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Filipino Times
3 days ago
- Politics
- Filipino Times
Financial aid continues for Al Barsha Fire victims, families in UAE and Philippines
The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) recently updated on their ongoing assistance programs for Filipinos working abroad, especially those in the UAE. DMW Secretary Hans Cacdac visited Dubai and Abu Dhabi to meet with immigration authorities and discuss support for overseas Filipinos. Around 2,000 Filipinos who availed of the UAE amnesty earlier this year received help, coordinated by the UAE government, immigration offices, and Philippine officials. Secretary Cacdac expressed gratitude to the UAE for this partnership and assistance. The DMW also met with Filipinos detained in the UAE to assure them of help in returning home and reintegration support once released. This is part of President Marcos's directive to aid Filipinos abroad, including those affected by incidents like the Al Barsha Fire. More than 500 fire victims have been assisted so far, with financial help provided to families, including two Filipinos who sadly passed away. A second round of aid will be given to the victims' families in the Philippines, acknowledging the trauma and ongoing struggles they face. In addition, the DMW facilitated free vaccinations for 29 children of Filipinos working in the UAE. This initiative was done in cooperation with a local clinic called Grand Infinity and the Philippine Labor Attache in Dubai. The recent 127th Philippine Independence Day celebration in the UAE highlighted the strong ties between the Philippines and the UAE. Secretary Cacdac met with UAE Minister of Tolerance Sheikh Nayan Bin Mubarak Al-Nayan, praising the resilience and spirit of Filipinos living in the UAE.
Sharjah 24
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Sharjah 24
Nahyan bin Mubarak celebrates Philippine Independence in Dubai
The event, organised by 'Emirates Loves Philippines' with Dubai Police, welcomed over 40,000 attendees, including Filipino community members, diplomats, and UAE officials. Honouring Filipino contributions In his speech, Sheikh Nahyan congratulated the Filipino community and praised their impact on UAE society across healthcare, education, business, and the arts. He emphasized the shared values of the UAE and the Philippines—respect, optimism, and community. New writing initiative: 'What the UAE Means to Me' Sheikh Nahyan launched a new competition with Sandooq Al Watan, inviting residents to share stories, poems, or essays about life in the UAE. Open to all ages and nationalities, winning entries will be published and honored at a national event. Dignitaries and performances Philippine officials including Secretary Hans Cacdac, consuls, and UAE dignitaries attended. Stars from The Filipino Channel and UAE-based performers showcased Filipino talent through music, dance, and cultural presentations. A festival of culture and unity The 12-hour celebration featured live shows, food stalls, cosplay, raffles, and family activities. 'Kalayaan' served as a symbol of the strong UAE–Philippine friendship and the UAE's commitment to diversity and inclusion.
Filipino Times
28-05-2025
- Filipino Times
DMW arrests suspected illegal recruiter, suspends two agencies in surprise inspection
A suspected illegal recruiter was arrested while two recruitment agencies were suspended during a surprise inspection led by the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) in Malate, Manila. The DMW identified the suspended agencies as Femex Recruitment Agency and Superred Manpower Services, both found to have violated several DMW regulations. This includes the employment of unregistered personnel and the use of an unlicensed accommodation facility. Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Cacdac warned the public that some licensed agencies are illegally allowing unregistered individuals to recruit on their behalf—a scheme known as the 'kabit system.' He has ordered further investigation into these practices. 'Dapat kilala natin ang taong nagre-recruit, dapat lehitimo. Kung ang isa doon ay walang lisensya o ang may lisensya ay nagpapagamit ng kanyang lisensya, ito ang kabit system,' Cacdac said. During the inspection, an OFW, who was illegally recruited through Facebook was also rescued. Secretary Cacdac directed that training, employment facilitation, and possible financial assistance be provided to the rescued individual. 'May isa naman doon nag-a-apply, nirefer siya ng illegal sa labas, isang form ng 'kabit system.' Posibleng may opisina doon, o dili kaya nire-refer niya, kaya kasabwat ang legal ng illegal,' Cacdac said.
GMA Network
23-05-2025
- Business
- GMA Network
Arnell Ignacio: Land deal not anomalous, presented to OWWA board
Former Overseas Workers Welfare Association (OWWA) administrator Arnel Ignacio on Friday denied that there was anything anomalous in the P1.4-billion land deal the agency entered into during his watch. According to a 24 Oras report by Mariz Umali on Friday, Ignacio also denied that he made money from the transaction. Department of Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Cacdac earlier this week said Ignacio was replaced as OWWA administrator because of the questioned land purchase. 'Ito po ay dinala namin sa board bilang report ng OWWA, at binusisi ng ilang technical working group na binuo din ng ating chairman Secretary Hans Cacdac na kaibigan ko… Walang nakitang iniliban na hakbang,' he said. (This was brought to the board as an OWWA report, and it was thoroughly inspected by several technical working groups that were made by our chairman Secretary Hans Cacdac, who is my friend… They didn't see any steps we've skipped.) 'Lahat ng mga requirements sinunod at sinabing maayos ang aming pagkakasunod sa RA 10752… kKaya ako gulat na gulat na tinawag itong anomalous deal,' he added. (All the requirements were followed and were deemed to have followed RA 10752… which is why I was very surprised that this was called an anomalous deal.) Ignacio was pertaining to a 6,499-square meter plot of land near the Ninoy Aquino Terminal 1, which OWWA procured to become a halfway house for migrant workers. 'Napakabigat. Pagkatapos, napakaraming alegasyon sa akin. Saan nanggaling? Sa isang papel na walang nakapirma? Na andami daming sinabi na kinita ko? Pati nga yung numero, di na nga magkasundo kung magkano. Wala po akong kinita dito,' Ignacio continued. (It feels really heavy. There are also so many allegations made against me. Where did this come from? From a paper with no signature? That said I had a lot to gain from this? Even with the numbers, they couldn't agree on how much it was. I didn't earn anything from this.) He said the Land Bank of the Philippines was the institution that came up with the amount that OWWA paid for the land. 'As our government financial institution, it's the LandBank who assessed the value, and it is exactly the amount that OWWA paid. At sana man lang, binigyan ako ng pagkakataong makausap. Nagulat na nga lang po ako na isang araw, pinatawag ako na ako ay papalitan… 'Yun po ang nangyari dito, di ko po ito itinago. Ito pong ganitong kagandang transaksyon, bakit namin itatago ito?' Ignacio said. (As our government financial institution, it's the LandBank that assessed the value, and it is exactly the amount that OWWA paid. I had hoped I at least would have been given a chance to explain. I was shocked that I was suddenly called one day to be replaced… That's what happened here, and I will not hide it. This was such a good transaction, so why would we hide it?) Ignacio said he hoped OWWA would still use the procured land for its intended beneficiaries. –Jiselle Anne C. Casucian/NB, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
17-05-2025
- Business
- GMA Network
Sacked OWWA chief Ignacio's P1.4-B land deal under probe — DMW
The alleged anomalous P1.4-billion land acquisition deal of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), which supposedly did not have approval by the agency's Board of Trustees, is now under investigation by the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW). "[DMW] Secretary Hans Cacdac made a statement already, allow me to say this and as a lawyer I would also say this, there's an investigation… I will allow due process to take its course," DMW Undersecretary Patricia Yvonne "PJ" Caunan said at the Saturday News Forum in Quezon City. On Friday, Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Cacdac told GMA News Online that former OWWA administrator Arnell Ignacio was removed from his post on the count of "loss of trust and confidence" due to the alleged anomalous P1.4-billion land acquisition deal he entered into but was not authorized by the OWWA Board. Cuanan is replacing Ignacio as administrator of the OWWA. "As the new administrator of OWWA, we will perform the necessary audit, we will seek the required legal opinion from the Department of Justice and we will engage with the Commission on Audit," she said. The new OWWA chief said the land purchase deal under the agency's previous leadership was supposed to be for a "half-way house" or a dormitory-type accommodation of overseas Filipino workers to be located near the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1. Cacdac earlier said the agreement was entered into last September 2024. "Let's go back to OWWA law. It says there that the power to purchase a real property… the approval should be with the Board of Trustees of OWWA and the Chairman of the Board is the Secretary of DMW, the Vice Chair is the OWWA Administrator. So the regular process or what is expected is that purchases should go through the Board of Trustees," Caunan said. In a phone interview with reporters, Ignacio said he would address the matter in a proper forum as he declined to provide a statement in the meantime. The axed OWWA administrator, however, expressed "shock" about the ongoing developments. OFW Fund intact Amid the controversy surrounding the land purchase deal, Cuanan said the P1.4-billion fund "did not come from the trust fund." She was referring to the OWWA Fund, a pool of funds coming from contributions of member-OFWs, seafarers, and their employers. Budget documents showed the 2025 OWWA Fund stands at P2.973 billion. This is on top of the P3.409-billion fund for the agency under the General Appropriations Act (GAA). "So it's with the government budget, the GAA. So intact 'yung pera nu'ng trust fund. Hindi ito trust fund para wala na parang paninisi, diretsuhin ko na," Caunan said. (So it's with the government budget, the GAA. So the money for the trust fund is intact. It's not a trust fund that—, let me be frank, as if others are being blamed.) "The OFW Fund is sacred… we are very serious about… We take this very seriously," she said. Asked if there are other officials being probed, the new OWW chief said, "What we can say is that I think there is an investigation already..." Cacdac earlier said that President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. has already been informed about the issue and that "there will be a corresponding case to be filed in the appropriate office or authority." — VDV, GMA Integrated News
