In honor of National Migrant Workers’ Day, Sun Life Philippines recently concluded the Global Pinoy Health and Financial Wellness Day, a whole-day celebration in collaboration with the Blas F. Ople Policy Center and Training Institute, a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting and promoting the rights and welfare of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs). The event highlighted Sun Life’s unwavering commitment to the welfare and future of OFWs.
(From L to R) Cheryl Maxine P. Loyola, AVP and Head, PLDT Home Marketing PR, 5-Million PLDT Home Rewards 2022 Grand Giveaway Promo Winner, Partner of 5-Million PLDT Home Rewards 2022 Grand Giveaway Promo Winner, Jason Ignacio, AVP and Head, PLDT Home Loyalty and Planning
There are about 490,000 Filipino seafarers working on ships around the world, ensuring the safety and enjoyment of passengers on cruise ships, and helping make sure that cargo arrives safely to their destinations.
One seafarer who has been away from his family for most of the past 12 years—missing Christmases, New Year celebrations, his son’s first steps and birthdays—says he can now be with them full time, thanks to the PLDT Home Rewards Grand Giveaway Promo’s P5 million prize! From the simple desire to earn rewards and discounts from their PLDT Home subscription via the PLDT Home Rewards program, the 36-year-old OFW won the ultimate cash prize in the second year of PLDT Home Reward’s Grand Giveaway promo.
Responding to the need of Filipino migrant workers in Hong Kong for access to doctors who speak their language, Metro Pacific Investments Corporation’s (MPIC) mWell partnered with the Department of Migrant Workers to enable Overseas Filipino Workers (DMW) to conveniently consult Pinoy doctors using the mWell app. The collaboration was launched at the town hall meeting with key DMW officials and leaders of the Filipino Community (FILCOM) at the Philippine Consulate General in Hong Kong. As the Philippines’ first and only health app available globally, this milestone marks the first step in mWell’s mission to bring healthcare closer to Filipinos in all parts of the world.
Metro Pacific Investments Corporation’s mWell, the Philippines’ first fully integrated and fully digital health and wellness app,enables the delivery of healthcare services to Overseas Filipino Workers(OFWs) and their families via a partnership with the Department of Migrant Workers.
Breaking barriers through digital healthcare, mWell will provide over 1.8 million OFWs with 24/7 access to family doctors, specialists, and mind health experts.Wherever they may be in the world, they may choose from hundreds of highly-trained Filipino partner-doctors on the mWell app—internal medicine specialists, cardiologists, endocrinologists, ophthalmologists, and more. In just a few taps, they can consult right away withFilipino-speaking doctors, 24/7 or book an appointment at their convenience.
In a heartwarming 45-second video featuring the iconic and sentimental Yuletide ballad “Pasko na, Sinta ko” (Christmas is here, my love), PLDT Home puts a spotlight on the uniquely Filipino touch of celebrating Christmas by connecting with family and loved ones. Aired over PLDT Home’s social media channels, the video depicts how the Filipino tradition of coming home for Christmas transcends even distance as many rely on the internet to keep family connections strong, especially in trying times.
Topping all other Filipino merry-making traditions, like karoling, parol, and bibingka, Christmas for Pinoys won’t be complete without hearing the familiar voices and seeing the bright faces of loved ones by our side. And if we can’t be with them personally, the next best option is to be with them virtually, powered by the country’s fastest internet connection, PLDT Home.
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Our kababayang OFWs benefitted from the expertise and experience of special guest speaker Marissa del Mar. |
In the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, one of the more seriously affected sectors are the Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW), who have long been acknowledged as the economic heroes of the country. OFWs, estimated to number 2.566 million are responsible for a total of $20.38 billion in remittances for the first nine months of 2021, an important lifeline in a developing country such as the Philippines.
However, while global travel restrictions remain fluid, altering or even impeding their long-planned homecoming events, OFWs are being encouraged to direct their energies towards a positive goal: achieving and sustaining financial health. Many are now learning that they can provide for their families—and contribute to the Philippine economy—even as they go from being spenders to being savers and investors.
“Mga bagong bayani.”
Around 10 million Filipinos live and work overseas-- seafarers, nurses, caregivers, hotel staff, construction workers, oil field personnel and many more-- help drive the Philippine economy through remittances they send back home. Considered the world’s fourth largest recipient of remittances next to India, China and Mexico, OFW remittances account for about 9% of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP).
While working overseas is a dream for many, it comes with its own set of challenges and sacrifices such as not being physically present for milestones of loved ones or not being able to take full control of where the money they send really goes to.
This is why GCash has designed its features to be accessible to Filipinos overseas. It’s hard enough to be away from home, and being able to support our families should not be any more difficult.
Those based in the Philippines have experienced the ease and convenience GCash has to offer, and those abroad can experience the same, too.
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| Golden Haven has launched Kabayan Rewards, a referral program that presents significant income opportunities to OFWs worldwide. |
The Overseas Filipino Worker has long been a symbol of the enduring values and enterprising spirit of the Filipino. Their persistent hard work to help support their families back home has done immeasurable good for the country.
Consider how OFWs’ contributions to our national coffers could help mitigate the economic fallout from a raging pandemic. The latest figures from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) reveal that overseas Filipino workers’ cumulative cash remittances amounted to $16.616 billion in the first half of 2021 alone. However one looks at it, OFWs, now numbering 2.2M, are helping reboot the economy despite intermittent lockdowns.
To show gratitude for their immense sacrifices, Golden Haven, a leading name in the deathcare industry, has launched Kabayan Rewards, a referral program that presents significant income opportunities to OFWs worldwide. This encourages OFWs to refer any number of their fellow Filipino workers to Golden Haven and spur them to invest in its wide array of products—memorial lots, columbarium vaults, family estates, and even professionally curated mausoleums called “The Golden Shrines”.
Digital financial services leader PayMaya is making it even easier for overseas Filipinos to pay for government fees and for their family's utility bills through the PayMaya e-wallet app.
In time for Labor Day on May 1, PayMaya opened this service for Filipinos overseas so they can now use their Philippine mobile SIM on roaming to register for a PayMaya account, allowing them to perform transactions such as paying government dues or utility bills, as well as sending money to other PayMaya users, even while abroad.
“Our vision of Digital Finance for All Filipinos includes our hardworking countrymen abroad, our modern-day heroes,” said Orlando Vea, Founder and CEO of PayMaya. “Having a PayMaya account wherever you are in the world can empower Filipinos overseas and help them stay connected with their loved ones in the Philippines.”
According to 2020 data released by the Philippine Statistics Authority, there are an estimated 2.2 million Filipinos who are currently working abroad, with millions more who have already migrated and can still benefit from a strong fintech platform that can help them and their families who are still in the Philippines.
Expanding financial inclusion for Filipinos worldwide
Paying for government fees such as taxes and social insurance contributions while abroad is among the top concerns of Filipinos overseas. For example, those who are currently abroad can easily use their PayMaya accounts to conveniently pay their individual Social Security System (SSS) contributions using the SSS mobile app, as well as nominate their PayMaya accounts to receive loan proceeds and other disbursements from the agency.
“Since 2019, this partnership between the Social Security System (SSS) and PayMaya has opened doors for many overseas-based Filipinos to easily and speedily remit contributions and receive disbursements to the pension fund--made all the more crucial during these trying times when mobility is limited to help curb the spread of COVID-19. This new offering from PayMaya will allow even more Filipinos to derive benefits and take advantage of the services offered by SSS, from practically anywhere in the world,” said Aurora C. Ignacio, SSS President and CEO.
PayMaya recently piloted the service in Singapore with positive feedback from Filipinos in the city-state, especially since many lack credit cards and other financial instruments that allow them to easily conduct financial transaction back home.
On top of government payments, overseas Filipinos can also pay their or their families’ bills through the more than 500 active billers available in the PayMaya app. On top of this, they can also send money to other PayMaya users in the Philippines or to any of the more than 37,000 Smart Padala centers nationwide once they have added money to their accounts.
To start using PayMaya abroad, all they have to do is download the PayMaya app on their phones (https://official.paymaya.com/CAK1/425eb133) and register using their Philippine mobile SIM with international roaming activated, their address in the Philippines, as well as a valid Philippine ID such as Passport, Driver’s License, UMID, SSS ID with Digitized photo, PRC License and Postal ID. Once done, they can Add Money to their account through VISA, Mastercard, or JCB debit or credit cards, or through PayMaya’s international remittance partners such as Western Union and Moneygram.
Through its app and wallet, PayMaya provides over 28 million Filipinos with access to financial services. Customers can conveniently pay, add money, cash out or remit through its over 200,000 digital touchpoints nationwide.
Its Smart Padala by PayMaya network of over 37,000 partner agent touchpoints nationwide serves as last-mile digital financial hubs in communities, providing the unbanked and underserved with access to digital services. To know more about PayMaya's products and services, visit www.PayMaya.com or follow @PayMayaOfficial on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
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| Golden Haven memorial lots currently range from Php 53,800 for a single lawn lot to Php 10M for mausoleums. |
In the wake of a turbulent year that upended jobs and threw people’s income opportunities in disarray, more Filipinos are now taking a hard look at investment options that could provide a safety net for the uncertain times. And one sector that is especially seen as potential investors is that of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs).
Hardworking OFWs all over the world are aptly regarded as “mga bagong bayani” for helping keep the Philippine economy afloat through the remittances they send home. Their immense contribution to our national coffers can’t be understated. The Philippine Statistics Association discloses that in 2020 alone, these Filipinos sent an average of $2.8 billion despite the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, recent surveys reveal that OFWs are utilizing their remittances for investments as preparation for their retirement.
Haira Aba, 29 years old, is the breadwinner of her family in Datu Paglas in Maguindanao. She applied for a job as a domestic helper in Qatar and travelled to Manila. But the COVID-19 pandemic came, overseas travel came to a halt, and as a result, she has been stuck in Manila for the past four months.
The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted businesses in many aspects, including their workforce. Unemployment is expected to increase as local companies lay off their employees, not to mention the repatriated Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and job-hunting fresh graduates. 
Be informed. Be connected. Be empowered. Visit Lingkod Kabayan (me.mytfc.com), the community site for every overseas Filipino in the Middle East
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It is another year to recognize twelve OFWs and their families via the MoneyGram Idol Awards which is now at its second year held at the Solaire Resort and Casino. It is a celebration of the contributions of their hardwork to the economy and also relative who benefit from the fast remittance service by Moneygram.
The registration for the 2019 Philippine National elections has gone into full swing and key agencies catering to overseas Filipinos are preparing to launch new global campaigns. 
Roses, hearts, and googly eyes everywhere this month of love, but to an OFW,this is just an ordinary month. Thanks to modern technology, we can stayconnected to our loved ones 24/7, but when bouts of homesickness kicks-in,video calls sometimes just don’t cut it anymore.
OFWs have long enjoyed travel tax exemption privileges under Section 2 of PD 1183, due to their significant contribution to our national economy. During the previous Holiday season though, and in Holiday Seasons past, those who wished to take advantage of their travel tax exemption had to obtain a certificate from the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA), for which there was a fee. This Holiday Season will be the first in which OFWs will no longer need to pay for and obtain a separate Travel Tax Exemption Certificate.
The Christmas season is all about the spirit of giving. And give is what the American Eye Center, the country’s leading eye care center, will do this Yuletide season.
