CNN Philippines Interview

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Meeting @ The Legend Villas

 The Legend Villa (Mandaluyong)

The Meeting was held at The Legend Villas in Mandaluyong. It was a "dry-run" for our case. 

 the coalition

we are now friends and very close with each other. It's like family. 

 with Cong. Omar Fajardo

 Meeting on going

 with Atty. Paul Sanggalang

with KAMPI President Mr. Luther Calderon

After the meeting we decided to dropped by in Robinson Forum. Hannah treat us lunch as her birthday gift for me together with Mr. Edward Era. It was a meaningful conservation and intimates ones because we shared many things in our lives. Inspirations, frustrations, fear and others.

 I love this girl! She's so meek and humble in spite of her status in life

Thank you Lord for giving me friends that will inspires me more.

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Radio Guesting

 DWIZ Interview (OFW Global)

Bonding with them after the program with Ms. Carmelita Nuqui (PMWR), Edward Era (Filipino Lifeline, Inc.), Ms. Susan Ople and Mr. Fort Jose (Blas Ople Center)

DZEC Radio Agila with Malou Medina (Gabay ng OFW International)

with Mr. Dave de Castro of Channel 9 News and Current Affairs @ OFW Party List Headquarter.

Hindi ko inaasahan na magiging aktibo ako masyado sa aming coalition. Una pakiramdam ko kailangan ko lang umattend to represent the group which I belong but it did not occurred to me that I will love this advocacy. I got to minglewith different kind of people but regardless of their status I am amazed that they're all accomodating and welcoming especially tackling the issue of  OFWs.

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Senate of the Philippines

 Senate of the Philippines

 Senate Blue Ribbon

 Senate official seal

 with Ms. Hannah Seneres (daughter of Cong. Seneres)

 #noto550 coalition

 the 16th Congress

 Sen Koko Pimentel and Edward Era Chairman of Filipino Lifeline Inc

 Senator Koko Pimentel with groups who lobby for the welfare of OFW

 busy reviewing the petition paper

The meeting was a success because Sen. Koko Pimentel is supporting our call to junk the memorandum circular imposed by Manila International Airlines Authority to integrate the terminal fee in airline tickets even for OFW. The OFW has been exempted in paying because the law says so. R.A. 100022.

Migrant workers called on President Benigno Aquino III to declare as void a Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) circular that would integrate the P550 terminal fee into the price of airline tickets.

In a letter dated October 15, received by Malacanang on October 17, the migrant workers groups led by OFW Family party-list Rep. Roy V. Seneres called on Aquino to "totally abrogate" MIAA Memorandum Circular (MC) 08, Series of 2014, saying it violates a 19-year-old law exempting Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) from the payment of terminal fee.

"The circular flagrantly violates the right of OFWs to be exempted from payment of the airport terminal fee, pursuant to Section 35 of Republic Act 8042 as amended by Republic Act 10022, also known as the amended Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act," the letter said.

Under the MIAA circular, which was supposed to have been implemented last Oct. 1 but was moved to Nov. 1, airline and travel agencies are mandated to integrate the P550 terminal fee in the price of airline tickets for all international passengers, including OFWs.

The MIAA had earlier assured that the amount of terminal fee collected from the OFWs may be refunded upon presentation of an Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC) at the terminal upon their arrival.

The migrant workers groups, however, did not buy MIAA's assurance, saying that it cannot justify a "flagrant" violation of the law.

"Needless to say, the refund will not in any way cure a consummated violation of the law as it would already be a fait accompli. A mere circular cannot amend or disregard a clear provision of the Republic Act," the letter said.

Aside from Seneres, the letter was signed by leaders of 15 other migrant workers group and non-government organizations, namely, Susan Ople of the Blas F. Ople Policy  Center and Training Institute; Gemma Comiso of PinoyExpats/OFW Blog Awards, Engrs. Nelson Ramirez and Bienvenido Lorque of United Filipino Seafarers, Carmelita Nuqui of Philippine Migrants' Rights Watch, Ellene Sana of Center for Migrant Advocacy, Loreto Soriano of the LBS Recruitment, Elso Cabangon of Filipino Migrant Workers Group, Sis. Teresa Evasco of Daughters of Charity Migrants Desk, Luther Calderon of KAMPI, and Ma. Fe Nicodemus of KAKAMMPI.

In a separate press statement, Ople said Aquino's urgent intervention on the MIAA circular is necessary considering that many OFWs are already in the process of booking their tickets home for Christmas vacation.

“If MIAA pushes through with the integration of the terminal fee on November 1, this will likely cause confusion and affect the holiday spirit of our kababayans, many of whom are not even aware about this memorandum circular," Ople said. —Elizabeth Marcelo/KBK, GMA News

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/384527/pinoyabroad/news/pnoy-urged-to-junk-circular-on-terminal-fee-integration

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Letter to Pnoy

The Coalition Against the Terminal Fee signed the documents yesterday addresses to the President Benigno Aguino III, some members are not in the picture due to some engagements. #noto550

I tried to attend every meeting as much as possible for me to know the updates and real sentiments of OFW but this past few days my work was affected. I need to leave the work early, but I am glad the hospital understand the call of my advocacy.

I am happy and learning a lot. 

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My OFW Story @ UNTv

What; UNTv Interview

When: October 10, 2014

 UNtv your public service channel

My OFW Story hosted by Commissioner Wilhelm Soriano

shot from live streaming (thanks to Froilan)

NGO Leaders Ms. Carmelita Nuqui (PMRW), Engr. Bienvenido Lorque (UFS) and Mr. Roy Seneres Jr. (OFW Family Party List) come together to voice out our OFW' stand against the Php550 Integration of the terminal fee at Commissioner Wilhelm Soriano's show My OFW Story on UNtv

We demand for total abrogation of memorandum circular imposed by Manila International Airport Authority

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Petition Paper

Position Paper Against the Integrated Passenger Service Charges (IPSC) Policy of the Manila International Airport Authority and the Department of Transportation and Communications

Submitted by:

Global Filipino Voices

Philippine Expat Bloggers Awards (PEBA)

United Filipino Seafarers

Philippine Migrants’ Rights Watch

Blas F. Ople Policy Center and Training Institute

Center for Migrant Advocacy

LBS Recruitment

Filipino Migrant Workers Group

Daughters of Charity

KAMPI

KAKAMMPI

Backgrounder:

            Civil society groups first learned about the IPSC policy last month during a meeting convened by the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration with a select group of industry and NGO representatives for officials of the Manila International Airport Authority.

            During that meeting, several objections were raised by OFW advocates against the integration of the terminal fee in airline tickets. Primary among such objections was the enormous inconvenience that this policy will have on millions of overseas workers who, by law, are exempted from paying the PHP 550 terminal fee.

            A few weeks ago, MIAA convened another meeting at their offices to advise land-based and manning agencies including a handful of NGOs that the IPSC will take effect on October 1. They said that OFWs with locally purchased tickets would still be exempted from paying the said fees upon presentation of their overseas employment certificate (OEC) upon point of purchase. They, however, admitted that air tickets for OFWs purchased abroad or online by their employers or by themselves will now include the terminal fee, subject to refund upon presentation of required documents at a separate counter to be designated in our international airports.

            The OFW sector object to this wrongful interpretation of the law since it clearly states exemption from payment – a refund clearly indicates payment of said fees.

Our Position:

The OFW Sector objects to the imposition of terminal fees on the following grounds:

1.      Lack of direct consultations with the OFWs – in a meeting with MIAA officials, the Ople Center lamented the lack of direct consultations with OFWs on this new policy, and suggested that MIAA seek the help of Philippine Embassies and Consulates as well as Philippine Overseas Labor Offices (POLOs) to gather the sentiments about the OFWs on this issue. MIAA thanked the Ople Center for its suggestion and promised to look into it. So far, no such consultations through our embassies took place. Note that the implementation of the IPSC has been set for October 1 or a few days from now. Isn’t one of the hallmarks of the President’s tuwid-na-daan policy is for government agencies to always consult their “bosses”? In street parlance and with due respect, Honorable Secretary, anyare?

2.      Clear violation of Section 35 of the Migrant Workers’ Act as amended by RA 10022: The law states: “Exemption from Travel Tax, Documentary Stamp and Airport Fee. - All laws to the contrary notwithstanding, the migrant workers shall be exempt from the payment of travel tax and airport-fee upon proper showing of proof entitlement by the POEA.” Since the OFWs and/or their employers cannot show proof of entitlement by the POEA to airline companies and travel agencies based abroad through no fault of their own but due to technical difficulties as admitted by MIAA, then the application of the refund rule is discriminatory, unfair, and lopsided against the interests of affected OFWs. It also contravenes the very spirit of the law, which grants this benefit to our modern-day heroes in recognition of their contributions to Philippine society.

3.      Creation of a Trust Fund for non-refunded terminal fees – When questioned by OFW advocates on what MIAA intends to do with the non-refunded terminal fees from OFWs, its officials said that they have the flexibility to create a trust fund upon approval of the board for these non-refunded fees, with the intention to hold the monies until properly refunded to their rightful owners. What would be the legal basis for such a fund considering that the monies that MIAA will be advancing are intended for private individuals/recruitment agencies? What is the name of this special fund and has this been cleared with COA? Since these collections are done in contravention of an existing law, wouldn’t it be wise for the DOTC and MIAA to seek a legal opinion from the DoJ and guidance from the DoF despite their so-called “flexibilities”? The sector believes that this “Fund” can easily earn millions given the peculiarities of dealing with OFWs who are here only for a short time that they would rather spend with their families than in lining up to claim a refund for something that the law exempts them from paying in the first place.

4.       Notion that OFWs that pay for their tickets are in the minority – Aren’t laws designed precisely to protect the minority from infringement of rights? Besides, what would prevent a foreign employer from passing on the cost of the terminal fee to the Filipino worker considering that the government itself has set aside the provision on exemption from terminal fees for all OFWs?Clarita Cornejo, a caregiver based in Israel, said upon learning of this new scheme: “Here in Israel, our employers do not purchase our tickets. In my case as as caregiver for six years in Israel, I have to pay for my air tickets every time I go on a vacation to the Philippines. My employer will only shoulder the cost of my air ticket upon completion of my contract.” Mel Laynes from Dammam, Saudi Arabia explains: “Our employer gives us a fixed rate for airline tickets. When it is peak season, this means we, the workers, will have to advance the money for the terminal fee since this is in addition to the cost of tickets.”

5.       The cost is too minimal, and OFWs should contribute their share. –- The IPSC is in addition to other mandatory fees levied against an OFW: mandatory PhilHealth contributions, mandatory Pag-IBIG contributions, mandatory OWWA membership, mandatory POEA charges, aside from the usual medical tests and for household service workers, a mandatory TESDA training certificate. Josie Jose, a domestic worker in Doha, Qatar, points out: “Sa aminponamgakasambahay, isangarawna naming pinagpaguran yang PHP550 na ‘yan, halos 18-20 hours nakamingpagodniyan para lamangibayadsa terminal fee taposhindimonaipapa-refund.” Again, MIAA officials would likely point out that this is being remedied by the presence of refund counters in all international airports under its jurisdiction. However, MIAA officials should put themselves in the shoes of our OFWs who are often rushing against time to make full use of their vacation or emergency leaves, that lining up for a fee that they are not even supposed to pay is not merely a minor inconvenience.

6.       Won’t our OFWs also benefit from having our airports be at par with the rest of the world? – Our OFWs have seen the best and worst of airports given their journeys to various countries of destination. Yes, like all Filipinos, it is their dream to have a world-class airport, and they are amazed at how airports in other countries are efficiently run – no queues to use the ladies’ washrooms, trolley hubs closer to passenger ramps upon arrival, faster immigration queues, spacious and more comfortable lounge areas, walkalators for passengers’ convenience, world-class shopping and restaurant outlets, and free Wi-FI services throughout the airport complex. Removing a counter to pay terminal fees does not make for a world-class airport, especially when there will be a new queue specifically for OFWs that will be seen by everyone else. A queue that is actually discriminatory in nature unless the existing law is amended.

7.       MIAA officials claim that the IPSC issue is emotional for them, too. – In a meeting at the POEA with OFW advocates and land-based recruitment industry leaders, the MIAA assistant general manager countered that this issue is emotional for them as well, and not just for the OFWs. They stressed on how difficult it was to get the nod of airline companies for this new integration policy. They also pointed out how MIAA is losing millions in revenue because of the exemption provision for OFWs. Though quick to say that they respect and recognize the contributions of OFWs, comparing their situation as public officials to that of millions of OFWs is quite misguided, if not downright silly. Do they scrub toilets to be able to send money back home? Or, spend Christmases, anniversaries, New Years away from their loved ones? Legislators who sincerely believed that our OFWs are modern-day heroes authored this provision decades ago, to be exact, in 1995. For OFWs, taking away this benefit through a memorandum circular without benefit of consultations while citing how the IPSC is such an emotional issue to government, betrays the spirit of the law and the intention of our legislators. How sad that just because the airline companies have agreed to this new scheme, the OFWs are now under pressure to comply and give up on a benefit that they’ve been enjoying since 1995.

8.       Institutional reforms require laws, because well-intentioned officials will not always be around. – The Aquino administration ends its mandate on 2016, and as is often the case, a new administration appoints its own people at the helm of key government offices. While MIAA attests that the Trust Fund comprising non-refunded terminal fees will be used solely for that purpose, what would prevent a new set of officials from merging these funds with those under the General Appropriations thus diminishing accountability and transparency? This has happened in the past when a board resolution led to the merging of the OWWA Medicare funds with PhilHealth funds without transparency and accountability measures in place. For this to happen to the terminal fees of OFWs shall be doubly painful because they are precisely exempted from paying such fees in the first place.

Our appeal to the DOTC and MIAA is to suspend the implementation of the IPSC policy until such time that:

o   Proper, direct, and broad consultations are made with OFWs in various countries in collaboration with our embassies and consulates with full transparency through public documentation of the same;

o   All OFWs, regardless of where and how their airline tickets are purchased, would be able to obtain their exemptions upon showing proof of their status as OFWs such as presentation of the OEC upon point of purchase thus removing the need for refunds; and,

o   The law is amended to reflect the new policy of the DOTC and MIAA and to provide for the creation of a special fund as well as proper jurisdiction over the fund for regulatory and accounting purposes.

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