logo
Serbisyo Caravan to launch in Riyadh, PH gov't to bring full services to OFWs

Serbisyo Caravan to launch in Riyadh, PH gov't to bring full services to OFWs

Filipino Times17-07-2025
OFWs in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will be the first in the Middle East to benefit from the 'Bagong Bayani ng Mundo: OFW Serbisyo Caravan,' launching on July 18, 2025, at the Green Hall Bowling Center in Riyadh.
The initiative, led by the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), aims to deliver whole-of-government services directly to Filipinos abroad, with various national agencies participating, expecting to serve around 4,500 individuals.
Joining the DMW are the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, the Department of Social Welfare and Development, the Department of Trade and Industry, the Public Attorney's Office, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), Social Security System, Home Development Mutual Fund (Pag-IBIG Fund), Land Bank of the Philippines, and the Philippine Statistics Authority.
Attendees can avail of services including legal consultations, counseling, welfare and livelihood assistance, OWWA e-card processing, contract verification, national ID application, business support, and membership verification with various agencies.
DMW officials Undersecretary Dominique Rubia-Tutay and Assistant Secretary Venecio V. Legaspi, along with OWWA Administrator Patricia Yvonne Caunan and Labor Attaché Atty. Dominador Salanga, will lead the event.
The Serbisyo Caravan will also be held in the UAE at the Dubai World Trade Center on August 3.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

10 Reasons Working Abroad Might Not Suit Everyone
10 Reasons Working Abroad Might Not Suit Everyone

UAE Moments

time17 hours ago

  • UAE Moments

10 Reasons Working Abroad Might Not Suit Everyone

10 Reasons Why Working Abroad May Not Be for Everyone Every year, thousands of Filipinos leave their home country to work overseas. The reasons for this decision often include higher salaries, better job opportunities, and the hope of securing a better future. While these are valid motivations, not everyone is suited for the realities of being an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW). Before you take the plunge, it's essential to evaluate whether living and working abroad aligns with your capabilities and outlook on life. What Working Abroad Really Entails Relocating to another country involves immersing yourself in a different way of life. From adjusting to a new culture and language to grappling with unfamiliar foods and traditions, the experience can be as overwhelming as it is exciting. However, as the novelty wears off, the challenges of adapting to a new environment and workplace begin to surface. For many, these struggles include the daily grind, feelings of isolation, and the pangs of homesickness. Here are ten important reasons to consider why working abroad may not be the best choice for everyone: #1: Lack of Clear Motivation Just as you carefully deliberate when choosing a career or life partner, working abroad is a significant life decision that requires absolute clarity. If you're unsure of your reasons for wanting to live and work overseas, take the time to assess your goals. Without a strong sense of purpose, you may find yourself regretting the decision later. #2: Doubts About Commitment Heading overseas is not a decision you can make lightly. Success as an OFW requires unwavering commitment. If you are still harboring doubts or uncertainties, pause and reflect. The challenges you will face demand not just physical effort but also emotional readiness and determination. #3: Unwillingness to Work Hard Regardless of the country you choose, long hours and demanding work are often unavoidable. Many places have work schedules that exceed the usual 8-hour day or 5-day workweek. If you're not prepared to put in the effort, you may find it hard to sustain yourself abroad. Diligence, self-discipline, and resilience are non-negotiable traits for any aspiring OFW. #4: Dependence on Others Living abroad means managing everything by yourself, from cooking and cleaning to paying bills and solving day-to-day problems. Without the safety net of family and friends to rely on, you must embrace independence. If you are unable to handle living alone or taking full responsibility for your life, working abroad might not be suitable for you. #5: Lack of Mental Toughness Resilience is key to surviving and thriving abroad. Being far from your comfort zone, you're bound to encounter moments of self-doubt, loneliness, and hardship. A strong mindset, self-confidence, and inner strength are essential traits you must possess to weather the storms of living and working in a foreign land. #6: Resistance to Change Life abroad requires stepping out of your comfort zone every single day. From cultural adjustments to building new routines, everything will feel unfamiliar at first. If you find it difficult to adapt or resist change, you may struggle to succeed in a foreign environment. #7: Propensity to Complain Challenges are inevitable when working abroad, whether it's dealing with tough bosses, adapting to a new workplace culture, or handling conflicts with colleagues. Consistently complaining rather than finding proactive solutions will only make your experiences more difficult. An attitude of openness and problem-solving is crucial. #8: Struggling to Let Go of Pride Leaving home often means starting over, even if you held a prestigious position back in the Philippines. In many cases, OFWs work entry-level jobs or roles they wouldn't typically take at home. Humility, adaptability, and a willingness to build your path from scratch are essential to coexist with others and maintain workplace harmony. #9: Difficulty Coping with Homesickness Being away from your family for an extended period can be one of the hardest aspects of working abroad. Homesickness is an inevitable part of the experience, especially when you miss holidays, milestones, and everyday moments with loved ones. If you cannot find ways to cope with these feelings, the emotional toll can weigh heavily on you. #10: Reluctance to Make Sacrifices Working abroad involves countless sacrifices, starting with missing special occasions like birthdays, anniversaries, and graduations. It requires disciplined spending, accepting long-distance communication as the main connection with family, and prioritizing work over personal comforts. Unless you are truly ready for these compromises, you may find life overseas exceedingly difficult. Stories of Resilience Among OFWs Every OFW has their own story, filled with hurdles and triumphs. For instance, a Filipino in Dubai shared how their journey abroad has been nothing short of a roller coaster. They began with ambitious dreams of financial stability and a better life for their family, but the reality of long hours, modest earnings, and emotional struggles challenged those expectations. This OFW narrates how they work long shifts as a sales assistant, striving to send remittances home while juggling personal bills and trying to save for the future. Loneliness and the pressure of being so far from loved ones take a toll, but small victories — a kind word, a productive day, or progress toward their goals — keep them going. The struggles are real, but so is the hope and determination that many OFWs carry. For those considering this path, it's vital to understand the sacrifices involved while appreciating the growth, resilience, and lessons that come with the experience. Final Thoughts to Ponder

Caravan invites Filipinos to avail government services
Caravan invites Filipinos to avail government services

Gulf Today

time5 days ago

  • Gulf Today

Caravan invites Filipinos to avail government services

The UAE, host to the second largest overseas Filipino contract workers worldwide – nearly one million – is the second leg of a comprehensive service caravan began in Saudi Arabia last week. 'The Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) Serbisyo Caravan,' according to Philippine Labour Attache in Dubai and the Northern Emirates John Rio Bautista, welcomes all Filipinos from all over the UAE, who wish to avail of basic and special government services. However, unlike the caravan in Saudi Arabia that commenced in the capital of Riyadh and extended to Jeddah and Alkhobar, the UAE edition shall only take place in Dubai. On July 28 to 30 (Monday to Wednesday) and at the Migrant Workers Office (MWO) in Al Qusais – formerly the Philippine Overseas Labour Office-Dubai – will be the first-time enrollment as well as the reactivation or renewal of memberships at the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhillHealth), the government-owned and controlled corporation set up in 1995 to manage the universal health coverage, officially known as the National Health Insurance Programme for all Filipinos. Applicants are advised to pre-register through the QR code available over the MWO-Dubai website. Aside from the enrollment, reactivation and renewal of membership, offered as well concern receipt of claims documents, issuance of PhilHealth identification cards and Member Data Records. Questions on membership, premium contribution and benefits will be entertained, according to a copy of the MWO Dubai Advisory No. 21-A Series of 2025 – 'Availability of PhilHealth Services' – furnished Gulf Today and available to the public over the MWO-Dubai website. Wide-ranging as conceptualised, even as free legal assistance, financial literacy sessions, job contract verification, and passporting have been part and parcel of organised One Philippines Team periodic outreach activities, psychosocial consultation, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) electronic-card processing, national identification registration, livelihood and reintegration programmes, and business support assistance shall also be available on August 3 (Sunday) at the Dubai World Trade Centre. Participating agencies are the Department of Social Welfare and Development; PagIBIG (Home Development Mutual Fund); Public Attorney's Office, the independent body attached to the Department of Justice; Philippine Statistics Authority; Social Security System; Department of Trade and Industry-Philippine Trade and Investment Centre (Dubai); OWWA (Dubai); MWO (Dubai); and the Philippine Consulate General (Dubai). There is no required pre-registration. The interested are requested to review the official websites of the participating offices so they are properly informed on what documents and papers to bring such as their Philippine passports (original and copy) and other Philippine Government-issued identification cards. 'Unfortunately, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos will not be able to join the Dubai Leg,' Atty. Bautista said. He was asked about Araneta-Marcos who arrived in Riyadh last Friday to participate at the inauguration of the outreach programme for OFWS by the Ferdinand 'BongBong' Marcos Jr. Administration. Qatar was reported to be the third leg. On the purpose of the outreach programme, the main implementer of which is the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), Bautista said: 'It is the mandate of the DMW to protect the rights and promote the welfare of OFWs. As part of its commitment, the DMW takes the lead in this inter-agency effort to reintroduce various government programmes and services through this one-stop shop OFW Serbisyo Caravan.' 'It is to provide easy access to government services, deliver information sessions and offer support channels to all OFWs and their families,' Bautista added. 'The Serbisyo Caravan ensures that under the Bagong Pilipinas administration, OFWs are provided with all available services and programmes within their reach to honour their sacrifices as the country's modern-day heroes,' according to the Philippine News Agency.

Pag-IBIG Fund heeds PBBM's call, mobilizes calamity loan for members affected by Typhoon Crising
Pag-IBIG Fund heeds PBBM's call, mobilizes calamity loan for members affected by Typhoon Crising

Filipino Times

time6 days ago

  • Filipino Times

Pag-IBIG Fund heeds PBBM's call, mobilizes calamity loan for members affected by Typhoon Crising

Pag-IBIG Fund has mobilized its Calamity Loan Program to assist members affected by Typhoon Crising, in line with the directive of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. to deliver immediate support to Filipinos in disaster-hit areas. 'We are ready to assist our members affected by Typhoon Crising through the Pag-IBIG Calamity Loan,' said Secretary Jose Ramon P. Aliling, head of the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development and chairperson of the 11-member Pag-IBIG Fund Board of Trustees. 'We continue to closely monitor developments and are prepared to provide immediate aid in areas that may be declared under a state of calamity in the coming days. This is part of our continuing effort in heeding the call of President Marcos to deliver timely relief and support to those in need.' Under the Pag-IBIG Calamity Loan Program, qualified members may borrow up to 90% of their total Pag-IBIG Savings, which consist of their monthly savings, employer counterpart contributions, and earned dividends. The loan carries an interest rate of 5.95% per annum, the lowest for cash loans in the market, and is payable over a period of up to three years, with a three-month grace period before the first payment is due. Members may file their loan applications within 90 days from the declaration of a state of calamity in their area. Pag-IBIG Fund Chief Executive Officer Marilene C. Acosta, meanwhile, stated that Pag-IBIG branches are now in coordination with local government units in their respective areas for the deployment of the agency's mobile branch, the Lingkod Pag-IBIG On-Wheels, to receive applications for loans from members, as well as insurance claims from current Pag-IBIG Housing Loan borrowers whose properties have been damaged due to the typhoon. 'When calamities strike, we at Pag-IBIG understand that our members in affected areas need immediate financial assistance. For this reason, we make sure that all our services and benefits remain accessible to our members. Even while our offices and personnel in typhoon-hit areas have also been affected, our branches remain open and are ready to receive loan applications and housing loan insurance claims. We are also set to deploy our Lingkod Pag-IBIG On-Wheels to initially go around these areas once roads are accessible, to further bring our services closer to our members who are most in need. And, for members who have internet access, the Virtual Pag-IBIG is ready to accept their Calamity Loan applications online. During these trying times, our members can continue to count on Lingkod Pag-IBIG,' said Acosta.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store