Federation of Filipino Communities in Israel
Month of July 2003 FFCI Newsletter - pdf format
Settled Military Mutiny Has Been Prayed for by OFWs in Israel
By: Roland Ustares 27/07/03
The
staged military mutiny in Makati, Philippines that was settled after 19 hours of
stand-off without even a single shot being fired has been prayed for
spontaneously by the OFWs in Israel. On Sunday July 27, 2003 when Philippine
president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo gave an ultimatum to the rebel soldiers to
surrender, Ambassador to Israel Belen F. Anota called on her cellular phone to
the leaders of the Federation of Filipino Communities in Israel (FFCI)
especially of the religious groups to pray for the peaceful settlement of the
attempted rebelion of some junior officers in the Arm Forces of the Philippines.
The FFCI movilized the ambassador's prayer request through its network in the
community. When the situation in Makati stand-off was peacefully settled
Ambassador Anota called again on the FFCI leaders and gave her thanks.
To us OFWs, prayer to God is our only way that we can help in this kind of situation. It is the same way that we did during the People Power 2 that put president GMA in her position now as president. We know that in times like this many people are praying too and we can just say that we OFWs in Israel has been always a part of this powerful tool called prayer. (studies on prayer)
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Three Filipino Senators Arrived in
Israel for Official Meetings Concerning the Welfare of the OFW’s. (by
Roland Ustares)
07/07/03
On early Sunday around 3 a.m. 06 July 2003, three Filipino senators arrived in
Israel, headed by Senate President Franklin M.Drilon, with Senator Juan M.
Flavier, and Senator Ramon B. Magsaysay Jr. Although came with still “jet
log” feeling and lack of sleep yet they straight away went to begin their
first day in Israel by hearing a Holy Mass at Saint Anthony Parish Church, and
then at 2 PM. they met with over three hundred Filipinos that overcrowds the
smaller chapel behind the church. First the three senators gave their individual
speeches regarding with the Absentee Voting rules and regulations and the
schedule of voters registration which is set on August 1, 2003 to September 30,
2003 at the Philippine Embassy located at #2 Kaufman St., Tel-Aviv.
Among the three speakers, Senator Flavier gave the most entertaining speech
delivery. He excites the audience with his humors and fabulous jokes and almost
everyone would not stop laughing and would have stomach pains with the every
words that he was saying. He would say his jokes in different dialects that we
have in the Philippines and that made him the most admired by the audience in
that occasion.
After hearing their individual messages, there was a serious question and answer
portion of different issues and
topics that concerns the OFW’s in Israel. The three senators answered all of
them accordingly which is the main reason why they met first with the OFW’s in
order to hear from them and to have fresh informations before they will pursue
with their official schedule of meetings with the Israeli Kinesset Members and
their counterparts in the Israeli government. That afternoon meeting ended with
picture-taking with all of the people that attended. The three senators although
obviously were very exhausted yet they did not disappoint our “kababayans”
in posing with them in front of the photographers with smiles and everyone were
satisfied with the outcome of the whole meeting.
Afterwards the three senators also met at the place the parents of Jessa Mae
Gatmaitan, the 5 year old Filipina girl who died in the tragic incident when
their two story apartment building collapsed killing also other six people on
the dawn of June 30, 2003.
On the same day in the evening, the officers of the Federation of Filipino
Communities in Israel invited the three senators and their entourage for a
dinner at the Peking Chinese Restaurant. While enjoying the delicious Chinese
food, Senate President Franklin Drilon would further discuss with FFCI officers
about the many problems facing the OFW’s in Israel. He appreciated the inputs
that we shared with him in the dinner discussion. He would stressed that their
presence in Israel is for an official state visit and have no connection with
the May 10, 2004 national election. Both the three senators have until 2007
office terms in the Senate. The next day Drilon and his party would immediately
face their counterparts in the Israeli government to conduct their official
visit. We hope that at the conclusion of their dealings with the Israeli
government they would harvest favorable results for the concerns of the entire
Filipinos in Israel.
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The FFCI donated at least $300
(17/07/03) by Roland Ustares
The Federation of Filipino Communities in Israel (FFCI) expressed condolence and
donated from voluntary contributions of its members at least $300 for the family
of Jessa Mae Gatmaitan, the 5 year old Filipina girl who died in the tragic
incident when their apartment building collapsed killing also other six people,
happened around 4:30 a.m. on June 30, 2003 at the Skunat Hatikva in southern
Tel-Aviv. Jessa Mae survived her mother and father, and grandmother here in
Israel. Her father who was deported few months ago was allowed to come back to
Israel just to see the dead body of his child and to decide on the funeral
arrangement. As to date, the Gatmaitan family finally decided that the body of
Jessa Mae will be flown to the Philippines for burial.
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Consul Marichu Mauro will stay until October 2003
by Roland Ustares
If you remember in the issue #10 of FFCI Newsletter, it was published about the
Farewell Party that was held for the Honorable Consul Marichu Mauro together
with LABATT Jeffrey Cortazar when the FFCI had its Awards Night on April 6, 2003
for the Officers and supporters of the FFCI. We thought that Consul Mauro would
only be until July 2003 as it was the end of her tour of duty in Israel. But
fortunately for us, she is extended until October 2003 to mainly serve the
OFW’s in the Absentee Voting Registration and to advise us in the exercise of
our right to vote. Her extension of stay would mean as well our extension of
happy days with her. We salute and love you Madam Consul.
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PRESS RELEASE
Department of Foreign Affairs
2330 Roxas Blvd., Pasay City, Philippines
Tel. No. 834-4000
www.dfa.gov.ph
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No.330-03; 03 July 2003
OPLE CONDOLES WITH RELATIVES OF FILIPINO VICTIMS OF GAS LEAK ACCIDENT;
ISSUES INSTRUCTIONS TO EMBASSY TO SURVEY LIVING CONDITIONS OF FILIPINOS
Foreign Affairs Secretary Blas F. Ople today offered his deepest sympathies to
the family of the late Jessa Mae Gatmaitan, a 5-year old Filipina who died when
her family’s apartment in an old 2-story building in Tel-Aviv, Israel,
collapsed during the early morning hours last Monday, 30 June 2003. The
Secretary also wished for the speedy and safe recovery of the injured Filipinos.
“I have also issued instructions to our Embassy in Tel Aviv to conduct a
survey of the living conditions of our Filipinos, with a view to ensuring their
safety,” the Secretary said. “With the information we will gather in this
survey, we will be able to see how best we can serve the needs of our Filipinos
in Israel. This is something that we should do as a matter of course in all
countries where we have Filipinos. Doing so would also make us better understand
the sentiments, values and views of our Filipinos overseas,” the Secretary
added.
According to the report of the Philippine Embassy in Tel-Aviv, Israeli police
think that the apartment building where they were residing collapsed when a gas
leak led to an explosion.
Also injured in the building’s collapse were Ms. Cecilia Gatmaitan and Ms.
Gene Busadre, the deceased’s 63-year old paternal grandmother and 30-year old
mother, respectively. Ms. Gatmaitan suffered injuries to her legs, while Ms.
Busadre was hurt in the head, abdomen and legs.
Jessa Mae’s family has been living and working in Israel for many years. Her
uncle and two aunt’s visited Ms. Gatmaitan and Ms. Busadre at the Ichilov
Hospital Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center. Ms. Linda Lucasan, FCCI president,
also visited the two injured Filipinas.
Ms. Gatmaitan was released from the hospital the same day, while Ms. Busadre is
convalescing in the trauma ward.
The Philippine Embassy in Tel-Aviv is prepared to repatriate the remains of
Jessa Mae. The Department of Foreign Affairs is in touch with the next of kin in
the Philippines, and is coordinating with the Department of Labor and Employment
and the Overseas Workers’ Welfare Administration. END.
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FFCI Initiative Website
In celebration of the 105th Philippine Independence of the Filipino communities
in Israel, the Federation of Filipino Communities in Israel (FFCI) has created
its initiative website at http://wave.prohosting.com/ffci and its e-mail
address is ffc_israel@hotmail.com.
Bro. Roland Ustares, the FFCI Public Relations Officer is the one responsible
for this website initiative to let all Filipinos not only in Israel to know
about the activities of the Filipinos in Israel. The FFCI website is also linked
to almost all the Philippine government websites including the Office of the
President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and Department of Foreign Affairs. You can
also click on the icon of “Bayan Muna, Hindi Mamaya Na” if you want to
recommend the good service for you of a person in our embassy or directly
complain against uncourteous someone to the Civil Service Commission office. At
the FFCI website you could also get informations about the Absentee Voting, rights of the foreign
workers in Israel, pictures during the 105 Philippine Independence Celebration,
copies of monthly FFCI Newsletter, and many more. You may drop by at our
Guestbook page or e-mail us your comments, articles, and photos to be publish in
the website. This is just an initiative website and we hope that in the future
we could acquire our own web server to also create individual website for the
association members of the FFCI.
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REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS MANILA
NOTICE OF REGISTRATION AND ELECTION TO
ALL FILIPINO CITIZENS
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
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"Know Your Rights Seminar Series" (KYRSS)
Hosted by: Philippine Overseas Labor Office in Tel-Aviv (POLO-TA)
2nd round of "Know Your Rights Seminar Series" (KYRSS) will take place on August 3, 2003 at 9 a.m. to 12 noon at the Philippine Embassy.
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New Laser Printer for FFCI Public Relations Office
On 21 July 2003 a new black & white Xerox 312 Laser Printer was given as a gift by Israel Postal Authority and Western Union Money Trasfer to FFCI Public Relations Office. This new printer will use for the Newsletter publication and other paper works of the FFCI. For the past three years IPA and WU have been the regular sponsors of the many projects and activities of the FFCI. Last June 15, 2003 big celebration of Philippine Independence Day the IPA & WU contributed again in the expenses of the event. In gratitute to IPA & WU, the entire Filipino community in Israel continue to promote and patronize the service of IPA & WU in sending money to our loved ones back home in the Philippines.
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|
UNITED NATIONS |
|
CONVENTION ON PROTECTION OF
RIGHTS OF MIGRANT WORKERS TO ENTER INTO FORCE
NEXT JULY |
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19.03.2003
The International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families will enter into force on 1 July 2003, following Guatemala's ratification of the treaty last Friday. The Convention seeks to play a role in preventing and eliminating the exploitation of migrant workers throughout the entire migration process. In particular, it seeks to put an end to the illegal or clandestine recruitment and trafficking of migrant workers and to discourage the employment of migrant workers in an irregular or undocumented situation. It provides a set of binding international standards to address the treatment, welfare and human rights of both documented and undocumented migrants, as well as the obligations and responsibilities on the part of sending and receiving States. More than 150 million migrants, including migrant workers, refugees, asylum seekers, permanent immigrants and others, live and work in a country other than that of their birth or citizenship. They represent 2 percent of the world's population. Persons who qualify as migrant workers under the provisions of the Convention are entitled to enjoy their human rights regardless of their legal status. The Convention reflects an up-to-date understanding of migratory trends as seen from the point of view of both States of origin and host States of migrant workers and their family. The Convention breaks new ground in defining those rights which apply to certain categories of migrant workers and their families, including: 'frontier workers', who reside in a neighbouring State to which they return daily or at least once a week; seasonal workers; seafarers employed on vessels registered in a State other than their own; workers on offshore installations which are under the jurisdiction of a State other than their own; itinerant workers; migrants employed for a specific project; self-employed workers. The Convention also imposes a series of obligations on States parties in the interest of promoting "sound, equitable, humane and lawful conditions" for the international migration of workers and members of their families. These requirements include the establishment of policies on migration; the exchange of information with other States parties; the provision of information to employers, workers and their organizations on policies, laws and regulations; and assistance to migrant workers and their families. The Convention was adopted and opened for signature, ratification and accession by the General Assembly in December 1990. To date, it has been ratified or acceded to by the following twenty-one States: Azerbaijan, Belize, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cape Verde, Colombia, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Ghana, Guatemala, Guinea, Mexico, Morocco, Philippines, Senegal, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Uganda and Uruguay.
How States abide by their obligations under the Convention will be monitored by a panel, to be known as the Committee on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families, consisting of 10 experts serving in their personal capacity. The election of Committee members by the States parties is set to take place before the end of the year. The membership of the Committee will rise from 10 to 14 experts when 41 ratifications have been registered. States parties accept the obligation to report on the steps they have taken to implement the Convention within a year of its entry into force for the State concerned, and thereafter every five years. Under the treaty, a State party may recognize the competence of the Committee to receive and consider communications from or on behalf of individuals within that State's jurisdiction who claim that their rights under the Convention have been violated. If the Committee is satisfied that the matter has not been, and is not being, examined in another international context, and that all domestic remedies have been exhausted, it may call for explanations, and express its views.
The entry into force of the Convention will reinforce and complete a series of other measures already taken by the United Nations to ensure adequate protection of all migrant workers and their families. The International Labour Organization (ILO) has been in the forefront of efforts to secure and maintain a fair deal for migrant workers and their families since the 1920s. Also, a Special Rapporteur of the Commission on Human Rights has been looking since 1999 at ways and means to overcome obstacles to the full and effective protection of the human rights of migrants, including difficulties for the return of those who are "undocumented". |