DOLE warns alien workers to legalize stay in the country

Following the recent increase in the number of detained illegal foreign laborers in the country, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) reminded migrants yesterday to legalize their stay or face possible deportation.

“Alien workers also have the right to work here…if they will follow the law then there will be no problem,” Labor Undersecretary Joel Maglunsod said in a phone interview.

Maglunsod issued the statement after the Department of Justice (DOJ) reported that at least 1,300 undocumented Chinese workers were found by authorities in Clark, Pampanga last November.

Authorities are still investigating how the Chinese nationals were able to slip pass local immigration process and work without any Alien Employment Permit (AEP).

AEP is a documentary requirement issued by DOLE’s regional offices for foreigners before they could be allowed to work in the country.

“If they do not have the permit then they will be sent to their countries, the same way our TNTs are sent home,” he added.

TNT, or “tago-ng-tago,” translates to “in perpetual hiding.” It is the Filipino term used to refer to undocumented overseas Filipino workers (OFW) abroad.

DOLE has already instructed its regional offices to intensify the assessment of establishments to ensure all of the foreign workers within their jurisdiction have their AEPs.

“We told them to make sure the alien workers are compliant (with the AEP requirement)…We have to enforce what is in the law, to prevent what has happened in Clark,” Maglunsod said.

He said they were also ready to help the illegal migrants to process their AEP so they can legally work in the country.

“We are willing to help them if they will undergo processing (for the AEP),” Maglunsod said.

- Manila Bulletin 

CUSTOMS SEIZED MANGKONO LOGS IN PORT OF DAVAO

(Philippines, Davao) Some Mangkono logs misdeclared as flour meal and powder, dried crushed bana were confiscated on Sunday, February 5 by the Bureau of Customs (BOC) in Port of Davao after it was discovered as misdeclared shipment.

Customs District Collector Jamail A. Marohomsalic reported to Commissioner Nicanor E. Faeldon that the logs were discovered when its container van was opened by BOC agents in the presence of Philippine Drugs Enforcement Administration and the Philippine Coast Guard due to a false information that it contains illegal drugs.

According to Marohomsalic, the shipment was for export to a consignee in Japan identified as Sanyo Tsushu Co. Ltd. with address at 3014 Tsunoshita Damon Cho Fukuyama City, Hiroshima, Japan.

The shipper was identified as Transmodal International Inc. with office address at Door 11, 2ndFloor, SJRDC Building, Insular Village, Lanang, Davao City.

Mangkono trees, the native Philippine iron wood, is categorized endangered in the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red list for 2014. Moreover, cutting of the tree is currently prohibited under Executive Order 23 dated February 1, 2011 issued by former President Benigno S. Aquino III and provisions of the Presidential Decree 705 otherwise known as Forestry Code of the Philippines.

The log of a Mangkono tree is usually used as excellent material for the bearing or stern bushing of a steamship’s propeller shaft. Its other uses are as rollers, shears, saw guide blocks, tool handles, novelties, poles and piles for wharves and bridges, and posts for houses. Domestically, it can be used to make heavy furniture like tables and chairs.

Marohomsalic said that the log shipment declared with a value of P380,000 lacks export permit from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

It is currently under Warrant of Seizure and Detention by BOC in Davao City.

KonsultaMD now accessible from all Philippine telecom networks

KonsultaMD, a 24/7 health hotline service by Global Telehealth, Inc., provides access to licensed and professional doctors who give immediate medical attention to its members, is now accessible from all telecom operators in the Philippines.

“KonsultaMD has always been about helping address the healthcare pain points of the Philippines. All of us, regardless of the network we choose, experience these pain points. Hence, it makes sense to make KonsultaMD services available to all,” said Maridol Ylanan, CEO of Global Telehealth, Inc., an affiliate of leading telecommunications company Globe Telecom, Inc.

Globe’s mission is to create wonderful experiences for people, to have choices, overcome challenges, and discover ways to enjoy life. Given this direction, Globe has invested in Global Telehealth to provide medical services to the consumers.

Global Telehealth also took aggressive steps to be able to move beyond what their customers need by offering KonsultaMD services to other telco networks nationwide. 

KonsultaMD works by simply calling 79880 (mobile) or (02) 798 8000 (landline). Members of KonsultaMD can speak to a licensed Filipino doctor, immediately and directly with no waiting time, regarding their health concerns. Inquiries about health-related issues include, but are not limited to maternity, pediatrics and primary conditions like fever, rashes, and allergies, to name a few. Callers may also inquire about matters pertaining to health coaching, nutrition counselling, permissible medication and even laboratory results.

Globe Postpaid customers only need to pay a fee of Php150 a month to avail of KonsultaMD services which can be used by up to four additional members while Globe Prepaid and TM customers have the option to subscribe for an individual membership by paying Php15 a week or Php60 monthly. 

Customers of other networks can now subscribe to KonsultaMD by simply logging on to www.konsulta.md, clicking on subscribe and going to ‘Other Networks’ where they can fill out an online application form. Subscription payments can be made via Visa, MasterCard, GCash, BancNet or SMART Money. Upon receipt of SMS and email confirmation, customers can start using the service by calling the KonsultaMD hotline at 79880 (mobile) or (02) 798 8000.

Calls from Globe landlines nationwide and calls within Metro Manila via landline are free. Calls from Globe or TM mobile numbers are charged a special call rate of Php1 per minute while non-Globe customers pay the standard mobile and NDD rates.

BOC opens new unit for border security, trade facilitation

Philippines - The Bureau of Customs officially opened on Thursday, 2 February its Container Control Unit (CCU) as part of the agency's continuous effort in strengthening its campaign towards effective border security and trade facilitation. 

This unit will serve as an intelligence office that will focus on non-fiscal violations like illicit trade and proliferation of strategic goods. It will recommend high-risk shipments to a higher authority to exercise proper enforcement of laws, rules, and regulations, as well as to exercise any type of control in relation to the aforementioned non-fiscal violations.

During the opening ceremony, Customs Commissioner Nicanor E. Faeldon explained that the unit will ensure safety in trade facilitation. The origin of suspected shipments carrying contraband will be identified and prevented from entering the country through this program.

"These technologies, systems and the program will help us monitor illicit trade," he said.

The CCU is sponsored by the United Nations on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in partnership with the World Customs Organization (WCO). Two of the major sponsoring countries for South East Asia are Canada and Australia.

Canadian Ambassador John Holmes said that their government remains committed to working with UN to fight drugs, illicit trade, crime, corruption and border security threats. He said that collaborative cooperation with the ASEAN is necessary in securing trade culture and in eradicating poverty, crime, and corruption in the country.

US Attache for Homeland Security Ransom Avilla explained that the program focuses on export control and border security. He added that this unit will enhance the BOC's mandate of trade facilitation and securing the Philippine borders from smuggling and other forms of customs fraud. Avilla said the US government reaffirms its continued support to the Philippines in facilitating trade and ensures that efforts are complementary to the needs of the Philippines. 

UN South East Asian Regional Director Mark Stanley acknowledged the efforts of the Bureau and expressed the UN's support to the country's fight against trafficking of illicit trade and the destruction of agricultural products. 

The newly-created unit will operate under BOC's Revenue Collection and Monitoring Group. Staff and contractual employees of the Risk Management Office are concurrently working at the CCU.

Mindanao’s Parasat Cable TV boosts service with Globe Business connectivity solutions

(L-R) Parasat Cable TV Chairman Elpidio Paras and Globe President and CEO Ernest Cu formalize the partnership between Globe and PARASAT.

Parasat Cable Television (PARASAT), Mindanao's only digital television system provider, further boosts its services with connectivity solutions from Globe Business, the information and communications technology arm of Globe Telecom, in response to high demand for broadband internet in the region.

PARASAT has signed up for Globe Business’ Direct Internet which allows the company to offer its customers fast and reliable internet access supported by a robust and broad international and domestic network.

Elpidio Paras, Chairman of PARASAT said, “We continuously improve our operations to achieve a level of excellence that is vastly superior to all others in the industry. Thus, we put our trust in Globe Business to help us strengthen our leadership in state-of-the-art cable TV and broadband services in Southern Philippines and allow us to expand our reach not only in Mindanao but also in Visayas.”

Mike Frausing, Globe Senior Advisor for Enterprise and IT Enabled Services Group, on the other hand, said: “We are thrilled and privileged to have been chosen by PARASAT. We are very excited for the partnership and we look forward to the different ways Globe Business can help grow their business through the services that they availed from us.”

To date, PARASAT has coverage in the following areas: Cagayan de Oro City and municipalities of Opol and Tagoloan in Misamis Oriental; Malaybalay, Bukidnon; and San Carlos City, Negros Occidental. It has also formed partnerships with other cable operators in El Salvador, Alubijid, Laguindingan, and Balingasag in Misamis Oriental, as well as in Don Carlos and Valencia in Bukidnon. It is continuously expanding its coverage to the east and west sides of Misamis Oriental.

To learn more about Globe Connectivity Solutions, visit business.globe.com.ph/solution s/connectivity or contact a Globe Business Account Manager.

BOC raises alerts vs agri-products smuggling from India

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has raised alarm against smuggling of agricultural products with the discovery that unscrupulous traders have recently added India in its list of best sources of red onions and other farm yields.

Commissioner Nicanor E. Faeldon said that the uplifting of BOC’s vigilance on imports of farm products was triggered by the bust of a P15-million worth of smuggled fresh red onions contained in 11 40-footer container vans shipped from India through an Indian-registered vessel E.R. Felixstowe 032 to the Manila International Container Port (MICP).

“It is my first time to hear that onions were imported from India since I took office in July 2017,” Faeldon said.

BOC records, so far, bare that commonly-apprehended smuggled onions came from China and other Asian countries.

Faeldon underscored BOC’s fight against smuggling of agricultural products as a top effort between the agency (through point person Federico E. Laciste, Jr.) and the Department of Agriculture (DA), with full support of Cabinet Secretary Leoncio B. Evasco, Jr. who heads the inter-agency committee on anti-agricultural smuggling.

BOC is a member of the inter-agency committee on anti-agricultural smuggling composed of the National Food Authority, DA, and the Office of the President through the Office of the Cabinet Secretary.

“I have directed the officers of 17 ports and sub-ports to give due attention to importation of agricultural products and closely verify, authenticate, and double check its documents and required permits so that BOC and the inter-agency can and will be able to protect the interest and welfare of Filipino farmers and stop all forms of economic sabotage,” Faeldon said.

Faeldon noted that the seizure of the 11 40-footer container vans of fresh red onions was effected in compliance to the memorandum order of Assistant Secretary Laciste dated December 24, 2016, which cited that the filing of SPS permit validation for agricultural products was allowed until December 31, 2016 only. The onion shipments arrived on January 1, 2017, thus its previous import permit elapsed effectively violating the provisions of Republic Act No. 10845, otherwise known as the Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act of 2016.

Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS) Director Neil L. Estrella, citing a report from MICP-CIIS Officer-In-Charge Teodoro Sagaral, said that the 11 40-footer CVs onion importations have two consignees namely: Mheriban Sales Corporation (MSC) with address Room 892 Artex Building, 435Juan Luna Street, Barangay 287, Zone 27, Binondo, Manila and Malaya Multi-Purpose Cooperative (MMPC) with address at Mapaniqui, Candaba, Pampanga.

Of the 11 40-footed CVs, eight (8) were consigned to MSC and three (3) were named to MMPC.

Sagaral, in a report, said the 8 40-footer CVs of MSC were contained in import entry numbers: 2013-17, 1935-17, and 1963-17. The 3 CVs of MMPC were lodged under one import entry numbered: 1381-17.

The MSC onions were loaded in CVs numbered: TTNU8282130; GESU9594042; TTNU8280842; SZLU9154400; SZLU9174768; SZLU9174285; TEMU9033802; and TEMU9158271. The MMPC onion shipments were in CVs numbered: SZLU9175194; TTNU8282167; and TTNU8281160.

EDSAPeoplePower@31 Essay Contest

The Philippine Embassy in Washington, D.C. invites students in grades nine through twelve in the District of Columbia, Virginia, and Maryland to join an essay writing contest in line with the celebration of the 31st Anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution.

Students from public, private, and parochial schools are eligible to join the contest. Entries from home-schooled students are also accepted.

The essay must address the question, “What does freedom mean to you?”

All submissions must be original work, in the English language, not more than 500 words in length, typed, double-spaced, in 12-point Arial with a one-inch margin on all sides of the page.

On a separate page, please write full name, grade level, name of school, telephone number, home address, and essay word count. Kindly note that the word count does not apply to cited sources.

Entries must be submitted as Word files to info@philippinesusa.org with EDSAPeoplePower@31 Essay Contest in the subject line.

The deadline for submission is 12:00 PM EST, 21 February 2017.

The winner will receive $200, a certificate of achievement, and the opportunity to meet the officials of the Philippine Embassy in Washington, D.C. The winning essay will be published on the Embassy’s website (www.philippineembassy-usa.org) and Facebook page (www.facebook.com/philippinesusa) on 25 February 2017.

The EDSA People Power Revolution refers to a series of popular demonstrations that led to the end of the Marcos regime and to the restoration of democracy in the Philippines 31 years ago. The majority of the demonstrations took place on Epifanio de los Santos Avenue, more commonly known by its acronym EDSA, in Metro Manila from February 22 to 25, 1986. 

The first peaceful uprising in history, the EDSA People Power Revolution not only restored democracy and supremacy of civilian authority in the Philippines, but also laid out for the world to see the best of the Filipino – peace-loving, courageous and compassionate. It served as an inspiration for similar movements in other countries. 

The theme of this year’s commemoration of the EDSA People Power Revolution is “A Day of Reflection: Celebrating People Power.”