Month of October FFCI Newsletter Highlights

PGMA Declares Candidacy in 2004

My beloved countrymen and countrywomen:

Today, I address our nation together with my Cabalens.

Our historic problem has been the need for economic development to
fight poverty.

Historically our economic development has been slow compared to our
neighbors. While we did better than our neighbors during the last
two and a half years in the aftermath of the Asian crisis, with the
region now starting to recover, our neighbors are starting to
accelerate their growth again. This time we cannot afford to be left
behind.

Our historic economic problems cannot be blamed on any single
President, because the problems are fundamental, caused by our
economic and political system.

To really develop our economy and create a stronger republic, we
need to change our system, to institute true reforms in our way of
politics and our economy.

We also need to unify as a people.

In view of this, I announced last December 30 that I did not wish to
seek election for the presidency in 2004. I wanted to pass the
torch. I wanted to earn my personal peace from the riveting
pressures of presidential work. But most of all, I wanted to give
our people relief from unabated politicking.

Nang inihayag ko noong Disyembre a-treinta nang nakaraang taon na
hindi ko hahangarin ang panguluhan sa 2004, naisip kong ito lamang
ang paraan para makaiwas ang bansa sa pabigat ng nakalalasong
pulitika na nagbabantang sirain ang ating katatagang pulitikal at
pagsulong ng ekonomiya.

When for a while the enemies laid down their disruptive swords of
politicking we finally moved as a country. In the first six months
we achieve 4.8 percent GNP growth, the highest since the Asian
crisis. In so short a time we accomplished one of the most massive
housing programs undertaken by any administration, while keeping the
supply and price of food stable. We won victories in pinning down
corrupt highranking officials, some of them on the basis of
unprecedented lifestyle checks. Long-awaited judgments were handed
down on the Marcos wealth and the Coco Levy. In an all-out war
against illegal drugs, we confiscated volumes of illegal drugs and
arrested drug dealers in numbers that far outstripped those achieved
in years before. We sought a peaceful resolution to the Muslim
insurgency, and we are well on the way to signing a permanent peace
pact. We cut red-tape to make sure crucial infrastructure are built –
the roll-on-roll-off ferry program, new bridges and highways, like
the long-awaited, often-aborted expansion of the North Expressway.
We began meaningful debate on changes in the Constitution,
particularly on the parliamentary and federal form of government.

I longed together with our people to savor the gains of unity. By
taking myself out of the political landscape, for a while our
enemies halted and we moved forward. We proved to ourselves how much
we can achieve when we defeat divisiveness.

Ngunit ang aking naunang kapasyahan ay hindi nagpatigil ng tuluyan
sa mapanirang daloy ng mga pangyayari. Our enemies prefer to sow
disunity so that they can wrest power from the people, who become
strong when the economy is strong. Ang mga agarang tagumpay natin ay
sinalubong muli ng lubhang pulitika. Nagbagong anyo pa nga ang
pulitika at naging sekretong sabwatan upang ibagsak ang lehitimong
pama-halaan. Fearing that our success would frustrate their plans,
our enemies once again resorted to their machiavellian schemes in
Oakwood and in the "hit and run" exposés. Black propaganda, bulung-
bulungan, di-nasisiyahang mga sundalo, armas, mga kinita mula sa
katiwalian at krimen, at maging ilang bahagi ng media ay nakuhang
tipunin ang mga puwersang di-tapat sa ating demokratikong sistema.
They do not really want our people to be strong. They want to hold
the monopoly of strength through guns and gold, drug and dregs.

Ang sabwatan ay nahinog sa Oakwood, na nagbigaylinaw sa mga
natatagong ambisyon ng mga taong hangad ibalik ang ating bansa sa
madilim na kahapon ng diktadura, ibagsak ang demokrasya, at lupigin
ang kalayaan.

Ang Oakwood ay pinuntirya ang puso at kaluluwa ng ating Republika,
kaya dapat lamang na pawalang-saysay ko ang mga naging bunga nito.

Nasupil natin ang kudeta sa loob ng wala pang isang araw, pero
nagasgasan lamang natin ang ibabaw ng masama nitong kahulugan: Ang
ugnayan sa pagitan ng krimen at pulitika, ang paggamit sa walang
muang na sundalo, ang pag-iwas sa katarungan ng mga criminal na nasa
pasilyo ng kapangyarihang pulitikal.

And most of all, the deep social and political divisions that we now
have.

We need to heal the deep divisions within our society. While we must
have justice, we must also have reconciliation. We must put a
closure to our past national divisions. We must give ourselves a
fresh start.

Ang landas pasulong ay hindi madali. In the more than two years of
my presidency, I have gained the experience necessary to understand
what we need to do in order to change society in a way that leads to
economic development and the elimination of poverty. Thus, I have
deferred my retirement I will sacrifice my yearnings for personal
quiet and release from presidential strain and anxiety. I will offer
myself to the electorate in 2004 as the leader with the experience
and vision necessary to change society, to achieve economic
development, and eliminate poverty. Tatakbo ako sa pagkapangulo sa
eleksyon ng Mayo 2004.

In the same way that I made a decision last December 30 by myself,
today I make known that I reached the decision also by my own
discernment. In making this decision, I could have invoked the
prodding of my party… the clamor of the people… the support of many.
These, you know, are true and already made known by the media. But I
am not motivated to run because I was thrust, shoved, urged or
pressed. Nakikita ko ang pangangailangan ng mas higit pang
sakripisyo at gagampanan ko ito. Kailangan natin siguruhin ang ating
katatagang pulitikal habang nagsisikap tayong makapagbigay ng
pagkain sa bawat mesa, ng tahanan, at ng trabaho.

I have gained the experience necessary to understand what we need to
do to change society in a way that leads to a future that we
Filipinos dream of and rightly deserve. One marked by a prosperous
economy. One where we would have defeated poverty… where our people
enjoy true social equity and equal opportunity… where we can once
again stand proud among the community of nations, confident of what
we have accomplished for ourselves and our nation. I long for a
strong republic steep in justice, unity and peace.

Ibig sabihin nito ay babalansihin natin ang mga pangangailangan ng
kabutihang panlipunan; depensa at seguridad, at pagsulong ng
ekonomiya.

Ang ekonomiya ay sinasalakay ang mga local at pandaigdig na
pagaalinlangan na humingi ng malinis, propesyonal at maga-ling ng
pangangasiwa ng ating piskal at macroeconomic ng direksyon.

Dapat tayong humubog ng pagpa-patuloy ng matapat ng pamamahala. Ang
katiwalian ay dapat sugpuin. Sinuman myembro ng aking angkan na
mapatu-nayang nagkasala ay kailangan magdusa. Wala sa kanilang
ligtas mula sa batas.

Ang Mindanao ay dumadaing ng kapayapaan at kaunlaran. Dapat nating
dinggin ang panawagan at hamon ng mga biktima ng hidwaan.

Ang ating laban ay tungo sa demokratikong pagkabansa dahil ito ay
walang tigil na paglaban sa kahirapan. Kailangan nating pareho itong
mapag-tagumpayan kung nais natin ng magandang kinabukasan para sa
kabataan, ating mga apo at Senior Citizens.

Ang alyansa ng administrasyon ay magsasagawa ng isang kampanya naka-
bantay sa plataporma ng reporma at rekon-silyasyon.

I run because I am confident that the experience I have gained will
enable me to make a difference… enable the people to pin their hopes
and aspirations, with me... tiwala ako na ang sambayanang Pilipino
ay nasa aking likuran at ang ating makatarungang dahilan ay
magtatagumpay. Mahigpit nating ipapatupad ang mga pagbabago. I am
confident that together we will win our future. Kakamtin natin para
sa bansang ito ang mga pangmatagalang biyaya ng demokrasya,
katarungan, kalayaan at kasaganaan.

Some ask why I changed my mind. What matters more is that I changed
my mind because there is a higher cause… to change society in a way
that flourishes our future. It would have been easier to take the
road to retirement. Taking up the call laid before me exacts more
courage, more sacrifice, more obedience to God and our people.

Paglilingkuran ko ang sambayanan kahit pa ako ay hamakin dahil dito.
And humbly, I accept this sacred vocation. I shall stay married to
my country.

I can no longer stave the dam of politics. The political season is
here.

Hindi ako nag-aakala na titigil ang pamumulitika pagkatapos nito.
Mas lalo pa sigurong lulubha.

As I announce my decision today, I also wish to give greater
certainty to business and our investors. Our programs are devoted to
strengthening the economy, creating more jobs, and encouraging
business activity that is unhampered by corruption and red tape in
government. I instruct the bureaucracy to stay on track in the task
of governance, as I shall keep a steady hand over the concerns of
the state. I ask our people to keep their eyes focused on the
challenges we face daily. Let us not allow ruthless politics to
distract us from the all important charge of nation building.
Politicians come and go, but our challenges are here to stay. Ang
tanging hangad ko ay ang labanan ngayon ay magiging isang labanan
para sa balota at hindi labanan upang ibagsak ang gobyerno sa
pamamagitan ng dahas.

We must go to the sacred table of electoral decision in 2004,
keeping in mind that reform and reconciliation, in the final
analysis, will heal the wounds of our divisiveness. And as we do,
let us move on… to flourish our future.

Mahal kong kababayan, magsama sana tayong umasa sa Diyos, umasa sa
isa't-isa at umasa sa ating pamahalaan na may magandang bukas tayong
haharapin at ang Pilipino ay muling tataas noon sa mundo.

Finally…

I pray to God to grant me:

– The grace to heal our divided land…

– The fortitude to unite our people…

– And the courage to be truly a President of reform and
reconciliation…

Bringing peace and unity and the Lord's bounty to all our people
under God's divine providence.

Patnubayan nawa ng Diyos ang Pilipinas.
-----------------------------

Visit the Website of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo - http://www.kgma.org

Month of September FFCI Newsletter Highlights

- Roland Ustares, the FFCI P.R.O represented the entire Foreign Workers and their Children

- Two seriously ill OFW receives financial help from FFCI

- OFWs Needed for the United Kingdom

- OWWA Scholarship for OFW Children - Memorandum of Instruction 009 Series of 2003

- OWWA-Medicare Proposed Transfer to Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PHIC)

- NOTICE OF REGISTRATION AND ELECTION TO ALL FILIPINO CITIZENS

- CONVENTION ON PROTECTION OF RIGHTS OF MIGRANT WORKERS 

  TO ENTER INTO FORCE NEXT JULY

On a public forum Sept. 17, 2003, Roland Ustares, the FFCI P.R.O. was invited to represent the entire foreign workers and their children about the new intensive deportation policy of the Immigration Administration against illegal foreign workers. Starting on October 1, 2003 this new policy will be implemented also to those who have children. Families who would come to register in the immigration office will still be accepted until the end of September and those who would register to voluntarily leave will still be given clearance against arrest until the end of October 2003. According to the Immigration Administration they have successfullly registered at least 500 families. Some 10% of which have back out and went into hiding. Because of this the immigration police chief said that they would really crack down those families who registered and are now went into hiding.

Two seriously ill OFW receives financial help from FFCI

Mrs. Maria Paz Santos, 49, from Pangasinan, Philippines, four years OFW in Israel was admitted in Ichilov hospital in Tel-Aviv, Israel on August 9, 2003 and was diagnosed with heart blood valve enlargement and malfunctions. She was successfully operated on August 14, 2003 with twenty-centimeter stitches in her chest. Inside her a plastic heart valve and a  "cross grove ring" was installed and she will need to maintain medicine intakes for couple of months to stabilize her artificial blood pumping system. With the help of Israel welfare society her surgical and hospital bills were taken cared for her. As she now only needs financial help for her medicines, the FFCI was able to extend immediate help in this area but for sure she will need for more financial support to sustain her continuous medicinal needs. The FFCI is calling on behalf of Maria to all compatriots and other concern groups to help Maria to live much longer when she will be back home to the Philippines by November if she would receive enough medicines for her recovery.

Another OFW that FFCI was able to help financially is Mr. Sherwin Ocampo So, 27, from Isabela, Philippines, one year in Israel. He needs continuous chemotherapy for his cancer of abdomen. As he has no relative in Israel only his girlfriend is the one taking care for him in his daily physical necessities. She has also to quit her job to nurse for Sherwin.

Maria and Sherwin are ones of the many OFW in Israel that was able to receive even a little financial help from FFCI. The Philippine Embassy in Tel-Aviv is also coordinately working with the FFCI in mostly situations like this to make sure that our fellow OFW would not feel neglected at all in a foreign land like Israel. This is what we should proudly demonstrate everywhere our spirit of "bayanihan". Bro. Roland Ustares, the FFCI P.R.O. had the privilege to personally hand Maria few hundred shekels from FFCI fund. (No available picture of Sherwin as of yet). By Roland Ustares

OFWs Needed for the United Kingdom

GOOD NEWS FOR FILIPINO REGISTERED

NURSES, PHYSICAL AND RESPIRATORY

THERAPISTS, MEDICAL TECHNOLOGISTS,

MIDWIVES, AND NURSING AIDES:

A London-based recruiter will be in town to recruit Filipinos for the United Kingdom, with absolutely no fees to be charged.

This will be on September 14^th at 9 am to 6 pm at the Philippine Overseas Labor Office, 10^th Floor, Textile Center, 2 Kaufman St., Tel Aviv, Israel.

Interested applicants are advised to bring the following:

1. Copy of Medical diploma and PRC license

2.4 pieces 2 x 2 ID picture

3. 6 pieces whole body picture

4. Copy of visa and passport

5. Police clearance in Israel

Registration forms are already available at the Philippine Overseas Labor Office, Tel. (03) 5162344 or 5165818.

OWWA-Medicare Proposed Transfer to Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PHIC).
August 11, 2003

The overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and their dependents will definitely benefit from the transfer of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration -Medicare Program for Overseas Filipino Workers and their Families (OWWA-Medicare) to the Philippine Health Insurance Company (PHIC), OWWA Administrator Virgilio Angelo today said.

According to Administrator Angelo, there is no irregularity in the proposed transfer of the health insurance coverage of the Filipino migrant workers from OWWA to Philhealth, since, the OWWA Chief avers, the system of our law governs that Philhealth is the prime agency concerned after the national health insurance program of Filipinos, including the OFWs. It should be noted, the OWWA chief added, that both the Social Security System (SSS) and the Government Security Insurance System (GSIS) have already been under the PHIC's medical program.

Angelo further said that he will ensure that there is no absolute transfer of the entire OWWA-Medicare Funds to PHIC. The funds retained to OWWA shall be used to expand the medical benefits of the OFWs in addition to the existing package of PHIC.

"In due time, there will be a realization on the part of the OFWs as to the benefits they will get from the PHIC, among which, is the exemption from payment from Philhealth contribution upon retirement. OFWs, Angelo said, used to renew their OWWA-Medicare membership annually. Under the PHIC present set-up, certain fees shall be waived after OFWs shall be able to continuously contribute at the PHIC within a specific period of time but with OFWs still enjoying the same medical privileges they used to avail before the transfer.

The OWWA, Angelo avers, wishes to focus on OWWA core programs and services that include welfare assistance at the job sites, insurance coverage, repatriation/airport assistance program, scholarship program, as well as substantial programs that will uplift the condition of the Filipino migrant workers and their families.

Notice is hereby given that under Republic Act No. 9189, otherwise known as “The Overseas Absentee Voting Act of 2003”, all citizens of the Philippines abroad, not otherwise disqualified .by law, at least eighteen (18) years of age on the day of the election, and who are registered overseas absentee voters with approved application to vote in absentia, may vote for President, Vice-President, Senators and Party-List Representatives.

All qualified Filipino citizens not registered as voters under Republic Act No. 8189, otherwise known as “The Voters Registration Act of 1996” (the system of continuing registration), shall file an application for registration while those who are already registered under the said Act shall file an application for certification.

For purposes of the May 10, 2004 elections, the filing of applications shall be from August 1, 2003 to September 30, 2003 at the Philippine Embassy located at 2 Kaufman Street, Tel-Aviv, Israel.

The voting period will be from April 11, 2004 to 10:00 a.m. on May 10, 2004 except for duly qualified Filipino seafarers who may vote from March 12, 2004 to 10:00 a.m. on May 10, 2004.

For details, please contact Mr. Jalilo dela Torre at telephone number 03-5 162344 or 5165818 or the following website: www.polota.com.

Department of Foreign Affairs (Manila) - www.dfa.gov.ph 

Commission on Elections (Manila) - www.comelec.gov.ph

Hotline: (632) 833-0914/833-0686

UNITED NATIONS Press Release