Philhealth to Establish Presence in Hong Kong; Invites Filipinos to Attend Gathering
at Bayanihan Center
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The Consulate General is pleased to announce the forthcoming launch of a regular representative mission of
the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) to spearhead information assistance,
benefitsavailment and membership registration services or Filipinos in Hong Kong.
The PhilHealth official, who will be in Hong Kong for two weeks every quarter, will perform her duties for the
first time on 03-16 August.
Dr. Rey B. Aquino, PhilHealth President and CEO said that the move is in response to the clamor of OFWs for
PhilHealth to bring its services closer to its members and to establish a presence in countries were there is a
high concentration of Filipinos. “We are taking this initial step to partially address the PhilHealth needs of our
hardworking compatriots in Hong Kong,” he said. “Eventually, we hope to replicate this initiative in other
countries like Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan and even the Middle East where a lot of OFWs earn a living for their
families.”
The PhilHealth representative will be in Hong Kong to provide continuing information dissemination to
Filipinos, particularly on claims processing and membership renewal, Dr. Aquino said. The official will also
address the concerns of PhilHealth members
regarding the timely payment of their premiums. “The representative will also attend OFW gatherings or
meetings and coordinate with Filipino organizations in Hong Kong to facilitate the conduct of information
campaigns on PhilHealth membership.” Dr. Aquino said the PhilHealth official could also entertain
reimbursement claims of members with expenses incurred in Hong Kong hospitals.
The latest OFW statistics show that there are approximately 150,000 Filipinos in Hong Kong employed in the
entertainment, commercial and household service sectors. Under PhilHealth’s Overseas Workers Program
(OWP), OFWs must pay their annual premium prior to deployment to ensure that they have the appropriate
health insurance coverage should
they be confined overseas. “Through their membership, actively paying OFWs also ensure that their family
members in the Philippines are similarly covered by PhilHealth, meaning, they can avail themselves of the
hospitalization benefits should the need arise, “ Dr. Aquino
emphasized.
Among the inpatient benefits that the families of OFWs may avail themselves of in the Philippines are
allowances for hospital room and board fees up to Php 1,035 per day for a maximum of 45 days per year,
allowances for drugs and medicines up to Php 35,655 per single period of confinement, x-ray and other
laboratory fees up to Php 29,430 per
single period of confinement, use of operating room, and subsidies for professional fees of attending
physicians. “These benefits are available in over 1,600 PhilHealth-accredited hospitals all over the country,”
Dr. Aquino said.
An enhanced outpatient benefit package that includes consultations, diagnostic, promotive and curative health
services is also available for OFWs and their legal dependents through 42 DOH-retained hospitals in the
country. These benefits include complete blood count, routine urinalysis, fecalysis, fasting blood sugar,
electrocardiogram, Hepatitis B screening, among others.
To date, the OWP has registered almost two million OFWs working in different countries abroad. “We hope to
further capture the rest of the OFW population to make sure that they are adequately covered by our health
insurance program,” Dr. Aquino said.
To mark the establishment of PhilHealth’s presence in Hong Kong, the Consulate invites Filipinos to join
PhilHealth and consular officials at 2:00 pm on Sunday, 02 August at the Bayanihan Center in Kennedy Town
for an open forum and presentation on the OWP. END
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RP Embassy in Hanoi Warns on Use of Filipinas in Drug Trafficking
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The Philippine Embassy in Hanoi reported to the DFA the increasing use of Filipinas as “mules” in the drug
trade. The modus operandi of illegal drug trafficking syndicates may involve the following steps or variations
thereof:
1. Upon direction by a Nigerian drug syndicate, a Filipino contact in China gives or promises an unsuspecting
Filipina a job that involves a lot of traveling, with a salary of US$2,000 per trip. The contact buys the plane ticket
of the Filipina for the trip from the Philippines to China via Vietnam, where the unsuspecting Filipina is
instructed to obtain a Chinese visa.
2. The contact, now supposedly a “benefactor,” asks the Filipina a favor which involves bringing to China a
present or an item from a friend based in Cambodia. The unsuspecting Filipina, thinking that she is doing her
“benefactor” a favor, agrees and exits Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC), Vietnam for Phnom Penh, Cambodia by bus.
3. From Cambodia, the unsuspecting Filipina, now a “mule,” goes back to HCMC to take a direct flight to
China, or proceeds to Hanoi to take a bus trip to Manning, China.
The Embassy learned of the modus operandi from a Filipina who sought assistance after she was stranded
in Vietnam from Cambodia. The Filipina failed to bring with her the package for delivery to China, as the
Nigerian contact in Cambodia had a miscommunication with the Filipina and the Nigerian contacts in China.
The prospective “mule” said the package was a pair of slippers with bulging soles which she was supposed
to bring in a bag. During the Embassy’s interview with the Filipina, it dawned on her that she may have
become unknowingly involved in illegal drug trafficking.
The Embassy said this may partly explain why some of those caught trafficking drugs claimed they did not
know anything about the illegal drugs found in their possession. The victims were banking on the job
promised them in China, and for them, bringing “personal things” to China for their benefactor is just a small
favor in exchange for the job.
The Embassy also learned of incidents where three Filipino women traveled from Manila to HCMC because of
an offer by a Nigerian national for these women to “deliver” 5-10 pieces of t-shirts from HCMC to China for a
fee of US$500-600 per person.
The t-shirts could have been immersed in liquefied illegal drugs and then dried before delivery.
Earlier, the Philippine Embassy in Beijing appealed to all concerned to heed the Philippine government’s
numerous warnings and not allow themselves to be used as drug couriers by drug syndicates.
China and other countries strictly impose harsh penalties against persons caught in possession of or
trafficking of prohibited or dangerous drugs. In China, trafficking of 50 grams or more of prohibited drugs may
be punishable by 15 years in prison, life imprisonment or even the death penalty.
In 2008 alone, 111 Filipinos - almost all of whom are women - were arrested for drug-related offenses in
China, Hong Kong and Macau. This was a 594-percent increase compared to the 16 Filipinos arrested in
2007. Of those arrested in 2007 and 2008, 22 were imposed the death penalty, 12 were meted a life sentence,
while 11 received prison sentences of 15-16 years’ imprisonment.
In this regard, the Department of Foreign Affairs reiterates its earlier warning to all Filipinos traveling abroad to
refrain from engaging in drug smuggling activities and also not to accept packages from other people without
knowing the contents of the said packages. END
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Singaporean Tanker with Two Filipino Crew Freed in Nigeria
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Singapore flag chemical tanker MT Sichem Peace, with two Filipino seafarers on board, were released by
Nigerian militants early today.
The vessel’s principal confirmed to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) that Sichem Peace and its four-
man crew were released at 2 a.m. (Manila time), two weeks after it was seized by Nigerian armed militants
last July 4.
Two of the vessel’s foreign crew are Filipinos. They are now in the custody of the company’s representative in
Lagos and are scheduled for medical examination.
The vessel’s principal also confirmed that the two Filipino seafarers have spoken with their families
immediately after their release.
The DFA is working with the principal and local authorities for the crew’s eventual repatriation.
There are two remaining Filipino seafarers in the custody of Nigerian kidnappers.
Last July 20, the three Filipino crew of MV Sil Tide, an oil-supply vessel of Vanuatu flag, were also released by
Nigerian militants. END
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Philippine Embassy in Bangkok Celebrates 60th Anniversary of the Establishment of
Diplomatic Relations Between the Philippines and Thailand
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The Philippine Embassy in Bangkok opened a week-long celebration of the 60th anniversary of the
establishment of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Thailand at the Bangkok Art and Culture
Centre (BACC).
The opening ceremony was graced by Thai Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya and Madame Chintana, other
officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the diplomatic corps, and members of the Filipino communities in
Thailand.
The opening ceremony featured cultural presentations by both Filipinos and Thais performers. The students
of Banditpatanasilpa Institute performed two dances: Rabam Chao Lay (which imitated the fishing activities of
people in Thailand’s south) and Krathop Mai Dance (which is similar to the Philippines’ tinikling.) The
Association of Cordillerans in Thailand performed their Sayaw sa Banga. The Minstrels of Hope, a group of
underprivileged Filipino women who flew in from Manila, serenaded the guests with their repertoire of
traditional Philippine songs, popular hits and Thai songs.
The following were likewise held during the ceremony at the BACC:
1. Formal Launching in Thailand of the Commemorative Stamps and the Coffee Table Book entitled: “Thailand
- The Philippines: Ties Beyond Times”;
2. Formal Opening of the Photo Exhibit by the Photo Enthusiasts Club (PhotEC);
3. Formal Opening of the Painting Exhibit by Manuel D. Baldemor; and
4. Formal Opening of the Bayong Fair, which is a project of the Department of Trade and Industry, through the
Office of the Commercial Attaché in Bangkok.
Diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Thailand were established with the signing of the Treaty of
Friendship between the two countries on 14 June 1949 in Washington, D.C. END
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RP Embassy in Bangkok Commemorates the 111th Anniversary of Philippine
Independence
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he Philippine Embassy in Bangkok reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs its activities to commemorate
the 111th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence.
A flag-raising ceremony was held at the Philippine Embassy grounds on June 12. Philippine Ambassador to
Thailand Antonio V. Rodriguez, accompanied by Madame Janette A. Rodriguez, led the ceremony which was
attended by Embassy officers and staff, officers and staff of the defense and trade attaché services, family
members, private staff, and members of the Filipino community in Bangkok.
Ambassador Rodriguez read the Independence Day message of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, while
Consul-General Edgar Badajos read the Independence Day Message of Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto G.
Romulo.
A reception was likewise held at Dusit Thani hotel in Bangkok on June 25. The reception was graced by
members of the diplomatic corps, members of the Thai Privy Council, Ministers, Members of the Thai National
Assembly, business and private individuals in the host country, and members of the Filipino community in
Thailand.
In his remarks, Ambassador Rodriguez highlighted the long- standing relations between the Philippines and
Thailand in the diplomatic/political, economic and social aspects, including people-to-people relations. He
also gave a toast for the health and happiness of both Her Excellency President Arroyo and His Majesty King
Bhumibhol Adulyadej.
Tourism materials provided by the Department of Tourism were distributed during the event. San Miguel
Corporation donated beer, while San Miguel Marketing Thailand gave away soda and fruit drinks. The
Embassy also raffled off prizes, including a round-trip ticket (Bangkok-Manila-Bangkok) donated by Philippine
Airlines.
The Philippines’ national day reception continues to be the talk of both the diplomatic and the Filipino
communities for its unique format and emphasis on the world-renowned Filipino hospitality.
A special supplement featuring the Philippine Independence Day Anniversary was also published in the
Bangkok Post. END
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