Effective November 1, 2007, the Singapore government implements a new law for any person who will enter or leave Singapore. According to the report of Belen Anota, (Philippine Ambassador to Singapore) to DFA, arriving and departing persons bearing currency and bearer negotiable instruments (CBNI) amounting to SGD30, 000 or Php 891, 450 are obligated to report the transaction to proper authorities.

CBNI includes bills of exchange, checks, promissory notes, bearer bonds, traveler’s checks and money orders or postal orders. Report forms are available at major immigration checkpoints, commercial transport operators and visitor centers in Singapore. It can also be downloaded from the Singapore Police Force websites, www.spf.gov.sg and www.cad.gov.sg.

Pamilyang OFW-SME Network Foundation, Inc will hold its 1st Pamilyang OFWs-SMEs Investment & Business Expo
from December 6 to 12 2007 at the Festival SuperMall, Alabang, Muntinlupa City and the 2nd Pamaskong Handog sa Pamilyang OFWs at SMEs on December 14 to 16 2007 at the Philippine Trade Training Center(PTTC), Pasay City.

For details visit http://www.pamilyangofw-sme.com 
or call 433-6361; 912-5803.

DOLE issued an advisory for Household service workers (HSWs) who want to work to Hong Kong or other counties against manpower agencies/ recruiters demanding and promising refund of placement fees upon deployment.

According to Arturo Brion, DOLE Secretary, the new policies issued by POEA in December 2006 removed from the HSWs the payment of placement fees to their recruiters. Report immediately to the POEA those agencies and individuals who may charge them placement fees. Agencies collecting placement fees from workers will be penalized with cancellation of license and refund of the fee collected from the worker.

In light of the state of emergency that was declared in Pakistan, President Arroyo ordered DFA to make certain the wellbeing and protection of Filipinos in Pakistan by closely monitoring the developments.

“The embassy has been instructed to take immediate steps, including the establishment of communication hotlines with the Filipino communities there, and to assess and recommend further measures that may be taken to ensure their safety,” Presidential Spokesman, Bunye said.

He said there are some 3,000 Filipinos now based in Pakistan, although the POEA said no Filipinos work there. DFA and the OWWA) are in charge of handling the possible repatriation and evacuation of OFWs.