Charice Special Appearance on Iyaz and Kevin Lyttle’s Live Concert in Singapore

Charice fans brace yourself for one night only as she’ll be shaking Singapore on a special performance of “Pyramid” with two of R&B’s most exciting artists, iYaz and Kevin Lyttle who are set to sway shores the first time on August 18th at Fort Canning.

A three-time multi-platinum singer-songwriter and rapper, iYaz released his first single “Replay” in July 2009, which soared the charts and reached #1 in numerous territories. Following this success, iYaz ’s recently released “Solo” is currently a Top 20 hit.

Kevin Lyttle, who rocked the worldwide airwaves and dance floors with his jamming soca ballad “Turn Me On”, which charted in 14 countries, including the U.S. where it peaked at #4 on Billboard. With over 1 million in sales, Lyttle’s latest single “Anywhere” featuring Flo-Rida is currently climbing the charts. His trademark dancehall R&B moves and smooth vocals keep Lyttle in constant demand for performances worldwide.

DATE: 18 Aug 2010
Wed, 07:00PM

DURATION: Approx 3 hrs

VENUE: Fort Canning Park

TICKET PRICE (EXCLUDE BOOKING FEE)

Standard (First 500 tickets) - S$48 SOLD OUT
Standard (till 9 August 2010) - S$58
Standard (10 - 17 Aug 2010) - S$68
Standard (Event day - 18 Aug 2010) - S$88

Tickets available at sistic.com.sg

Singapore OFW: FAQs on the Pag-IBIG Fund

Under Republic Act 9679, Pag-IBIG membership is now a requirement for the issuance of the Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC). Beginning July 18, 2010 the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO - Singapore) will collect Pag-IBIG membership dues prior to the issuance of the OEC.  This arrangement will provide more OFWs greater access to the huge benefits available only to members. These benefits include the provident savings, multi—purpose, calamity and housing loans.

Who should register with the Pag-IBIG Fund as members?

With the signing of Republic Act No. 9679, effective January 1, 2010 membership to the Fund shall be mandatory for the following:

• All employees, workers, professionals, officers and companies who are compulsorily covered by the SSS and GSIS
• Uniformed members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Bureau of Fire Protection, the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, and the Philippine National Police
• All members of the judiciary and constitutional commissions
• Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs)
• Filipinos employed by foreign-based employers, whether deployed locally or abroad.

How much is the Pag-IBIG contribution?

The initial monthly contribution is SGD 5.50. The peso equivalent at the time of payment will apply and credited to the member’s account.

Sample Computation:

Forex: SGD 1.00 = Php 33.00

Initial Pag-IBIG contribution: SGD 5.50

Multiply by: Php33.00

Amount credited to member’s fund: Php181.50

What are the benefits of being a member of the Pag-IBIG Fund?

A Pag-IBIG member will enjoy the following benefits:

• Savings

  The contributions that an OFW member makes are credited to his Total Accumulated Value (TAV) or savings which are fully guaranteed by the national government.

  The member’s savings earn annual dividends that are tax-free. The dividend rate varies depending on the net income of the Fund at yearend. For 2009 Pag-IBIG declared P8.5 billion in total dividends giving members a dividend rate of 5% on their savings.

  Pag-IBIG savings are also portable, meaning, these remain in the name of a member even if he transfers employers, works abroad or becomes self-employed or even unemployed.

• Short-Term Loan

  A member is entitled to borrow short-term loans offered by the Fund to help address immediate financial needs.

• Housing Loan

  A member of good standing may avail of a Pag-IBIG home financing loan from the Fund with some of the lowest interest rates in the market, and repayment terms of up to 30 years. Pag-IBIG housing loans offer low monthly amortizations, making it possible for even low-salary employees to benefit from the program.

When can a Pag-IBIG member registered under the Mandatory Coverage (Pag-IBIG 1), withdraw his/her contributions?

A member may claim his Total Accumulated Value (TAV) after 20 years of membership with the Fund and after having made a total of 240 monthly contributions.

A member may also withdraw his savings before the 20-year maturity under these valid grounds:

    * Retirement
    * Permanent departure from the country
    * Permanent or total physical disability
    * Insanity
    * Death of the member
    * Termination from service by reason of health
    * Optional withdrawal after 10 or 15 years of continuous contributions

What are the requirements to become a Pag-IBIG 1 member?

1. Filled up Members Registration Form (Download MRF)
2. Present original or photocopy of Philippine Passport / NRIC / E Pass / S Pass / Work Permit

What proof should the Pag-IBIG 1 member bring on applying for OEC?

1. Valid Pag-IBIG Fund receipt or
2. Latest Pag-IBIG payment made to our accredited remittance center / banks.

Note: Member must have a payment for the past six (6) months. 

How can OFWs register under the Mandatory Coverage (Pag-IBIG 1)?

OFWS may register through the Pag-IBIG desks located at:

1. Philippine Embassy – Singapore: Counter 4
2. Lucky Plaza 2nd floor Unit 45 Lucky Plaza
3. Lucky Plaza 3rd floor Unit 69 (during Sunday only)

Where can I pay for my Pag-IBIG contributions?

For Pag-IBIG numbers with T-Series number, you may pay directly to:

1. Metro Remittance (S) Pte Ltd- #03-30 Lucky Plaza
2. Iremit (S) Pte Ltd – #03-69 Lucky Plaza
3. Philippine National Bank – #03-02/07 Lucky Plaza

For Pag-IBIG numbers with MID or 12 digit number, you may pay directly to:

1. Metro Remittance (S) Pte Ltd - #03-30 Lucky Plaza
2. Iremit (S) Pte Ltd – #03-69 Lucky Plaza

For more details, contact:

Mr. Eric E. Elloso, Information Officer
Tel.No. (+65) 6737 0307
Mobile No. (+65) 9423 6535
Email: popsingapore@pagibigfund.gov.ph

Pag-IBIG Membership now required before you can get an Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC)

From Philippine Embassy Singapore:

The Pag-IBIG Fund announced that effective 1 July 2010, the Philippine Overseas Employment  Agency (POEA), under the 18 June 2010 Collection Servicing Agreement signed between the Fund and the POEA, has started collecting Pag-IBIG Fund membership contributions  from departing OFWs.

Under Republic Act 9679, Pag-IBIG membership is now a requirement for the issuance of the Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC). Beginning July 18, 2010 the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO- Singapore) will  collect Pag-IBIG membership dues prior to the issuance of the OEC. This arrangement will provide more OFWs greater access to the huge benefits available only to members.  These benefits include the provident savings, multi—purpose, calamity and housing loans.

In Singapore, an initial contribution of S$5.50 is required for membership. All qualified members can avail of a housing loan of up to P3 million with a maximum loan term of 30 years.

In Singapore, the Pag-IBIG post is located at Classified Resources Pte.Ltd. 304 Orchard Road #02-45, Lucky Plaza, Singapore 238863 or at the Philippine Embassy, 20 Nassim Road.

There are also Pag-IBIG accredited collecting banks/agents and remittance companies in Lucky Plaza that can accept membership and monthly payments.  In the Philippines, they may register directly at the Pag-IBIG office located at the 6/F, Justine Bldg., Gil Puyat Avenue, Makati City. Members may likewise register through any Pag-IBIG office in the Philippines or at its satellite offices located at the POEA and NAIA.

The Pag-IBIG Fund in coordination with the Embassy of the Philippines recently conducted a Housing Fair in Singapore. Jaime A. Fabiaña, chief executive officer of the Home Development Mutual Fund (Pag-IBIG Fund),  said  today that the Housing Fair dubbed  “Sa Pag-IBIG ko, Ginhawa Mo!” held at the Suntec Convention Center last June 27 was a “resounding success.”

The fair, attended by an estimated 2,000 OFWs, had 30 real estate developers who brought to Singapore their inventory of available housing packages in the Philippines. It also provided  an opportunity for Filipinos working in Singapore to choose their dream house from the huge inventories of these packages that would match their budget and their needs.

The housing fair likewise served as a venue for Pag-IBIG to build awareness among OFWS regarding the Fund’s universal membership coverage under its new charter.  Republic Act 9679, or the HDMF Law of 2009, made Pag-IBIG membership mandatory for all formally employed Filipinos, including OFWs.

According to Fabiana, the housing fair provided “an excellent platform for Pag-IBIG to generate new members, and for participating developers to reach potential buyers. Pag-IBIG has some of the most affordable housing loans in the Philippines today, and it makes sense to reinforce its membership campaign among OFWs by highlighting this huge benefit available only to members,” he said.

Pag-IBIG personnel were on hand during the  fair to accept membership applications and assist in the on-line registration of new members, as well as verify the total savings and amortization status of existing members.

Former Vice President and Chairman of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) Noli “Kabayan” De Castro  was the guest of honor.  Entertainment numbers  were provided by Pinoy Dream Academy Season 2 scholars Laarni Lozada and Bugoy Drilon.

 

Nathalie A. Fajardo
Cultural Assistant
Philippine Embassy
20 Nassim Road
Singapore 258395
T: +65 6737 - 3977 ext. 101
F: +65 6733 - 9544

Parts of Singapore under water again for the 3rd time in two months

HEAVY rains lashed Singapore again (3rd this month) early on Saturday morning, uprooting trees and causing flash floods in many area.

The affected areas included Braddell Road, Changi Road and Bukit Timah, where rising floodwaters stranded several drivers in their vehicles.

Along Upper Thomson Road, shops were reported to be badly damaged, with huge fridges overturned and smashed.

There were also reports of a flooded carpark at the Delfi Orchard, which was hit by the worst flooding in 26 years in June just less than a month ago.

Parts of Kallang and Tanjong Katong were also flooded.

Pictures courtesy of straitstimes.com and stomp.com.sg

This was the view along Orchard last June 16, 2010

ePassport now available at Philippine Embassy in Singapore

The Philippine Embassy have started issuing ePassport since June 28, 2010.

An ePassport is a passport which features microchip technology. An integrated circuit (chip) within its pages contains the data that are essential in verifying the identity of the passport holder. These data include the personal data found on the data page of the passport, the biometrics of the passport holder, the unique chip identification number, and a digital signature to verify the authenticity of the data stored on the chip.

The chip technology allows the information stored in an ePassport to be read by special chip readers at a close distance.

The new Philippine ePassport is fully compliant with the high security standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). Aside from basic passport information, the chip will contain the digital photo, signature and thumbprint of the holder.

 

The front cover of a contemporary Philippine biometric passport with the microchip embedded

 

The data page of the biometric passport with a machine-readable zone and digitally-captured signature.

 

The ePassport will cost S$102.00, slightly higher than the machine readable passport, but will have enhanced security features. Applicants are also no longer required to submit passport photos.

In order to prevent overcrowding and in compliance with Singapore safety and welfare regulations, the Philippine Embassy shall be instituting a cut-off of 80 to 100 applicants a day due to high consular traffic.

Applicants, especially professionals (S-Pass and E-Pass holders), are advised to schedule their visits on weekdays to avoid long queues on Sundays. The processing time will be six (6) weeks from the time of application.

Philippine Embassy
20 Nassim Road
Singapore 258395
T: +65 6737 - 3977 ext. 101
F: +65 6733 - 9544

Source: Philippine Embassy @ Singapore