Officials hopes to open "travel bubble" between Philippines and Taiwan to boosts tourism

A hope of “travel bubble” between Taiwan and the Philippines can be established next year, according to the Philippines’ tourism attache to Taiwan.

There is currently a high rate of vaccination among tourism workers in the Philippines notably in Boracay, Bohol, Cebu and Palawan which are the Taiwanese favorite destination.

“We really look forward to having a bubble, a travel bubble, between Taiwan and the Philippines, at least for example Boracay or Bohol, because our tourism workers are fully vaccinated already,” Philippine Department of Tourism in Taiwan director Hazel Habito Javier.

“As for the community, the vaccinations are ongoing." And we are hoping by next year we will be able to push through with a bubble," Javier added.

Taiwan and the Philippines require inbound travelers to quarantine for 14 days, with varying guidelines of different tests.

Taiwan was a significant source market in the Philippines before the COVID-19 pandemic according to Philippine Secretary of Tourism Bernadette Romulo-Puyat.

Metro Manila, which is home to about 13 million people, is almost 99 percent fully vaccinated.

Hospitality industry workers in Boracay are 100 percent fully vaccinated, while Bohol, Palawan and Cebu, as well as some other places, have rates exceeding 80 percent

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Fully vaccinated migrant workers in Taiwan may skip PCR test when transfering to new employer

Migrant workers in Taiwan who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 do not need to undergo PCR COVID-19 tests before changing employers or switching between workplaces managed by the same employer.

The adjustment was made to ensure migrant workers' rights and meet the demand for workers domestically, according to the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC).

Taiwan currently have a labor shortage due to the pandemic that limit the entry of migrant workers to the country.

Meanwhile, all arrivals to Taiwan will soon be required to submit results of a COVID-19 test taken in the two days prior to their flight.

The testing requirements for travelers is being tightened in light of the recent rise in imported COVID-19 cases in Taiwan, many of whom have tested positive upon entry.

Travelers who are unable to present a valid COVID-19 test result upon arrival to Taiwan will be fined NT$10,000 to NT$150,000. (Photo CNA)

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Gadon: Leni, Isko battle in 2nd place of presidential race

Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is not the toughest opponent of Vice President Leni Robredo in the presidential race, it is Manila Mayor Isko Moreno, according to senatorial aspirant Larry Gadon.

Moreno and Robredo are said to be fighting for 2nd place in the presidential race.

Gadon said that Robredo is wrong about the latest result of the Pulse Asia survey, when it was said that the presidential battle between them and Marcos Jr. 

“Mali na naman ang pagbasa ni Leni ng kanyang mga numero kahit inayudahan pa ng kanyang abogadong si Barry Gutierrez,” Gadon said.

He further explained that Moreno only needs 12 percent to catch up with Robredo's 20% survey rating while he said the gap between the two is far from Marcos Jr.'s, who got 53%.

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Job Hiring: Farm Company in Taiwan now hiring farm workers

Summary: 

Company: Farm company

Location: Taiwan

Products: Farm

Job Positions: Dairy Workers, Farm Workers

Agency: Japan Maruko International Corp

Agency address: 14th flr De lean Center Bldg., 1151 MH De Pilar St., Ermita, Manila

Check below job ad :

Primary Requirements:

1. Peos Certificate

2. E Registration

3.  PASSPORT - must be valid at least 2 years.

4.  UMID or SSS Certification 

3.  VOTERS ID or Voters Certification

5.  Latest Photo 2x2 - White Background 

6.  PSA Birth Certificate

Taiwan already allowed farms that grow fruits, vegetables, grains, orchids, livestock, or seafood to hire migrant workers

*This site is not a recruitment agency nor agent, to apply please visit above mentioned recruitment agency.

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Taiwan is a ‘wanderer’ that will eventually come home, China says

Taiwan is a "wanderer" that will eventually come home according to the Chinese government's top diplomat. Taiwan is also "not a chess piece to be played with" it added.

"Taiwan is a wanderer who will eventually come home, not a chess piece to be used by others. China must and will be reunified," China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi said.

China claims democratically governed Taiwan as its own territory and has in the past two years stepped up military and diplomatic pressure to assert its sovereignty claims.

The cause of current tensions was the Taiwan government's attempts to "rely on the United States for independence" and the United States and other countries trying to "use Taiwan to control China."

China had taken "forceful countermeasures" to "shock the arrogance" of those who seek Taiwan's formal independence, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said.

Taiwan's government has repeatedly denounced China's pressure, saying that they will not give in to threats.

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Taipei 101 to welcome 2022 with 16,000 fireworks for over 360 seconds, longest ever

The annual New Year's countdown show at the Taipei 101 will fire off 16,000 fireworks over 360 seconds, one of its longest and biggest displays ever.

The annual show this year adopts the theme "Towards a better future," will also involve animation, music, and a light show in addition to the fireworks, and took around six months to prepare, Taipei 101 Chairman Chang Hsueh-shun (張學舜) said at a press conference at the building, the world's tallest when it opened in 2004.

"We hope to use the theme this year to heal people's hearts and also drum up morale so that the people of Taiwan, along with the international community can look towards a better future of peace, happiness, and a merry 2022," Chang said.

A range of special fireworks displays will be on show during the six-minute display, including dynamic wing-shaped and heart-shaped fireworks, Chang said.

"As long as the weather is good, the beautiful fireworks will look like angels spreading their wings in the sky, and in a way reflect warmth and hope," Chang said.

The fireworks show will follow Taipei's New Year's Eve countdown party held at Taipei City Hall Square, which will include some of the hottest names from the country's entertainment industry.

Indie bands EggPlantEgg and Accusefive, indigenous singer and songwriter A-Lin, pop-rock group Tizzy Bac, rock duo Power Station, and Malaysian pop singer Fish Leong are just some of the big names set to entertain revelers.

Taipei's countdown party is known as one of Taiwan's biggest New Year's Eve celebrations.

To mark the beginning of 2018, 16,000 fireworks were fired from Taipei 101 over 360 seconds to mark the start of the new year. -Central News Agency

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11 members of a family covered by a landslide during the onslaught of typhoon, all died

11 members of a family were covered by a landslide at the abundance of Typhoon Odette and unfortunately all of them died, only the father remained.

Only 5 are currently being found while rescue teams continue to search for the remaining 6 bodies inside the landslide.

According to him, he evacuated his family members first and he requested to left him at home to feed their pets before he left.

But he could not have imagined that an unforgettable nightmare awaited his whole family.

Typhoon Odette, which devastated the Visayas and Mindanao, has left at 375 people dead, according to the tally of the Philippine National Police (PNP). 

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Job Hiring: Whetron Electronics in Taiwan now hiring factory workers, HS grads accepted

Summary: 

Company: Whetron Electronics Co Ltd

Location: Taoyuan, Taiwan

Products: Automotive Parts / Sensors

Job Positions: Factory Workers

Agency: Grand Placement & General Services

Agency address: Address: 1636 F. Agoncillo St. Malate, Manila

Check below job ad :

About Whetron Electronics:

Whetron was established in 1983 with a vision to become the leading supplier of automobile electronic parts for major car manufacturers around the world.

The company started out with remote access products and later expanded to provide Parking Aid System, GEM/BCM, and keyless entry products.

*This site is not a recruitment agency nor agent, to apply please visit above mentioned recruitment agency.

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Job Hiring: Evergreen Sky Catering in Taiwan direct hiring food processing factory workers

Summary:

Company: Evergreen Sky Catering Corporation

Location: Taoyuan, Taiwan

Products: Food Processing

Job Positions: Factory Workers

Check below job ad :

About Evergreen Sky Catering:

Evergreen Sky Catering Corporation designed and built its "Unit II", which can serve up to 70,000 airline meals per day, based on solid experiences accumulated over 20 years from "Unit I" and by combining the top professional technical teams all over the world. 

The three core concepts of the design and operation of the Unit II are: integrating the automation of equipment, machinery and systems, planning the one-stop process of three-dimensional space in combination with operation flow, and ensuring the ultimate purification of waste treatment that meets eco-friendly requirements. 

*This site is not a recruitment agency nor agent, to apply please visit above mentioned recruitment agency.

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Job Hiring: Amkor Technology in Taiwan now hiring factory workers, machine operators

Summary:

Company: Amkor Technology Taiwan Ltd

Location: Taoyuan, Taiwan

Products: Semiconductor

Job Positions: Factory Workers, Machine Operators

Agency: Melakom Global Services Inc

Agency address: 1662 Goodwill Bldg., Leon Guinto St., Malate, Manila

Check below job ad :

Primary Requirements:

1. Passport 

2. UMID or SSS Certification

3. Voter's ID or Voter's Certification

4. E-Registration

5. PEOS

About Amkor:

Amkor Technology Taiwan Ltd. operates as a semiconductor packaging and testing service provider. The Company manufactures and distributes wafer bumps, cladding packages, wafer level packages, and other products. Amkor Technology Taiwan conducts businesses in Asia, America, and other countries and regions.

*This site is not a recruitment agency nor agent, to apply please visit above mentioned recruitment agency.

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Stalking and harrasment is now a criminal offense in Taiwan, max fine of NT$500,000

Taiwan passed bill that makes stalking and and harassment in the country is now a criminal offense.

The bill was signed into law by President Tsai Ing-wen and will take effect in six months. It is expected to provide victims of stalking and harassment with better protections.

"The act is an important first step toward the prevention of gender-based violence," Tsai said.

The act defines stalking and harassment as continuous or repeated actions that are related to sex or gender and frightens the victim and have a negative impact on their daily lives.

The new law lists eight types of behavior as constituting stalking and harassment, including spying on and trailing, following and approaching, threatening and insulting and harassment over the internet.

It also covers pursuing a relationship in an inappropriate manner, sending messages, delivering video clips or other objects by mail to another person, tarnishing someone's reputation or using their identity to buy goods.

Individuals found guilty of any of the eight actions face up to one year in prison and/or a maximum fine of NT$100,000.

Those found guilty of engaging in stalking or harassment while carrying a dangerous weapon can be sentenced to a maximum of five-years in prison and/or a fine of up to NT$500,000.

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Passport validity of OFWs and seafarers, requested to be extended for 2 years

A resolution was filed in the House of Representatives to ask the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to extend for two years the validity of the passports of Filipino seafarers and land-based overseas Filipino workers (OFW).

In House Resolution 2367 filed by Marino party-list Representatives Sandro Gonzales and Macnell Lusotan, they announced that OFWs could lose their jobs due to delayed processing of passports.

"Unfortunate as it may sound, there is an urgent need on the part of the government to support the deployment of OFWs through the extension of the validity of their passports to give them opportunity to be gainfully employed abroad while employment opportunities in the country remain scarce," according to the lawmakers.

Lawmakers want OFWs who are scheduled to be sent abroad to request an extension of the validity of their passports.

He added that it is common for seafarers that their passports must have 18 months of validity before deployment.

The DFA had earlier admitted that there was a backlog in the processing of passport applications and renewals due to limited appointment slots as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Priests urged Catholics to vote for Robredo

 

Activists priest Fr. Robert Reyes of San Isidro Labrador Parish in Quezon City urged to the entire Catholic Church to show support for presidential aspirant VP Leni Robredo.

He urged the cardinals and bishops to join the call on support for Robredo.

"We should support a candidate who is pro-life, pro-religion, pro-people, pro-poor of all the presidentiables Leni is the only moral choice" Fr Reyes said.

Father Robert Reyes is a known critic of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte. He has been in the Duterte administration's crosshairs ever since.

Father Reyes is also known as the running priest for bringing attention to social issues through running.

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Isang pamilya, kabilang ang 89-anyos na lola, kumakapit sa puno upang makaligtas sa bagyo

Ilang miyembro ng isang pamilya, kabilang ang isang 89-anyos na lola, ay natagpuang nakakapit sa isang puno sa Negros Occidental nang hagupitin ng Bagyong Odette ang Visayas at Mindanao.

Nang umabot na sa dibdib ang baha sa Kabankalan, walang nagawa ang pamilya kundi kumapit sa puno para maka survive.

"'Yung pagod at takot mo talagang nagsama-sama. Parang nawawalan na rin ako ng pag-asa. Akala ko nga 'yun na 'yung katapusan namin, e. 'Yung ginawa na lang namin is pray talaga," ayon kay Richie, kabilang sa pamilya.

Sinabi ng isang rescuer na nakita niya ang bahay na lumubog at ang mga miyembro ng pamilya ay nakahawak sa isang puno.

"Sabi namin, huwag kayong bibitaw kasi mag-aantay tayo ng rescue," sabi ng rescuer.

Sinabi ni Lola Lilia, ang 89-anyos na lola, na muntik na siyang sumuko.

"Sabi ko matulog na ako, sa tubig. Iyak nang iyak nga sila. Nagdilim nga hindi ko na sila makita. Sigaw sila nang sigaw, palakas ka! Nay! Sa awa ng Diyos maligtas tayo," sabi ng lola.

Nasagip naman ng ligtas ang pamilya kasama si lola Lilia. Maraming apektadong pamilya ang magpapasko pagkatapos ng Odette.

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Quarantine facilities for OFWs going home to the Philippines are now at critical level: OWWA

Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) announced that the quarantine facilities for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who go home to the Philippines are now at critical level.

There are already 12,500 OFWs in 200 quarantine facilities who were expected to celebrate the holidays.

It is estimated that another 50,000 to 60,000 OFWs will return home, OWWA said.

"Ang gusto sana natin mangyari ay paikliing muli 'yung quarantine levels 'pag fully-vaccinated, negative sa PCR test. Kaya bukas (Dec. 14) sa pagpupulong ng IATF isusulong 'yan," OWWA Administrator Hans Leo Cacdac said.

According to the agency, a quarantine facility is already in use in CALABARZON and some five-star hotels are also in use.

OWWA continues to search for more quarantine facilities.

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Six-month old baby, drinks coffee instead of milk due to poverty

Due to poverty, many children become malnourished due to lack of funding for their daily food. A family from Indonesia ised coffee instead of milk taken by their six month old child.

In one day, the couple earns only 20,000 Indonesian rupees or the equivalent of 50-70 pesos in the Philippines. Safiruddin and Anita work at a coconut plant.

With this kind of income, the rising price of goods, their salary is certainly insufficient for the price of milk. Even the cheapest milk cannot afford, especially with other expenses.

Anyone was concerned about the child's condition probably everyone knows milk is needed instead of coffee that may affect the child's health.

Everyday the baby consumes five glasses of coffee or 1.5 Liters and the parents said the baby is awake all day while playing at night which can be said to be the effect of coffee.

When the officer reached their condition, the Health Agency decided to personally visit the family and reach out for help for the child.  They gave the child milk and biscuits.

Local Social Welfare Officers are currently monitoring the child’s health to make sure there will be no illness and well.

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Undocumented OFW in Taiwan, arrested after vaccination

Isang undocumented migrant worker sa Hsinchu, Taiwan ang inaresto sa isang vaccination site noong Martes m, sa kabila ito ng mga pangako ng Taiwan government na hindi nito huhulihin ang mga undocumented foreign workers.

Nangako ang Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) na hindi aarestuhin ang mga undocumented migrant workers kung sila ay magpapabakuna para sa isang COVID shot.

Nangako si Chen na hindi nila aarestuhin ang mga ito kapag nagpakita sila para sa pagbabakuna, "We can fully guarantee that," ayon kay Chen.

Matapos suriin ng pulisya ang kanyang identity, napagtanto nila na siya ay isang 51-taong-gulang na Philippine national at isang undocumented worker, na nag-udyok sa kanila na arestuhin ang babae at dalhin siya para sa questioning.

Ang pag-aresto sa migrant worker ay isang isolated case at hindi na magkakaroon ng iba pang mga naturang pag-aresto, ayin kay Minister of Labor Hsu Ming-chun.

Larawan mula sa Hsinchu County Police Bureau

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16-year old student from Pangasinan, already achieved more than 200 Medals

More than 200 medals at the age of 15, April Christelle T. De Leon from Lingayen, Pangasinan already achieved this feat. Aside from his medals, he also received many trophies, certificates and sash.

The medals came from different school contests to include Math Quizbees, MTAP Challenge, Campus Journalism, Malikhaing Pagsulat, Science Quizbees, other subjects’ quiz competitions.

April graduated Valedictorian in Grade 6 and, as a Junior High completer, received the highest honors with a general average of 98-100.

April also competed in school beauty pageants and has bagged several titles.

April continued her Senior high School in Chicago, New Trier High School where she also showed excellence.  Currently, she is now in college and attending at Boston College.

Netizens were also very impressed with April's achievements. At such a young age, it is really amazing to have so many medals and not all young people can do it.

(Photos from April's Facebook)

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We pray to God that Omicron won’t enter PH: Duterte

Sinabi ni Pangulong Rodrigo R. Duterte na ipinagdarasal niya na hindi makapasok sa Pilipinas ang bagong variant ng Omicron ng COVID-19.

“I am very happy na bumababa na talaga. Duma-dive na yung ano.. That's a miracle because other countries are still reeling from the effect. Parang nagkaroon sila ng problema sa Omicron," ayon sa Pangulo.

Nagpahayag si Duterte ng pag-asa na hindi na kailangang i-handle ng Pilipinas ang variant na Omicron, ngunit kakayanin ng pamahalaan sakaling pumasok ito sa bansa.

“Tayo, we are not hoping for the best but we pray to God that it will not come to our shores. But if ever dumating, we can cope up with it just as we did with Covid-19,” dagdag niya.

Patuloy na nag-uupdate ang Pilipinas sa mga  quarantine protocol para sa mga travelers mula sa ibang bansa.

Idineklara ng World Health Organization (WHO) na "variant of concern" ang Omicron.

May mga ulat na nagpapakita na ang mga kaso ng Omicron ay natukoy sa dose-dosenang mga bansa sa bawat kontinente maliban sa Antarctica.

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OFW fired by employer after asking for vacation to mourn her mother's death

A Pinay Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) from Hong Kong was fired by her employer after asking for her very first day-off in four straight months of working to mourn her mother.

Rose Suarez, 42, was shocked when his employer suddenly bought him a flight ticket to go home to the Philippines.

Four months straight of working and not a single day-off given according to Rose. She served his employer's family for two years and four months.

Rose didn’t complain even though she hadn’t had a day-off for four months, but when her mother passed away, she begged her employer to take a dayoff to mourn her mother.

“April 23 po yun, Huwebes (the day her mother died). Yun po yung araw na nagpaalam ako na sa darating na Sunday off po ako. Yung araw din na yun ay tinerminate nya ako. Kaya sabi nga po niya hindi na ako mag day-off kasi sa April 30 baba na ako sa kanya,” Rose said.

Her employer said that they were afraid because they might be infected with COVID when Rose returned to Hong Kong.

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Janitor sa NAIA ibinalik ang napulot na bag na may lamang $10k o halos P500,000

Isang janitor sa Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) ang nagturn over kamakailan sa mga awtoridad ng isang bag na naglalaman ng USD10,000, ayon sa Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA).

Nakita ni Jhun Telewik ang isang bag sa isang gang chair sa NAIA Terminal 2 habang siya ay nangongolekta ng basura.

Iniulat ng MIAA na nakita ni Jhun na nandoon pa rin ang bag habang nag-iikot siya sa pangalawang pagkakataon.  

Humingi ng tulong ang Telewik sa mga ground attendant upang hanapin ang may-ari ng bag sa pamamagitan ng paging system.

Dahil sa walang nag-claim ng bag, iniabot ito ni Jhun sa Lost and Found office, kung saan may malaking halaga ng pera ang nakita.

Isang Pinoy ang nagpakilalang anak ng may-ari ng bag ang nag-claim ng mga gamit at sinabi ng mga awtoridad na mayroon siyang mga supporting documents upang patunayan ang kanyang paghahabol.  

Iniabot ng claimant ang USD100 kay Jhun bilang tanda ng pasasalamat. Lubos na pinupuri si Jhun sa kanyang katapatan.

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