BLOGGED PHILIPPINES

To avoid long lines in SSS Offices, you can use their online services to set an appointment before going there. Here's the steps to do it. Note: SSS stands for Social Security System, a government owned and controlled corporation serving as a statutory insurance service for private individuals. 1. Log-in to www.sss.gov.ph . In the login tab in the menu, you can select SSS Login and you'll be greeted with this interface. Use your username and password to login. In case you forgot either or both your password and your username, just click the appropriate link. In case you haven't registered for an online account, click the appropriate button to register. 2. Once you have entered your account, hover over to Members Profile and select the Appointment System link under it. 3. Select from the drop-down menus the Purpose of your visit, the Region , and the SSS Servicing Branch you wanted to visit. 4. Select a date from the calendar provided and...

Every ten years, Philippine passports expire and need to be renewed. Issuance of new passports are done at any office of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA). This article was originally titled "How to Renew Passport in DFA Cebu?" Now I changed it since the process has changed since I last renewed my passport in 2016. Here's the latest basic steps as of 1Q2022. Confirmed Online Appointment. Link here . Accomplished Application Form Personal Appearance Current ePassport with photocopy of data page Original PSA authenticated documents that will support the change of name (for some women). Marriage Contract Annotated Birth Certificate Annotated Marriage Contract to show annulment/divorce/court ordered instruction Death Certificate of Spouse Payment During Booking of Appointment This is the solution to the problems of the previous system. Before, anyone can just reserve a slot whether they are serious or not in coming at the appointed time. This leads to multiple ...

Maybe it's the pressure from the social media, which was amplified even more when the mainstream media began picking up the story of the outcry from affected people. Whatever the root cause is, you can go ahead now and set an appointment online in select DFA offices in the country. And when I mean now, I mean RIGHT NOW! I just checked the DFA appointment system and there are slots for April 2018 in select DFA Offices in Metro Manila. And here's a thing that's even more interesting, Tacloban DFA has an opening this month January 2018! Wow...whether you care about the alleged corruption inside the DFA or not, you can set it aside and set an appointment now, I mean NOW ! Fully Booked Since mid-December 2017 The DFA Passport appointment system is fully booked until March 2018. It opened up the slots early December last year but just after a week or two, all 27 offices has become fully booked. This sparked outrage among citizens. Reports have emerged that while th...

Angkas is now back in the streets after the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) banned their operation late last year. Now they're back but not as a human transport service but as a parcel delivery service. So, let's all welcome Angkas Padala ! Their mobile app was also updated to match the new service offering. Just go to the your App Store and Google Play to update. How Much Does it Cost to Deliver? For Manila , the base price is 50 Pesos for the first two kilometers, and 10 Pesos per succeeding kilometer . Pricing may vary based on demand.  For Cebu , the flag down price is 20 Pesos and 15 Pesos  per kilometer for the first 8 kilometer, and 20 pesos per kilometer beyond that .  Weight and size should not exceed 10 kilograms and 43cm x 38cm x 24cm dimensions respectively. All items must be unsealed and inspected by the biker before delivery. Prohibited items includes cash, precious stones, jewelry, banderol...

All the passport appointment slots on all 27 branches of DFA is already filled up (or blocked?). Yes, you can check it out at  https://www.passport.gov.ph/appointment/individual/site . The only time I saw it opened up was the first week of December 2017. Then after a few weeks, all slots were already taken. So earlier this month, I had a chance to visit Cebu DFA and I asked if there's a way to get my passport processed even though the slots were already taken. Like, walk-in in the afternoon after all the passport appointments have already been accommodated. After all, DFA Sec. Alan Peter Cayetano mentioned that there's about 40% no-show on the appointments , so I was thinking that there must be some extra time the DFA can accommodate walk-ins. Turns out.. no...you really need an appointment . But wait, here's something you would like to know. So, when I arrived at Cebu DFA, I asked the guard. What I discovered made me feel confused (and suspicious). Here's wha...

Bad news for those who needs to have a passport or have their passport renewed. All branches of Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), yes all 27, have already filled up all the slots in their appointment system until the end of March. If for some reason you were not able to set an appointment last month December, you will need to wait until April to be able to process a passport. The Problem with the Current Appointment System The online appointment system implemented by Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is surely a big help in convenience. Prior to this, passport applicants line up in DFA offices as early as in the wee hours of 12 midnight. By six in the morning, a DFA personnel, usually a security guard, will distribute priority numbers. The process will go smoothly from then on. Once you started the first step and as long as you have all the requirements complete, you'll finish in about 15 minutes. A few weeks later, you'll have your passport. The same is true ...

Starting 2018, December 8 will be a special non-working holiday in the Philippines after President Rodrigo Duterte signed the law entitled: An Act Declaring December 8 of Every Year A Special Nonworking Holiday in the Entire Country to Commemorate the Feast of the Immaculate Conception of Mary, the Principal Patroness of the Philippines. By  Bartolomé Esteban Murillo  -  [1] , Public Domain,  Link The Philippines, a predominantly catholic country has been celebrating major religious festivities such as Christmas and the Lenten season. But it also pays attention to other major religious sector of the Filipino section such as the Muslims and the Chinese. For Muslims, the country celebrates two Islamic festivals: the Eid'l Fitr and the Eid'l Adha. For the Chinese, the country celebrates the Chinese New Year. This new holiday comes amidst recent disagreements between the government and the Catholic religion over governmental policies. Additional Holiday in 2018 ...

Malacanang Palace just declared December 26, 2017 and January 2, 2018 as special holidays for the government employees. Memorandum Circular No.37 which made the announcement mentions government offices including government owned and controlled corporations, government financial institution, state universities and colleges, local government units and other agencies and instrumentalities .The two dates, which fell on a Tuesday, are the days following the two major national holidays in the country: Christmas and New Year's Day. These two new holidays will allow government employees extra time with their families. Traditionally, Christmas and New Year's Day were opportunities for families to get together. Aside from government, all others will return to their normal schedules. Government  employees that will be required to work on that day shall receive 30% additional on their daily rate. This is in accordance to the rules set forth by the Philippine Labor Law....

NOT YET . While the Lower House of the Philippine Congress has already approved the bill declaring December 8 as a special non-working holiday in celebration of the Catholic Feast of Immaculate Conception , it is yet to be approved by the Upper House (the Senate) and then signed by President Rodrigo Duterte. So tomorrow is NOT a holiday . The oval track of the University of San Carlos, Cebu City. However, some Catholic schools in the country will celebrate the said festival and therefore canceled both office work and classes. If you are studying or working in a Catholic school, please verify with your school official regarding this matter. Also, by coincidence, some cities and municipalities will be on special non-working day tomorrow for reasons such as "founding anniversary" of the city or municipality. Again, please check with your local government if that's the case. Otherwise, tomorrow is a typical Friday. [Read: December 4 and 8, 2017 are NOT Holida...

This week will be a "normal" week for most of us because December 4 and 8 are NOT non-working holidays contrary to popular expectation. Let me explain what happened. Let's start off with December 4. The Philippine Flag.  December 4 Holiday? No More Militant transport group PISTON has planned to hold a two-day nationwide transport strike starting tomorrow, December 4 but as early as this morning, news broke out that they decided to cancel the transport strike. The last time PISTON held a nationwide transport strike last October 16, Malacanang Palace responded by canceling classes and government work. With the strike canceled this time, classes and work will resume normally. And yes, you will have to face the deadly traffic of Monday Manila! December 8 Holiday? Not Yet Late last month, the lower house of the Philippine congress approved a bill that aims to make December 8 an annual special non-working national holiday to celebrate the Feast of the Immaculat...

 If you, just like me, had a change in employment status, for example from being in the formal economy (i.e. employed) to being in the informal economy or a self earning individual, you can still continue paying for your PhilHealth and reap the benefits of being covered with our national health insurance system. But before you can do so, you have to update your MDR or Member Data Record. Here are the simple steps: Fill out the PMRF or the PhilHealth Member Registration Form. Link HERE for the updated form . NOTE: Check the "For Updating/Amendment" box Bring an original and photocopy of a valid ID (SSS, UMID, Driver's License, PRC, Passport, etc) Come to the nearest PhilHealth Office. Come Early. Come Early. Come Early. The lines are long and slots are limited. Follow the instructions on site. You may have to pay for the previous months you were not able to pay. You can also pay in advance You will receive an updated MDR along with a new PhilHealth card.  If you registered...

Maybe it's late but I would like to inform everyone of this one-day Piso Fare promo from Philippine Airlines (PAL).The flag carrier is offering 1-peso base fare to Cagayan de Oro from Manila, Cebu or Davao. Cagaryan de Oro is one of the closest gateway to the war-torn city of Marawi. Philippine Airlines Airbus A330-300 plane.  Image by  Kentaro Iemoto  from Tokyo, Japan -  Philippines A330-300(RP-C3340) ,  CC BY-SA 2.0 ,  Link The booking period is only until today, October 28, 2017 and the travel period is  from today until December 14, 2017 . This promo presents an opportunity for those displaced by the war to return to their homeland albeit a bitter-sweet one. Tickets can be booked online at www.philippineairlines.com ONLY. There's only 1000 seats available for this promo so please book quickly before it runs out. Battle for Marawi Marawi City, once a shining jewel of Mindanao is down to ruins. Last May 23, 2017 a conflict erupted b...

Proclamation No. 332 signed by President Rodrigo Duterte declares November 13-15, 2017 as a special non-working holiday in the National Capital Region (a.k.a Metro Manila), Bulacan and Pampanga. The purpose of the holiday is to pave the way to the activities in connection with the 31st Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN) Summit which the country will host this year. Most of the events will be held mostly in Clark, Pampanga and the National Capital Region (NCR). The Philippine Flag. There will be no class and work on the said dates but for those who will be required to work by their employers shall receive a premium of 30% on top of their daily rate. This is in accordance with the  rules set forth by the Labor Code of the Philippines. Opportunity for a Long Weekend Vacation This holiday falls on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday which means a long weekend. This is a perfect opportunity to take a vacation in another place. Please consider the following promo with...

The purpose of this article is to inform the public about this policy of the Social Security System (SSS), the government-owned insurance company for those employed in the private sector. I just learned about this a few months ago when my company announced a workforce reduction program. Among the sad discussions is about this policy of SSS regarding loans in cases of resignation or retrenchment. Section G-2 of the SSS Loan Terms and Conditions (at the back of the loan application form) explicitly says the following: "The employer shall deduct the total balance of the loan from any benefit/s due to the employee and shall remit the same in full to SSS, in case the member-borrower is separated voluntarily (e.g., retirement or resignation) or involuntarily (e.g., termination of employment or cessation of operations of the company)." In other words, y ou will be required to pay the rest of your loan (including the interest) when you change employer or employment statu...

[Updated: Oct. 17, 2017, 12:50AM] Reversing its earlier announcement that classes and work will resume tomorrow, Malacanang Palace just announced that school classes on all levels as well as all government offices under the executive branch of the government are still suspended tomorrow, October 17, 2017. The reason for the cancellation is the continued nationwide protest lead by transport groups opposing the government's plan of "Jeepney modernisation"

Memorandum Circular 28 released by Malacanang Palace suspended all classes throughout the country in both public and private schools tomorrow, October 16, 2017 in response to a planned two-day transport strike by Jeepney Operators and drivers. They are protesting the Jeepney modernization program of the government that will phase out  jeepneys aged 15 years and older. Jeeneys in SM City Cebu terminal

This year 2017 is coming to it's end very soon. Time flies indeed especially if we are busy with so many things competing to get our attention. So, maybe we may need to stop and for once, enjoy a time with our family without worrying about work. That's the other purpose of national holidays and here in the Philippines, we are fortunate to have many. Experience this years' winter. Photo by amagnawa Since we're almost at the year's end, here's an updated list of the remaining national holidays of the year. I hope this information can help you plan ahead your vacation for the rest of the year. Regular Holidays January 1, 2017 (Sunday) – New Year's Day April 9, 2017 (Sunday) – Araw ng Kagitingan  April 13, 2017 – Maundy Thursday  April 14, 2017 – Good Friday May 1, 2017 (Monday) – Labor Day  June 12, 2017 (Monday) – Independence Day June 26, 2017 (Monday) – Eid'l Fitr  August 28, 2017 (last Monday of August )– National Heroes...

Great deals from airlines and hotels usually needs to be book long before your trip. For those who are employed, they need to plan ahead in order to file vacation leaves. The good thing though is that the holidays here in the Philippines for each year is being announced about 5 to 6 months ahead. The Philippine flag. Image from Wikipedia under license  CC BY-SA 3.0 , Link

A passport is one of the most useful documents you could ever have.  So here's the steps to follow in getting a passport for yourself if you're here in Cebu. Note: This procedure may change anytime. Please take note of the date this article was written. 1. Gather the necessary documents. Here's the list. Duly accomplished application form . Here's the link to the downloadable blank form . Birth Certificate (BC) in Security Paper (SECPA) issued by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) or Certified True Copy (CTC) of BC issued by the Local Civil Registrar (LCR) and duly authenticated by PSA. Transcribed Birth Certificate from the LCR is required when entries in PSA Birth Certificate are blurred or unreadable. (PSA-authenticated report of birth for those born abroad) At least 1 valid picture ID and at least 2 supporting documents to prove identity List of Acceptable IDs Government-issued picture IDs such as the following: Digitized SSS ID Drive...

Update!!!! The scammers behind this are still active until now . In fact, one of my associates received a similar message last week. Even though he is a discreet person, he was almost fooled by this message. He responded by sending a message to the phone number given in the FB message and got a response accordingly. He checked me out the next day to see if I received the same message and then he found out about this scam. So, be careful everyone. The goons are alive and active. Do not be the next victim! Have you received a message on Facebook similar to this? Engr. (your name), NOTICE Please be informed and advise to call PRC LICENSE DIVISION HEAD OFFICE immediately c/o OIC Rodrigo F. Balaqui Jr. at 09156862500 for your clearances of license. Your prompt attention is advised. This would be our final notice! Thank you!  Well, this is a scam and PRC is very much aware of this. Please read PRCs advisory here. http://www.prc.gov.ph/news/?id=4081 Professional I...