ONLINE INTERVIEW WITH THE COMMISSION ON FILIPINOS
OVERSEAS (CFO)
Lee Quesada and Rey Carolino (Editor and Technology Writer
respectively of the FILIPINO TODAY
Newspaper in Canada) did an online chat interview with Mr. Jose Z. Molano, Jr.,
the Executive Director of the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) last January 20,
1997. The chat interview was made possible through the assistance of Gary Guevarra, senior MIS
staff of the CFO. Here is the transcript of the chat interview. Mr. Molano used the
nickanme "CFO" during the chat.
Session Start: Mon Jan 20 21:17:51 1997
**** Now talking in #filtoday
<Gary> Mr. Molano is ready for the interview
now!
<Lee> Hi, Mr. Molano, kumusta po diyan sa
Pilipinas?
<CFO> Kumusta kayong lahat? Happy New Year!
Wishing you peace and prosperity for 1997. When are you coming back to the Philippines?
<Lee> I am scheduled to spend easter holidays
there, sir.
<CFO> OK, that's good please be sure to get in
touch with us when you are here.
<Lee> I'll email you my hello the first night
I arrived there.
*** Rey (rey@ip203-35.cc.interlog.com) has joined #filtoday
<Lee> Oh, hi, Rey! You made it.
<Gary> Hello, Rey. You can start asking
questions now.
<CFO> Shoot your first question.
<Rey> Hello, Mr. Molano. I am not sure whether I
am supposed to greet you Good Morning (your time) or Good Evening (our time) but we are
truly honoured and excited about this chat inteview and we thank you for giving us the
time to chat with you through the Internet.
<Rey> Lee is calling from downtown Toronto.
While I am calling from Etobicoke- a city west of downtown Toronto. Its now 9:32 pm here
(Monday night).
<Lee> Sir, these questions and answers will be
published in the FILIPINO TODAY
newspaper and in the FILIPINO COMMUNITY COMPUTING SECTOR (FCCS) of the Toronto
Free-Net.
<Rey> Could you please tell us where you are at
the moment?
<CFO> We are at the Management Information
Systems office of the CFO.
<Rey> Okay, we'll start the ball rolling as this
network is kind of slow. Here is my first question: What is the rationale for the creation
of the Commission on Filipinos Overseas? When was the Commission created?
<CFO> The Commission on Filipinos Overseas or
CFO was created by law, through Batas Pambansa 79, in 1980 to promote and uphold
the interests and well-being of Filipinos overseas.
<Lee> What is the definite description of Overseas
Filipinos?
<CFO> As defined by B.P. 79, Filipinos Overseas
refer to "Filipinos who are permanent residents abroad, including Filipino
emigrants, who are either already citizens of foreign countries or are still Filipino
citizens awaiting naturalization, recognition, or admission, and their descendants."
With the issuance of A.O.182, CFO has been mandated to get involved in the policy and
programmes concerning overseas Filipinos in general. Also, with the issuance of A.O. 346,
CFO has been mandated to actively preserve and enhance ties with all Filipino youth
overseas.
<Lee> That means hindi po included dito ang mga
Overseas Contract Workers (OCWs), migrant workers, et al?
<CFO> Overseas Filipinos include all Filipinos
abroad whether emigrants, overseas Filipino workers or even undocumented persons.
<Rey> Here is my second question: what are the
Commission's functions?
<CFO> CFO has been mandated by law to carry out
three (3) major functions, which are:
first, to provide advice and assistance to the President and the Congress of the
Philippines in the formulation of policies concerning or affecting Filipinos overseas;
second, to develop and implement programmes to promote the interests and well-being of
Filipinos overseas; and
third, to serve as forum for preserving and enhancing the social, economic, and cultural
<Lee> Sir, how successful was the December 96
conference?
<CFO> Which conference are you referring to?
<Lee> That was called Month of Overseas
Filipinos. Did you not have your annual December conference in 1996?
<CFO> Month of Overseas Filipinos was not a
conference but a month-long observance to recognize the work and contributions of
Filipinos Overseas to the country and to the Filipino communities abroad as well.
<Lee> Sir, how successful are your CFO programs?
First, Lakbay-Aral- is it active? Is it well attended by kids from abroad?
<CFO> Yes, Lakbay-Aral is held as an
annual activity, usually during the month of August. It is fairly well attended although
we would like to see better participation in the future.
<Lee> Thanx, sir. How about the "Bring
Home a Friend", ongoing na po ba?
<CFO> Bring Home a Friend is a Tourism
Department program which was started a few years ago. We are not very sure of its current
status although we can inquire about this at the Department of Tourism.
<Lee> Ok, could you explain briefly for our
North American readers the "Kabuhayan 2000"?
<CFO> In a nutshell Kabuhayan 2000 is a
program to prepare Filipinos Overseas for a return and reintegration into mainstream
economic activity in the Philippines. It involves among others the acquisition of skills
to enable him to establish a business or other activity which will generate an income
after returning to the Philippines.
<Lee> Rey, are you still with us?
*** Rey has quit IRC (Connection reset by peer)
<CFO> Lee, What happened to Rey?
<Lee> I have no idea, sir. He is having problems
with his connection in Etobicoke, Ontario.
*** Rey (rey@207.34.213.109) has joined #filtoday
<Rey> I'm sorry but my connection was very slow
so I logged on using my other Internet account. My next question is: what are the
Commission's current projects and activities?
<CFO> The projects and activities of the
Commission are categorized into four (4) major programme areas:
The first programme area would be the Migrant Social and Economic Integration Programme,
which seeks to ensure that all Filipinos migrating to other countries are adequately
prepared to meet the practical and psychological problems attendant to international
migration.
Included in the second programme area is the Filipino Education and Heritage Programme,
which aims to provide educational services and continued exposure to Philippine history,
culture, and institutions to the younger generations of Filipinos overseas. Included in
this programme area are Lakbay Aral, establishment of Philippine schools abroad,
Philippine studies programmes, and Philippine resource and information centers.
The third programme area is the All-Filipino Unity and Sustainable National Development,
which fosters better cohesion and a unity of purpose within and among various overseas
Filipino organizations to promote and support their interests and well-being. Included in
this programme area are Lingkod sa Kapwa Pilipino, Balik-Turo Project, Adopt-a-Scholar
Project, and Awards and Recognition for Overseas Filipinos.
The fourth programme area is the Policy Development and Data Banking Programme, which
provides the continuing study and review of the economic, social, legal, and
administrative environment that have bearing on the status of Filipinos oversea. Included
in this programme area are Policy Review and Formulation, Assistance-to-Nationals
Programme, Development of Security Procedures, and Demographic and Economic Profile of
Overseas Filipinos.
<Lee> Thanx sir, are these programs working well
and well attended already?
<CFO> Yes the CFO programs have been on-going
for many years now and have in fact been expanded in the last three years.
<Rey> What is the difference between the
functions of the CFO and the Philippine Overseas Employment Agency (POEA)?
<CFO> CFO caters to a different group of
clientele from that of POEA's, which addresses the needs and concerns of overseas Filipino
workers. In comparison, the clientele of CFO, as provided for in its mandate, are
Filipinos who are permanent residents abroad, including those who are already citizens of
foreign countries or are still Filipino citizens awaiting naturalization, recognition or
admission and their dependents.
By the nature of its functions, POEA is under the Department of Labor and Employment,
while CFO is an attached agency of the Department of Foreign Affairs.
<Lee> Is the Investment program through the
expatriates Training Seminar Series already in the mainstream, therefore already active?
Please also describe the Philippine Retirement Authority activities that the CFO is
implementing. Have there been attendees already from abroad?
<CFO> The Philippine Retirement Authority (PRA)
is implementing a retirement program for foreigners and overseas Filipinos. This involves
the issuance of a Special Resident Retiree's Visa (SRRV). Those qualified to avail of this
SRRV are:
a. any foreign national, except those national of countries with which the Philippines
does not have diplomatic relations and those considered restricted by the Department of
Foreign Affairs;
b. overseas Filipinos who are immigrants or under a visa category, allowing them legal
stay abroad and have resided therein continuously for at least seven (7) years prior to
their application for enrollment in the program and should not have stayed for a maximum
of sixty (60) days in a year in the philippines.
For more information, please write or call:
Philippine Retirement Authority
2/F, First Bank Bldg.
371 Gil Puyat Ave., Makati City
Tel nos.: 895-0929, 895-0998, 895-0940, 895-0982
Fax no.: (632) 817-4041
<Lee> Do you have a medical health care program
for the OCWs and Filipino migrants and is the program already bringing medical coverage
for OCWs all over the world?
<CFO> Yes, there is a Medicare program for OCWs
which provides them and their dependents medical assistance and hospital benefits. This
program was created under Executive Order No. 195, dated August 13, 1994. It is jointly
implemented by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, Department of Labor and
Employment (through Overseas Workers Welfare Administration and Philippine Overseas
Employment Administration), Social Security System, and the Department of Foreign Affairs.
Further inquiries regarding this medicare program for OCWs can be directed to:
Philippine Health Insurance Corporation
8th Flr., Philippine Heart Center Bldg.
East Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City
Tel. Nos.: 923-1302, loc. 3806-3808; 927-1575
Fax no.: 927-1272
Moreover, if a member of the medicare program so decides to leave the country as an
immigrant, he/she can maintain his/her membership by continually paying his/her
contribution. If he/she can not do this, however, his/her membership is considered
inactive.
<Lee> Sir, do you think it will be worthwhile to
publish a copy of the CFO handbooks, specially for the OCWs and Filipino migrant workers
and for the common "tao", i.e., easy to understand and not too official
and technical?
<CFO> Preparations for the printing of our
revised handbook are underway. Copies of the revised handbook will be distributed to the
different Philippine embassies and consulates.
<Rey> Mr. Molano, we will now field some
questions sent through us by several Filipino Internet users prior to this chat session:
<Rey> Question from Jun Cruz
<bh470@torfree.net>, publisher of the Filipino Today newspaper: "Most
government sponsored programs i.e. Balik Aral, Bring Home A Friend, etc. seem to be
geared only to US overseas Filipinos, hardly known and promoted here in Canada. Why is
this so? Are overseas Filipinos in Canada a minor priority as compared to our US
counterparts?"
<CFO> CFO's programs for overseas Filipinos have
been designed for all Filipinos worldwide. CFO's invitation for participation in these
programs is coursed through the different Philippine embassies and consulates and Filipino
associations overseas.
<Rey> Second question from our publisher:
"Does your office officially work with our consulate here in Toronto or embassy in
Ottawa in disseminating information or promoting such programs? If so, what particular
office or who is your contact person?"
<CFO> Yes, CFO works with both the Philippine
consular office in Toronto, through Consul General Francisco F. Santos, and the Philippine
embassy in Ottawa, through Minister Chancellor Pedro O. Chan.
<Rey> Third question from Jun Cruz: "Is the
"Pag-ibig Fund" under your jurisdiction? Is it getting a good response
from overseas Filipinos especially from Canada. A group here in Toronto is promoting the
program."
<CFO> The Pag-ibig overseas program is an
undertaking of the Pag-ibig Fund, a Philippine government corporation. Since it impacts
upon overseas Filipinos, the Commission on Filipinos Overseas helps in promoting the
Pag-ibig program in various countries overseas. This program has achieved respectable
success in attracting overseas Filipinos to enlist as members, particularly from the
Middle east. According to the Pag-ibig overseas program office in Makati, as of December
1996, there are 472 members in Canada.
<Rey> Final question from Jun Cruz: "Time
again we get such delegations from RP promoting different programs. It seems that after
press releases we never hear about it again. Sometimes we feel that these trips are just
junkets and no serious follow-ups are done. Any comments?"
<CFO> Since these delegations are coming from
Manila, it would help if feedback on their programs could be directed to their contact
addresses as they have indicated in their promotional tours or through the Philippine
embassies and consulates. Our posts will certainly relay your interests or queries to the
proper agencies.
<Rey> Next question is from Ike Seneres
<ivs@mnl.sequel.net>: "Since the CFO is an attached agency of the
Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the management of the Science and Technology
Advisory Council (STAC) is one of the functions of CFO, can you tell us the CFO's plans
for STAC in 1997?"
<CFO> Given the target participants of the STAC,
the CFO assists in disseminating pertinent information among Filipinos overseas on the
programs of STAC. Executive order no. 270, however, provides that "the Department
of Foreign Affairs (DFA), in collaboration with the DOST, serves as the coordinating body
in the Philippines in matching the country's S&T requirements with expertise of
foreign-based scientists through SACNET". In view of this, the CFO cooperates
with the DFA and the DOST, being the principal agencies mandated to implement the STAC
programs, in so far as mobilizing overseas Filipinos is concerned. EO no. 270 further
requires "all Philippine diplomatic and consular posts to assist in organizing
expatriate Filipino scientists, technologists, engineers, and allied professionals in
their jurisdictions into overseas chapters of (Philippine) Science and Technology Advisory
Councils (STACs)".
<Lee> With Philippine 2000 and the expertise of
the STAC's group abroad in the deployment of the Information Superhighway, why do you
think the advancement of this Information Highway technology so slow in all level of our
governments?
<CFO> The Philippines is actively embarking on a
program to establish the Information Superhighway. The National Information Technology
Council, the highest policy-making body for Information Technology in the country, has
directed the appropriate government agencies--the National Telecommunication Commission
and the National Computer Center, among others--to fast-track the plans for this program.
There are, however, certain logistical and security considerations and constraints which
are affecting the implementation of the program.
<Rey> Next question is from Gene Alcantara
(London, UK): "Filipino migrant workers' needs, their welfare and protection
appear to be being addressed by the Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act (RA
8042). However this act is geared towards what we call Overseas Contract Workers
(OCW). Overseas Filipinos are defined in the act as dependents of migrant
workers and other Filipino nationals abroad who are in distress. The absence of any
reference to Filipinos who are now residents in or even citizens of other countries is
glaringly obvious in the Act. Can you comment on this?"
<CFO> While the Overseas Filipino Workers are
generally considered to be a more vulnerable sector of the Filipino migrant community,
R.A. 8042 or "Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995" also addresses
the needs and concerns of all Overseas Filipinos in general. The prior creation of the
Commission on Filipinos Overseas and the existence of its active programs are also proofs
that the Philippine government has been concerned with promoting and safeguarding the
interests and well-being of overseas Filipinos, who are permanent residents abroad,
including Filipino emigrants who are either already citizens of foreign countries or are
still Filipino citizens awaiting naturalization, recognition, or admission, and their
descendants.
<Rey> Second question from Gene: "What does
the CFO intend to do to ensure that the needs of what I call Overseas Filipino Residents
(OFRs) are not ignored by the Philippine Government?"
<CFO> As has been in the past years, CFO embarks
on a continuous networking with Overseas Filipinos through the different Philippine
consulates and embassies and Filipino organizations /associations overseas. CFO also
conducts a continuing research program on the economic, social, legal and administrative
issues affecting overseas Filipinos to generate policy initiatives and proposals which may
be considered by the executive and legislative branches of the government. Informations on
CFO programs and services for OFRs have been previously disseminated through the Internet.
<Rey> Another one from Gene: "I see in your
homepage that CFO activities are mostly Philippine-based or focused. What services and
activities do the CFO propose to undertake on-site for Overseas Filipino Residents (OFRs)
in the next triennium 1997-1999?"
<CFO> CFO has been undertaking and will continue
to undertake several on-site activities for overseas Filipinos. These are:
a. Post-arrival Orientation and Assistance. Extending through cooperating
organizations, post-arrival orientation for newly arrived Filipino immigrants in their
host countries and linking them with employment agencies, migrant resource centers,
support groups, and Filipino associations overseas.
b. Establishment of Philippine community schools abroad. Encouraging and providing
assistance in the establishment of Philippine schools abroad where there are large
Filipino populations and strengthening the operational features of existing ones to
provide children of overseas Filipinos with education that will enable them to be readily
integrated or re-integrated into the Philippine educational system.
c. Philippine Resource and Information centers. Promoting the establishment of
Philippine Resource Centers overseas, in coordination with Philippine embassies and
consulates and Filipino organizations, to serve as repository of information about the
Philippines and center for socio-cultural activities of Filipino communities abroad.
d. Promotion of Filipino culture and heritage abroad. This involves the promotion
of, among others, the Filipino language to children of Filipino migrants at various levels
of learning within and outside the school system overseas, particularly in countries or
territories which have a high density of permanent Filipino residents. Information
materials are also sent by CFO to various Filipino associations overseas so that they may
be regularly apprised of socio-cultural developments in the country. A bill is being
drafted by CFO for submission in Congress to enable stronger support of Filipino language
and heritage programs overseas.
e. Assistance-to-Nationals Program. Assisting DFA on a continuing basis in
developing the policy and programme framework for assistance to Nationals to provide a
mechanism to protect and assist Filipinos who are in need of legal, welfare and logistical
assistance abroad.
Other CFO programs and projects, though implemented in the Philippines, impact upon
Filipinos Overseas. These include:
f. Practice of profession by overseas Filipinos in the Philippines. Encouraging
Filipinos overseas to practice their profession in the Philippines as a way of
transferring their knowledge and skills to Filipinos in the country to complement
development efforts of the government.
g. Balik-Turo Project. Involving overseas-based Filipino professional teachers in
sharing and exchange with their counterparts in the Philippines their knowledge, skills,
expertise, technology, and experiences to contribute in the further development of the
teaching profession in the Philippines.
h. Lakbay-Aral. Informing and educating the children of Filipino migrants in other
countries about their heritage and culture through an intensive study-visit and cultural
immersion programme in the Philippines.
i. Filipino Ties. This CFO newsletter, published quarterly, is a vehicle and forum
for the interchange of news, information, and opinions of relevance and interest to
overseas Filipinos.
j. Guidance and Counseling Services. Providing guidance and counseling services to
Filipinos emigrating as fiancees or spouses of foreign nationals to help them arrive at
informed decisions about intermarriage.
k. Pre-departure Orientation seminars. Conducting regular and structured
orientation seminars for departing Filipino emigrants, covering topics such as travel and
settlement, employment matters, rights and obligations of immigrants in their respective
host countries.
<Rey> Final question from Gene: "Apart from
the materials on the Internet, I have not seen any outreach/information materials from CFO
that would inform OFRs of their services. How do they plan to rectify this gap?"
<CFO> CFO has been regularly providing the
different Philippine Embassies and Consulates with information in the form of handbooks,
manuals, newsletter and the like, for dissemination to the Filipino communities under
their respective jurisdictions. We are also sending copies of these materials directly to
the Filipino communities or associations upon expression of interest. You may give us your
address so we can directly send you copies of these information materials.
<Rey> This one is from Mel
Tabalba <cmt50@nortel.ca>: "I was born in the Philippines with
Filipino parents. I passed the Professional Electrical Engineers Board Exam. I did not
take out my license since I did not need it. Having lost my Philippine citizenship, can I
still apply for my licence? One day, I may want to practice in the Philippines. Note: I am
still working as an engineer with NORTEL in Telecommunications."
<CFO> Under the Philippine constitution, the
practice of professions is reserved for Filipino citizens, except in cases provided for by
law (i.e. reciprocity law between the Philippines and another country on the practice of
the engineering profession). You may wish to get in touch with the Professional Regulation
Commission (PRC) to discuss the specifics of your case. PRC can be contacted through:
Aristoherson Gesmundo
Executive Director
Professional Regulation Commission
P. Paredes St., Sampaloc, Manila, Philippines
Tel. Nos.: (632) 735-1491 and 735-9491
There are also Philippine programs which allow former Filipino citizens or foreigners of
Filipino descent to participate in transfer of knowledge and technology projects. One of
these is the Transfer of Knowledge and Technology through Expatriate Nationals (TOKTEN),
which is being implemented by UNDP and DFA. You may write to the DFA for details.
<Rey> Another question from Mel: "Without
my Philippine citizenship, can I buy property (land real estate)? If yes, is there a
limit?"
<CFO> As stipulated in Batas Pambansa Blg. 185,
a Filipino who has renounced his citizenship can still acquire private land provided that
this will be utilized for residential purposes only. He/she is entitled to acquire or own
land with a maximum of one thousand (1,000) square meters in the case of urban land, or
one (1) hectare in the case of rural land.
Moreover, the new Republic Act no. 8179, otherwise known as Foreign Investment Act,
specifically Section 10, allows any natural-born citizen who has lost his Philippine
citizenship and who has the legal capacity to enter into a contract under Philippine Laws
may be a transferee of a private land up to a maximum area of five thousand (5,000) square
meters in the case of urban land or three (3) hectares in the case of rural land to be
used by him for business or other purposes.
<Rey> Lastly, Mel wants to know if the rumor
that President Ramos is visiting Canada early May 1997 is true?
<CFO> President Ramos is tentatively scheduled
to visit Canada in May this year, although there has been no official pronouncement made
yet. You may wish to communicate with the Philippine Consulate or Embassy for a
confirmation.
<Rey> Jesus "Boots" Santa Cruz
<jfscruz@uniserve.com> of Vancouver, BC, Canada has these suggestions:
"Illigalize the sending to the Philippines dollar remittances not sent thru the
banking system. Remittances not coursed thru the banking system is not helping the
Philippine Economy. This system is accessory to money laundering. Otherwise, soften the
banking system in assisting money remittances so that it may encourage remitter to course
thru the banking system. Any comments?"
<CFO> To encourage Filipino contract workers
overseas to remit money through the banking system rather than through non-bank channels,
a bill has been filed in Congress. House Bill no. 1400 recommends the granting of
exemption from Philippine income taxation to all Filipino overseas contract workers
earning ten thousand U.S. Dollars (US$10,000) or less per annum who remit through the
Philippine banking system.
<Rey> Nestor Enriquez (DNTG66A@prodigy.com)
wants to ask: " Please ask Mr Molano (who is from Nueva Vizcaya) any news about our
OCW from Nueva Vizcaya. Salamat."
<CFO> Like Filipinos from other provinces, a
number of Viscayanos have gone abroad to settle or to work. We have received news that
they are doing well in their respective host countries.
<Rey> "Alakdan"
<alakdan@van-net.com> wrote in the soc.culture.newsgroup (SCF) that "the
Philippine Government is handing out 'CERTIFICATE OF TAX EXEMPTION' to all OCWs, including
FILIPINO MAIDS since 1993." Is this true?
<CFO> CFO learned from the Department of Tourism
that the Certificate of Tax Exemption pertains to a document being issued by the
Philippine Embassy/Consulate on the request of Filipinos working in Canada and who were
directly hired by their employers. This Certification is used to obtain exemption from the
payment of travel tax. POEA-registered overseas workers are automatically exempted from
both travel tax and airport fee as stipulated in section 34 of Article IX of the Migrant
Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995.
<Rey> This question from someone who wants to
remain anonymous: "I am now a Canadian citizen but I still have my Philippine
passport and is about to renew my Philippine passport soon. I was told that before I can
renew my passport, the Consulate will ask me for proof that I have paid Philippine income
tax on my Canadian income. Is this a legitimate requirement? When I go home for a visit,
which passport shall I present to the Philppine immigration- my Canadian passport or my
Philippine passport?"
<CFO> If you are now a Canadian citizen, you
must use your Canadian passport during your travels. There is no need, therefore, to renew
your Philippine passport.
<Rey> This is our final question from someone
who also requested anonymity: "Ako po ay nag-immigrate dito sa Canada noong 1972.
Yong Philippine passport ko po ay matagal ng nag-expire at ako po at ang pamilya ko ay
Canadian citizens na. Gusto ko pong umuwi na sa Pilipinas at doon na mag retire (I am 68
years old). Ano po ba ang procedures na dapat kong gawin para makauwi ako at mag-settle ng
permanente sa ating bansa? Yon po bang Canada Pension ko ay matatanggap ko pa rin sa
Pilipinas? Mayroon po ba akong makukuhang pension sa pamahalaan ng Pilipinas ukol doon sa
mga taong ipinaglingkod ko sa ating bansa bago ako nanirahan dito sa Canada?"
<CFO> Ayon sa Republic Act 4376, ang Pilipino na
ipinanganak sa Pilipinas ngunit nanirahan na sa ibang bansa at nagpalit ng citizenship ay
maaaring bumalik sa Pilipinas upang manirahan nang permanente bilang isang non-quota
immigrant. Maaaring kumuha ng "non-quota immigrant visa" mula sa Philippine
Embassy o Consulate. Puwede rin kayong sumangguni sa Bureau of Immigration sa sumusunod na
address upang makuha ang detalye ng proseso:
Commissioner Edgar L. Mendoza
Bureau of Immigration
Bureau of Immigration Building
Magallanes Drive, Intramuros
Manila
Maaari rin kayong manirahan nang permanente sa Pilipinas sa pamamagitan ng pagkuha ng
Special Resident Retiree's Visa sa Philippine Retirement Authority (PRA) kung saan naman
ang processing time ay 5 araw lamang. Para sa mga detalye tungkol dito, makipag-ugnayan
kay:
Atty. Vernette Umali-Paco
Chief Executive Officer and Gen. Manager
Philippine Retirement Authority
2/F, First Bank Building
371 Gil Puyat Avenue, Makati City
Tel. No.: (632) 895-0929
Hinggil naman sa inyong katanungan tungkol sa Canada Pension, Article V, Section 1 ng
Agreement on Social Security sa pagitan ng Pilipinas at Canada ay sinasabing matatangap
ninyo ang inyong Canada Pension kahit manirahan kayo sa Pilipinas.
Ang pension naman na ipinagkakaloob sa mga naglingkod sa pamahalaan ng Pilipinas ay
naaayon sa bilang ng mga taong ipinamalagi sa serbisyo. Para sa mga detalye tungkol dito,
makipag-ugnayan sa:
Officer-In-Charge
Retirement Department
Government Service Insurance System
Financial Center, Pasay City 1308
Philippines
Kung kayo naman ay nagtrabaho sa pribadong sector dito sa Pilipinas at naghulog ng
contribution ninyo sa Social Security System ng sampung (10) taon o mahigit, maaari kayong
mag-apply ng retirement benefits. Para sa mga detalye, makipag-ugnayan kay:
Ms. Tess Marcelino
Members' Assistance Division
Social Security System
East avenue, Quezon City
Philippines
<Rey> That's all the questions we have, Mr.
Molano. Thank you for your very informative answers and we hope to do another interview
again with you in the future.
<CFO> On behalf of the Commission, I thank most
sincerely Filipino Today for this most welcome interview. It has certainly been a good
opportunity to promote the services we offer at the Commission on Filipinos Overseas. And,
as we at the Commission continue giving our best to promote and uphold the interests and
well-being of fellow Filipinos overseas, we encourage our constituents to get in touch
with us:
by phone at nos.: 526-4174 to 77
by e-mail at cfo-dfa@mnl.sequel.net
by letter at:
1345 Quirino Ave., Cor. South Superhighway
Manila
or by fax at 526-4176
Mabuhay Kayong LAHAT!!!!
[Session Close: Mon Jan 20 23:46:07 1997]
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