Eid Al Adha!

Before Eid Al Adha ("Feast of Sacrifice') ends tonight (the religious holiday started on the 3rd night of October), I would like to greet all my Muslim friends and their family as well as all the Muslim brothers around the world - EID MUBARAK! May Allah accepts all your good deeds and sacrifices, ease your daily sufferings, and forgive all your transgressions in life. Have a blessed Eid!

The prominent footbridge
across the King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz street, main road of Turaif 

Number of Expatriates in Saudi

Saudi Arabia is a home for almost eight nationals with 85.6 percent of the total number of expatriates which is roughly 9 million people in 2013 according to the latest research study and of course the Filipinos are among of them.

In a report from an American website - Bio, south Asian nationals account the largest population in the kingdom namely, the Indians, Pakistanis, and Bangladeshis as compared to other nationalities of the world. Among the Arab nationals, Egyptians has the largest population then followed by the Yemenis and Sudanese. How about the Filipinos? The Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) are next to Egyptians which is in 5^th place for the most number of expatriates in the kingdom. To make it clearer and more visual here’s a chart showing the population of Expats in the KSA:

An estimated of 10 million expatriates are living in the kingdom, wherein 85.6 percent of expatriates comprised the eight (8) nations from India (largest population with 19.4%), Pakistan, Bangladesh, Egypt, Philippines, Yemen, Indonesia, and Sudan. Fifteen (15) percent belongs to other different countries such as Lebanon, UK, USA, and so on.

Let me convert the population percentage into numbers:

India = 19.4% = 1.76 million

Pakistan =14.5% = 1.32 million

Bangladesh = 14.4% = 1.31 million

Egypt = 14.3% = 1.30 million

Philippines = 11.3% = 1.03 million

Yemen = 5.07% = 460,000

Indonesia = 4.19% = 380,000

Sudan = 2.5% = 230,000

Others = 15% 

          Sri Lanka = 150,000

          Jordan = 170,000

Syria = 140,000

          Kuwait = 130,000

Palestine = 120,000

Turkey = 100,000

Lebanon = 60,000

Britain = 30,000

South Sudan 30,000

Afghanistan = 20,000

          Nepal = 20,000

          Thailand = 20,000

          Ethiopia = 30,000

          Eritrea = 40,000

          United States = 40,000

Morocco = 20,000

          Nigeria = 10,000

`        Chad = 10,000

          Tunisia = 10,000

          Others = 10,000

According to the website – worldpopulation.com, the latest estimate of the population of the country is to be around 20,654,212 citizens, with 9 million expatriates or foreigners.

82nd Saudi Arabia National Day

Today marks the 82^nd commemoration of the Saudi Arabia National Day (Al-Yaoum-al-Watany). This is the day when late King Abdul Aziz bin Saud via royal decree on September 23, 1932, declared the unification of four (4) regions namely Hejaz, Najd, Al Hasa (Eastern part) and Asir (Southern part)  and be called the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

It is said that the kingdom’s national day was not celebrated as holiday before by their countrymen until King Abdullah declared it a day for celebration and recognition in 2005. Biggest events and activities are centered and usually held in its largest capital city, Riyadh, and some other main cities of the kingdom. The celebration is not as the same as what we observed or we experienced to some other western or democratic countries because it is still in accordance to the rules and regulations of Islamic religion. However, the holiday could still be enjoyed by anyone as specific shopping centers, hotels, restaurants, and malls offer significant discounts to its customers. Though there are no musical concerts or public entertainments in the streets, a firework display is held at night.

However, in my present workplace which is in the northern border of the kingdom, the holiday is least felt and celebrated. Saudi people of this area treated the day just like as an ordinary day. I saw some locals along the streets driving their cars with their green flag on it, some are waving it, and some don’t care at all. There were no such big events here just like what happens to large cities maybe because the people here are not yet used in celebrating their founding anniversary. I guess the people here are much more excited in observing Eid al Fitr and Eid al Adha. Anyways, though my day for the kingdom’s founding anniversary is so different to what I experienced in the Philippines, still I’m so very thankful from the kingdom for giving me, as an expat worker, a safe and secure place to work and live in. In behalf of my fellow Filipinos, I gratefully congratulates them on the occasion of the kingdom’s 82^nd founding anniversary. Happy National Day KSA!

Recruitment Agencies in Philippines with Cancelled Permit to Operate (as of August 2014)

Just a reminder for our Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) out there, just recently, the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) has summoned 50 local recruitment agencies for allegedly failing to repatriate distressed OFWs especially those based in middle east countries.

On his Facebook account, POEA administrator Hans Leo Cacdac stated that these recruiters have displayed poor judgment in terms of complying with their promise to repatriate distressed OFWs.

He said the 50 recruitment agencies are those with the “most number of repatriation cases with documentary suspension before the POEA.”

“We shall docket cases against all 50 recruitment agencies for failure to properly repatriate their OFWs, with orders of preventive suspension imposed upon those in the top ten. ” he said.

The names of the agencies are as follows (in alphabetical order):

1. ABC Manpower Agency Inc.;
2. A.B.U. Talent Management Inc.;
3. Acclaimed One Manpower and Recruitment Services;
4. Aisis International Manpower Inc.;
5. Al-Ahram International Group Services Inc.;
6. Al Awa El International Manpower Inc.;
7. Al-Habib International Services Corp.
8. Al-Masiya Overseas Placement Agency Inc.;
9. Al Rafedain Manpower International Corporation;
10. Al Taka Manpower Services Inc.;
11. AP International Staffbuilders Inc.;
12. Asap Placement International Corp.;
13. ASEAN Management and Technical Services Inc.;
14. Asmara International Placement Agency Inc.;
15. Awas Manpower Services Inc.;
16. Crystal Falah-ville International Manpower Services Corp.;
17. Dalandan International Manpower Inc.;
18. Dobim International Manpower Services;
19. Elbeitam Management Services Inc.;
20. First Step Manpower International Services Inc.;
21. Futuristic International Artist (FIA) Promotion Corp.;
22. Goldmine International Recruitment Agency;
23. Helal Manpower Agency;
24. Hikari Management International Inc.;
25. House of Skilled Workers International Manpower Services;
26. Jardy International Promotion Agency;
27. Kimobo International Personnel Services Inc.;
28. Kougen International Promotion;
29. Jawal Human Resource Internationale.
30. Meccaj Manpower International Services;
31. Mi Amore International Services Inc.;
32. Miss Talent Management Services Inc.;
33. MMS Asia Group Resource Corporation;
34. Muraken International Manpower Services;
35. Nawras Manpower Services Inc.;
36. Nouveau Riche International Recruitment Services;
37. Osims Oriental Skills International Manpower Services Inc.; 
38. Philglobal Manpower Development Corporation;
39. Philtrade International Manpower Services
40. Realworld Corp.;
41. Ridzkey Human Resources International Services;
42. Rochart Global Resource Center;
43. Samarec Service Master Placement Agency Co.;
44. Samba Master Recruitment Service;
45. Saranay Philippines Inc.;
46. The Lamplight International Manpower Services Inc.;
47. Wanda Resources and Manpower Corp.;
48. Wavex Management Services Inc.;
49. Shite Wing’s Manpower Exponent; and 
50. World Production International Manpower Corp.

Furthermore, among from the list, 6 agencies had their licenses cancelled for failure to repatriate these troubled OFWs and other offenses, namely Aisis International Manpower Inc., ASEAN Management and Technical Services Inc., Dalandan International Manpower Inc., Philtrade International Manpower Services, Realworld Corp., and the World Production International Manpower Corp.

On the other hand, the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) has already cancelled the permit of 63 recruitment agencies in its continuing drive to get rid of the unscrupulous licensed agencies from its list. These are:

1. ABC MANILA INTERNATIONAL INC.
2. AISIS INTERNATIONAL MANPOWER INC.
3. AL-ABEER MANPOWER SERVICES INC.
4. AL MUSTAQBAL INTERNATIONAL INC.
5. AL TAKA MANPOWER SERVICES INC.
6. ALL-PRO STAFFING & CONSULTING SERVICES
7. ALL SKILLS MANPOWER SERVICES INC.
8. ALTIMA MANPOWER AGENCY INC.
9. ASAHI INTERNATIONAL MANPOWER CORPORATION
10. ASEAN MANAGEMENT AND TECHNICAL SERVICES INC.
11. BIG DIPPER MARITIME SERVICES CORPORATION
12. BOOM INTERNATIONAL RECRUITMENT AGENCY
13. BRIGHT INTERNATIONAL MANPOWER SERVICES
14. C.A.A. MANPOWER AGENCY
15. CROSSWIND INTERNATIONAL MANPOWER SERVICE
16. DIAMOND ROSE HUMAN RESOURCES AND SERVICES CORPORATION
17. EFFICIENT INTERNATIONAL MANPOWER SERVICES INC.
18. FMJ INTERNATIONAL MANPOWER AND ALLIED SERVICES INC.
19. FUTURISTIC INTERNATIONAL ARTIST (FIA) PROMOTION CORPORATION
20. GEMS 22 MANPOWER COMPANY
21. GLOBAL JOBSEARCH SERVICES INC.
22. GREENBACK INTERNATIONAL MANPOWER
23. GOLDEN LIME INTERNATIONAL MANAGEMENT SERVICES
24. GOLDEN MILES PLACEMENT PROMOTION AND MANNING AGENCY COMPANY
25. HANJAN INTERNATIONAL MANAGEMENT INC.
26. HELAL MANPOWER AGENCY
27. HERBERT’S INTERNATIONAL INC.
28. JARDY INTERNATIONAL PROMOTION AGENCY
29. JEMSTONE GLOBAL RECRUITMENT AGENCY COMPANY INC.
30. JMP POLARIS NAVIGATION INC. AND INVESTORS ASSURANCES CORPORATION
31. KONNEXION INTERNATIONAL MANPOWER AGENCY
32. LIFELINE INTERNATIONAL PHILIPPINES INC.
33. MAJNAL RECRUITMENT AND PLACEMENT INC
34. MARHABA INTERNATIONAL MANAGEMENT SERVICES COMPANY
35. MBC HUMAN RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
36. MCLAINE MANAGEMENT CONSULTANCY GROUP INC.
37. MEDRP INTERNATIONAL PHILIPPINE INC.
38. MHHR MANPOWER RECRUITMENT & PLACEMENT AGENCY CORPORATION
39. MORLAND OVERSEAS MANPOWER
40. MSS TALENT MANAGEMENT SERVICES INC.
41. NANHAYA INTERNATIONAL RECRUITMENT INC.
42. N.A.R. TRAINING CENTER & MANAGEMENT SERVICES
43. NORTHWEST PLACEMENT INC.
44. OFW RECRUITMENT AGENCY
45. P & R MANPOWER SERVICES INC.
46. PEAK MANPOWER RESOURCES
47. PHILEMPLOY SERVICES & RESOURCES INC.
48. PHILTRADE INTERNATIONAL MANPOWER SERVICES
49. REAJENT MANPOWER SERVICES INC.
50. SAVEWAY INTERNATIONAL MANPOWER SERVICES
51. SILVER HORIZON INTERNATIONAL MANPOWER SERVICES
52. SMART INTERNATIONAL MARINE SERVICES CORP.
53. SKY RESOURCES EXCHANGE CORPORATION
54. STAFFLINE INC.
55. ST. BERNARD INTERNATIONAL MANPOWER AGENCY
56. STOCKHAUS INTERNATIONAL MANPOWER SERVICES CORPORATION
57. THE JOB CONNECTION INTERNATIONAL MANPOWER SERVICES INC.
58. THE JOBHUNTER INC.
59. TMJ INTERNATIONAL MANPOWER SERVICES
60. WELCOME EMPLOYMENT CENTRE INC.
61. WHITE WING’S MANPOWER EXPONENT
62. W.M.G. INTERNATIONAL RECRUITMENT AGENCY and
63. YES HUMAN RESOURCES INC.

So, to all Filipinos seeking employment abroad, please remember these agencies or at least keep this list in your pocket so no one would fall again to these devious agencies. Recruitment agencies were instituted not to exploit and make excessive and unnecessary fees from its applicants but rather help them ease the recruitment process of landing a job abroad with the least fees as possible. Good luck to all!

Note: Unfortunately, the agency who helped me get my current job here in KSA, #35 Nawras Manpower Services Inc., was among the agencies imposed with preventive suspension by the POEA for failing to repatriate troubled OFWs. However, my personal experience with Nawras went smoothly and okay. I was charged P5,000.oo for the Saudi embassy stamping of 5 documents (DFA Authenticated/Red Ribbon) I have on hand which is P1000.oo/doc. I also paid P3,000 plus (sorry I forgot the exact amount) for my medical examination taken at a certain medical center. They also asked me to pay P10,000.oo for the supposed processing fee (PhilHealth, OWWA, and SSS contributions included) and I paid all these in their cashier section with receipts. I don't know if all these fees were reasonable or overcharged or what but I was candidly satisfied with their recruitment process and transaction. And, by the way, my placement fee is equivalent to my monthly salary which would be deducted for 6 months. Thanks be to God, what was written in my contract was sincerely followed by my employer. In 20th of September, I will be in my 3rd month here in KSA.

New Prometric Policy: Eligibility Number for Saudi Licensing Exam

Recently, there were inquiries raised by new applicants with regards to Saudi Licensing Examination or the Saudi Prometric Exam for Nurses because they were asked by the prometric to provide eligibility number  from Saudi Commission upon registration for exam. Yes. The Saudi Commission Health Specialties (SCHS) has introduced the application for Eligibility Number for submitting Saudi Licensing Exam for applicants outside of KSA. This new policy took effect last July 15th, 2014.

Here is the complete transcript from the SCHS website.

 Create Eligibility Number for Applicant from outside KSA

IMPORTANT INSTRUCTIONS

Dear Practitioner….

• All health practitioners wishing to work in the health sectors in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are required by the saudi law to obtain a certificate of professional classification and registration from the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties

• Among the requirements to issue certificate of professional classification from the Saudi Commission are passing the Saudi Licensing examination and verifying the qualification certificate of yours to be classified.

• The Saudi Commission for Health Specialties provide computer-based Saudi Licensing exams and Verification of the qualification certificate electronically for overseas practitioners, and it issue practitioner an eligibility number to complete each of these requirement, through its eService portal. 

• The practitioner has only three attempts to pass the Licensing exam.

• In the Situation where the practitioner does not pass the Licensing Examination from the first and second attempts, he/she can apply for the paid Eligibility Number reactivation through e-services to obtain an exceptional third attempt to pass the exam.

• The results of your Licensing Exam and the Certificate Verification will be sent to your e-mail, in addition you can follow-up all your requests through your e-account in the commission. For those who passed the licensing exam and certificate verification can complete the rest of the requirements upon arrival to KSA, and issue their registration card by re-visiting their e-Account.

• To issue eligibility numbers for the Licensing Examination and Certificate Verification, please login to (Mumaris) eService system on the WEB SITE of Saudi Commission and open a personal e-Account for you in the commission portal to be able to obtain the services, or click here​.

creating new account for eligibilty #

Whatever the purpose or reason of SCHS for commencing eligibility number for applicants of Saudi Council Exam, I hope this could not cause difficulties to the aspirants seeking employment in the Kingdom instead expedite the process of their application. Goodluck to all applicants! Insha-allah!

FUN IN RUNNING

If there was one good thing that happened to myself during my over a year job hiatus after I went home in the Philippines, it was the opportunity to once again run my feet on the ground. Only this time, it was running for a cause. Honestly, I don’t know why I was so keen on running, and all this time, my interest for it never died. I don’t know why but maybe I am just a subconsciously frustrated runner until now. Yes, it might be true and right. Maybe that was one of the main reasons. Actually, when I was in grade school, I used to be a member of the athletics team of my school. In our practice sessions at that time, I never finished first place but of course never been in the last place. In short, amongst us, I was neither the fastest nor the slowest member of the school’s team. However, during the 4x4 200 meter relay competition, I was one of the slowest performers of that race. So as a result, our team ended up losing in the relay race. After that unfortunate event, I never joined in the running competition for the rest of my student years. Frustration engulfed my love for running. For long years, running was not my kind of thing anymore. I turned myself to other sports such as basketball and mind games (chess, scrabble).

For a couple of years, when I was in Qatar, I gradually started running again due to my noticeable increasing weight gain. I went to work in Qatar with only 70 kgs body weight but few months later, I gained almost 10 kgs. This was the time when I decided to run and sweat out some calories out of my body. Jogging had been my past time, my form of exercise in Qatar.

And then, my contract ended. I went back home. This is the point when I took running seriously. The over a year break gave me the chance to enjoy noteworthy running experience while I was looking for a new job. I started joining in some events like “Run for a Cause” or “Charity Run” or popularly known as “Fun Run,” which is very ubiquitous in the streets of Metro Manila and even to some provinces of the country. Fun Run is usually organized by some government agencies or private organizations celebrating their founding anniversary, some of charity events, of fiesta celebrations, or even just an ordinary day. Most of the time, it is organized for some charity cause. This is the good thing with fun run; it gratifies my love for running as well as kept my body fit and healthy and at the same time my registration fee could help the beneficiaries of the fun run. I run for a cause. This was now my mindset whenever I joined such events.  My attitude towards running had modestly changed. Not like before during my younger years when I run to win the race but now I run mostly because of charity cause.  Some people might not understand our attitude about this, but one thing is for sure, they would never ever understand us until they have tried and be with us. Ultimately, for me, running is both fun and healthy.

Here are some of my photos from the various running events:

This was my first run for a cause, organized by Civil Service Commission
on its 113th yr anniversary @ Quirino Grandstand
September 7, 2013
5K category: 19 mins 59 secs

Organized by Affinitea "Raise d Roof"
@ CCP Complex
December 15, 2013
10K Category: 1 hr 5 mins 04 secs

Organized by the Albay Local Government
for Magayon Festival @ Embarcadero
April 25, 2014
10K Category: 1 hr 4 mins 17 secs

"Takbo mo, Buhay ko Charity Run" @ CCP Complex
April 27, 2014
10K Category

Organized by Philippine Air Force
on its 67th yr anniversary  @ CCP Complex
June 1, 2014
15K Category: 1 hr 39 mins 

My last run 5 days prior going to KSA, Organized by Runner's Republiq
"Lets run Endure Conquer" @ CCP Complex
June 15, 2014
21K Category: 2 hrs 31 mins 25 secs

If in case you are interested and have queries about future schedules of various running events, there are two websites that are usually active for these events. Just check out their website, http://www.takbo.ph and http://www.run.ph, the schedules are posted there, some registration is done via online and some are in store. Register now, run and make a difference!

Call for Mass Evacuation of OFW in Libya

Despite the fall of President Muammar Gaddafi on 2011, Libya is currently facing another political chaos as rebels and rival militias continued to take over capital streets of the country. The country's main cities and towns became war zones as bombs and explosions continues to hit these areas. Foreign nations have called on their citizens to leave the country as early as possible as heavy fighting between the rebels and the government forces left hundred of people dead. Embassies of different countries started closing down and some had evacuated to a much safer areas. The Philippines had already issued warnings and ordered the embassy in Libya to immediately gather and evacuate all OFWs across the country and implement quick repatriation. The Philippines had issued Alert Level 4 last week after an OFW was kidnapped and killed by rival militias.

Through OFW Watch website, i received notifications the other day with regards to efforts made by the Philippine government on OFWs repatriation. I believe this is very important and is worth sharing because I have some nurse' friends in Libya.

First Notification (July 28, 2014)

579 Filipinos already repatriated from Libya. If you have family in Libya, tell them to register for repatriation NOW!

There is an estimate of 36,000 Filipinos in Libya. The government is calling all Filipinos to contact  the Philippine Embassy in Tripoli and register for repatriation.

Forty six (46) more overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) from Libya arrived in Manila today last Saturday, July 26 at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1.These arrivals bring the total number of repatriated Filipinos from Libya to 579. DFA and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) representatives will meet them at the airport to brief and assist them.

While Alert Level 4 remains raised in Libya, the DFA reiterates its call to OFWs to get in touch with the Philippine Embassy in Tripoli and register for repatriation.Filipinos can contact the Embassy through the telephone numbers (00218) 918-244-208 / (00218) 911061166, and the e-mail addresses tripoli.pe@gmail.com;tripoli.pe@dfa.gov.ph. The Embassy's address is KM 7 Gargaresh Road, Abu Nawas, P.O. Box 12508, Tripoli.The DFA’s 24-hour hotlines are also available for families of OFWs in Libya. Those who have questions and concerns about the conditions of their relatives in Libya can call the hotline numbers (02) 552-7105 / (02) 834-4685. They may also send their queries by e-mail to oumwa@dfa.gov.ph. 

Second Notification (July 30, 2014)

(Reuters) - Militant fighters overran a Libyan special forces base in the eastern city of Benghazi on Tuesday after a battle involving rockets and warplanes that killed at least 30 people.

A special forces officer said they had to abandon their main camp in the southeast of Benghazi after coming under sustained attack from a coalition of Islamist fighters and former rebel militias in the city.

"We have withdrawn from the army base after heavy shelling," Saiqa Special Forces officer Fadel Al-Hassi told Reuters.

A separate special forces spokesman confirmed the militants had taken over the camp after the troops pulled out. Part of the area is Camp 36 in the Bu Attni district and the special forces school.

Intense fighting in Benghazi, Libya's second city, and battles between rival militias in the capital Tripoli have pushed the nation deeper into chaos after two weeks of the fiercest violence since the civil war which ousted Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.Benghazi has been at the centre of fighting between special forces and ex-rebel fighters of the Benghazi Shura Council who have joined up with the Ansar al Sharia, a militant Islamist group, residents said.

Alert Level 4 is still imposed by the DFA for Filipinos in Libya. 

Under Alert Level 4, the Philippine Government undertakes evacuation of about 13,000 Filipino nationals there as soon as possible, while no Filipino national will be allowed to travel to Libya.

Filipinos in Libya are enjoined to contact the Philippine Embassy in Tripoli for instructions regarding mass evacuation.

Those who have questions and concerns about the conditions of their relatives in Libya can call the hotline numbers (02) 552-7105 / (02) 834-4685. Families may also send their queries by e-mail tooumwa@dfa.gov.ph.

For Filipino nationals in Libya who wish to volunteer for repatriation, they can contact the Philippine Embassy in Tripoli. The Embassy’s address is KM 7 Gargaresh Road, Abu Nawas, P.O. Box 12508, Tripoli. Filipinos can get in touch with the Embassy through the telephone numbers:(00218) 918-244-208 / (00218) 911061166,and the e-mail addresses tripoli.pe@gmail.com; tripoli.pe@dfa.gov.ph.

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P.S. I hope everybody could go back home safe and sound.