1th january - march 2017 filipino ties...pampanga, pangasinan, quezon, rizal, sorsogon, south...

January - March 2017 - Filipino Ties 1

Overseas Filipinos continue to play a key role in nation building especially in the public education sectorRaising the quality of Philippine education remains a big challenge for the government. The state of elementary and secondary education is still beset with lack of teacher competencies, high student-teacher ratios, absence of basic educational facilities, and the quality of classrooms. But the administration of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte is making the education sector one of the priorities of the government, especially in addressing the backlogs accumulated over the decades and in meeting the increasing demand brought about by population growth, as well as the implementation of K-12. This is also in line with the Philippine Development Plan 2017-2022 and the collective long-term vision and aspirations of the Filipino people for the next 25 years – the “AmBisyon Natin 4040” - where Filipino children will receive quality education so that they realize their full potentials and become productive members of society.

Overseas Filipinos Instrumental in Supporting Quality Education of Filipino Children

FILIPINO TIESTHE OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF CFO www.cfo.gov.ph

1 TH QUARTER ISSUE January - March 2017

Two-classroom building donated by various Exchange Visitor Program (EVP) participants to the San Isidro Elementary School in E.B. Magalona, Negros Occidental

(Photo: CFO Project Management Division)

In This Issue P100K Cash Incentive Now Available for Filipino Centenarians Living Abroad...........................3

CSC issues clarificatory rule onstate workers with dual citizenship .................................5

DepED, CFO Visit AlternativeLearning Centers in Sabah................ 5

Philippine Schools Overseas Apply for Senior High School Permit for SY 2017-2018 .................................. 6

CFO Now Accepting Nominations for MAM Awards 2017...........................7

CFO Conducts Capacity-Building on the BaLinkBayan Project in Pangasinan .................................. 8

CFO and PSA Participate in theBangkok Regional Workshop onStrengthening Collection and Useof Migration Data for the SDGs ... 9 MICIC Capacity-Building ............10

CFO accorded by the CSCof PRIME-HRM MaturityLevel II Award ............................ 12

The Dragon Fruit Lady of the North ................................... 13

Project for the OFW LET Passer. 15

Duty and Tax-Exempt ‘Balikbayan’ Boxes and Importation of Returning Residents and OFWs. 17


Thankfully, our overseas Filipino diaspora, is one of the key partners of the government in realizing this dream, as they believe that education is the most precious gift we can ever give our children. While government-funded schools provide free access to education and deliver quality education to most of the underprivileged schooling children, the gap in classroom requirement still exists despite the government’s efforts to lessen the inadequacy.

Realizing this perennial problem of classroom shortage, some overseas Filipino individuals and organizations have come to the rescue and made selfless commitment to minimize the gap of classroom requirement in the Philippines. Guided with their advocacy to provide assistance in facilitating an improved educational facilities in public schools, they have generously funded the construction of new classrooms and rehabilitation of damaged classroom buildings. These donations were coursed through the CFO’s Lingkod sa Kapwa Pilipino (LINKAPIL) Program.

Since the inception of the LINKAPIL Program in 1990, CFO has facilitated the construction/rehabilitation of 219 classrooms in 120 public schools in underserved areas in the country such as Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Aklan, Albay, Aurora, Bataan,

Batangas, Bohol, Bulacan, Cagayan, Camarines Sur, Capiz, Catanduanes, Cavite, Cebu, Davao del Sur, Eastern Samar, Lanao del Norte, Ilocos Sur, Iloilo, Isabela, La Union, Laguna, Lanao del Norte, Leyte, Maguindanao, Marinduque, Masbate, Misamis Oriental, National Capital Region, Negros Occidental, North Cotabato, Northern Samar, Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya, Occidental Mindoro, Pampanga, Pangasinan, Quezon, Rizal, Sorsogon, South Cotabato, Southern Leyte, Surigao del Norte, and Zambales.

The total worth of assistance has reached PhP61.2 million and has benefitted around 11,000 school children. Almost 75% of the classrooms were funded and donated by the Feed the Hungry, Inc. (FtH), a non-profit, charitable organization of overseas Filipinos based in the United States of America and a longtime partner and donor of the LINKAPIL Program.

Just recently on 31 January 2017, the FtH officially turned over a newly constructed two-classroom building to the Taliptip National High School (TNHS) in Bulakan, Bulacan. The classrooms which are now being used by 100 grade 11 senior high school students of TNHS, were sponsored by Mr. and Mrs. Barry Ford.

Two-classroom building donated by FtH at the Taliptip National High School in Bulakan, Bulacan (Photo: CFO Project Management Division)


P100K Cash Incentive Now Available for Filipino Centenarians Living Abroad

President Duterte with a Filipino Centenarian during the signing of the Centenarian Act’s IRR on September 26, 2016.

(Photo: KrizJohn Rosales)

Good news for all Filipino centenarians (100 years old and up) living overseas– you may now apply for your cash incentive worth Php 100,000 from the Philippine government at the nearest Philippine Embassy or Consulate.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) recently approved on March 9, 2017 the Availment of Awards and Incentives for Overseas Filipino Centenarians Guidelines, after the passage of Republic Act 10868 or the Centenarian Act of 2016. The guidelines were drafted by the Commission on Filipinos Overseas

For overseas Filipinos and groups interested to help in the education of less privileged Filipino children either thru building of classrooms or providing scholarships, please coordinate with Mr. Erwin Paul Cristobal of the CFO-Project Management Division at telephone numbers (02) 552-4737 and (02) 561-8327 or through e-mail address, [email protected]. For more information with the LINKAPIL program, you may also visit its website at www.cfo-linkapil.org.ph.

FtH officers at the Bugarin Elementary School in Pililia, Rizal. (Photo: CFO Project Management Division)

Two-classroom building at the FtH at the Buhatan National High School in Sorsogon City


Two-classroom building from the FtH at the Aningway-Sacatihan Elementary School-Annex in Subic, Zambales



FilTies Editorial Team

Editors:Maria Regina Angela Galias

Rodrigo Garcia, Jr.

Contributors:Marita Apattad

Kristine Joy GacerFrencel Louie Tingga

Joanna Lyn RodriguezBenilda PereyraRowena JubinalEvelyn Duriman

Erwin Paul CristobalPatricia Marie Salvador

Princess Mayumi Peralta

Layout:Ernelsa Abelgas

(CFO), which serves as the focal agency in charge with coordination with centenarian applicants based abroad.

Qualified overseas Filipino centenarians may file an application form and submit the required documents, such as proof of identification to the nearest Philippine Embassy or Consulate. The Post shall then coordinate with CFO, who will communicate with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and DFA in order to facilitate, at no cost, the transmittal of both national and local awards and incentives to the recipient through respective Posts.

The Posts will be in charge of awarding both the national and local awards and incentives and may mount a simple celebration during Centenarians Day held every first Sunday of October. Local Government Units (LGUs) from where an overseas centenarian hails from may also opt to award a Plaque of Recognition and cash incentive of indeterminable amount in behalf of the concerned city or municipality.

The guidelines and application form for overseas Filipino Centenarians may be initially downloaded thru the CFO website (cfo.gov.ph) and subsequently

thru the DFA and the Philippine Embassies and Consulates websites.

The Centenarians Act of 2016 pays tribute to all Filipinos who reach 100 years old, whether living in the Philippines or abroad in recognition of their longevity. They will receive letter of felicitation from the President of the Philippines and a “centenarian gift” in the amount of Php 100, 000.

The CFO, the DSWD, the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Department of Health (DOH), were designated to take the lead in the effective implementation of the Act.

President Duterte signed the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of the law on September 26, 2016, days before the observance of the annual Elderly Filipino Week on October 1-7. The first Sunday of October was also declared as the National Respect for Centenarians Day.

Thus, every Centenarians Day, all Filipinos who have reached the age of one hundred during the current year shall be awarded a Plaque of Recognition and a cash incentive by their respective city or municipal governments in appropriate ceremonies in addition to the Letter of Felicitation and Centenarian Gift from the national government and the President of the Philippines himself.

In the case of deceased centenarians, a Posthumous Plaque of Recognition will be awarded through the representatives of the deceased centenarians.

Living to a hundred years is a rarity as life expectancy remains at 69 years, Filipino senior citizens who have lived to a hundred years and over shall always be considered as treasures of the Philippines and should be respected and honored, whether they are living in the country or overseas.

For more information regarding the overseas centenarian, please contact Ms. Patricia Marie M. Salvador of the Policy, Planning and Research Division (PPRD) at telephone number (632) 552-4760 and email [email protected].


A volunteer teacher at the Learning Translation and Review Center in Kenningau, Sabah is teaching the children

how to read. (Photo: Benilda Pereyra)

The Civil Service Commission (CSC) announced that incumbent government employees who have dual citizenship have until tomorrow, March 23, 2017, to renounce their foreign citizenship.

CSC Chairperson Alicia dela Rosa-Bala said that, per CSC Memorandum Circular (MC) No. 23, s. 2016 issued on September 15, 2016, failure to meet the deadline for renouncing foreign citizenship by employees covered by the said policy would result in the recall of the prior approval/validation of their appointments.

Recently, the Commission issued a clarification thru MC No. 8, s. 2017 which states that MC 23, s. 2016 covers only natural born Filipino

citizens who were naturalized in another country and later on reacquired their Filipino citizenship.

“Those who were born to Filipino parents in a state which follows the principle of jus soli are not required to renounce their citizenship,” Chairperson Bala said, adding that Filipino citizens whose foreign citizenship was acquired by birth are not covered by CSC MC 23, s. 2016.

The CSC’s policy on employment in the government service of Filipino citizens with dual citizenship was issued pursuant to Article XI of the 1987 Constitution, Chapter 9 of Executive Order No. 292 also known as the Administrative Code of 1987, as well as Republic Act No. 9225 entitled the Citizenship Retention and Re-Acquisition Act of 2003.

_______________ Source: www.csc.gov.ph/new-updates/1317-csc-issues-clarificatory-rule-on-state-workers-with-dual-citizenship.html

CSC issues clarificatory rule on state workers with dual citizenship

The Team with the pupils and volunteer teachers of Stairway to Hope Learning Center (Photo: Benilda Pereyra)

DepEd, CFO Visit Alternative Learning Centers in Sabah

The Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) joined officials from the Department of Education (DepEd), travelled to Sabah on February 12-15, 2017 to re-assess the situation of the Alternative Learning Centers (ALCs) catering to the children of Filipino ancestry in Sabah.

The team was composed of Assistant Secretary G.H. S. Ambat of the DepEd’s Public Affairs Service and the head of delegation, Director Margarita Consolacion C. Ballesteros of the DepEd-External

Pupils of the Stairway to Hope Learning Center welcomed the visitors through a short program that showcased their

talent in singing. (Photo: Benilda Pereyra)


Partnership Services, Ms. Donnalyn Amor Paras of the Deped – International Cooperation Office, and Ms. Benilda R. Pereyra of the CFO. Accompanying the team during the visit was Atty. Alvin A. Malasig, Third Secretary and Vice Consul of the Philippine Embassy in Kuala Lumpur.

The Team visited four (4) ALCs in Sabah, namely Vision of Hope Learning Center and Learning Translation and Review Center, both in Keningau, Learning Translation and Review Center (Penampang) and Stairway to Hope Learning Center (Inanam).

The ALCs provide community-based basic literacy to undocumented Filipino children in Sabah who have extremely limited access to regular education.

During the visit, the Philippine delegation met with the ALC heads and volunteer teachers to discuss the educational needs of Filipino learners in their centers and related matters. To provide training to the volunteer teachers, the DepEd scheduled a second round of Capacity-Building Workshop for the ALC volunteers in March 2017.

The Filipino community members have so far established and operate six (6) ALCs in Sabah upon the encouragement of and with the support of the Philippine Embassy in Kuala Lumpur. The ALCs are providing basic literacy to some 2,500 undocumented Filipino children1.

1Source: Philippine Embassy in Kuala Lumpur

Philippine Schools Overseas Apply for Senior High School Permit for SY 2017-2018

Dr. Reinita Respicio, School Principal of the International Philippine School in Jeddah (IPSJ) showing the school lobby to Dr. Riza Gusano of the DepEd Senior High School-National Task Force

during the on-line ocular inspection. (Photo: Rowena Jubinal)

Ten Philippine Schools Overseas (PSOs) in the Middle East applied for permit to operate the Senior High School (SHS) program for SY 2017-2018 from the Department of Education (DepEd).

Out of these ten PSOs, the DepEd received five new applications from Second Philippine International School (Riyadh, KSA), Far Eastern Private School - Al Shahba and Al Azra Campus (Sharjah, UAE), The Philippine School (Abu Dhabi, UAE) and Bader International School (Jeddah, KSA).

The other five PSOs namely, United International Private School (Dubai, UAE), Philippine International English School (Fahaheel, Kuwait), International Philippine School in Jeddah (Jeddah, KSA), Al Taj International School (Riyadh, KSA) and Future Generation Philippine International School (Riyadh, KSA), applied for additional strands to offer under their SHS program.

These PSOs have submitted and complied with all the SHS documentary requirements as stated in the DepEd Memorandum No. 4, s. 2014. On-line ocular inspection of these schools is scheduled by the DepEd on 28 February 2017 – 03 March 2017. The online inspection of SHS facilities, teaching and non-teaching personnel and other requirements is conducted to evaluate the application to offer SHS of PSOs. Temporary permits will be issued by the DepEd for those who meet the requirements for the SHS program.


CFO NOW ACCEPTING NOMINATIONS FOR MAM AWARDS 2017

For SY 2016-2017, nineteen out of forty PSOs have been issued permit to operate the SHS program by the DepEd and began accepting enrollees for Grade 11.

Some 500 students are presently enrolled in the SHS program in PSOs taking up Academic track (General Academics, Accountancy and Business Management, Science and Technology, Engineering and Mathematics and Humanities and Social Science) and Arts and Design track.

Cont. from page 6, Philippine Schools Overseas Apply....

Nominations to the Migration Advocacy and Media (MAM) Awards 2017 are now formally open.

Conceived in 2011 by the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) in line with the Celebration of the Month of Overseas Filipinos and International Migrants Day in the Philippines (held every month of December and December 18, respectively), MAM Awards aim to recognize the significant role of the media in information dissemination and advocacy of news and concerns related to migration and development.

Eligible for the Awards are works by any individual, government and private media outlet, institution, or practitioner in the fields of print, radio, movie and television, advertising and internet based in the Philippines and abroad. Entries must have raised public awareness on issues on Filipino migration, advocated the cause of Filipinos overseas, or/and promoted a positive image of Filipinos overseas.

The Migration Advocacy and Media (MAM) Awards consist of six categories - The Print Journalism Award, Radio Journalism, Television Journalism Award, Film Media Award, Interactive Media Award and Advertisement Award.

Entries to the Awards must be submitted on or before June 15, 2017 to MAM Awards Secretariat at Commission on Filipinos Overseas - Manila.

Since 2011, this recognition has been conferred on 50 awardees and serves to highlight the important role of media in tackling Filipino migration issues and concerns.

For more information on MAM Awards, please contact:

MAM Awards Secretariat Commission on Filipinos Overseas, Citigold Center

1345 Pres. Quirino Avenue cor. Osmeña Highway (South Superhighway) Manila, Philippines 1007Telephone Number: (+632) 552-4766 | Facsimile Number: (+632) 561-8327

Email address: [email protected]; [email protected]


Lingayen— The Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO), in partnership with the Public Employment Service Office (PESO) of the Pangasinan Provincial Government, successfully organized a Stakeholders’ Meeting and Capacity-Building Workshop on the BaLinkBayan Project last 21 February 2017 at the PESO Conference Hall, Provincial Capitol, Pangasinan. The BaLinkBayan is one of CFO’s flagship projects launched in 2013, serving as web-based portal for overseas Filipino engagement with the motherland.

immense contributions and resources, so that they can engage in the development processes of the province. It was also a way of giving back to the country’s modern day heroes and heroines for the sacrifices of they have made for their family and the country.

Most importantly, one of the expected outputs of the workshop is the institutionalization of BaLinkBayan as the virtual Migration Resource Center (MRC) in the Local Government Units (LGU) of Pangasinan.

The CFO team also turned over a computer set to Provincial Administrator Nimrod Camba, and PESO Manager Alex Ferrerto jumpstart the implementation of the project.

Pangasinan was chosen as one of the partners of the BaLinkBayan project in consideration of its pioneering activities to address the needs of OFs and their families. It established an MRC in the province which enables their OFs to connect with them even though they are residing or working abroad. Likewise, it has promulgated policies and developed programs specifically for OFs such as investment opportunities under their Investment Code 2016; access to Negosyo Center; and creation of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) Desk.

CFO and PSA Participate in the Bangkok Regional Workshop on

Strengthening Collection and Use of Migration Data for the SDGs

CFO Capacitates Pangasinan LGU on the

BaLinkBayan Project

The activity was fully supported by Governor Amado Espino III and was attended by 35 participants, consisting of representatives from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA-Calasian), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI-Pangasinan), Mayor’s Office, Social Welfare and Development Office, Provincial Information Office (PIO), Provincial Health Office (PHO), and Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP-Secretariat), among others.

During the workshop, participants were oriented by the CFO team led by Mr. Romeo Rosas and Andrea Anolin on the basic concepts on migration, nexus between Migration and Development (M&D), various M&D initiatives in the country, and contents of localized BaLinkBayan portal such as facilitating diaspora philanthropy and investment. They were also informed about the importance of ensuring an accessible, reliable, affordable and real-time information and communication platform between overseas Filipinos (OFs) and local governments.

Moreover, the role of BaLinkBayan was emphasized in addressing the needs of the migrants and their families left behind, and how it could help the LGU in providing quality service to its overseas clients. Through the project, the Provincial Government of Pangasinan could harness the

(Photo: Mayumi Peralta)


The United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) and the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UN ESCAP), jointly organized a regional workshop on strengthening the collection and use of international migration data for the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development for selected countries in South and South-East Asia on January 31 – February 3, 2017 at UN Conference Centre in Bangkok, Thailand. The workshop was led by Keiko Osaki-Tomita and Haoyi Chen of the UN Statistics Division and Margarita Guerrero of UN ESCAP.

Country delegates include representatives from Thailand, Pakistan, Nepal, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Philippines, Sri Lanka, and India; majority are statisticians from the National Census of the respective countries.

The workshop aims to increase the capacity of participating countries to produce comprehensive national migration data that meets international standards, and to enhance understanding of the uses and limitations of migration data for policy purposes and for the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. In 2015, UN adopted a set of goals to end poverty and ensure prosperity for all as part of a new sustainable development agenda. Each goal has specific targets, including migration-related goals, to be achieved over the next 15 years.

Philippine representatives Mr. Frencel Tingga of the Commission on Filipinos Overseas and Ms. Plenee Castillo of the Philippine Statistics Authority gave a presentation on the Philippine administrative data on migration statistics and initiatives of the government on data harmonization of migration statistics. They specifically discussed data collection on emigrants and OFWs and the establishment of the Philippine Inter-Agency Council on Migration Statistics and Overseas Filipino Information System, which aims to harmonize all the efforts of the government in generating Philippine migration data. So far, the Philippines has only this kind of partnership, among the country participants.

Other countries also presented their data collection efforts, which may be replicated in the Philippines, particularly that of Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics which collects data on reintegration thru their census and Nepal Central Bureau of Statistics which has data on its foreign born population classified by country

CFO and PSA Participate in the Bangkok Regional Workshop on

Strengthening Collection and Use of Migration Data for the SDGs

(Photo: Frencel Louie Tingga)


origin, age group, length of stay and main reason for staying, among others.

Issues and challenges were also raised during the workshop such as that of Pakistan not being able to conduct census for two decades because of the internal conflict in the country, need for clearer concepts in measuring migration-related SDGs such as “well managed migration policies” and “recruitment cost”, and difficulty in measuring SDGs migration indicators, especially for countries that do not thoroughly collect data on its migrant population.

With the SDG principle of leaving no one behind, including migrants, the UN recommended to country participants the use of UN recommended concepts and definitions on migration, better collection of data on the migrant population, utilization of the different data sources (census, administrative data, surveys, big data, data from international organizations, etc.), strengthening of regional cooperation, and partnership of data producers on migration to have a comprehensive set of migration statistics relevant in measuring SDGs.

In the framework of the EU-funded project Migrants in Countries in Crisis: Supporting an Evidence-based Approach for Effective and Cooperative State Action, the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD) is leading a series of six regional capacity building Seminars on Crisis Preparedness and Consular Contingency Planning, in cooperation with the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO).

These Seminars have introduced consular staff of various countries to the Migrants in Countries in Crisis (MICIC) Initiative (www.micicinitiative.iom.int) and the foundations of consular contingency

planning which project aims at enhancing states’ prevention, preparedness and response capabilities to address the specific needs and mitigate the vulnerabilities of migrants in countries in crisis


and address possible long-term impacts of such crises, including the mass return or mass departure of migrants.

Building on the knowledge gained in the Seminars, a two-day Follow-up Training will take place within two to three months of each seminar to strengthen skills in developing and implementing consular contingency plans taking into consideration the vulnerabilities and needs of migrants (nationals abroad); improve knowledge of multi-stakeholder coordination in crisis contexts and coordination and reinforce

cooperation between different actors; and provide the training and tools needed for participants to share their skills with embassy colleagues.

The seminars and follow-up trainings included presentations from the Philippines’ Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Labor and Employment and other experts highlighting relevant good practices and lessons learnt in consular crisis contexts, as well as interactive workshops on contingency planning, crisis scenario exercises, panel discussions, among others.

Bangkok Seminar 5-6 February 2017

(Photos: Rod Garcia)

Atty. Raul Dado, Executive Director of DFA OUMWA, former CFO Secretary ImeldaNicolas, former PH Ambassador Bayani Mangibin with ICMPD and participants of the training.

Atty. Dado and former Secretary Nicolas facilitating the workshop on contingency planning.

Beirut Follow-up Training 28 February – 1 March 2017

(Photos: Ivy Miravalles)

Former PH Ambassador Fortunato Oblena moderating the group exercise on multi-stakeholder coordination.

Mr. Enrik Revillas, Chargé d’ Affaires of the PH Embassy in Lebanon and formerPH Ambassador Oblena with ICMPD and participants of the training.

Abidjan Seminar 15-16 March 2017

(Photos: Joanna Lyn Rodriguez)

Former PH Ambassador Bayani Mangibin and Ms. Joanna Lyn Rodriguez of the CFOwith ICMPD and participants of the Abidjan seminar.

Ms. Rodriguez facilitating the workshop on contingency planning.


The Commission on Filipinos Overseas, due to its outstanding practices in the area of Human Resource Management (HRM) among other government agencies, was recently been accorded by the Civil Service Commission (CSC) of the prestigious PRIME-HRM Award for meeting the HR Maturity Level 2. The recognition indicates systematic HR mechanisms and competencies of the Commission on Performance Management, Learning and Development and Rewards and Recognition. The ceremony was held on March 8, 2017 in Novotel Hotel, Quezon City.

To be an awardee of Prime-HRM profoundly signifies that the CFO is now able to exhibit its readiness to perform delegate HR functions, formulate SOPs and automating systems. This would also give certain privileges, one of which is an authority to take final actions on appointments.

The method of selection of the agency-awardees was solely based on how the agency performs in the four core systems—Recruitment, Selection and Placement; HRD Learning and Development; Performance Management System; and Rewards and Recognition. The four core systems were precisely deliberated by the CSC directors before the final decision would be established. Hence, the CFO became qualified because of reaching three out of four standards stated previously having the fourth system validated last year for Level 2 status.

The CFO was able to exert and demonstrate maturity in most of the required resource systems such as sufficient training to staff and improved performance of the agency following the implemented measures and processes in line with the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and other international standards of Prime-HRM.

Ms. Alicia dela Rosa-Bala of the CSC awarded the Certificate of Recognition to CFO represented by Ms. Cindy San Pedro who is also the CFO’s lead HR officer.

CFO accorded by the CSC of PRIME-HRM Maturity

Level II Award


If there’s only one fruit that would make it to the eco-tourism map of Ilocos Norte, it would be no other than the Dragon Fruit. The first and biggest Dragon Fruit Plantation and Resort in the Philippines – the REFMAD (which stands for Rare Eagle Forest Marine Agricultural Development), was established in Burgos, Ilocos Norte. The Plantation and Resort sells fresh dragon fruits and showcases all of the products derived from it. In fact, almost every day, group of tourists going to or coming from Pagudpud drop by REFMAD to taste one of its bestseller offerings – the dragon fruit ice cream.

REFMAD was the brainchild of Edita Dacuycuy, also known as the dragon fruit lady of the North. A mother of four, she started out with just a small backyard garden of dragon fruit for her daughter Kate who is afflicted with cerebral palsy, a neurological condition that affects physical and brain activities. Some of the indications of the disorder are constipation and problem in bowel movement. The scaly bright pink exotic fruit reminiscent of dragon scales, proved to be good for the digestive problem of her daughter, that she eventually expanded her property to plant more of the vine-like epiphytic cactus. With the help of her late husband and other daughter who

studied dragon fruit technology abroad, REFMAD now covers a total area of 30 hectares. It also has cottages and accommodations with swimming pools for guests who would like to stay overnight or longer to witness the midnight blooming of dragon fruit flowers, experience life in a farm or participate during the dragon fruit harvest festival.

Edita heard of the OF-ReD Project directly from the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte. She was encouraged to apply for a particular project – that is procuring lightbulbs to be used as artificial lighting for the fruit – so it could still produce flowers even during off-season or short day-months from October to March. The cactus usually does not produce fruits

The Dragon Fruit Lady of the NorthEdita Dacuycuy of REFMAD Farm

The 30-hectare REFMAD Dragon Fruit Plantation(Photo: Frencel Louie Tingga)

(Photo: Frencel Louie Tingga)


during offseason because it is a long-day flowering plant which requires shorter dark nights to produce flowers. With the technology she acquired with the assistance from OF-ReD, she is now able to produce fruits all-year long. She was also able to explore more possibilities with the Dragon Fruit-making it a “wasteless” product. Aside from the ice cream, other dragon fruit food and beauty health products that are being sold at REFMAD include wine, vinegar, tea, cookies, hopia, lumpia, and soap.

Edita is truly thankful for having been blessed with an opportunity to generate more jobs for fellow Ilocanos and to improve the Dragon Fruit industry of the country. She has seven regular employees working full time in the plantation, and additional 15 on-call, especially during harvest season. She is also helping and technically assisting several other dragon fruit growers nationwide. Over the years, her efforts and innovativeness have been widely recognized both locally and internationally. Edita hopes to encourage more people to improve their lives through the Dragon Fruit, just the way it brought success to her family.

The Overseas Filipinos Remittance for Development (OF-RED) is a project of the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO), in partnership with the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte (PGIN), Cooperative Bank of Ilocos Norte (CBIN), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Western Union Foundation (WUF). It is designed to address the goal of harnessing the potential of overseas remittances for poverty reduction and consequently, local economic development. It aims to support policies that transform overseas remittances for development, savings and investments, and build up viable collective remittance fund. The project’s pilot area is the province of Ilocos Norte, in the northern region of the Philippines. Beneficiaries are mostly returning Ilocano women migrants and dependents of overseas Ilocano migrants.For more information, please visit ofredtipudno.com.

Dragon fruit ice cream is the bestseller food product of REFMAD (Photo: Frencel Louie Tingga)

The Commission on Filipinos Overseas aims forISO 9001:2015 Certification to serve you better.

(Photo: Ernelsa V. Abelgas)


The “Sa Pinas, Ikaw ang Ma’am/Sir” (SPIMS) project of the National Reintegration Center for OFWs (NRCO) of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is an OFW reintegration convergence undertaking which provides opportunities for OFW that are Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET) passers to return to the country, find employment and practice their profession as teachers.

The program aims to bring back the overseas Filipino workers to the Philippines and encourage them to give up migration by providing them employment and skills enhancement through re-training.

LET passers are offered with Teacher I positions and are also offered re-training of skills needed for the said position. The re-training is through the Online Refresher Course which will update and enhance the pedagogic skills and knowledge of inactive teachers, and those licensed professional teachers employed in non-teaching positions abroad. It is a flexible and self-paced program designed for maximum re-learning of various foundational competencies in particular specializations. It helps education degree graduates to be updated with the demands of the present day educational practice.

According to the data of DOLE, there are already 473 OFW teacher-applicants under the program, with the overwhelming majority coming from Hong Kong which accounted for 33 applicants, followed by Qatar, with 27 applicants, then Saudi Arabia

with 23; Thailand, 22; Israel, 15; Taiwan, 17; and Singapore, 10; including 22 from other countries.

The qualifications for the project are the following:

• OFW LET Passers– with teaching experience within the last five (5)

years– with teaching experience beyond five (5) years*– Without teaching experience**(need to undergo refresher course)

• OFW who have arrived home for not more than three (3) years based on the current year.

For interested OFW LET passers, the following are the steps to apply:

• Accomplish the Application Form online at http://bit.ly/ofwletpassersteacherph

• Visit the nearest DOLE Regional Office, if applicant is already in the Philippines, or the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO), if still abroad.

• Contact the National Reintegration Center for OFWs (NRCO), ground floor, Blas F. Ople Development Center, cor. Solana and Victoria Sts., Intramuros, Manila at [email protected] or [email protected] with tel. nos. (02) 527-6184, 526-2663, and 526-2453.

(Photo: Asian Development Bank)

“Sa Pinas, Ikaw ang Ma’am/Sir”

Project for OFW LET Passers

The Commission on Filipinos Overseas aims forISO 9001:2015 Certification to serve you better.


To learn more about SPIMS, the following are the contact details of the DOLE-NRCO regional offices:

RO 6- WESTERN VISAYASSwan-Rose Building, Commission Civil St.Jaro, Iloilo City 5000Tel. No.: (033) 320-8026, 330-0910 | Fax: (033) 509-0400NRCO Coordinator: MR. BERNARD I. SIBAY

RO 7- CENTRAL VISAYAS3rd and 4th Fir. DOLE-R07 Building Gen.Maxilom Ave. corner Gorordo Ave. Cebu CityTel. No.: (032) 266-9722, 266-2792 | Fax: (032) 416-6167NRCO Coordinator: MR. DEXTER PARORO 8- EASTERN VISAYASTrece Martirez St., Tacloban CityTel. No.: (053) 325-6293 | Fax: (053) 325-5236Designate NRCO Coordinator: MS. NIACHUA

RO 9- ZAMBOANGA PENINSULARight Wing, 3rd Floor QNS Building,Veterans Avenue, Tumaga, Zamboanga CityTel. No.: (062) 991-2673, 995-01511 Fax:(062) 955-0214NRCO Coordinator: MR. SHERWIN R. MENDIZABEL

RO 10- NORTHERN MINDANAOMonte Carlo Building, RER Phase 1 Kauswagan National Highway, Cagayan de Oro CityTel. No: (088) 857-2218 | Fax: (088) 857-1930NRCO Coordinator: MS. MARY GIL A. DAMASING

RO 11- DAVAO4th Floor, Davao Ching Printers Building Dacudao Ave. cor. Lakandula St., Agdao, Davao CityTel. No.: (082) 221-5702, 226-2481 | Fax: (082) 226-2671NRCO Coordinator: MS. REA B. SA-AN

RO 12- CENTRAL MINDANAO102 Acepal Building, Mabini Extension, Koronadal CityTel. No.: (083) 228-4920 | Fax: (083) 228-2190, 520-0125NRCO Coordinator: MS. JEANETTE F. ENOLPE

CARAGA ADMINISTRATIVE REGIONNIMFA TUI Building., J.P. Rosales Avenue, Butuan CityTel. No.: (085) 225-3229,815-0468 | Fax: (085) 225-3229NRCO Coordinator: MS. NANCY P. JACINTO

The dissemination of the said program is also being undertaken by CFO in support to the government’s effort to vigorously promote the project using all the possible means of public communication. This would enable the government to further improve and expand its services to our growing overseas communities.

NATIONAL CAPITAL REGION (NCR)DOLE-NCR Building, 967 Maligaya St., Malate, ManilaTel No: 310-4011, 400-6011, 310-7575, 303-5921NRCO Coordinator: MR. MARCO ANTHOLIN T. SANTOS

CORDILLERA ADMINISTRATIVE REGION (CAR)Cabinet Hill, Baguio CityTel No: (074) 442-2447; 424-0824 | Fax No: (074) 443-5339NRCO Coordinator: MS. ESMERALDA A. POCDIHON

RO 1- I LOCOSARNEL Bldg., Mabini St., Catbangen,San Fernando City, La UnionTel No: (072) 700-2520, 700-3879, 700-4371NRCO Coordinator: MS. ETHEL B. SALIENDRA

RO 2- CAGAYAN VALLEYTuringan Building, Campos St. Caritan Centro,Tuguegarao City, CagayanTel Nos.: (078) 844-0133, 844-1364, 844-1383, 844-5516 Fax: (078) 844-1553NRCO Coordinator: MS. SHEILANEE A. MAMURIC

RO 3- CENTRAL LUZONDiosdado Macapagal Regional Government Center Barangay Maimpis, San Fernando, PampangaTel No: (045) 455-1613 | Fax: (045) 455-1613NRCO Coordinator: MS. FREYA E. PALAD

RO 4-A- CALABARZON3rd and 4th Floors, Anderson Building II Brgy. Parian, Calamba, LagunaTel No: (049) 545-7357, 545-7360 | Fax: (049) 545-7360NRCO Coordinator: MS. MELANIE JEAN S. MONTAS

RO 4-B- MIMAROPA3rd Floor CONFIL Bldg., Roxas Drive cor. Sampaguita St., Lumangbayan Calapan City, Oriental MindoroTel Nos.: (043) 288-2080/ 288-2078NRCO Coordinator: MS. ANDREA JOY A. LEUTERIO

RO 5- BICOLDona Aurora St., Old Albay, Legaspi City 4500Tel No. (052) 820-4806, 480-0984 | Fax: (052) 480-0984NRCO Coordinator: MS. KRISTINA B. OLIVEROS

Duty and Tax-Exempt ‘Balikbayan’ Boxes and Importation of Returning

Residents and OFWs


Duty and Tax-Exempt ‘Balikbayan’ Boxes and Importation of Returning

Residents and OFWs

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) and the Department of Finance (DOF) signed Customs Administrative Order (CAO) 05-2016 and 06-2016, that serve as the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) on Section 800 (f and g) of Republic Act No. 10863, otherwise known as the Customs and Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA).

The Administrative Orders cover the sending of Balikbayan boxes by Qualified Filipinos While Abroad (QFWA) to their families and relatives in the Philippines through the consolidated shipment and importation of personal and household effects belonging to returning residents, which took effect on 25 December 2016.

Under CAO 05-2016, Balikbayan boxes sent by the QFWA are exempted from payment of duties and taxes, up to three (3) times and shall not exceed Php150,000.00 in a calendar year.

Under the said Order, only qualified Filipinos abroad may avail of duty and tax free privileges on Balikbayan boxes containing personal effects and households goods. The QFWA are composed of the following:

1. Holders of valid passport issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and certified by Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) or Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) for overseas employment purposes, regardless of profession;

2. Non-resident Filipinos who have established permanent residency abroad but retained their Filipino citizenship; and


3. Resident Filipino citizens who temporarily stay abroad (may include holders of student visa, investors’ visa, tourist visa, and similar visas which allow them to establish temporary stay abroad).

A QFWA shall accomplish, sign and submit the Information Sheet, which will be issued by BOC and shall serves as the packing list and shall contain the following:a. Complete name of the shipper/sender, date of birth,

citizenship, passport details, address abroad and in the Philippines, contact number and email address, if any;

b. Relationship of the shipper/sender to the consignee;c. Contact number, postal and e-mail address of consignee;d. Total value of contents and number of Balikbayan boxes;e. Packing list information which shall contain an itemized

listing of all goods in each Balikbayan Box and their respective quantities and description;

f. Number of availment within the calendar year; and g. Other essential information as may be required by the BOC.

1

A QFWA shall submit the following supporting documents:a. Photocopy of a page of his/her Philippine passport with

personal information, picture and signature, or photocopy of his/her foreign passport with personal information, picture and signature plus proof of copy of dual citizenship; and,

b. Invoice, receipt or equivalent document covering the goods in the Balikbayan box, if any.

2

The international forwarder/consolidator shall submit the Information Sheets and supporting documents in a secured electronic format to local (Philippine) forwarder/deconsolidator.

3

The local forwarder/deconsolidator shall transmit to the BOC the Information Sheet and supporting documents in a secured electronic format before the arrival of the Balikbayan boxes to the Philippines and within the period prescribed:a) For consolidated shipments by sea:

a. For shipments that will take 3-day shipping time: 24 hours prior to arrival

b. For shipments that will take 7-day shipping time: 48 hours prior to arrival

c. For shipments coming from America, Europe, Middle East, and other parts of the world that does not fall under the above shipping time: 10 days prior to arrival.

b) For consolidated shipments carried by aircraft:a. For those coming from Asia – 1 hour prior to arrivalb. For those coming from other countries – 6 hours prior

to arrival

4

A QFWA shall also certify that only personal effects and household goods, which shall not be in commercial quantities, are sent through Balikbayan boxes.

5

To qualify under the said privileges, the following requirements must be met:


Aside from the privileges for sending Balikbayan boxes, CMO 06-2016 also allows returning residents and OFWs to bring in, tax and duty-free personal and household effects used for comfort and convenience during their stay abroad accompanying them on their return or within sixty (60) calendar days after the owner’s return. Tax and duty exemption shall not exceed the following Free Carrier (FCA) or Free on Board (FOB) values:

1. Three Hundred Fifty Thousand Pesos (PhP350,000.00) for those who have stayed in foreign country for a period of at least ten (10) years and have not availed of this privilege within ten (10) years prior to the returning resident’s or OFW’s arrival;

2. Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Pesos (PhP250,000.00) for those who have stayed in a foreign country for a period of at least five (5) but not more than ten (10) years and have not availed of this privilege within five (5) years prior to the returning resident’s or OFW’s arrival; or

3. One Hundred Fifty Thousand Pesos (PhP150,000.00) for those who have stayed in a foreign country for a period of less than five (5) years and have not availed of this privilege with six (6) months prior to the returning resident’s or PFW’s arrival.

In addition, returning OFWs are allowed duty and tax exemption privileges for household appliances and other durables in the amount not exceeding PhP150,000.00 subject to the following conditions:

1. The goods shall be limited to one of every kind. Any excess in the allowed number of appliances shall be subject to payment of corresponding duties and taxes;

2. The privilege may only be availed once in a given calendar year;

3. Such goods are brought in as accompanied baggage or arriving before or after but not later than sixty (60) days from date of the return of the OFW barring unforeseen or fortuitous event; and

4. The amount of appliances in excess of FCA value of P150,000.00 shall be subject to corresponding duties and taxes.

The above mentioned tax and duty exemption shall, however, limited to personal and household effects, including other durable and shall exclude the following items:

a. Luxury items, unless covered by a pre-departure Certificate of Identificationb. Vehiclesc. Watercraftsd. Aircraftse. Animalsf. Donationsg. Goods intended for barter, sale or for hireh. Goods in Commercial Quantityi. Regulated Goods in excess of the limits allowed by regulations j. Prohibited and restricted goods

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