Up To 7,100 More OFW Jobs Available in South Korea

Labor Secretary Marianito Roque reported in a news release that the overseas Filipino (OFW) quota for jobs required in South Korea is now 7,100 versus last year's 5,700 - according to an article in the Inquirer.

The article goes on to say that a total of 6,445 Filipinos took the Korean Language Test (KLT) in various testing centers nationwide, a requirement by South Korean government for hiring. He said the examinations conducted in Manila, Pampanga, Baguio, Cebu, and Davao by the Korean Human Resources Department went smoothly, with no reported negative or unfavorable incident.

Roque said 3,344 examinees took the KLT in Manila, 2,076 took it in Pampanga, 554 in Baguio City, 310 in Cebu, and 161 in Davao.

The labor chief said hiring resumed only recently after South Korea strictly enforced the requirement that prospective OFWs take and pass the country’s language proficiency test.

He reiterated that many Korean employers still prefer Filipino workers, adding that a second KLT will be given around the fourth quarter of the year.

He said that under the Employment Permit System (EPS) of Korea, foreign workers earn an average of $1,000 a month.

In a related development, Roque said preparations are on for the signing of an implementing arrangement for the implementation of Korea’s Returnee Support Program for OFWs.

Roque said this program is patterned after the National Reintegration Program of the Philippines in which returning OFWs are given a chance to smoothly join the mainstream of society with assistance to training and livelihood programs.

He said Korea’s Returnee Support Program has two components; technical training onsite, usually on Sundays, for business or employment, and job referral to RP-based Korean companies (for returning workers).

Roque said that last year, as an enhancement of its assistance program for foreign workers, the HRD established caring centers nationwide to provide temporary shelter, food, and counseling to workers who have been let go and are looking for new jobs.

To address the language issue, Roque said Korea’s HRD likewise launched last year the three-way phone conference where the worker can talk to his employer through an interpreter.

Prohibited Items When Traveling to America

So many people I know are just leaving the country either on vacation or for migration. So I thought why not check on stuff for these people? If you're going to America, here are some tips on items NOT to bring

1. Cash amounting to more than USD 10,000: This is included in the list of things that you cannot bring when traveling to and from America. Immigration policy in US states that it is illegal to import and export over USD 10,000 in any Asian countries to prevent the possibility of supporting terrorism.
2. Fake signature items: Do not attempt to bring imitation items such as Louis Vuitton bags, Guess watches, etc. as you risk being questioned by the custom officers of America.
3. Pirated DVD’s/CD’s: The call to eradicate piracy is worldwide so pirated video and audio tapes are banned. It doesn’t matter if it is only one or two pirated CD’s with you, you will still be questioned and punished.
4. Pirated Books: As requested by the American Association of Publishers (AAP), custom officials in America are also on the look out for pirated books. Any traveler caught with fake print materials is charged with violation of intellectual property rights and will be automatically deported as punishment.
5. If you are a nurse or nursing student that wishes to take NCLEX or CGFNS in USA, make sure that your reviewers and reference books are not pirated.

OFW Advisory: Secure Clearances for the Christmas Holiday. POEA Office Will Be Open On Peak Days

Care of the OFW guide, Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) planning to go back to the Philippines for a vacation this December are advised by the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) to secure their exit clearances early. This can be done by going to the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) in their respective host countries before their flight back to the Philippines.


By taking care of exit clearances even before arriving to the Philippines, you don’t need to go the POEA office in Ortigas to get clearances when it is time for you to return to your host county. It will also prevent long lines and crowds at the POEA so the OFWs and the government agency are spared of the holiday hassle.


Accoding to Jennifer Jardin-Manalili, POEA Administrator Jennifer Jardin-Manalili long lines at the Balik-Manggagawa Processing Center has long been a common sight at the POEA office after the holiday season.

OFWs that are going back to Philippine provinces may get exit clearance in POEA offices located in Clark Field in Pampanga and the cities of Baguio, Tuguegarao, San Fernando in La Union, Calamba, Legazpi, Tacloban, Iloilo, Bacolod, Cebu, Cagayan de Oro, Zamboanga, and Davao.

Manalili also said OFWs could use the overseas employment certificate courier system available at their website (http://www.poea.gov.ph).

All POEA offices will remain open during the peak days of December 22, 23, 24, 26, and 29; and January 9, 2009.

Finding Your Way In NAIA (Ninoy Aquino International Airport) Tips and Instructions

Here are some tips about boing to NAIA - Ninoy Aquino International Airport. Finding your way around the area and some instructions. Original article entitled Going To NAIA Airport Tips and Instructions from OFW Connect

For OFWs, especially those first-timer ones, I'm sure that you're quite nervous on your way to NAIA. Of course, you're much nervous if you're in the foreign land already but I can tell you some Tips or Instructions (based on my own experience) about going or inside the NAIA Airport (to help you to relax a bit). So in case you didn't know yet, this is worth to read so that you're going to have an idea on what is it like once you're there.

You shouldn't be worried because it is just easy as 1-2-3. Always remember not to show to others that you're a first-timer because if someone who got an idea to fool you, you can be a victim of racketeers that are always around.

But before you go to NAIA, make sure that you know the time of your flight. Be there 3 hours before the flight.

1. If you got the OEC from POEA, before entering the NAIA Departure Lounge (the main entrance), submit your OEC to POEA Office/Desk located outside and at the right of the building. It is needed to be validated and you'll be given one copy for your reference. If you didn't manage to get the OEC from POEA in EDSA, you can obtain it from there too.

2. If done, you have to get your passport and ticket ready before you enter the entrance, this is to prevent delays 'cause you have to show it to security guards on duty.

3. Once inside, you need to pass another security and this is where your luggage and everything are checked under x-rays. Make sure that you know the contents of your belongings, make sure that it doesn't contain prohibited materials such as drugs, explosives, guns, knifes and other not-allowed things.

4. Once done again, you have to look for the counter for the airlines or flight stated on your Ticket. Usually, counters got logo's of the airlines, look for the logo of the airline that you're going to board but sometimes, there are more than one counter for the same airline but different destination. You should queue at the right destination. And on that right counter, there is a business class and economy, if your ticket is on the economy, you must queue there or else your time is going to be wasted if you queue at the wrong lane.

5. Sometimes, if passengers are too many, the attendant or staff responsible for your flight is going to check your passport while you're still on the line. Sometimes, they have this list of passengers so I think, they are just making an advance checklist. They have this little stickers as well that they're going to stick on your passport, I think it is just a signed that checks has been done about your flight's details.

6. While on the line, sometimes you're going to be given a form (departure form) by the airline staff. You have to fill it in and give it to the immigration officer later. This is to be filled-up before you enter the immigration check-point and an officer is going to collect this from you. If you have not been given this form, you can find this at the airline counter as well or at the immigration check-point.

7. Before the Counter, the airline staff is going to check your passport, ticket and your baggage. Make sure you bring baggage that is not an overloaded or else, you're going to pay an excess for each kilo not allowed for free. The allowed weight of baggage is always stated in your ticket, usually 25Kgs for Economy Class and higher for higher class.

8. At the Counter, you have to show again your passport, ticket and if you need to pay an excess fee, you should have been given a ticket or a receipt or form and need to bring it to the excess counter to pay. Once done, the staff is going to give you a boarding pass. This boarding pass is where you can see the Gate number and seat number for your flight.

9. If everything's fine, be ready again to enter at the Immigration check-point lobby. Another security is going to check your documents, so always show your passport and boarding pass. You don't need to show the copy of your OEC, OWWA and other documents to the security. Keep these documents in your hand luggage. Just the Ticket, Passport and Boarding Pass are needed to see by the security.

10. Once Inside, there are lanes or counters for different passengers, there are special counters for OFWs, so line-up there. If it is your turn, show your passport, boarding pass, ticket and the OEC.

11. Once done, you are now going to pass the Immigration check-point. Line again on special lane for OFWs, important documents should be ready incase officers need to ask about it but the one that you need are just the OEC, boarding pass, ticket and passport and the departure card I mentioned before. Make sure, you have filled this-in already before reaching the immigration counter.

12. If finished, you're now allowed to head on your flight. Look for the gate number stated in your Ticket, make sure you're going on the right gate. You have to pass one or two more securities and x-rays for your hand luggage. Sometimes, they will ask you to remove your belts, shoes, jackets, cellphones, key chains or wallets and pass it under their x-ray machines and/or metal detectors.

13. If you find the Gate number for your flight, you have to meet the airline staff again and will going to check your documents for the last time. Once done, you're now free to rest while waiting for the flight to take off.

14. If it is time now to aboard the plane, usually the airline staff will ask the elders and passengers with children first, so if you're not this passenger, wait for your turn.

15. Inside the airplane, look for the seat number that is stated in the boarding pass as well. Make sure that you got your own and assigned seat. Keep your hand luggage at the over-head cabin.

16. And last but not least, PRAY BEFORE THE TAKE-OFF. Pray for the safety of your Journey, pray for the guidance both the Pilot and the airplane. And then enjoy the flight, don't be so nervous now that you're so high-up in the air. You can cry if you want if you think that you're going to miss your loveones, friends, neighbors, your pets and the whole Philippines.

BON VOYAGE KABAYAN !

Note: If you're bringing your dependants with you, make sure that you bring necessary documents that they should have as well. Every passenger and destination got different set of rules and instructions given, so the above Tips are just a guide and not really the exact way or instructions for all airline passengers.