the forthcoming earthquake could be possible. However, another scientist by the name of Catherine Dukes said: "The question is, can we detect it in the environment?" And can animals detect a sudden rise in atmospheric ozone? None of these hypotheses, however, is ready to be developed into an animal-based, early-warning system for earth tremors." Recent Sightings On April 17, a huge oarfish was seen Purok Kiblis in Barangay Lomuyon, Saranggani Province at around 4:30 a.m. but later died and washed ashore. Later that day a 4.1 magnitude earthquake, tectonic in origin with a depth of 222 kilometers shook the province with the epicenter recorded at 299 kilometers east of Sarangani. It was just an hour after a magnitude 4.4 with a depth of only 5 kilometers was felt in Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte at 7:28am according to the earthquake bulletin from PAG-ASA . Roughly 3 hours after the oarfish sighting in Sarangani, an earthquake followed. PHIVOLCS continues to warn everyone about the possibility of a 7.2 magnitude earthquake that could affect Metro Manila and nearby provinces such as Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, Rizal, Pampanga and others as the result of the West Valley Fault Movement dubbed as "the Big One". They said that if the people will not be prepared, it could affect 48,000 lives in one hit. According to PHIVOLCS Director Renato Solidum, this estimate is made to make people aware that the problem is really big and many people could be injured or worse, die, if we are not prepared. He stressed out that the structural integrity of the buildings and houses in these areas could determine the extent of the effect should such 7.2 magnitude earthquake happened. He said that it is time that we make sure that we should carefully consider to consult building professionals when planning to build a domicile that is earthquake proof making its residence safe. Solidum also reiterated the importance of having an earthquake drill. Determining what to do and where will be the safest place the family should go. Every family should also prepare a "go bag" or a backpack containing important documents, food, medicine, and other survival items that could last for at least 72 hours. The "Big One" is not a joke. Everyone should be prepared. Though we pray that it would never happen, readiness must be strictly considered to make or family and ourselves safe. RECOMMENDED: Earthquake drill or "shake drill" will be conducted in different parts of the country and that includes even the barangays to ensure the readiness and preparedness of every citizen should a huge earthquake such as the so called "the big one" would occur. This has been confirmed by MMDA Acting Chairman Tim Orbos and said to be taking place on July – the third drill being conducted on a large scale following a similar one last year. According to Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) Director Renato Solidum, earthquake drills should be done not only in Metro Manila but needed to be expanded in other areas such as Laguna , Bulacan , and Cavite. MMDA's Orbos and PHIVOLC's Solidum presided a meeting earlier this month with the Metro Manila Disaster Response Cluster with regards to the series of earthquakes that occurred in several areas in the past weeks. Solidum urged people to refrain from being affected by rumors that circulate especially on social media, as these simply spread wrong information. Solidum said that people should not be afraid of the successive quakes as these occurrences are normal. He also urged the people not to be affected by baseless rumors that are spreading on social media. Solidum also said that since it was too far away from the West Valley Fault, the tremors had nothing to do with it. Orbos said that barangays would be included in the next earthquake drill, reiterating the importance of local governments in emergency situations like this. Orbos also urged people to prepare their own GO-bag. A Go-bag is an important package containing necessities such as easy-to-open canned food, flashlights, and other survival kits. Preparing a 72-hour survival kit will save the lives of your family and yourself. Aside from being ready when such disaster happens, it is also critical that the houses are made to endure such tremors. if not, a house or a building could collapse leaving many people injured, trapped or worse, dead. The Department of Public Works and Highways should release guidelines on design or blueprints of quake-resilient houses for those that can't afford to hire the services of structural engineers. RECOMMENDED: 2 EARTHQUAKES IN A MATTER OF MINUTES HIT DIFFERENT PARTS OF LUZON ON APRIL 8 EARTHQUAKE TIPS Metro Manila residents and nearby provinces should prepare for the “Big One,” the West Valley Fault is now ripe for movement and it can generate a 7.2 magnitude earthquake. 2 EARTHQUAKES IN A MATTER OF MINUTES HIT DIFFERENT PARTS OF LUZON ON APRIL 8 EARTHQUAKE TIPS Earthquake drill or "shake drill" will be conducted in different parts of the country and that includes even the barangays to ensure the readiness and preparedness of every citizen should a huge earthquake such as the so called "the big one" would occur. This has been confirmed by MMDA Acting Chairman Tim Orbos and said to be taking place on July – the third drill being conducted on a large scale following a similar one last year. According to Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) Director Renato Solidum, earthquake drills should be done not only in Metro Manila but needed to be expanded in other areas such as Laguna , Bulacan , and Cavite. MMDA's Orbos and PHIVOLC's Solidum presided a meeting earlier this month with the Metro Manila Disaster Response Cluster with regards to the series of earthquakes that occurred in several areas in the past weeks. Solidum urged people to refrain from being affected by rumors that circulate especially on social media, as these simply spread wrong information. Solidum said that people should not be afraid of the successive quakes as these occurrences are normal. He also urged the people not to be affected by baseless rumors that are spreading on social media. Solidum also said that since it was too far away from the West Valley Fault, the tremors had nothing to do with it. Orbos said that barangays would be included in the next earthquake drill, reiterating the importance of local governments in emergency situations like this. Orbos also urged people to prepare their own GO-bag. A Go-bag is an important package containing necessities such as easy-to-open canned food, flashlights, and other survival kits. Preparing a 72-hour survival kit will save the lives of your family and yourself. Aside from being ready when such disaster happens, it is also critical that the houses are made to endure such tremors. if not, a house or a building could collapse leaving many people injured, trapped or worse, dead. The Department of Public Works and Highways should release guidelines on design or blueprints of quake-resilient houses for those that can't afford to hire the services of structural engineers. RECOMMENDED: 2 EARTHQUAKES IN A MATTER OF MINUTES HIT DIFFERENT PARTS OF LUZON ON APRIL 8 EARTHQUAKE TIPS Metro Manila residents and nearby provinces should prepare for the “Big One,” the West Valley Fault is now ripe for movement and it can generate a 7.2 magnitude earthquake. Earthquake drill or "shake drill" will be conducted in different parts of the country and that includes even the barangays to ensure the readiness and preparedness of every citizen should a huge earthquake such as the so called "the big one" would occur. This has been confirmed by MMDA Acting Chairman Tim Orbos and said to be taking place on July – the third drill being conducted on a large scale following a similar one last year. According to Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) Director Renato Solidum, earthquake drills should be done not only in Metro Manila but needed to be expanded in other areas such as Laguna , Bulacan , and Cavite. MMDA's Orbos and PHIVOLC's Solidum presided a meeting earlier this month with the Metro Manila Disaster Response Cluster with regards to the series of earthquakes that occurred in several areas in the past weeks. Solidum urged people to refrain from being affected by rumors that circulate especially on social media, as these simply spread wrong information. Solidum said that people should not be afraid of the successive quakes as these occurrences are normal. He also urged the people not to be affected by baseless rumors that are spreading on social media. Solidum also said that since it was too far away from the West Valley Fault, the tremors had nothing to do with it. Orbos said that barangays would be included in the next earthquake drill, reiterating the importance of local governments in emergency situations like this. Orbos also urged people to prepare their own GO-bag. A Go-bag is an important package containing necessities such as easy-to-open canned food, flashlights, and other survival kits. Preparing a 72-hour survival kit will save the lives of your family and yourself. Aside from being ready when such disaster happens, it is also critical that the houses are made to endure such tremors. if not, a house or a building could collapse leaving many people injured, trapped or worse, dead. The Department of Public Works and Highways should release guidelines on design or blueprints of quake-resilient houses for those that can't afford to hire the services of structural engineers. RECOMMENDED: 2 EARTHQUAKES IN A MATTER OF MINUTES HIT DIFFERENT PARTS OF LUZON ON APRIL 8 EARTHQUAKE TIPS Metro Manila residents and nearby provinces should prepare for the “Big One,” the West Valley Fault is now ripe for movement and it can generate a 7.2 magnitude earthquake. Earthquake drill or "shake drill" will be conducted in different parts of the country and that includes even the barangays to ensure the readiness and preparedness of every citizen should a huge earthquake such as the so called "the big one" would occur. This has been confirmed by MMDA Acting Chairman Tim Orbos and said to be taking place on July – the third drill being conducted on a large scale following a similar one last year. According to Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) Director Renato Solidum, earthquake drills should be done not only in Metro Manila but needed to be expanded in other areas such as Laguna , Bulacan , and Cavite. MMDA's Orbos and PHIVOLC's Solidum presided a meeting earlier this month with the Metro Manila Disaster Response Cluster with regards to the series of earthquakes that occurred in several areas in the past weeks. Solidum urged people to refrain from being affected by rumors that circulate especially on social media, as these simply spread wrong information. Solidum said that people should not be afraid of the successive quakes as these occurrences are normal. He also urged the people not to be affected by baseless rumors that are spreading on social media. Solidum also said that since it was too far away from the West Valley Fault, the tremors had nothing to do with it. Orbos said that barangays would be included in the next earthquake drill, reiterating the importance of local governments in emergency situations like this. Orbos also urged people to prepare their own GO-bag. A Go-bag is an important package containing necessities such as easy-to-open canned food, flashlights, and other survival kits. Preparing a 72-hour survival kit will save the lives of your family and yourself. Aside from being ready when such disaster happens, it is also critical that the houses are made to endure such tremors. if not, a house or a building could collapse leaving many people injured, trapped or worse, dead. The Department of Public Works and Highways should release guidelines on design or blueprints of quake-resilient houses for those that can't afford to hire the services of structural engineers. RECOMMENDED: 2 EARTHQUAKES IN A MATTER OF MINUTES HIT DIFFERENT PARTS OF LUZON ON APRIL 8 EARTHQUAKE TIPS Metro Manila residents and nearby provinces should prepare for the “Big One,” the West Valley Fault is now ripe for movement and it can generate a 7.2 magnitude earthquake. Earthquake drill or "shake drill" will be conducted in different parts of the country and that includes even the barangays to ensure the readiness and preparedness of every citizen should a huge earthquake such as the so called "the big one" would occur. This has been confirmed by MMDA Acting Chairman Tim Orbos and said to be taking place on July – the third drill being conducted on a large scale following a similar one last year. According to Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) Director Renato Solidum, earthquake drills should be done not only in Metro Manila but needed to be expanded in other areas such as Laguna , Bulacan , and Cavite. MMDA's Orbos and PHIVOLC's Solidum presided a meeting earlier this month with the Metro Manila Disaster Response Cluster with regards to the series of earthquakes that occurred in several areas in the past weeks. Solidum urged people to refrain from being affected by rumors that circulate especially on social media, as these simply spread wrong information. Solidum said that people should not be afraid of the successive quakes as these occurrences are normal. He also urged the people not to be affected by baseless rumors that are spreading on social media. Solidum also said that since it was too far away from the West Valley Fault, the tremors had nothing to do with it. Orbos said that barangays would be included in the next earthquake drill, reiterating the importance of local governments in emergency situations like this. Orbos also urged people to prepare their own GO-bag. A Go-bag is an important package containing necessities such as easy-to-open canned food, flashlights, and other survival kits. Preparing a 72-hour survival kit will save the lives of your family and yourself. Aside from being ready when such disaster happens, it is also critical that the houses are made to endure such tremors. if not, a house or a building could collapse leaving many people injured, trapped or worse, dead. The Department of Public Works and Highways should release guidelines on design or blueprints of quake-resilient houses for those that can't afford to hire the services of structural engineers. RECOMMENDED: 2 EARTHQUAKES IN A MATTER OF MINUTES HIT DIFFERENT PARTS OF LUZON ON APRIL 8 EARTHQUAKE TIPS Metro Manila residents and nearby provinces should prepare for the “Big One,” the West Valley Fault is now ripe for movement and it can generate a 7.2 magnitude earthquake. Earthquake drill or "shake drill" will be conducted in different parts of the country and that includes even the barangays to ensure the readiness and preparedness of every citizen should a huge earthquake such as the so called "the big one" would occur. This has been confirmed by MMDA Acting Chairman Tim Orbos and said to be taking place on July – the third drill being conducted on a large scale following a similar one last year. According to Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) Director Renato Solidum, earthquake drills should be done not only in Metro Manila but needed to be expanded in other areas such as Laguna , Bulacan , and Cavite. MMDA's Orbos and PHIVOLC's Solidum presided a meeting earlier this month with the Metro Manila Disaster Response Cluster with regards to the series of earthquakes that occurred in several areas in the past weeks. Solidum urged people to refrain from being affected by rumors that circulate especially on social media, as these simply spread wrong information. Solidum said that people should not be afraid of the successive quakes as these occurrences are normal. He also urged the people not to be affected by baseless rumors that are spreading on social media. Solidum also said that since it was too far away from the West Valley Fault, the tremors had nothing to do with it. Orbos said that barangays would be included in the next earthquake drill, reiterating the importance of local governments in emergency situations like this. Orbos also urged people to prepare their own GO-bag. A Go-bag is an important package containing necessities such as easy-to-open canned food, flashlights, and other survival kits. Preparing a 72-hour survival kit will save the lives of your family and yourself. Aside from being ready when such disaster happens, it is also critical that the houses are made to endure such tremors. if not, a house or a building could collapse leaving many people injured, trapped or worse, dead. The Department of Public Works and Highways should release guidelines on design or blueprints of quake-resilient houses for those that can't afford to hire the services of structural engineers. RECOMMENDED: 2 EARTHQUAKES IN A MATTER OF MINUTES HIT DIFFERENT PARTS OF LUZON ON APRIL 8 EARTHQUAKE TIPS Metro Manila residents and nearby provinces should prepare for the “Big One,” the West Valley Fault is now ripe for movement and it can generate a 7.2 magnitude earthquake. Metro Manila residents and nearby provinces should prepare for the “Big One,” the West Valley Fault is now ripe for movement and it can generate a 7.2 magnitude earthquake. ©2017 THOUGHTSKOTO www.jbsolis.com SEARCH JBSOLIS Solidum also reiterated the importance of having an earthquake drill. Determining what to do and where will be the safest place the family should go during earthquakes.Every family should also prepare a "go bag" or a backpack containing important documents, food, medicine, and other survival items that could last for at least 72 hours. The "Big One" is not a joke. Everyone should be prepared. Though we pray that it would never happen, readiness must be strictly considered to make our family and ourselves safe. The President assures that he will bring 250 stranded OFWs from Saudi Arabia with him when he returned to the Philippines after a series of visit in the Middle East. During his speech in Davao before his departure, he said that God-willing, he will bring some OFWs in death row with him when he return to the country. During his speech in front of the Filipino Community in Riyadh , Saudi Arabia, President Duterte said that he will be bringing home the first batch of 250 OFWs who had been stranded in Saudi Arabia for a very long time, and they will continue to do it. "We are arranging for the transportation of 250 OFWs who hopefully be back to the Philippines in time for the return of President Rodrigo Duterte.., " DOLE Secretary Silvestre Bello III said. Secretary Bello also added that since the announcement of the Saudi Crown Prince Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of Interior Prince Mohammed bin Naif Al Saud about the amnesty program for expats, DOLE has already sent an augmentation team to assist the OFWs to comply with the requirements for the amnesty and a lot of them have already availed it. According to Secretary Bello, they are also working on the unpaid claims of the OFWs and they are only validating it in order to establish their claims. If they are all been verified, OWWA will be paying their money claims in advance. President Duterte will also be visiting Bahrain and Qatar after his visit to Saudi Arabia and is expected to be back in the Philippines on April 17. Recommended: "They've been given the clearance. I will fly them home. When I return, I'll be bringing some of them home, " he said during a pre-departure press briefing in Davao City. Reports saying that the Embassy officials in Saudi Arabia have been acting slow with regards to helping stranded and runaway OFWs are not entirely correct according to Philippine Consul General Iric Arribas. He also said that the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh and the philippine Consulate in Jeddah are both providing the OFWs all the help they need which includes repatriation as well. 700 OFWs have been in jails in Saudi Arabia for various charges because there are no assistance coming from the Embassy officials, according to the reports from various OFW advocates. The OFWs are the reason why President Rodrigo Duterte is pushing through with the campaign on illegal drugs, acknowledging their hardships and sacrifices. He said that as he visit the countries where there are OFWs, he has heard sad stories about them: sexually abused Filipinas,domestic helpers being forced to work on a number of employers. "I have been to many places. I have been to the Middle East. You know, the husband is working in one place, the wife in another country. The so many sad stories I hear about our women being raped, abused sexually," The President said. About Filipino domestic helpers, he said: "If you are working on a family and the employer's sibling doesn't have a helper, you will also work for them. And if in a compound,the son-in-law of the employer is also living in there, you will also work for him.So, they would finish their work on sunrise." He even refer to the OFWs being similar to the African slaves because of the situation that they have been into for the sake of their families back home. Citing instances that some of them, out of deep despair, resorted to ending their own lives. The President also said that he finds it heartbreaking to know that after all the sacrifices of the OFWs working abroad for the future of their families they would come home just to learn that their children has been into illegal drugs. "I made no bones about my hatred. I said, 'If you do drugs in my city, if you destroy our daughters and sons, I'll just have to kill you.' I repeated the same warning when i became president," he said. Critics of the so-called violent war on drugs under President Duterte's administration includes local and international human rights groups, linking the campaign on thousands of drug-related killings. Police figures show that legitimate police operations have led to over 2,600 deaths of individuals involved in drugs since the war on drugs began. However, the war on drugs has been evident that the extent of drug menace should be taken seriously. The drug personalities includes high ranking officials and they thrive in the expense of our own children,if not being into drugs, being victimized by drug related crimes. The campaign on illegal drugs has somehow made a statement among the drug pushers and addicts. If the common citizen fear walking on the streets at night worrying about the drug addicts lurking in the dark, now they can walk peacefully while the drug addicts hide in fear that the police authorities might get them. Source:GMA {INSERT ALL PARAGRAPHS HERE {EMBED 3 FB PAGES POST FROM JBSOLIS/THOUGHTSKOTO/PEBA HERE OR INSERT 3 LINKS} ©2017 THOUGHTSKOTO www.jbsolis.com SEARCH JBSOLIS The OFWs are the reason why President Rodrigo Duterte is pushing through with the campaign on illegal drugs, acknowledging their hardships and sacrifices. He said that as he visit the countries where there are OFWs, he has heard sad stories about them: sexually abused Filipinas,domestic helpers being forced to work on a number of employers. ©2017 THOUGHTSKOTO www.jbsolis.com SEARCH JBSOLIS "They've been given the clearance. I will fly them home. When I return, I'll be bringing some of them home, " he said during a pre-departure press briefing in Davao City. The President assures that he will bring 250 stranded OFWs from Saudi Arabia with him when he returned to the Philippines after a series of visit in the Middle East. During his speech in Davao before his departure, he said that God-willing, he will bring some OFWs in death row with him when he return to the country. During his speech in front of the Filipino Community in Riyadh , Saudi Arabia, President Duterte said that he will be bringing home the first batch of 250 OFWs who had been stranded in Saudi Arabia for a very long time, and they will continue to do it. "We are arranging for the transportation of 250 OFWs who hopefully be back to the Philippines in time for the return of President Rodrigo Duterte.., " DOLE Secretary Silvestre Bello III said. Secretary Bello also added that since the announcement of the Saudi Crown Prince Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of Interior Prince Mohammed bin Naif Al Saud about the amnesty program for expats, DOLE has already sent an augmentation team to assist the OFWs to comply with the requirements for the amnesty and a lot of them have already availed it. According to Secretary Bello, they are also working on the unpaid claims of the OFWs and they are only validating it in order to establish their claims. If they are all been verified, OWWA will be paying their money claims in advance. President Duterte will also be visiting Bahrain and Qatar after his visit to Saudi Arabia and is expected to be back in the Philippines on April 17. Recommended: "They've been given the clearance. I will fly them home. When I return, I'll be bringing some of them home, " he said during a pre-departure press briefing in Davao City. Reports saying that the Embassy officials in Saudi Arabia have been acting slow with regards to helping stranded and runaway OFWs are not entirely correct according to Philippine Consul General Iric Arribas. He also said that the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh and the philippine Consulate in Jeddah are both providing the OFWs all the help they need which includes repatriation as well. 700 OFWs have been in jails in Saudi Arabia for various charges because there are no assistance coming from the Embassy officials, according to the reports from various OFW advocates. The OFWs are the reason why President Rodrigo Duterte is pushing through with the campaign on illegal drugs, acknowledging their hardships and sacrifices. He said that as he visit the countries where there are OFWs, he has heard sad stories about them: sexually abused Filipinas,domestic helpers being forced to work on a number of employers. "I have been to many places. I have been to the Middle East. You know, the husband is working in one place, the wife in another country. The so many sad stories I hear about our women being raped, abused sexually," The President said. About Filipino domestic helpers, he said: "If you are working on a family and the employer's sibling doesn't have a helper, you will also work for them. And if in a compound,the son-in-law of the employer is also living in there, you will also work for him.So, they would finish their work on sunrise." He even refer to the OFWs being similar to the African slaves because of the situation that they have been into for the sake of their families back home. Citing instances that some of them, out of deep despair, resorted to ending their own lives. The President also said that he finds it heartbreaking to know that after all the sacrifices of the OFWs working abroad for the future of their families they would come home just to learn that their children has been into illegal drugs. "I made no bones about my hatred. I said, 'If you do drugs in my city, if you destroy our daughters and sons, I'll just have to kill you.' I repeated the same warning when i became president," he said. Critics of the so-called violent war on drugs under President Duterte's administration includes local and international human rights groups, linking the campaign on thousands of drug-related killings. Police figures show that legitimate police operations have led to over 2,600 deaths of individuals involved in drugs since the war on drugs began. However, the war on drugs has been evident that the extent of drug menace should be taken seriously. The drug personalities includes high ranking officials and they thrive in the expense of our own children,if not being into drugs, being victimized by drug related crimes. The campaign on illegal drugs has somehow made a statement among the drug pushers and addicts. If the common citizen fear walking on the streets at night worrying about the drug addicts lurking in the dark, now they can walk peacefully while the drug addicts hide in fear that the police authorities might get them. Source:GMA {INSERT ALL PARAGRAPHS HERE {EMBED 3 FB PAGES POST FROM JBSOLIS/THOUGHTSKOTO/PEBA HERE OR INSERT 3 LINKS} ©2017 THOUGHTSKOTO www.jbsolis.com SEARCH JBSOLIS The OFWs are the reason why President Rodrigo Duterte is pushing through with the campaign on illegal drugs, acknowledging their hardships and sacrifices. He said that as he visit the countries where there are OFWs, he has heard sad stories about them: sexually abused Filipinas,domestic helpers being forced to work on a number of employers. ©2017 THOUGHTSKOTO www.jbsolis.com SEARCH JBSOLIS Reports saying that the Embassy officials in Saudi Arabia have been acting slow with regards to helping stranded and runaway OFWs are not entirely correct according to Philippine Consul General Iric Arribas. He also said that the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh and the philippine Consulate in Jeddah are both providing the OFWs all the help they need which includes repatriation as well. 700 OFWs have been in jails in Saudi Arabia for various charges because there are no assistance coming from the Embassy officials, according to the reports from various OFW advocates. The OFWs are the reason why President Rodrigo Duterte is pushing through with the campaign on illegal drugs, acknowledging their hardships and sacrifices. He said that as he visit the countries where there are OFWs, he has heard sad stories about them: sexually abused Filipinas,domestic helpers being forced to work on a number of employers. "I have been to many places. I have been to the Middle East. You know, the husband is working in one place, the wife in another country. The so many sad stories I hear about our women being raped, abused sexually," The President said. About Filipino domestic helpers, he said: "If you are working on a family and the employer's sibling doesn't have a helper, you will also work for them. And if in a compound,the son-in-law of the employer is also living in there, you will also work for him.So, they would finish their work on sunrise." He even refer to the OFWs being similar to the African slaves because of the situation that they have been into for the sake of their families back home. Citing instances that some of them, out of deep despair, resorted to ending their own lives. The President also said that he finds it heartbreaking to know that after all the sacrifices of the OFWs working abroad for the future of their families they would come home just to learn that their children has been into illegal drugs. "I made no bones about my hatred. I said, 'If you do drugs in my city, if you destroy our daughters and sons, I'll just have to kill you.' I repeated the same warning when i became president," he said. Critics of the so-called violent war on drugs under President Duterte's administration includes local and international human rights groups, linking the campaign on thousands of drug-related killings. Police figures show that legitimate police operations have led to over 2,600 deaths of individuals involved in drugs since the war on drugs began. However, the war on drugs has been evident that the extent of drug menace should be taken seriously. The drug personalities includes high ranking officials and they thrive in the expense of our own children,if not being into drugs, being victimized by drug related crimes. The campaign on illegal drugs has somehow made a statement among the drug pushers and addicts. If the common citizen fear walking on the streets at night worrying about the drug addicts lurking in the dark, now they can walk peacefully while the drug addicts hide in fear that the police authorities might get them. Source:GMA {INSERT ALL PARAGRAPHS HERE {EMBED 3 FB PAGES POST FROM JBSOLIS/THOUGHTSKOTO/PEBA HERE OR INSERT 3 LINKS} ©2017 THOUGHTSKOTO www.jbsolis.com SEARCH JBSOLIS The OFWs are the reason why President Rodrigo Duterte is pushing through with the campaign on illegal drugs, acknowledging their hardships and sacrifices. He said that as he visit the countries where there are OFWs, he has heard sad stories about them: sexually abused Filipinas,domestic helpers being forced to work on a number of employers LIST: ARE YOU FIT OR UNFIT TO WORK ABROAD? ©2017 THOUGHTSKOTO www.jbsolis.com SEARCH JBSOLIS

*Note: If you are bound to Middle East, they still do not rely on the medical exam you underwent in the Philippines. They will run another series of tests to determine if you are indeed fit to work.

4. Medical exam results expire.

Medical certificate is only good for 90 days. If you are not deployed within that period, you may need to take another medical exam.

5. The medical result is very important for the job order.

Passing the final interview or having the right skills does not guarantee you that you will get hired even if you already signed a contract. If your medical test shows that you are not fit to work, your job offer can be cancelled.

If you are being scheduled for the medical exam, you need to eat healthy. A day prior to the exam, they will advise you to do a fasting at least 8 hours before the laboratory tests. Don't you worry, after you are done with the laboratory exams, you can already have your meal.

Some advices I got from "older" OFWs was to drink a can of sterilized milk before bed time and a glass of pineapple juice in the morning three days prior to the medical exam schedule. I am not sure if it does work but I got a "fit to work" stamp on my medical certificate.

Health is wealth. And if you want to get the job you want, you need to take care of your health. After all, for OFWs like us, it is not really only for ourselves but for the future of our sons and daughters.

Source: DOH