Singapore Police on the lookout for a man who offers to help and steal from Changi Airport travellers

THE police are on the lookout for a man who offers to help Changi Airport travellers with checking in their luggage, only to steal from them or make off with their bags.

The police are on the lookout for a man who offers to help

Changi Airport travellers with checking in their luggage, only

to steal from them or make off with their bags.

 

The man, believed to have been involved in at least two such instances so far, struck in April, once each in Terminals 1 and 2.

The police, releasing a statement and a photograph of the suspect on Saturday, said the man has been linked to at least two cases of cheating-related offences, in which he would approach unsuspecting victims on the pretext of helping them check in their overweight luggage.

The Straits Times understands that he may be a Filipino who homes in on fellow Filipinos under the guise of helping his countrymen.

In one case, he made off with a pouch containing more than $1,500; in the other case, he took a suitcase with personal items valued at $300.

Investigations were launched after reports were made.

Anyone with information on this man is requested to call the Police Hotline at 1800-255-0000. All information will be kept strictly confidential.

Department Of Justice Issues Advisory on Illegal Drug Couriers

The Philippines Department of Justice (”DOJ”) issued an Advisory Opinion explaining to the public the issues surrounding the recruitment, arrest, detention and conviction of Filipinos caught transporting illegal drugs abroad.

 

As with its previous Advisory Opinion regarding the basic rights of citizens in military/police checkpoints, Advisory Opinion No. 2 is in line with the thrust of the DOJ to take a pro-active stance in criminal justice concerns, including the issue on Filipino illegal drug couriers or “drug mules”.

The DOJ’s Advisory is addressed both to Filipinos who willingly accept offers to become illegal drug couriers and to those who were involuntarily caught in the criminal activities of syndicates through various modus operandi.  In either case, the Advisory lays down basic rules that all Filipinos should bear in mind once they are apprehended abroad on suspicion of transporting illegal drugs.

Below are the ten (10) advisory points issued by the DOJ, couched in simple and straightforward language for easy comprehension by the general public:

1. “Carry at your own risk”
2. Knowledge is immaterial and intent is not a requirement in drug trafficking.
3. Be vigilant of the modus operandi of drug courier syndicates.
4. In the unfortunate event of arrest or detention for drug trafficking, have presence of mind and do not resist arrest.
5. Assert your legal rights, inquire on the legal remedies and request for consular assistance.
6. Presumption of innocence will always apply.
7. The laws of the country of arrest apply.
8. If sentenced, the government can only be of limited assistance.
9. “Blood money” cannot be paid to erase the liability of a person convicted of a crime involving illegal drugs.
10. Take full responsibility of your actions.

The DOJ’s Advisory Opinion No. 2 was issued at a time when more and more Filipinos are being arrested and convicted in various countries allegedly for being drug couriers.  It seeks to wan Filipinos of the legal consequences of being involved, voluntarily or involuntarily, in the criminal activities of illegal drug syndicates.

Philippines now out of US watch list on human trafficking

Philippine Bureau of Immigration (BI) Commissioner Ricardo David Jr. welcomed a recently released US State Department report that the Philippines has made significant progress in combating human trafficking even as he pledged the BI’s continued vigilance in stopping human trafficking victims from leaving or entering the country.

David said the improvement of the Philippines’ standing in the human trafficking scorecard based on the Trafficking in Persons Interim Assessments is a clear and encouraging sign that the BI’s relentless drive against trafficking has paid off, despite criticisms that the bureau has been overzealous in doing its job.

David commended BI personnel at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) for doing a very good job during the past several months in stopping the departure of thousands of undocumented overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who were victimized by illegal recruitment and human trafficking syndicates. He also acknowledged the accomplishments of his predecessor, former BI officer-in-charge Ronaldo Ledesma, for instituting the measures and policies that enabled the bureau to offload the biggest number of trafficking victims in the agency’s history.

Statistics showed that from August to December alone, immigration officers at the NAIA and other airports stopped more than 27,000 passengers, most of them OFWs disguised as tourists, from leaving.

The combined efforts of all member agencies of the Inter-Agency Council Against  Trafficking (IACAT) resulted in the conviction of 21 human traffickers by the courts from July 2010 to March this year.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) said it expects the Philippines’ record to improve when the State Department releases this June its next report on human trafficking.

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said the 21 convictions during the past nine months were a far cry from the 25 convictions in the past 7 years.

During the assessment period, 9 sex traffickers were convicted, with prison sentences ranging from 6 years to life imprisonment. One immigration official was slapped with criminal charges while 19 immigration personnel are facing administrative raps for trafficking-related activities.

According to the Blas F. Ople Policy Center, the Philippines has made ‘significant progress’ in its anti-human trafficking campaign since the release of the State Department’s 2010 report.

Last June, the DOJ ordered prosecutors to make trafficking cases a priority while the Supreme Court later issued a circular instructing courts to expedite the disposition of trafficking cases.

Philippine Immigration officers barred 34 prospective overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) bound for Thailand

Immigration officers at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) barred from leaving the country 34 prospective overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) bound for Thailand.

In a report to Bureau of Immigration (BI) Commissioner Ricardo A. David Jr., BI airport operations division acting chief Lina Andaman Pelia said the passengers were offloaded last April 7 as they were about to board a Philippine Airlines flight to Bangkok.

Pelia said the passengers were prevented from boarding their flight after intense questioning by immigration officers forced them to confess that they were actually OFWs disguised as business travelers.

“They were offloaded for not having the required clearances and employment permits from the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), Pelia said. Immigration Officer Marlene Pedrealba, who heads the NAIA-BI’s Travel Control and Enforcement Unit (TCEU) added that the passengers admitted during the interviews that they were going to work in Bangkok.

“In fact, many of them are former OFWs who had worked in Dubai,” Pedrealba stressed.

It was Pedrealba’s team that interviewed the 34 passengers after they were referred to the BI by the PAL supervisor on duty at the counter where the “tourist workers” had checked-in for their flight.

David commended the TCEU members for their vigilance even as he exhorted them to step up their vigilance and be on the lookout for similar passengers departing in large groups.

The names of the passengers were not divulged as the anti-human trafficking law prohibits the public disclosure of both the traffickers and their victims.

Investigation revealed that the OFWs were going to work for the Super Giant Touring Carnival owned by Apirom Properties Company Ltd., an affiliate of the Big Fun World company based in Dubai and where many of the passengers had already worked.

The passengers were allegedly traveling on a business visa that was provided by a company in Dubai which was supposed to process their work permits in Thailand.

Cebu Pacific Launches Online Web CHECK-IN

I got this mail from Cebu Pacific which is good news since it will lessen the time spent in preparing and queuing at the counter. Once you are check-in online, you can go straight to one of their web-checkin counter at the airport and have your baggage weigh.

But there’s a catch, it clearly states that “you must also purchase a Seat Selector to be able to check-in online.” That another means it’ll cost for the convenience it brings.

Cebu Pacific has great news for you!

You can do WEB CHECK-IN through the Cebu Pacific Manage Booking tab! You may check-in online for your flight 5J 805 Manila-Singapore under booking reference number XXXQTN 48 hours up to 4 hours before your estimated time of departure.

Once you have checked-in online, you just need to be at the designated counter at least 45 minutes before estimated time of departure. Otherwise, your documents and baggage will no longer be processed. We strictly close the boarding gate 15 minutes before estimated time of departure so allow ample time to clear through Immigration and security checks.

When you check-in online, you can also avail of other Cebu Pacific products that will make your travel cheaper and more convenient. Check out:

TravelSure
Get travel insurance for as low as Php250 premium

Prepaid Excess Baggage
Pre-pay for your excess baggage and get as much as 20% off on standard rates

Sports Equipment Fee
If you’re traveling with your sports gear, avail of additional 15kg for your sports equipment for only Php1,000

You must also purchase a Seat Selector to be able to check-in online. If you have not purchased a seat when you booked your flight, don’t worry, you can choose a seat during the check-in process.q

SDPC Cigarette Marking: Legal duty-paid cigarettes sold in Singapore

Since 1 January 2009, all duty-paid cigarettes sold in Singapore are legally required to be marked with the letters “SDPC”.

All cigarettes will be sold in packets bearing the graphic health warning labels as stipulated by the Health Sciences Authority (HSA).

The SDPC will be marked on every individual stick of cigarettes.

How Does a SDPC-marked Cigarette Look Like?

What Does the Regulation Mean?

All cigarettes without the SDPC-marking in Singapore will be deemed illegal. Therefore, anyone caught selling, buying, or having in possession cigarettes without the SDPC marking will be committing an offence under the Customs and GST Acts.

Why is there a Need for this Regulation?

The new marking regulation seeks to achieve the following objectives:

• To reinforce Singapore Customs’ intensified operations to keep contraband cigarettes off the streets,
• As a measure to visibly differentiate duty-paid cigarettes from contraband cigarettes to enhance detection by our enforcement officers, and
• As deterrence to curb the peddling and buying of contraband cigarettes in Singapore

What are the Penalties?

Anyone caught selling, buying, or having in possession of duty unpaid cigarettes without the SDPC marking will be committing an offence under the Customs and GST Acts.  For every packet of duty-unpaid cigarettes, buyers will be fined $500. Illegal peddlers will be arrested and charged in Court.Offenders will be fined or sent to jail or both.

Frequently-asked Questions

• What about smokers returning to Singapore from overseas?  How will their packet of cigarettes be treated at the checkpoint?
  
  There are no duty-free concessions or GST relief for cigarettes and other tobacco products in Singapore since 1991. Persons arriving in Singapore who bring in cigarettes or tobacco products, including SDPC-marked cigarettes and tobacco products, are required to declare them at the Red Channel for payment of duty and GST.
  
  Arriving travellers and returning Singaporeans who have brought in cigarettes from overseas for their own consumption and have paid duty are advised to reproduce their receipts issued by Singapore Customs as proof of payment of duty and GST when checked by Customs officers

   

• What are the penalties?
  
  All duty-paid cigarettes sold in Singapore without the SDPC marking will be deemed as duty-unpaid.  Anyone caught selling, buying, or having in possession of duty unpaid cigarettes without the SDPC marking will be committing an offence under the Customs and GST Acts.  Illegal peddlers will be arrested and charged in court.  For every packet of duty-unpaid cigarettes, buyers will be fined $500.

• Will there be counterfeit cigarettes with the SDPC markings?
  
  We assessed that this is unlikely.  Nevertheless, we will be monitoring the situation closely and will review our tactics accordingly should the situation change.

• Why is there a need for the SDPC marking regulation?
  
  The SPDC marking on every stick of duty-paid cigarettes sold in Singapore is a measure to visibly differentiate duty-paid cigarettes from contraband cigarettes. This will enhance detection by our enforcement officers, and act as deterrence to curb the peddling and buying of contraband cigarettes in Singapore.  The new requirement will reinforce Singapore Customs’ intensified operations to keep contraband cigarettes off the streets.

• When will the regulation on “SPDC” markings take effect?
  
  All individual sticks of cigarettes that are meant for sale or consumption in Singapore will have to bear the SDPC marking.

Singapore Customs Reminds Travellers to Declare Dutiable and GST-payable Goods at Red Channel

With the long weekend arising from the Chinese New  Year round the corner, Singaporeans and travellers alike are expected to travel overseas for their holidays. Singapore Customs would like to remind holidaymakers and other travellers arriving at Changi Airport and other checkpoints to make customs declarations at the Red Channel if they have any cigarettes or tobacco products, liquors exceeding their duty-free allowance and/or taxable items with values beyond their GST reliefs.

Declaration at Checkpoints
Upon arrival at the checkpoints, travellers carrying taxable products are required to make a complete and accurate declaration in person  to the checking officers at the Red Channel. Alternatively, they can also proceed to make payment for duty and GST at Singapore Customs’ self-service Tax Payment Kiosks at Changi Airport or at its Tax Payment offices. They should retain the invoices or receipts to facilitate computation of the required taxes.

Cigarettes and Tobacco Products
All cigarettes, including those with ‘SDPC’ markings, and tobacco products are subject to duty and GST.  There is no duty-free concession on these products.

   

Liquors Exceeding Duty-Free Allowance
A traveller bringing in or purchasing liquor on arrival in Singapore is entitled to duty-free allowance for spirits, wine and beer if he/she meets all of the following conditions:

1. 18 years old or above;
2. Has spent 48 hours or more outside Singapore immediately before your arrival;
3. Has not arrived from Malaysia; and
4. The liquors are for personal consumption and not prohibited under the Customs Act

The traveller can choose any of the three options indicated in the table below for the duty-free allowance (Table 1).

There is NO duty-free concession on liquors for persons arriving from Malaysia. Travellers of all nationality arriving from Malaysia will have to pay the relevant duties and GST on their liquors.

Taxable Goods beyond GST Reliefs 
In general, all goods, both dutiable and non-dutiable, brought into Singapore for local consumption are subject to Goods and Services Tax (GST) of 7%.  To minimise inconveniences to travellers bringing small amounts of goods into Singapore for personal consumption, travellers (except for pass and permit holders) are granted the following reliefs on the value of the goods (Table 2):

Advisory from Singapore Customs
Arriving travellers and returning Singaporeans should acquaint themselves with
Singapore’s customs regulations.  It is the responsibility of travellers to make an accurate and complete declaration of the dutiable and taxable items in their possession. Failure to make a declaration is an offence under the Customs and GST Acts.  Offenders can be prosecuted in court and fined up to $10,000 and imprisonment for up to three years.  

If travellers are unsure of the duty-free allowance or GST relief they are entitled to, they could consult Singapore Customs officers at the Tax Payment office.  Members of the public can seek assistance or obtain more information by calling Singapore Customs at 6355 2000, email to  customs feedback@customs.gov.sg

SBS Transit Bus struck by falling tree along Upper Thomson Road

AN SBS bus that had stopped at a bus stop along Upper Thomson Road to pick up passengers was struck by a falling tree on Saturday afternoon.

Bus captain Oh Yew Boon stands by his bus that was hit by a falling tree when he stopped at a bus-stop along Sembawang Road heading towards Thomson Road.

 

The police received a call at 4.35pm about the accident, which happened near Nee Soon Road. A spokesman said the tree had fallen onto a bus stop and a stationary bus that was in the bus bay. It had been raining at the time.

The bus' captain Oh Yew Boon said there were about 20 passengers on board the bus then, although no one was injured.

Officers from NParks subsequently arrived at the scene to extricate the fallen tree from the bus.

Bridge under construction at Punggol The Waterway collapses

A partially completed bridge at the construction site collapsed under the weight of rainwater on Sunday morning as reported by reader Simon Low to ST who took and sent in a picture from his flat in Block 638b Punggol Drive.

In an email report to ST, Mr Low said “This morning, I noticed part of the bridge had collapsed due to the heavy rain.”

“I believe the bridge also acted as a dam, but the water overflowed (from the right side) the partially built bridge, and pushed the bridge away.”

“The banks of the waterway on the right side of the bridge overflowed due to this morning's heavy rain. I wonder whether it will happen again once the waterway is fully completed.”

Flooding along Airport Boulevard

Two lanes along Airport Boulevard were closed on Sunday morning due to flooding along Airport Boulevard, leaving two passable.

However, flood waters cleared by noon, and the lanes have been reopened to traffic, confirmed the police.

Flooding at the junction of Tampines Avenue 12 & 9

The junction at Tampines Avenue 12 & 9 were closed at noon on Sunday afternoon because of flooding. One lane has been reopened to traffic so far.

Heavy Rains, Floods in Singapore

FLOODS have returned to Singapore amid heavy, incessant rain since Saturday.

Readers of The Straits Times Online have been sending in reports of flooding, which seem mostly concentrated in the eastern part of Singapore.

Awakening Cryztalrella wrote on The Straits Times’ Facebook fanpage: ‘Flooding along the whole road at Bedok Town park towards Bedok North Ave 3, i.e. after the PIE overhead bridge towards B07 Bus stop (Bus 18, 28, etc). It has become inaccessible during heavy downpour.’

On Twitter, quelynxandever and iamsurebbyrz reported flooding at the Singapore Expo, and Loyang Avenue near Changi prison.

User CW of citizen journalism site STOMP also sent in pictures of a flooded carpark at Tampines Street 32, which showed it submerged in water.

CW wrote: ‘The basement carpark was flooded during these two days of non-stop rain.’

On their website, the National Environment Agency said widespread moderate to heavy rain is expected between 11.30am and midnight on Sunday.

If you are affected by floods or know of places that are, we would greatly appreciate your telling us. Please send pictures and information to stonline@sph.com.sg

Singapore hit by “costly to prevent” floods

“Freak floods that happens only once in 50 years” according to Minister for Environment Mr Yaacob Ibrahim, have hit Singapore again on early Saturday morning for the 4th time in 2 months this year, not ‘once in 50 years as suggested’.

01Affected areas include Braddell Road, Changi Road, Joo Chiat, Telok Kurau,  Geylang and Bukit Timah, where trees were uprooted and rising floodwaters stranded several drivers in their vehicles. Parts of Kallang and Tanjong Katong were also flooded.

The hardest hit areas were Braddell Road, Joo Chiat Terrace, Changi Road, Bukit Timah and Delfi in Orchard Road with water rising to waist level.

According to the Straits Times, waters rose to knee-high level at the Tessarina Condo in Bukit Timah area, flooding the basement carpark. Some cars were almost submerged in water, prompting frantic residents to move them out to drier grounds.

The same paper reported that 60 people were evacuated by Singapore Civil Defence Force personnel in 20 different places, including passengers who were stuck in an SBS bus along Upper Thomson Road.

There were further reports by Netizens of fallen trees along Dorset Road causing traffic congestion, shops badly damaged by the flood along Upper Thomson Road and 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.

Despite a public outcry over the incompetency of the PAP government to prevent the frequent floods which caused millions of dollars of losses, PM Lee remained nonchalant about the inconveniences and losses the frequent flooding have caused to ordinary Singaporeans and even appeared to chide Singaporeans for having overly high expectations.

Last month, in a speech made at Lower Seletar Reservoir which was widely reported by MSM, PM Lee tried to exonerate the PAP government from any blame by coming up with the “lameretest”  excuse that it is very “costly” to keep Singapore “flood-free.”

He claimed that given Singapore’s “tropical climate”, any attempt to “wipe out” flooding in Singapore would require plenty of money and land without providing any concrete evidence or statistics to substantiate his claims.

In a nutshell, PM Lee deems spending Public Money on preventing floods “costly” but have no reservation whatsoever on giving a Massive Pay Rise (expected to be more than 8% this year) to Singapore’s “betteretest” multi-millionaire PAP ministers, who are already the “higheretest” paid political leaders in the world.

Ironically, 66% of eligible Singaporeans voted for a ruling party thats only interested in spending Public Money to enrich themselves instead of safeguarding the life and property of Singaporeans.

Singapore military offers help with flood recovery

There has been another offer of overseas assistance for flood devastated Queensland.

A day after the United States said it is ready to help, Singapore has offered military assistance.

Flooding has affected large parts of the state, including Rockhampton where the Fitzroy River is expected to peak today.

About 6,000 Singapore Armed Forces troops conduct military exercises in Shoalwater Bay near Rockhampton every year.

Singapore’s Defence Minister Teo Chee Hean has written to Rockhampton Mayor Brad Carter and Australian Defence Minister Stephen Smith offering assistance.

Mr Teo says Singapore Air Force helicopters based at Oakey on the Darling Downs in southern Queensland as well as Singaporean soldiers can help if required.

Returning OFWs get a free rides from Airport to Bus Terminals

As part of its efforts to honor overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), the government is giving returning OFWs a free ride to bus terminals where they can get a ride to their home provinces during the holidays.

Radio dzBB's Denver Trinidad reported Monday the free rides are part of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration's "Pamaskong Handog (Christmas offering)."

The report quoted OWWA Administrator Carmelita Dimzon as saying the returning OFWs will be ferried from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) to different bus terminals.

On the other hand, Dimzon said she has ordered OWWA personnel at the NAIA terminals doubled to attend to the needs of returning OFWs.

On Monday afternoon, President Benigno Simeon Aquino III will personally lead officials in welcoming OFWs returning home for the holidays.

Aquino is expected to hand out raffle prizes to lucky OFWs, the report said.

PNoy welcome returning OFWs at NAIA

President Benigno Aquino III will go to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Monday to welcome returning overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

The move would symbolize the government's high regard for OFWs, whose remittances sustain the economy, radio dzBB reported Sunday.

Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration chief Carmelita Dimzon will be with the President.

With luck, three OFWs will get cash and non-cash prizes in a raffle, according to dzBB.

His administration will make working abroad an "option" instead of a necessity for Filipinos, the President earlier said.

During the campaign for the May 10 elections, Aquino lamented that poverty continued to force many Filipinos for better paying jobs abroad.

Bureau of Customs will be considerate this Christmas, no tax duties on one electronic item

The Philippine Bureau of Customs (BoC) will be considerate to vacationing balikbayans or overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who would want to bring in electronic items in the country this Christmas.

"In the spirit of the holiday season, ang sabi ko sa ating collectors, examiners at appraisers, lalung-lalo na dito sa arrival area na bigyan naman ng konting konsiderasyon ang ating mga kababayan," said Customs Commissioner Lito Alvarez.

Balikbayans or OFWs will be allowed by the BoC to bring in one electronic product free of duties and taxes.

Based on customs regulations, ad valorem tax is imposed on an electronic product with more than P10,000 value.

Alvarez admitted that the law on duties and taxes is outdated and needs to be amended by Congress.

OFW Rodrigo Cabuena had just arrived from Palma de Mallorca in Spain. He bought family chocolates and clothes as presents for his family because he knows how difficult it is to bring in electronic products in the country.

Aside from the long thorough search of his belongings, BoC members would also bombard him with several questions.

“Alam nyo po naman ang trabaho namin saka yung sahod namin, minimum wage earner lang po kami doon. Ngayon, kung pagbabayarin po kami nun, medyo mabigat yun,” Cabuena said.

Alvarez reminded OFWs that they must honestly fill up the Customs Declaration Form and bring the receipt of the electronic item they want to bring into the country

source: abs-cbn

Philippine Bureau of Immigration bars 4 OFWs disguised as tourists from leaving

Immigration officers at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport barred from leaving the country four prospective overseas Filipino workers disguised as tourists after they presented bogus documents in an attempt to convince authorities that they were financially capable to go on a foreign holiday.

Bureau of Immigration (BI) officer-in-charge Ronaldo Ledesma said the suspected “tourist workers” were intercepted at the departure area of the NAIA 2 terminal last Oct. 6 as they were about to board a Philippine Airlines flight to Bangkok. Ledesma said the female passengers were offloaded after they were subjected to secondary inspection by immigration officers who doubted their purpose in traveling abroad.

The BI chief declined to divulge the names of the women, saying “they are victims of illegal recruitment whose identities need not be publicized.”

He added that the incident should serve as a warning to others who want to work abroad that they should not deal with illegal recruiters.

“The law requires that all Filipino migrant workers must secure proper documentation and clearances from the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) to ensure that they are protected while working abroad,” Ledesma stressed.

According to Atty. Arvin Santos, BI airport operations chief, the women when interviewed presented counterfeit credit cards and other questionable documents to prove that they are legitimate tourists.

The passengers also had US$300 each in pocket money and hotel bookings in their port of destination.

“They readily admitted that the credit cards are fake and they bought the same in Bacolod City for P200 each,” Santos said.

He added that the women claimed to be sales representatives of a company called Prince Motor Corp. but could not answer when asked to name the products they were supposedly selling.

A quick Google search yielded no result about this company but there is a similarly named company called Prince Motor Company which was a Japanese automobile manufacturer from 1952 until its merger with Nissan in 1966.

Requirements for Filipinos Travelling Abroad

Courtesy of Wikipedia

According to Philippine Bureau of Immigration, Filipinos Travelling abroad only need to present the following documents:

• Valid passport – at least 6 months
• Valid Original visa for port of entry( when required); and
• For tourists, a return ticket. (Memorandum Order No. MCL – 07 -019 issued on October 24, 2007)

Some Restrictions On The Right To Travel

I. Minority- for the travel of unaccompanied minors, a Travel Clearance must be issued by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and presented to the Immigration Officer prior to departure.

A travel clearance is required and shall be secured from the DSWD by the following Filipino citizens:

1. A minor traveling alone to a foreign country
2. A minor traveling to a foreign country accompanied by a person other than his/her parents.
3. A minor who is the subject of ongoing custody battle between parents will not be issued a travel clearance unless a Court Order is issued to allow the child to travel abroad with either one of his/her parents or authorized guardian.

II. A Hold Departure Order (HDO) issued by the Regional Trial Court (RTC). (Circular No. 39-97).

III. A Watch List Order issued by the Secretary of Justice in cases pending Preliminary Investigation or Motion for Reconsideration/Pending Review before the Department of Justice (DOJ) including application for “Not The Same Person (NTSP). (Section 1 and 3 of Department Circular no.18 dated April 23, 2007).

IV.    Contract workers :
For Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW’s), before departure, he/she must present a POEA Overseas Employment Certificate at the concerned immigration counter. Otherwise, they shall not be cleared for departure. (MEMORANDUM ORDER NO. ADD – 02 – 019 dated 15 April 2002).

EXCEPTIONS:
Under POEA Memorandum Circular  No. 18 series of 1997).

• The Licensing and Regulation Office (LRO), specifically the Employment Regulation Branch, shall remain the focal office, in evaluating employment and/or travel documents of individuals whose nature of travel falls under special cases and shall issue an exit clearance, if necessary.

Special cases shall include:

• Regular employees of local companies assigned or posted abroad to their subsidiaries/mother/sister companies on secondment arrangement for a limited period and are in possession of employment or intra-company transferee visa;
• Vacationing OFWs leaving on personal travel;
• Former OFWs/Individuals with CW passport travelling to foreign countries with no visa to ascertain the purpose of travel; and
• Religious missionaries who will be assigned temporarily abroad and are travelling on employment visa.

• Individuals who are travelling on visas other than employment such as training, foreign residence, visit, spouse/fiancee/ dependent, student, and business, need not secure exit clearance from POEA. However, in view of the peculiarities obtaining in the Korean labor market, trainee bound for korea must obtain an exit clearance or the appropriate Overseas Employment Certificate through their respective recruitment agencies, as the case may be. The POEA Regional Centers and Regional Extension Units may issue special exit clearance herein mentioned, as may be applicable.

V.    Requirements for Filipino emigrants as required by the Commission on Filipino Overseas (CFO).

• They are required to register with the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO).
• They are required to attend in the Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar (PDOS) to prepare them for settlement overseas.
• The children of emigrants aged 12 years old and below are exempt from attending the PDOS but must be registered even by proxy.
• The children of emigrants aged 13 and above are required to attend the Peer Counseling Program to help facilitate their adjustment to a new environment.

In these seminars, various topics are discussed such as:

• Travel regulations
• Immigration procedures
• Cultural differences
  Settlement concerns
• Employment and social security concerns; and
• Rights and obligations of Filipino migrants. For further details, please visit the website of the Commission on Filipino Overseas at http://www.cfo.gov.ph/pdos.htm.

VI.    Government officials :

The following persons are required to secure a travel authority to travel abroad from the Office of the President:

1. Members of the Cabinet and officials of equivalent rank;
2. Heads of the Government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCC’s) and the Government Financing Institutions (GFI’s) under or attached to the Office of the President for authority to travel abroad; and
3. Heads of agencies under or attached to the Office of the President. (Section 1 of Executive Order No. 459 issued on September 1, 2005).

VII.    For Dual Citizenship

Only the following shall be considered as substantial proof of Philippine citizenship:

1. Genuine and valid Philippine passport; and
2. Original Identification Certificate issued by this Bureau.

source: Bureau of Immigration

Philippine Embassy – Report of New Birth and First-Time Passport Applicant

Report of birth and passport application forms must be accomplished by either of the Filipino parents or guardian.  The infant/child need to be personally brought to the embassy.

(For infants/children born in Singapore of Filipino parent/s)

Basic Requirements

• Duly accomplished passport application form
• Original and five (5) photocopies of the following documents
• • Birth Certificate issued by the Singapore Registration of Births
  • Report of Birth
  • Passports of parents (data pages only)
  • Marriage contract of parents (if applicable)
• Cash payment of S$187.00 (passport and notarization fees)

Additional Requirements (for newly born baby whose parents are not legally married)

• Affidavit of Acknowledgement to be executed by both parents
• Affidavit by the father consenting the use of his surname
• Cash payment of S$229.50 (passport and notarization fees)

Philippine Embassy (Singapore) Passport Renewal Process

As a passport with at least six months’ validity is a standard requirement for international travel, applicants are advised to renew their passports early to avoid inconvenience.

 

It takes six weeks to process the Philippine passport. In order to prevent overcrowding and in compliance with Singapore safety and welfare regulations, the Philippine Embassy institutes a cut-off of 80 – 100 applicants a day during periods of high consular traffic.

Applicants are advised to schedule their visits during weekdays to avoid long queues.

Basic Requirements

• Personal appearance of the applicant
• Duly accomplished passport application form
• Original and photocopy of passport (for renewals)
• Cash payment will be S$102.00 for the new ePassport (effective 28 June 2010).
• Passport Photos are no longer required, but applicants are required to wear the following:
  • For men: decent shirt, with collar
  • For women: decent attire, with or without collar (no sleeveless / no plunging neckline)

Additional Requirements

For Singapore Permanent Residents / Employment Pass / S-Pass / Dependant’s Pass / Long Term Pass & Work Permit holders (excluding household service workers)

• Original and photocopy of identity / employment card

For Household Service Workers

• Valid employment contract authenticated by the Philippine Embassy

For Seamen

• Seaman’s book
• Crew list
• Letter from the master of the vessel / authorized agency

For Married Women Who Wish to use the Surname of their Husband (holding machine-readable passports)

Married in Singapore

• Original and photocopy of Report of Marriage filed at the Philippine Embassy
• Original and photocopy of marriage certificate issued by Singapore Registry of Marriages (ROM)
• Photocopy of the data pages of passports of both husband and wife

Married in Philippines

• Original and photocopy of marriage contract issued by NSO and duly authenticated by DFA
• Photocopy of the data pages of passports of both husband and wife

Married in Abroad

• Original and photocopy of NSO-issued marriage certificate and duly authenticated by DFA
• Photocopy of the data pages of passports of both husband and wife

Important Notes

1. Collection of passports / travel documents may be delegated provided there is a proper letter of authorization.
2. Please take note of important embassy schedules for the processing and collection of passports / travel documents.

Philippine Bureau of Immigration mulls new Arrival/Departure card system

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) is considering a new system to capture and store information from the arrival/departure cards being filled up by international travelers in the country’s ports of entry.

The front of a disembarkation form issued by the Bureau of Immigration of the Government of the Philippines. The form bears the statement: "WARNING: DEATH TO DRUG TRAFFICKERS UNDER PHILIPPINE LAW (RA 7659)".

 

Immigration officer-in-charge Ronaldo Ledesma said he instructed Jollybert Galleon, BI computer section chief, to undertake the study and submit his recommendation as soon as possible. Ledesma said the bureau needs to come up with a more economical and efficient mode of retrieving and encoding the data in the cards without entering into contracts with private companies that only tend to create controversies and problems for the bureau.

Last week, the Department of Justice (DOJ) ordered the cancellation of the BI’s contract with e.Xtend Inc., the company that produces the cards being distributed by the bureau to travelers who enter and leave the country.

The contract was ordered revoked due to the controversies generated by the picture of dermatologist Vicky Belo on the card in an advertisement for the services of the latter’s beauty clinic.

Earlier, President Aquino ordered the BI to remove his picture from the card when he saw it during his recent trip to the United States.

Under its contract with the BI, e.Xtend, Inc. also provides the equipment that scans and retrieves information written in the cards.

Sending items to the Philippines via Cargo Companies

It’s ‘ber month again, just a few months and it will be Christmas. A lot of us are now thinking of what to send home as pasalubong, as they say its part of the pinoy culture.

If you intend to carry bulky items, one suggestion is to send it via any of the Door-To-Door Cargo companies. It is more comfortable to travel with less baggage, less worry.

It would help to get the dimension of the items you're sending or if it fits the standard boxes so that they can give you a quote.

As far as I know, you can request for a box from any of the cargo companies and have it delivered in your flat. After you have pack all items and sealed the box, you may call the cargo company for collection. From there, they can estimate the time when the box will arrive in its destination in the Philippines. The delivery time will depend on how far the destination is from Manila.

Some Tips:

1. You can use old clothes to support the items in the box.
2. You can request for used boxes in NTUC if you need smaller container or to support the items you're sending.
3. The top of shampoos, lotions and other plastic bottles should be secured with
   adhesive tape. There's a possibility that the contents will burst out of packging if it is not properly packed.
4. Write the address a) on top of the box; b) on two adjacent sides of the box.
   This will help the cargo company and their staffs.

Cebu Pacific's soaring IPO - the biggest ever in the Philippines in dollar terms

Cebu Pacific airlines cabin crew perform a safety demonstration routine during a ceremony inside a trading floor of the stock exchange in Makati's financial district of Manila. PHOTO: REUTERS

 

MANILA - BUDGET airline Cebu Air Inc gained more than 6 per cent in its Philippine stock market debut on Tuesday after raising at least US$539 million (S$698 million) from an initial public offering - the biggest ever for a low cost carrier.

Philippine Stock Exchange Chairman Hans Sicat said he hoped the listing - also the biggest ever in the Philippines in dollar terms - would spur growth in the country's tourism and aviation industries, which still lag behind its Southeast Asian neighbours.

The airline recently made headlines with a YouTube video of flight attendants dancing to music by Lady Gaga to keep passengers from snoozing through in-flight safety demonstration. The attendants danced again on Tuesday on the floor of the stock exchange before trading opened.

Cebu Pacific, as the airline is known, sold 186.6 million shares in its IPO at 125 pesos (S$3.75) each. Some 28 million overallotment shares are also expected to be sold, which will raise the total proceeds.

The shares closed on Tuesday up 6.4 per cent at 133 pesos.

Cebu Pacific President Lance Gokongwei said his company aims to increase the number of passengers from 10.7 million this year to 20 million by 2014 with the delivery of 24 new Airbus aircraft over the next four years.