Thursday, June 6, 2013

Unified Multi Purpose Identification Card (Your SSS, GSIS, Pag-Ibig, and PhilHealth numbers all in one!)




This is a unified ID. Your SSS, GSIS, Pag-Ibig, and PhilHealth numbers all in one!

How to get SSS ID (Unified Multí-Purpose ID)
The SSS ID is one of the valid ID's that we can use if we are transacting to Government or even private companies.  You can even use it as a VALID requirement for passport applications.

It's a very good news SSS (Social Security System) is now releasing the Unified Multi-Purpose ID.  Uhuh, you (heard) I mean, read it right - 'Unified Multi-Purpose'.  With this, you can transact to PhilHealth, PAGIBIG or even GSIS.


How to avail this?


Applying for this ID is way too easy!  However, you need to wait until 1 month to have this delivered.

But hey, it's worth the wait.  It has no expiration and it's multi-purpose.


What you need to do is go to your nearest SSS branch.  Print this E6 form >>> http://www.philsssuk.com/FORMS/E6/E6applicationform.pdf  (make sure you already have an SSS number) and fill it out.
The guard should give you a call number.  Fill out the form and prepare a photocopy of two valid ID's.  Wait for your number to be called then give the form with the requirements.  Personnel will check your information and will ask you to go to data capturing when cleared.

Data capturing will get your biometrics and input your credentials as well as your photo to their database.


Active SSS member with at least one monthly contribution and SSS pensioners may apply for the new ID.

What are the requirements?

E-6 must be submitted together with any of the following primary documents:


Passport
Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) card
Seaman's book

        In the absence of any of these documents, the applicant may present any two of the following documents, provided at least one document contains the applicant's photograph:

Driver's license
Valid National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) clearance
School or company ID
Postal ID
Senior citizen card
Major credit card
Voter's ID
Savings account passbook
Alien certificate of registration
Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) member's record
Certification from the Office of Southern/Northern Cultural Communities or Office of Muslim Affairs
Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) card

****Remember:  Jeweleries such as necklace and earrings aren't allowed.  Contact lenses and make ups are also a no-no.

Once done, they will give you a stub to keep.  You need to present the stub when they deliver your ID.  You can't pick it up as it will be mailed to your addy.

By the way, just so you know, this ID is free-of-charge for new or first time applicants.  However, those who want to avail the following will be charged 300-400 pesos I think.


changing from your old SSS Biometric ID to the new UMID card
the ID card is lost
the ID card is damaged
the applicant avails of the option to omit the printing of the date of birth on the card

SSS branches in the Philippines : http://www.philippinecountry.com/SSS/

**Note:  Do not laminate or scratch your ID.

(credits to https://www.sss.gov.ph )

Friday, April 5, 2013

Taiwan:COUNTRY PROFILE,Processing Cost For Agency Hire, DOCUMENTS TO PREPARE in applying to Taiwan, TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT


COUNTRY PROFILE
Geographic Profile
Location
North of the Philippines (1 hour & 30 minutes away by air) / East of mainland China

Philippine Airlines, China Airlines and Eva Airlines fly daily direct from Manila to Taipei (Chang Kai Shek Airport) at least 2x a day

Direct Flight to Kaohsiung International Airport via Laoag Airport.
Total land area36,000 sq km.
Climate4 Seasons (winter, spring, summer & fall)
CapitalTaipei
Other key citiesKaohsiung, Taichung
The Taiwanese People
Population22.6 million (as of July 2003)
LanguageMandarin, English
Mode of DressingWestern Clothing
ReligionPredominantly Buddhists but tolerant of other religions such as Catholicism and other Christian faith
The Economy
Newly Industrializing Economy (NIE) 
Highly export-oriented involved in consumer as well as industrial products manufacturing.
Unit of Currency: New Taiwan Dollar (NT$)
1USD= 29.94 NT$
1NT$=  1.49 Phil Peso
The Government
Constitutional Democracy
 Ma Ying-jeou
President
5 Government branches called Yuan, namely:
Executive, Legislative, Judicial, Examination and Control
Transportation and Communication System
Taxis, buses, trains, and motorcycles are available for inland transfers
Public Phones, cellular phones, Internet are very accessible
IDD Country Access Code is 886
Area Access Codes:
TAIPEI- 02
KAOHSIUNG- 07
TAICHUNG- 04

Filipinos in Taiwan work as
:
Factory workers
Caretakers/ Nursing Aides
Household Workers
Professionals (Teachers, Engineers, etc)
Minimum Salary Rate is  NT$ 19,047.00 (P26,180.29)
Modes of Recruitment 
Hiring through Philippine Recruitment Agencies
Name Hiring (Worker sought employment on his own)
Special Hiring Program for Taiwan through POEA-Government Placement Branch (GPB)
Processing Cost For Agency Hire
Placement Fee (one month salary NTS15,840 or its peso equivalent)
PHP
26,769
Processing Fees
POEA
USD
    200
OWWA Membership Contribution                         USD25/ 
PHP
 1,275
OWWA Medicare Premium
PHP
    900
Documentation Cost
Visa/Work Permit
PHP
  3,600
Medical ExaminationPHP  3,395
Miscellaneous (Passport, NBI clearance, notaries, pictures, PDOS, etc.)
PHP
   1,000
Airfare (US$ )
PHP
   11,200
TOTAL
PHP
 48,679++



APPLYING FOR A JOB IN TAIWAN
DOCUMENTS TO PREPARE:

  • Resume/Biodata
  • UMID (more info >> http://woshinitaiwan.blogspot.com/2013/06/unified-multi-purpose-identification.html )
  • School Credentials & Transcript of Records (High School and/or College Diploma authenticated by DECS or CHED)
  • Trade Test/ Care Giving Training Certificate
  • Employment Certificate/s
  • Birth Certificate (authenticated by the National Statistics Office)
  • Passport
  • NBI Clearance
  • 2 passport size pictures
Procedure for Agency Hire
  1. Verify with POEA license and job order of the agency (Hotline: 722-1144/55)
  2. Apply and Submit credentials to the agency
  3. (if selected) Undergo Medical Examination in a DOH accredited clinic- 3days
  4. (while waiting for visa) Attend PDOS with an accredited Provider -1 day
  5. Obtain e-Receipt & e-Card
e-Card
Multi-purpose car
Proof of OWWA Membership
ATM card for remittance purpose
e-Receipt
Exit Permit
Proof of payment (POEA Processing Fee, OWWA Membership Contribution & Medicare Coverage)
Travel Tax & Airport Terminal Fee Exemption

Procedure for Name Hire
  1. Attend the POEA Employment Counseling and Authentication of Fees & Salary Declaration Briefing (half-day)
  2. Apply for Work Permit / Visa at the Taipei Economic & Cultural Office (TECO) (2 weeks)
  3. Submit documents to the Name-Hire Processing Center for evaluation (2 hours)
    Requirements:
    • Verified Employment Contract
    • Visa
    • Passport
    • 2 Passport Size Pictures
    • Payment for Fees
  4. Payment for Fees
  5. Attend POEA-PDOS (1 day)
  6. Undergo Medical Examination at DOH accredited clinic (3 days)
  7. Pay Necessary Fees at POEA/OWWA Cashier
  8. Obtain e-Receipt & e-Card
Procedure for GPB Special Hiring Program for Taiwan
  1. Submit Credentials to the Manpower Registry Division
  2. Attend POEA Pre-Documentation Briefing (half-day)
  3. Undergo Medical Examination with DOH accredited clinics (3days)
  4. Attend POEA-PDOS (1 day)
  5. Pay Necessary Fees to POEA/OWWA Cashier
  6. Obtain e-Receipt & e-Card
WORKING IN TAIWAN
TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
  • 48 hours workweek
  • 1 day off out of every 7 days work; 7 day vacation leave every year beginning 2nd year
  • Sick leave benefit not exceeding 30 days in 1 year
  • Incentives for workers who do not take any leave in a full calendar month during his employment period
  • Medical examination within three days upon arrival and every 6 months thereafter
  • Total period of employment should not exceed 6 years.
Reminders
  • It is illegal for employer to keep the workers passport, ARC, and money.
  • Have your original copy of your marriage contract and birth certificate of children for tax exemption
  • Worker cannot change employer or job without the approval of Council of Labor Affairs
  • Respect Chinese tradition, customs, practices and strictly observe all Taiwan laws and regulations
  • Prior to leaving, open a savings account for remittance
Thinking of working in another country? Licensed recruitment agencies will have their own booths showing job openings at the Career and Education Fair 2006 on May 3-4 at the World Trade Center, 

Outline for Foreigners Working in Taiwan

I. Legal basis: 
   The primary regulations related to foreigners working in Taiwan and other employment 
   management issues are as follows: 
   A. Employment Services Act.
   B. Regulations on the Permission and Administration of the Employment of Foreign 
       Workers.

II. Responsible agency: (from Article 6 of the Employment Services Act) 
    A.Central: Council of Labor Affairs, Executive Yuan (responsible for employer 
        applications for permits to hire foreign workers and management services). 
    B. Districts: Various county (city) administrations (responsible for management and 
         inspection of foreigners working in the ROC). 

III. Definition of work: 
      As stipulated by Article 43 of the Employment Services Act, foreigners without a 
      permit with an employer must not engage in work in the ROC. The term “work” refers 
      to any labor or services rendered, regardless of whether it is for pay or voluntary. 

IV. Obtaining the right to work: 
      A. Employer applications: Foreigners, other than those designated by the Employment 
          Services Act, must apply for a work permit with an employer at the competent 
          authorities before engaging in work in the ROC. (As stipulated by Article 43 of the 
          Employment Service Act).
      B. Individual applicants: The following persons can apply for a work permit with the 
           Central competent Authority without an employer. (As stipulated by Employment 
           Services Act, Article 51, Paragraphs 1, 3 and 4.) 
           1. Refugees who have been granted residency. 
           2. Those having direct lineage to blood relatives with a household register in the 
               ROC.
           3. Those granted right of permanent residency.
      C. Those not needing to apply: (As stipulated by Article 48 of the Employment 
           Services Act, Paragraph 1 and Subparagraphs 1 through 3.)
           1. Researchers who are recruited as consultant or researcher posts with the ROC 
               government at any level or as consultants with subordinate research organizations. 
           2. Foreign spouses married to ROC nationals with household registration in 
               Taiwan who have been granted residency.
           3. Foreigners employed at a public or registered private college/university within six 
               months in the fileld of a course of lectures or an academic research approved by 
               the Ministry of Education .

V. Restricted work categories: 
     Employers hiring foreigners to work in the ROC, other than those designated by the 
     Employment Services Act, are limited to certain types of employment by Article 46, 
     Paragraph 1, of the same law. 

VI. Penalties for working illegally: 
      According to Article 68 of the Employment Services Act, foreigners working in Taiwan 
      illegally, without a permit, will be fined from NT$30,000 to NT$150,000, deported 
      and forbidden to work in the ROC again in the future. However, according to Article 
      51 of Employment Services Act, Paragraph 1, items 1 to 4, and Article 50 of 
      Employment Services Act, Foreigners working in Taiwan illegally should be 
      immediately ordered to depart from the terrotory of the Republic of China except the 
      employed foreign workers and students and other Foreign Student of Chinese origin. 
      (As stipulated by Employment Services Act, Article 51 and Article 74.)

VII. Definitions of Work Status: 
       The statuses of foreigners working in Taiwan are grouped by the different rights 
       and responsibilities of their positions into the following four categories (Article 2 
       of the Regulations on the Permission and Administration of the Employment of 
       Foreign Workers): 
       A. Foreign specialists. (Refers to foreigners with work permits for employment 
            described in Subparagraphs 1 through 6.) 
       B. Foreign workers. (Refers to foreigners with work permits for employment 
            described in Subparagraphs 8 through 11 Included in Subparagraphs 8 through 10 
            is any blue-collar work recruited by notice. Subparagraph 11 primarily includes 
            language translation for foreign worker management agencies and work related to 
            hiring foreign workers for employment such as food services.)
       C. Overseas Chinese students, foreign students. (Refers to foreigners engaged in 
            work described by the Employment Services Act, Article 50, Subparagraph 1 and 
            Subparagraph 2.)
       D. Foreigners with special status: Primarily includes refugees, those who have worked 
            in Taiwan continuously for more than five years and one permitted to live with 
            his/her lineal relative who has a registered domestic residence in the R.O.C., and 
            who have the right to permanent residency. (Refers to foreigners engaged in work 
            described by the Employment Service Law, Article 51, Paragraph 1and 
            Subparagraphs 1 through 4.) 

VIII. Attention:
         A. Family members of staff working at any foreign embassies stationed in the 
              ROC, foreign organizations, international organizations or other specifically 
              designated foreigners by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and governing agencies of 
              the Central Government, should apply for a work permit with the Ministry of 
              Foreign Affairs. (Article 78 of the Employment Services Act)
         B. Stateless individuals and ROC nationals possessing dual citizenship but without a 
              household registration who are recruited to work in the ROC follow the same 
              application guidelines as foreigners stipulated by the Employment Service Act. 
              (Stipulated by Article 79 of the Employment Services Act)
         C. Potential future work opportunities and China citizens must consider Taiwan 
              people's working right and social security (Regulated by the Act Governing 
              Regulations between Peoples of the Taiwan Area and the Mainland Area, Article 
              11 and Article 95). Currently, Mainland Chinese citizens are not permitted to 
               work in Taiwan.

How to Get Philippine Passport (New and Renew Requirements)




Requirements for New Applicants

Authenticated NSO birth certificate or Certified True Copy (CTC) of BC issued by the Local Civil Registrar duly authenticated by NSO depending on the NSO signatory; for born 1950 & below, Negative Birth Record from NSO & Joint Birth Affidavit from Two Disinterested Persons if no record from NSO.
Two Original valid IDs (please make sure your signatures are all the same)
Accepted IDs are Senior Citizen's ID, Voter's ID, digitized government-issued IDs like SSS, PRC, BIR, Driver's License, original school ID (for students only) AND original supporting documents indicating full name, date and place of birth and citizenship.
Authenticated marriage certificate (if married or if you want to use your spouse’s surname)
Other supporting documents (for verification)
  • Marriage Contract
  • Land Title
  • Driver's License
  • Government Service Record
  • School Form 137 or Transcript of Records with dry seal
  • Other documents that show full name and birth details of applicant and/or citizenship
  • Voter's Registration Record from COMELEC
  • Baptismal Certificate with dry seal
  • Seaman's Book
  • Income Tax Return (Old)
  • NBI Clearance
Visit this DFA link to see the complete procedures of passport processing.

Requirements for Renewal of Passport

  • Old passport and photocopy of passport pages 1,2,3, 4 (amendment). The pages showing latest Bureau of Immigration departure and arrival stamps.
  • 1 Original valid ID.
  • Birth Certificate from NSO in Security Paper (SECPA)

Other Supporting Documents
Please bring the following if they are available.
  • Marriage Contract
  • PRC / IBP ID
  • Land Title
  • Driver's License
  • Government Service Record
  • Digitized SSS-ID
  • School Form 137 or Transcript of Records with Dry Seal
  • Other documents that show full name and birth details of applicant and/or citizenship
  • Voter's Registration Record from COMELEC Intramuros
  • Baptismal Certificate w/ Dry Seal
  • Seaman's Book
  • Income Tax Return (Old)


Monday, March 18, 2013

Salt Mountain














The Cigu Salt Mountain, or Qigu Yanshan, is both a postcard image for the area and an entertainment site. This quirky place may give you little background into the salt industry, but it’s worth seeing just for how bizarre it is. The mountain itself is a two hectare mound of salt left over from the Taiwan Salt Corporation’s Cigu Salt Fields. It is climbable, and the surrounding view of the ever-flat area surrounding it is enjoyed by busloads of aged tourists on a daily basis. Steps have been carved into the hard salt to make for easy climbing.

Address

No. 66, Yancheng Village, Qigu District, Tainan City


Thousand Buddha












The Fo Guang Shan monastery is a big complex comprised of a temple, schools, museum and art gallery and even a hotel. It is ran by monks and nuns, and the food served here (whether at the cafe or hotel) is entirely vegetarian. Being a religious place, one would expect of course to find statues of Buddha gracing the temple as well as every nook and corner. But here, you'll get to see THOUSANDS of statues from small ones that can fit your hand to one that's 10 stories high!
Address: Fo Guang Shan Monastery, Dashu Kaoshiung, Taiwan