Japan investment pledges mostly from electronics companies

PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. on Thursday obtained investment pledges from Japanese electronics companies, while also receiving assurances from shipping companies of more hiring of seafarers from the Philippines, the Palace said. The Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said the pledges were worth “billions of pesos” from Japanese companies producing semiconductors and other electronic products with […]

Remains of Filipino worker murdered in Kuwait to be repatriated on Friday

THE REMAINS of a Filipino worker who was allegedly murdered by the 17-year-old son of her employer will be repatriated from Kuwait on Friday, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).  The Filipino domestic helper, Jullebee Cabilis Ranara, was reportedly abused and killed brutally, then left in a desert by the perpetrator.   “The remains […]

DMW plans to repatriate 300 Filipinos living in Kuwait temporary shelters 

THE DEPARTMENT of Migrant Workers (DMW) is planning to repatriate at least 300 Filipino workers currently staying in temporary Philippine government-run shelters in Kuwait, according to a department official.   At an online press briefing on Monday, Migrant Workers Undersecretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac said he is in Kuwait with labor officials to arrange a speedy […]

DMW, DoJ tightening watch on human trafficking within ASEAN neighbors 

THE DEPARTMENT of Migrant Workers (DMW) on Tuesday said it is working closely with the Department of Justice (DoJ) to strengthen the monitoring and action against human trafficking activities within the southeast Asian region that target Filipino workers.   “We continue to maintain a tight watch on the online illegal recruitment and trafficking of our workers […]

DMW assists stranded overseas Filipino workers in rebooking, contacting employers

THE DEPARTMENT of Migrant Workers (DMW) on Wednesday said it will continue to provide assistance to stranded Filipino workers, including travel arrangements and contacting employers, after their flights were canceled on Jan. 1 due to a glitch in the country’s air control system.   “We will continue to man our airports and support our OFWs (overseas […]

Philippines plans to deploy more labor attachés to Europe in 2023

THE PHILIPPINES plans to deploy more labor attachés next year to reinforce its network for the protection of overseas Filipino workers, according to the head of the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW). In a statement on Tuesday, the presidential palace said Migrant Workers Secretary Maria Susana “Susan” V. Ople made the announcement during a meeting […]

PBBM, VP Sara: Education, upskilling key to Filipino workers’ future; PSAC in full support

THE Philippine government strongly supports the workers’ skills development and learning recovery programs as they are deemed very vital in making the Filipino workers more flexible and highly adaptable. By upskilling and reskilling the workers, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte believe they can easily adjust to the […]

Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino calls for book publication proposals

KOMISYON sa Wikang Filipino (KWF) has invited the public to submit a book proposal for its publication project. KWF will accept proposals that deal with technical works, linguistic research, creative literary works written in Filipino and in regional languages in the Philippines such as Cebuano, Chavacano, Hiligaynon, Ilocano, Waray, Bikol, Kapampangan, Tausug, Mëranaw, Kinaray-a, Surigaonon […]

Marina budget raised to boost seaman training

THE EUROPEAN Union (EU) has asked the Philippines to enhance compliance with the Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers Convention, warning that failure to meet requirements could lead to seafarers being barred from working on its vessels. — MAXIME FELDER A SENATOR who sought to quadruple the Philippine Maritime Industry Authority’s (Marina) 2023 […]

Health workforce ‘not in sync’ with advances in tech, say educators

By Brontë H. Lacsamana, Reporter   PUBLIC-PRIVATE partnerships and a modernized curriculum can address the lack of expertise that prevents Filipino healthcare workers from taking advantage of innovations in their field, educators said.  “We have all spent a lot of time onboarding nursing and clinical graduates but they’re unfortunately not in sync with what’s needed out […]

Senator eyes probe of seaman training amid risk of EU ban

A SENATOR on Tuesday filed a resolution seeking to investigate how the government could improve maritime training and education after 50,000 Filipino seafarers in European Union (EU)-flagged vessels almost lost their jobs. “Reputation, jobs and the welfare of the families of 400,000 Filipino seafarers around the world are at stake in this issue,” Senator Ana […]