DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – “Every time I go for duty these days,” Nenita Doming Tuddao said, “I feel like a soldier going to war.”

Tuddao, who has been a registered nurse with the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) for the past 14 years, said she has never been as scared as in this time of the coronavirus.

“Who wouldn’t when your opponent is invisible?” she said.

Tuddao is among thousands of Filipino nurses working at the front lines of the United Arab Emirate’s (UAE’s) efforts to fight COVID-19.

Ronald Soriano Gamiao, president of the Filipino Nurses Association in the Emirates (FNAE), said there are approximately 30,000 of them. There are 45 government and 98 private sector hospitals in the country, according to the Federal Statistics and Competitive Authority (FSCA).

Grateful

Filipino nurses in the UAE are grateful that unlike their counterparts in hard-hit European countries, and even back home in the Philippines, they are relatively safe because of the government’s quick response to the COVID-19 crisis.

While most of the nurses interviewed for this story said they wish they were in the Philippines helping out, they lamented that they would not have been away had the government been more considerate of their plight in the first place.

There have been 13 Filipinos who have so far tested positive for COVID-19, as of March, of whom 3 have recovered, according to the UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP). Owing to strict privacy laws here, whether any of them were nurses could not immediately be ascertained.

Hustle and bustle

“It’s been a time of hustle and bustle in our emergency department,” Mark Lester Perez of Tagaytay City and a nurse at a hospital in Abu Dhabi said.

“Nurses like me, as well, are getting ill. We have a shortage of staff right now (because) some are on quarantine as they have been exposed to positive COVID-19 cases,” Perez said.

Perez, at the time of writing, was on quarantine because his colleague tested positive for COVID-19.

“Myself and 4 other nurses are waiting for the test. I hope it turns out negative so I can resume work and take care of our patients again,” he said.

Close brushes

Being frontliners, most nurses by now have had close brushes with the virus.

“Scariest experience for me,” said Erma Gallardo Quismundo of Pagsanjan, Laguna, “was when a patient and a staff were having symptoms that could lead to positive test results.”

“Nakakatakot talaga na ma-expose sa COVID-19 kasi tao lang din akong may pamilyang umaasa sa aking pagbabalik sa Pilipinas,” she added. (It’s scary to be exposed to COVID-19. I am also human and have a family waiting for me back home.)

Sheryl A. Palacios-Manalo of Glan in Sarangani Province, said she got COVID-19 symptoms shortly upon her return to Abu Dhabi after taking a leave of absence around February.

“Nakaranas ako ng symptoms, nag-self-quarantine ako ng one week. Sa awa ng Diyos, negative naman po swab ko,” Manalo said. (I experienced symptoms. I self-quarantined for a week. With God’s mercy, my swab test turned out negative.)

“It’s like pins and needles to us,” said Perez. “Most of our staff couldn’t even hug their kids at home, afraid that they will pass on the virus.”

What’s even more heartbreaking, Perez said, is that some people tend to distance themselves from them whenever they walk around the street wearing scrubs. This, apparently out of their fear that the nurses may be infected as well.

Working at a cosmetic dentistry clinic, Michelle Bernardo of Bacoor, Cavite said she, too, has been having goosebumps.

“I would say exposed kami sa clinic dahil most of our clients work overseas like cabin crew, pilots, and businessmen who travel back and forth to Dubai. Hindi mo alam kung sino na ang infected sa mga pasyente namin. Yung iba naman baka in denial,” Bernardo said. (We don’t know who among our patients are infected. The others might just be in denial.)

Charmane Claveria Pedrola of Iloilo City said they had a suspected COVID-19 case that they managed to refer to a health facility assigned for such patients. She said it was nerve-wracking.

“Meron siyang headache at throat pain. At nagkaruon din sya ng close contact with someone who was COVID-positive. (He had a headache and throat pain. And he had close contact with someone who was COVID-positive.) So, we put him straight in our temporary isolation room.”

Pedrola, a health care assistant at a Dubai hospital, narrated, “Our doctor consulted him. Tapos, tumawag kami sa 998 hotline; ibinigay yung details ng patient (Then we called the 998 hotline and gave the details of the patient) and they told us to refer the patient to the nearest hospital.”

Pedrola said it was scary.

Nervous

Marivell A. Cordova, a health care assistant from Bislig City, Surigao del Sur, said she is always on her toes whenever on duty.

“Medyo kabado everytime na papasok sa work kasi ‘di natin alam what will happen. Every patient ina-assess namin for travel history if meron ba. We also check if they have fever… yung lahat ng signs ng COVID-19,” said Cordova, who works at a Dubai hospital.

(I am a bit nervous whenever I go to work because we do not know what will happen. We assess every patient for travel history, if any. We also check if they have fever…all the signs of COVID-19.)

She added: “Napa-paranoid ako ka-kaisip habang nag-aantay kami ng four to five days para sa COVID-19 test. Every day, lagi kong pinapakiramdaman ang sarili ko kasi may sore throat, headache, at sometimes masakit pa ang dibdib ko. Pero nagbabasa na lang ako at nagpe-pray na sana wala lang itong nararamdaman ko.”

(I get paranoid thinking about how our COVID-19 test would turn out, waiting for 4-5 days. Every day, I always check myself because I feel I have sore throat, headache, and sometimes my chest hurts. But I just resort to reading and praying that it’s nothing.)

Cordova said there was a day when the mother of a patient called the hospital after which the head nurse asked everyone who attended to that patient. “We were told to have a shower and were sent home. We underwent a 14-day quarantine and a COVID-19 test that, fortunately, came out negative,” she said.

Overseas Filipino Warrior

Tuddao said she twice had episodes of sore throat, headaches, and body pains after having close contact with what was previously termed as a Patient Under Investigation (PUI) and a Person Under Monitoring (PUM).

“I took my pain relievers, and a concoction of warm ginger, lemon honey hot soup prepared by my husband and self-quarantined in my room, with just enough rest and sleep, and prayers. I was feeling good the next day… ready for another ‘battle duty.’ OFW yata ako (I am an OFW): Overseas Filipino Warrior!”

Tuddao, who comes from Makati City, is presently assigned to take care of long-term patients. “They are already family to us. Most are immunocompromised and I am afraid for them as they are vulnerable,” she said.

Very fulfilling

Gamiao, who hails from Tuguegarao City, said that at some point, the situation is “a bit scary because you could not see the virus.”

“However, being a frontliner, we all the more need to be strong and confident in performing the duty as a nurse,” he said.

Joel Hualde, former FNAE president and current adviser, said that what’s keeping the confidence among nurses are their PPEs.

It may be scary to be exposed to COVID-19 patients, he said, “but as a nurse, we have to wear our PPEs to be confident enough that we protect ourselves when attending to the patients’ needs.”

“The fear is there as always but given the right information and education about the virus and how to manage it, the worries are lessened,” said Ritchie C. Pagkaliwangan of Zamboanga City. He works at Sharjah Police Airwing Aviation’s operation department under the Search and Rescue EMS section of the UAE Ministry of Interior.

They are on standby for patients needing air transport. “We are in a state of outmost readiness for any eventuality,” he said.

Thankful

Gamiao, meantime, said the UAE government has been handling the situation in a “very systematic and organized way.”

“The response is very quick. There’s a lot of testing being done all over the country. Health workers are provided with proper PPEs. Hospitals have isolation areas/rooms for COVID-19 patients. There are a good number of reported recoveries. The government is really very capable of handling this kind of situation,” added Hualde, who hails from Bacolod City.

As of April 19, MoHAP said the total number of COVID-19 cases from end-January, when the confirmed cases were first monitored, stands at 6,781. The sharp increase is attributed to aggressive tests being done across the emirates.

There were also 1,286 recoveries and 41 fatalities, MoHAP said.

Philippines

Meantime, the nurses said they long to be in the Philippines where they can provide service to fellow Filipinos and be with their loved ones, as well. They lamented, however, that they would not have been away had the government been more considerate of them.

“Of course, I want to help Filipinos. However, the government doesn’t value us that’s why we had to leave our country for places that value us,” Perez said.

Added Bernardo: “Mas gusto kong magsilbi sa mga kababayan natin, pero sana bigyan din ng gobyerno natin ng sapat na pagpapahalaga ang pagbibigay ng moral, emotional, at psychosocial na support sa aming mga healthcare workers para wala nang aalis pa ng Pilipinas at hindi na rin kami malayo sa mga pamilya namin.”

(I’d prefer to serve in the Philippines but I hope our government gives adequate importance to moral, emotional ,and psychosocial support to healthcare workers so that nurses won’t have to leave the Philippines and be separated from their families anymore.)

According to the Department of Labor and Employment’s Bureau of Local Employment (DOLE-BLE), an entry-level registered nurse receives a salary of between P3,500 and P8,000 per month working 12-hour shifts.

Registered nurses hired at hospitals commonly receive an average salary of P9,757 per month. In the government, the average salary per month is around P13,500 while in the private sector, the rate average is around P10,000 per month, also according to BLE.

Overseas, the pay scale is way above local rates with the US market offering an average salary of $3,800 per month, the United Kingdom with £1,662, and Canada with $4,097 for entry level, still according to BLE.

Tuddao, meantime, said she wants to go back to Makati because the hospital emergency room where she used to work at has been experiencing lack of staff. The same with Quismundo who said her town in Laguna needs more healthcare providers. Manalo said she worries about her two children and mother. The UAE government has stepped up its drive against COVID-19, even having extended a 24-hour sterilization of Dubai for another week. Meantime, it continues to rely on the populace for their cooperation, and the frontliners for their unrelenting commitment to make its plan against the coronavirus work.

West Zone, the hypermart chain working with the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) in Dubai on its food relief efforts for distressed overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), has suspended its participation in the program.

“We selflessly support the Filipino community in this crucial period but in return… Due to controversy we suspend this initiative until further notice,” Raju Gidwani, director of Shankar Trading Co. and the West Zone Group, said in an exclusive interview.

The matter stemmed from allegations raised the other day by an OFW, Joy Parafina, who went live on Facebook saying she has been told that the food packages were donations and not paid for by POLO.

Parafina also alleged that a welfare officer, Danilo Flores cussed at her when she called him up to ask about receipts.

Gidwani said the transaction with POLO was aboveboard.

“West Zone is providing free logistics and distribution support in this crucial time to the community,” Gidwani said.

“The entire food package cost was borne by OWWA (Overseas Workers Welfare Administrarion which runs POLO) with the consulate of the Philippines in Dubai,” he added.

Gidwani said “everything was documented.”

He said West Zone has “provided all products to the consulate at cost without keeping any profit just to support Filipino community.”

Parafina, in her live video, said she went to West Zone and inquired about OWWA’s  food assistance program. She said she was handed two bags of rice at 5 kilos each and a small box of groceries.

She said she was told by the staff that the food was a donation from the hypermart company. She added that she asked for a receipt but was told there was none.

Flores explained that it was not a donation but was actually paid for through the OWWA program under which 150 boxes were prepared – 50 for active OWWA members and 100 for inactive members.

He said OWWA has the receipts for the transaction to the amount of Dhs28,625.

“Hindi kasi kami makalabas dahil sa quarantine kaya naisip namin na bumili sa West Zone,” Flores said.

He also explained that per regulation, Dh200 was appropriated for active OWWA members and Dh300 for inactive ones for the relief packages.

“Transparent ito,” Flores said. “May resibo.”

Gidwani said he is “very disappointed with all this.”

He said there were 23 different products inside the relief package aside from the two bags of rice.

“Do you think it’s not sufficient food package at this moment? She gave a statement that it’s only rice and few snacks,” Gidwani said.

Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III has put Flores on suspension and ordered a swift invstigation.

Flores denied he cussed at Parafina.

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Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III has suspended a welfare officer based in Dubai on allegation from an irate overseas Filipino worker (OFW) that he cussed at her.

According to reports, the welfare officer, Danilo Flores, allegedly lost his temper when the OFW, identified on her live Facebook post regarding the incident as Joy Parafina, inquired on the phone about food aids for Filipinos who have lost their jobs in Dubai due to COVID-19.

The video post has gone viral.

“Please be advised that welfare officer Flores is hereby suspended from the performance of his duties as welfare officer, pending investigation of the incident,” Bello said.

The matter apparently stemmed from an inquiry that Parafina made at a West Zone hypermart branch about a food assistance program by the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA). She said she was handed two bags of 5-kg rice and a small box of groceries.

She said she was told by the staff that the food was a donation from the hypermart company. She added that she asked for a receipt but was told there was none.

A well-placed government source privy to the incident however explained  that it was not a donation but was actually paid for through the program under which 150 boxes were prepared – 50 for active OWWA members and 100 for inactive members.

The source said OWWA has the receipts for the transaction to the amount of Dhs28,625.

“Hindi kasi kami makalabas dahil sa quarantine kaya naisip namin na bumili sa (hypermart chain),” said the source, further explaining that per regulation, Dh200 is appropriated for active OWWA members and Dh300 for inactive ones.

“Transparent ito,” said the source. “May resibo.”

West Zone, the hypermart chain working with the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) in Dubai on its food relief efforts for distressed overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) has suspended its participation over the controversy.

Raju Gidwani, director of Shankar Trading Co. and the West Zone Group, said the transaction with POLO was aboveboard.

“West Zone is providing free logistics and distribution support in this crucial time to the community,” Gidwani said.

“The entire food package cost was borne by OWWA (Overseas Workers Welfare Administrarion which runs POLO) with the consulate of the Philippines in Dubai,” he added.

Gidwani said “everything was documented.”

Gidwani said he is “very disappointed with all this.”

“We selflessly support the Filipino community in this crucial period but in return… Due to controversy we suspend this initiative until further notice,” Gidwani said.

He said there were 23 different products inside the relief package aside from the two bags of rice.

“Do you think it’s not sufficient food package at this moment? She gave a statement that it’s only rice and few snacks,” Gidwani said.

Parafina said Flores called her a “son of a ___.”

“Isang welfare officer sa Dubai, si Dan Flores ang pangalan na ibinigay nya sa akin. Ito ang kakapag-usap lang naming at minura nya ako. Tinawag nya akong ‘anak ng ­­­_____,’” Parafina said on her live post.

The source said Flores actually said “namputsa.”

Parafina was praised and congratulated by fellow OFWs for making a stand on the matter.

On her Facebook post, Parafina said Flores should be terminated from his job.

“Ito po ay simula pa lamang. Hindi po tayo titigil na mapatalsik o ma-alis ang taong yan kasama ng mga kagaya niya. Ako po ay nanawagan sa lahat ng OFWs sama sama tayo. Magkaisa at ipetisyon natin ang mga katulad ni Dan Flores,” she said.

The matter is under investigation.

DUBAI: Around 200 Filipinos on visit visa in the UAE have availed of the Philippine government’s repatriation program in light of COVID-19. But while this so, there are hold-outs who are taking their chance than go home penniless.

Among them is Veronica Abad, who considers herself fortunate to have beaten the government’s deadline on the issuance of visit visas last March 17, 2020, which was announced as part of measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus in the UAE.

Now on her third consecutive visit visa, with each valid for a maximum allowable period of three months, Abad had high hopes she could land a job. But recent turn of events has however dampened her bid.

“Inabutan ako ng lockdown. Nagkaruon ng problema,” Abad said, referring to COVID-19 measures that the government gradually started implementing around March 23, 2020 through flight suspensions, closure of public establishments including restaurants and theaters, a halt in the operations of the Dubai metro and finally, a 24-hour, two-week sterilization drive which took effect in early April and strictly required residents to acquire permits to leave their homes.

With this in the backdrop, the Philippine missions in the UAE on April 13 announced a repatriation program for stranded Filipinos with emphasis on visit visa holders who have no kin or friends to support their continued stay.

Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs, Sarah Lou Arriola stressed this focus during the live-streamed launch of “OFW Helpline” on April 15, saying: “Kung feeling nyo nahihirapan na kayo, we are ready to bring you home.”

The live stream was hosted by Ernesto Abella, the Department of Foreign Affairs’ (DFA) undersecretary for strategic communications, with Consul General Paul Raymund Cortes of Dubai and Philippine Ambassador to Italy Domingo Nolasco as featured guests.

“Wala namang makapagsasabi kung when this crisis will end. Kung wala kayong trabaho dyan…this is an open invitation,” Arriola said.

Abad however said she has decided to weather it out till year end, noting that the UAE government has extended validity of resident and visit visas that have expired beginning March 1, 2020 till December 2020 to ease the impact of COVID-19 measures on the expat community.

“Mahirap umuwi nang walang pera,” Abad said. “Wala man lang pang-taksi.”

She said she will consider the DFA’s repatriation offer while waiting it out till December in the hope that things get better in the coming months.

“Yung nga lang, nga-nga. Buti yung iba may ipon, kami wala,” Abad said, adding that she has been surviving through grocery hand-outs by volunteer groups like Kabayan Bayanihan, which recently opened a Facebook account functioning as a coordination point between Filipino Good Samaritans and those in need, like her.

Leandro Quinones. (not his real name) shared Abad’s thoughts on digging in for the long haul.

He said he has been on visit visa for almost three years, renewing his papers every time it has expired.

“Kailangan meron tayong pera kahit paano kapag uuwi na, kaysa pagdating mo ruon ay ikaw pa rin ang pag-iintidihin nila sa gastusin,” Quinones said.

Quinones, who lives in Abu Dhabi, said he has been in the UAE for 14 years. These days, he said, he has been taking odd jobs to survive.

Cortes said they have received around 900 applicants for repatriation.

“But of these 900,” he told reporters, “only about 200 were tourists visit visa holders.”

The rest, he said, were resident visa holders “who probably were on a furlough or no-work-no-pay scheme.”

Cortes lamented that overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in this situation “cannot be the responsibility of the Philippine government,” explaining that by law, their employers should shoulder their plane tickets for home.

“No, they have not been dropped by their companies but they have just been asked to go on a short leave clearly that cannot be the responsibility of the Philippine government” Cortes said.

Cortes said they were putting together documentation of those wanting to be repatriated.

“Wala pa tayong ina-arrange (na flight) but are monitoring with the Philippine Embassy. We are also coordinating with the home office,” he said.

At least seven restaurants in Dubai have started giving away free meals to those who have lost their jobs or are on unpaid leaves because of COVID-19.

The restaurants’ managers and owners said they are doing this as a gesture of goodwill, noting how difficult times have been due to the global coronavirus pandemic.

“They have no money, no job; and so we provide food for free,” said Tauqueer Anjam, manager of Dolphina Restaurant in International City.

He said the free meal is available to any nationality and can be delivered anywhere in Dubai by just logging in on the company’s website at www.mealofhope.com.

Another restaurant is MyGovinda’s behind Regent Palace Hotel in Karama whose managing director, Mahesh Advani said it is part of their “commitment to support people in distress.”

“We have been doing this for the past 15 years where we have a ‘Kindness Fridge’ outside the restaurant every day where needy people can get food. This is our commitment to give back to the community.

“I have been staying in Dubai for the past 39 years. This is also the direction set by the rulers – to support the poor people. The leaders are showing the way,” said Advani.

“A lot of people lost their jobs. A lot of those on visit visa could not find jobs,” he added.

He said that due to a 24-hour sterilization campaign, MyGovinda’s free food service to those in need can be availed of still, but would need to picked up from the restaurant.

“You can call us on 04-396-0088 between 11 AM to 6 PM Saturday to Thursday to know more,” Advani said.

Meantime, Amir Khan, manager at Al Fareej Kitchen, said they are giving kebab and chicken biryani, among others, to those in International City and nearby areas.

“Many people have no money, no job, no salary,” he said, adding that their free meals are also open to people of any nationality.

Des Pardes Restaurant in Oud Metha near Lamcy Plaza is likewise giving free meals as well as Badshah Restaurant in Karama, whose manager, Daniyal Ahmed said their free meals – Indian and Arabic cuisines – are free to any nationality.

“A lot of people don’t have jobs and salary. We want to provide food for them,” Ahmed said.

Spice of India in Al Nahda near the new Lulu Hypermarket is also giving free meals. “We are giving limited quality to laborers, basically people who are desperate, needy; who could not afford to buy food,” said Ashok Sharma, manager.

“Nationality is not an issue,” he said, but made it clear that they are not distributing the meals due to restrictions on the movement of people. “They can come here and collect it,” he said.

Other restaurants include Hazara Darbar in International City.

Here is the list of the restaurants which has also been circulating on social media:

Dolphina Restaurant
Mobile : 050 4430136
Mobile :055 4483275

Hazara Darbar Restaurant
Mobile no 0522130113
Landline no 045646006
Mobile no 0588202047

Al Fareej kitchen
Mobile :0501302034
Mobile : 0509470272

My Govinda’s
Landline 043960088
Mobile 0505649227

Badshah
Mobile 0502469369, 0502960284, 0561459936
Message for help

Des Pardes, Dubai 04 379 5702

Spice of India in Sharjah Al Nahda
06 537 8833 / 055 671 2669 / 050 387 2627

DUBAI:  Validity of resident and visit visas that have expired beginning March 1, 2020 has been extended till December 2020 as a matter of the UAE government’s “support to lessen the repercussions” of COVID-19.

The move, announced through a tweet yesterday by the UAE Government Communication Office (UAEGCO), is good news to resident visa holders stranded outside the country following suspension of flights in March. It also is a relief to visit visa holders in the UAE who face challenges renewing their visas considering border closures.

The UAEGCO’s tweet was in reference to a regular briefing by the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP) as well as the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (FAIC) during which various UAE government efforts to address the COVID-19 situation were discussed.

The government’s communication office referred to His Excellency, Colonel Khamis Mohammed Salem Al Kaabi, FAIC spokesperson as saying during the briefing that “residents whose visas expired in early March 2020 will receive an extension of their visas until end of December 2020.

“This measure applies to both residents inside and outside the UAE.”

The government agency also referred to the top official as saying that “UAE visitors who have remained in the country and their visas expired in early March 2020, will also have their visit visas extended till end of December 2020.”

Flatten the curve

Meantime Dr. Farida Al Hosani, official health spokesperson said “it is important to know that no studies could give a specific timescale for when the Covid-19 cases may finally peak before we see the curve flattened.”

She said precautionary measures and practices like social distancing and increased testing help flatten the curve to stagger the rate of cases infected with Covid-19.

In light of this, she said, the government is increasing COVID-19 tests across the UAE with an additional 23,380 having been done.  

Dr. Hosani said that the total number of recovered cases of COVID-19  has reached 852  while the death toll has reached 25.

As of April 13, total COVID-19 cases was at 4,521, according to MOHAP.

Repatriation

In a related development meanwhile, the Philippine mission in the UAE has called on Filipinos in the country, who have lost their jobs and called it quits in light of the Covid-19 pandemic, to coordinate with the embassy or the consulate so that their repatriation could be processed.

Those who are on visit visas wanting to go home may seek help from their travel agency and relatives who sponsored their stay in the UAE, the mission said.

In a joint advisory issued also yesterday, April 13, the embassy in Abu Dhabi and consulate general’s office in Dubai said funds will be requested from the home office in Manila to buy plane tickets for those who have no employers, relatives or friends who could help them out.

“Kung ikaw ay walang amo, walang kamag-anak o kaibigan na tutulong sa iyo at gusto mo nang umuwi ‘for good,’makipag-ugnayan sa embahada o konsulado para malaman namin ang kalagayan mo,” the advisory said.

“Hihingi po ng pondo ang embahada o konsulado sa ating pamahalaan para makabili ng ticket para sa inyo. Kapag mayroon ng pong pondo, aayusin na po ang inyong pagbalik sa Pilipinas,” it added.

Consul General Paul Raymund Cortes said the funds can be coursed through the Department of Foreign Affairs’ (DFA) Assistance to Nationals section.

The advisory clarified that terminated overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) should ask for plane tickets from their employers as the law states.

“Ito ay sang-ayon sa batas ng UAE. Maaring mag-book ang inyong employer sa Emirates Airlines o Etihad Airlines dahil may mga binuksan silang flights at  binigyan na sila ng pahintulot na lumipad sa Pilipinas. Hindi kailangang tumawag sa embahada o konsulado dito dahil may pahintulot na ang mga nasabing special flights na ito na makarating sa Pilipinas kahit may lockdown sa Metro Manila at buong Luzon,” it stated.

Apparently referring to visit visa holders, the advisory said those who have no employers or work contracts and have given up looking for work, should ask help from their friend or relatives who invited them to the UAE as well as travel agency that facilitated their trip.

“Kailangan mo ng tulong nila para makabili ng ticket sa eruplano,” the advisory said.

The embassy and consulate asked that its staff be given ample time to process the repatriation, noting current mobility restrictions.

Here are the emails opened for this purpose: atn2.abudhabi@gmail.com and atn@pcgdubai.ae.

DUBAI: The Philippine mission in the UAE has called on Filipinos in the country, who have lost their jobs and called it quits in light of the Covid-19 pandemic, to coordinate with its officials so that their repatriation could commence.

Those who are on visit visas wanting to go home may seek help from their travel agency and relatives who sponsored their stay in the UAE, the mission said.

In a joint advisory issued today, Monday April 13, the embassy in Abu Dhabi and consulate general’s office in Dubai said funds will be requested from the home office in Manila to buy plane tickets for those who have no employers, relatives or friends who could help them out.

“Kung ikaw ay walang amo, walang kamag-anak o kaibigan na tutulong sa iyo at gusto mo nang umuwi ‘for good,’makipag-ugnayan sa embahada o konsulado para malaman namin ang kalagayan mo,” the advisory said.

“Hihingi po ng pondo ang embahada o konsulado sa ating pamahalaan para makabili ng ticket para sa inyo. Kapag mayroon ng pong pondo, aayusin na po ang inyong pagbalik sa Pilipinas,” it added.

Consul General Paul Raymund Cortes said the funds can be coursed through the Department of Foreign Affairs’ (DFA) Assistance to Nationals section.

The advisory clarified that terminated overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) should ask for plane tickets from their employers as the law states.

“Ito ay sang-ayon sa batas ng UAE. Maaring mag-book ang inyong employer sa Emirates Airlines o Etihad Airlines dahil may mga binuksan silang flights at  binigyan na sila ng pahintulot na lumipad sa Pilipinas. Hindi kailangang tumawag sa embahada o konsulado dito dahil may pahintulot na ang mga nasabing special flights na ito na makarating sa Pilipinas kahit may lockdown sa Metro Manila at buong Luzon,” it stated.

Those who have no employers or work contracts and have given up looking for work, should ask help from their friend or relatives who invited them to the UAE as well as travel agency that facilitated their trip.

“Kailangan mo ng tulong nila para makabili ng ticket sa eruplano,” the advisory said.

The embassy and consulate asked that its staff be given ample time to process the repatriation, noting current mobility restrictions.

Here are the emails opened for this purpose: atn2.abudhabi@gmail.com and atn@pcgdubai.ae.

Some 129 people in the UAE have been referred by the government to the Attorney General’s Office for failing to abide by the quarantine and isolation measures implemented to curb the spread of COVID-19.

The Emirates News Agency (WAM) reported that the violators face a minimum of three years imprisonment or a minimum fine of Dh100,000.

• 

“Pursuant to the Cabinet Resolution No. 17 of 2020, those who fail to comply with home quarantine measures will be referred to the Emergency and Crisis Prosecution at the Federal Public Prosecution if the violation is committed for the third time. They will be tried and jailed for a minimum of three years or fined a minimum of AED100,000 as per the law,” WAM quoted the Chief of the Emergency and Crisis Prosecution as saying, referring to the Attorney-General’s updated Resolution No. 38 of 2020.

The Resolution has provisions on the enforcement of fines and penalties against violators of home quarantine measures.

“First-time offenders will only be fined AED50,000 once a report is filed and the offender is informed of his or her violation. The fine shall be doubled to AED100,000 for second-time offenders,” he added.

Should the violator fail to pay the fine, competent departments will be notified to register the offense in the e-criminal system, at the Ministry of Interior, or at local police departments to collect the fine from him or her in a legal manner,” according to the WAM report.

A mechanism has been developed in agreement with health authorities to ensure that the Emergency and Crisis Prosecution shall be notified in case the violator has tested positive for COVID-19 in order to turn the offense into a criminal case tantamount to the crimes covered by the penal code and the law on combatting communicable diseases, the WAM report further stated.

As per the Cabinet Resolution No. 17 of 2020, the Emergency and Crisis Prosecution may impose fines on first-time offenders and double the fine should the offender repeat the offense for the second time.

There are now 3,360 coronavirus cases across the UAE, of which 418 have recovered and 16 have died, according to the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP).

The increase in the number of confirmed cases resulted from stepped-up drive to test for Covid-19 among residents. Some 49,000 have been conducted in the past days alone.

DUBAI: Philippine Labor Secretary Silvestre H. Bello III has signed a directive providing for guidelines on the disbursement of a one-time financial assistance of US$200 each to overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) displaced due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Issued on April 8 and posted on the government agency’s website today April 9, Department Order 212 takes immediate effect and covers both OFWs abroad and those currently stranded in the Philippines as a result of flight suspensions and Covid-9 measures implemented by host countries.

In a media advisory, Bello said the order was issued to ensure the relief aid program’s “effective and streamlined implementation.”

The Labor Secretary said funds “including other administrative expenses of Central and Regional operations to be incurred in the implementation of this program shall be sourced from DOLE COVID-19 Adjustment Measures Program (DOLE-CAMP) in the amount of Php1.5 billion.”

Priority countries

There are 20 priority countries on the list, among which include Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Oman, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates in the Gulf region.

OFWs in the following COVID19-hit countries in Asia and the Pacific will also be prioritized: Australia, Brunei, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Macau, Singapore, Taiwan, Malaysia, and New Zealand.

For Europe and the Americas: Canada, Cyprus, Italy, Germany, Greece, Spain, Switzerland, United Kingdom of Great Britain, United States of America are on the list of priorities.

Coverage

As per the directive, the following OFW categories are covered:

• Regular/documented OFWs who possesses a valid passport and appropriate visa or permit to stay and work in the host country; and whose contract was processed by the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) or Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO)
• Qualified undocumented OFWs or those who were “originally regular or documented workers, but for some reason or cause have lost their regular or documented status.”
• Balik-Manggagwa who were unable to return to the host country due to that country’s Covid-19 measures.

Eligibility

The directive has a provision specifically stating that eligible OFWs are those “who have experienced job displacement due to the receiving country’s imposition of a lockdown or community quarantine, or themselves having been infected by the disease.”

The eligible OFW must still be at the overseas jobsites or in the Philippines as Balik-Manggagawa. Those already repatriated are also eligible to apply for the financial assistance, according to the directive.

Procedure

Requirements for onsite-OFWs that need to be submitted to the POLOs are:

• Filled-up application form for Special Cash Assistance at the POLO’s website or social media account.
• Passport copy.
• Proof of overseas employment.
• Proof of loss of employment due to Covid-19.

OFWs who became undocumented through no fault of their own must submit proof that they are currently involved in an ongoing case – reference number or case endorsement stamped by POLO.

As per the directive,  POLOs are tasked to evaluate the application within five working days and notify the OFWs on the status also within five working days after evaluation.

Approved applicants will received their US$200 through bank transfer or money remittance, the directive stated.

Meantime, Balik-Manggagawa and repatriated OFWs need to submit the following to their OWWA Regional Welfare Offices (RWOs):

• Filled-up application forms
• Passport copy
• Proof of overseas employment
• Proof of loss of employment due to Covid19.

The same evaluation procedure applies. Approved applicants will receive the Philippine peso equivalent (Php10,000) through money remittance / Peso Net.

Link:

https://www.dole.gov.ph/news/department-order-no-212-series-of-2020-prescribing-guidelines-on-the-provision-of-financial-assistance-for-displaced-landbased-and-seabased-filipino-workers-due-to-the-corona-virus-covid-2019-d/

Against the backdrop of sharp increases in the new Covid-19 cases and draconian measures to prevent its spread, the spirit of Bayanihan, or camaraderie, has taken center stage among overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Dubai, who have started reaching out, giving free groceries to those who have lost jobs due to the virus in this toughest of times for one to be away from home, penniless.

There so far there have been no organized efforts to launch a relief drive, noting restrictions in the movement of residents because the city has been under a two-week, 24-hour “sterilization” drive, which started at 8pm of April 4 and will run until April 18.

But there have been Filipinos who have taken the daunting task on their own, ensuring, at the same time, that they don’t violate the government’s directives in their efforts to help others

A Facebook page, Kabayan Bayanihan, has also launched to coordinate relief initiatives. The page works as a coordination point for OFWs wanting to help through food donations and those needing them.

In an interview, the group said they prioritize relief efforts to OFWs according to their statuses.

“May prayoridad po kami na ma-abutan ng tulong. Dahil po sa dami ng nangangailangan, mas nakatutuok kami dun sa mga naubos o nasagad na ang resources,” Kabayan Bayanihan said in a Facebook message to Rappler.

These categories, the group said are those in the UAE on a visit visa for over a month and do not have relatives in the country;  those who have been jobless for over a month and haven’t received their salary as well as End of Service Benefits (EOSB) or back pay; and those who still have their jobs bit haven’t been paid for two months and counting.   

“Transporting the food is a challenge,” said the group. “Kaya if may kakilala na may permit to move ay duon na lamang nakikisuyo.”

Fr. Fred Carmelo, administrative pastor at United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP) who is also with Kabayan Bayanihan, said an informal group of volunteers launched it a week ago.

“Since I am connected sa church as a pastor dito sa Dubai at Abu Dhabi, nagtutulungan kami pag may kabayan na in need ng food. Nagre-referal din sila sa’ kin,” Carmelo said.

“Magkakakilala lamang ang gumawa nito. Personal sa gustong tumulong sa’ting mga kababayan. Hindi po sila kabilang sa anumang organization,” he added.

For musicians who lost their gigs

Meantime, among other Good Samaritans acting on their own is Mark Legaspi, an entrepreneur who owns a company supplying sound systems to clubs, and has now embarked on giving back to the community by providing relief goods to Filipino musicians who lost gigs because the bars have been closed per government’s directive to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

 “This is my way to give something back to the industry that had been really good to me and my company for years, and yung mga musikero sa Dubai, sila ang naunang na apektuhan, kasi bago pa magsimulang mag-work from home, yung mga clubs nagsara na; and they are stuck here, hindi maka-uwi kasi akala nila magbubukas din agad ang mga clubs,” Legaspi told Rappler.

The effort, which was started also on April 4, has grown to include OFWs in the other industries.

Initiative

Legaspi said his initiative began with a small chat.

“Galing sa kwentuhan namin nung kakilala kong musikero. Then the next day, nag-post na ako. I didn’t expect na marami ang magme-message. It’s not big what I did, but I feel we should all do something, no matter how big or small it may be, to help each other out.

“Now is not the time to be political in social media. Now is the time for compassion and action. Let’s help out,” Legaspi said.

Selective

Legaspi said he has been selective about whom to give the relief packages to because of the sheer number of those asking for help. He said he was happy with the response.

“Kasi limited time and budget lang din, so I talked to them isa-isa, asked about their situation and explained that priority namin ay yung matagal nang walang sweldo and in urgent need.

“Nakaka-tuwa naman kasi yung ibang nag-message are honest naman and they said, ‘Oh, medyo OK pa kami, i-refer namin kayo sa friend na talagang may kailangan.’ Ka-tuwa, may needs din sila but they understand na merong may mas na na-ngangailangan and nagbigay-daan sila,” Legaspi said.

Thus far, Legaspi has given packages of rice, corned beef, sardines, luncheon meat and noodles to jobless OFWs living in Karama, Bur Dubai, Satwa and Deira – OFW enclaves in Dubai. He has been able to do so through assistance from those who have more mobility access per government regulations regarding the 24-hour “sterilization” drive.

Exempted from the strict measures on mobility are people employed in the vital industries.

Legaspi called on fellow OFWs, who have a little something to spare, to reach out as well.

“Sa mga nakaluluwag, let’s try to help out,” he said.

Grocery shopping

Another crusading OFW is Kristopher John Ydeo, a financial planning and business performance analyst, who said he meets his beneficiaries at a particular hypermart to shop with him for their needs. Sometimes, he said, he does the shopping for them.

Under the government’s directive, people may be allowed permit to go out of their homes but only to buy food and essentials, go to the pharmacy, or in cases of emergency.

“I started it alone. I have no affiliated organization. I prioritized the elderly. Paid their rent for a month; hand them a little cash, hopefully enough to cover them for a month or two. I, too, have already asked for help, as I’ve got so many on my list; and I’ve gone far and beyond na po due to budget constraint,” Ydeo told Rappler.

As fundraising is also subject to government regulations, Ydeo said he spends from his own account. “Kung ano na lang po ang meron sa abot na aking makakaya,” he said.

Asked what has motivated him to reach out, Ydeo said: “It is something I’ve learned over the years. I once lived a life having nothing when I landed here in the UAE back in 2011 –  no relatives, no friends, no one to ask for help. I knew the feeling of having nothing… of swallowing one’s pride just to have something to eat.”

He said he has probably helped up to 25 families to date. “Different situations. Different stories,” he said.

Ydeo said: “Nagkikita lang kami and I take them to groceries. Sometimes may napamili na then give na lang. Mamimili ako then I asked beneficiaries to take (mobility) permit then meet ko lang outside the groceries.”

Ydeo said he spends on average, Dh150 to Dh200 per beneficiary.  “I pay different amounts kasi I always give them a little opportunity to choose what they want to eat din. Of course, we cannot deny the fact that some people just cannot eat sardines, di ba? My father doesn’t and hindi kami mayaman niyan ha!”

Ydeo said he has temporarily stopped his good deed, at least till the next paycheck comes around. “Wala na din po akong budget. Wait lang po muna ako sa sahod ko sa (April) 25,” he said.

Rappler asked Ydeo for an actual picture of himself giving out groceries, and like Legaspi, he said: “Sorry, people know I don’t take pictures sa mga ganitong cases. Completely ridiculous to take a selfie just to say you are helping. I am not like that.”

As of April 8, there were 2,659 Covid-19 cases. A month earlier on March 7, there were 45, according to the UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP). The rise in number is being attributed to increased Covid tests across the city as part of the “sterilization” drive. There were 300 confirmed cases in a single day on April 8, according to MoHAP’s daily brief.

At least 12 of the total confirmed cases were Filipinos of which three have fully recovered, also according to MoHAP.

In all, MoHAP said there have been 12 deaths and 186 recoveries as of April 7.

There are approximately 750,000 OFWs in the UAE, around 500,000 of which are in Dubai, according to various official records.