Latest news with #FerdinandAlfonsoVer
Gulf Today
25-06-2025
- General
- Gulf Today
Filipinos urged to monitor regional developments
The One Philippines Team in the UAE has warned the nearly one million Filipinos across the seven emirates to closely monitor developments on regional events by way of legitimate sources of news and information. Posted through the Philippine Embassy-Abu Dhabi official Facebook Page which is linked to the official pages of the Philippine Consulate General-Dubai and Ambassador Ferdinand Alfonso Ver, Gulf Today was also alerted regarding the advisory at 9:50am on Tuesday. Meanwhile, on Monday, Gulf Today received three enquiries on the legitimacy of the 'Emergency Prepping Guide for Filipino OFWs in Dubai' wherein among other 'to-do's,' and under the 'Where To Go' section, the concerned are directed to seek security at the Philippine Consulate General in Al Qusais (landlines not mentioned) and other 'safe places' namely 'public parks and Civil Defence-designated shelters,' considering the volatility of the crisis. The post had been forwarded many times over and had caused jitters. On Tuesday and from the One Philippines Team: 'In light of recent developments, and, surge of unverified and conflicting social media posts, reports and other online information, the Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the Philippine Consulate General in Dubai encourage all Filipinos to closely monitor the news through reputable and credible sources and check for advisories issued by the Philippine Embassy and the Philippine Consulate General and UAE authorities. We urge all Filipinos to remain vigilant and alert.' Both missions 'stand ready to provide the necessary assistance to all Filipinos in the UAE.' Following are the official contact details for assistance: For Filipinos in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain: By Email - [email protected] and [email protected] By SMS, call or WhatsApp Assistance-To-Nationals at +971504438003; Consular and Other Concerns at +971508137836 and Migrant Workers Office (formerly the Philippine Overseas Labour Office - Polo) at +971562709157. For Filipinos in Dubai and the Northern Emirates: By SMS, Call or WhatsApp Assistance-To-Nationals at +971565015756; Consular and Other Concerns at +97142207100; Migrant Workers Office at +971506526626 and +971563525558. In a related news sourced from various Metro Manila-based media outlets, as the Philippines' flag carrier, Philippine Air Lines (PAL) cancelled its June 24 Manila-Dubai-Manila (PR658/PR659), Manila-Doha (PR684), and Manila-Riyadh-Manila (PR654/PR655), as well as the June 25 Doha-bound (PR685), the early Tuesday morning advisory stated: 'We are in constant coordination with international aviation authorities, our network partners, and government agencies to assess any potential impact on our flight operations, particularly those that transit or fly near affected airspace.' 'We advise you not to proceed to the airport if your flight is cancelled,' it further said. Management said the best 'is to regularly check on flight updates by way of the PAL Facebook official page, through and The affected clients may rebook within 60 days from the original flight date, 'convert the ticket to travel tickets or refund it without penalty,' according to the Philippine Daily Inquirer. Cebu Pacific which regularly flies the Manila-Dubai-Manila route shall continue its services. 'Our route does not fly over conflict-affected areas in the Middle East, allowing us to operate safely. We continue to actively monitor the situation and will share further updates as necessary,' according to the official management statement. Passengers may check their flights status over Meanwhile, from the Philippine News Agency report, repatriation of at least 361 Filipinos in Israel and Qatar are ongoing. This was from the Tuesday press conference of Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Undersecretary Felicitas Bay, Assistant Secretary Dominique Rubia-Tutay, and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Chief Patricia Caunan in Metro Manila wherein discussed also are the reintegration programmes for all the returnees. According to Bay, former labour attache in Dubai and the Northern Emirates, scheduled to land in Metro Manila on Tuesday evening were 26 from Israel who walked until they reached Amman, Jordan, 'another additional three from Amman, and one from the West Bank.' With them were DMW Secretary Hans Cacdac and Assistant Secretary Venecio Legaspi. Another 50 are expected to be in the Philippines either on June 26 or 27. Both Bay and Caunan noted that many overseas Filipino workers are still weighing their options whether to avail of the Philippine Government's voluntary repatriation programme due to safety concerns or personal and employment considerations. 'There are those who have second thoughts because of land travel risks or strong ties with their employers. We respect their decision and continue to reach out,' Bay said. Tutay gave the assurance that DMW and OWWA are coordinating closely with various agencies to support their re-mainstreaming or reintegration. 'Reintegration is not just about finding a job. There are also opportunities for livelihood and entrepreneurship. We are taking a whole-of-government approach to help our kababayans (countrymen) transition successfully,' said the public servant for 28 years who currently advises on the protection of workers' welfare, ensuring just and humane working conditions and labour employment which include labour standards, safety and health. From Caunan: 'There is enough funding for repatriation. These are from the OWWA Emergency Repatriation and DMW Action Fund.' She added that over 470 in Israel already received assistance on the ground as the first batch of returnees are set to receive Php150,000.00 (Dhs9,698.54) each aside from 'food, hygiene kits, counseling and temporary shelter upon arrival.
Gulf Today
12-06-2025
- Business
- Gulf Today
Ambassador hails UAE-Philippines ties on I-Day
On the occasion of the 127th Philippine Independence Day on June 12, 2025, Philippine Ambassador Ferdinand Alfonso Ver told his fellow Filipinos in the United Arab Emirates: 'As we mark the 127th anniversary of Philippine Independence, we reflect on the meaning of the theme of the celebration: Kalayaan, Kinabukasan, Kasaysayan (Freedom, Future, History) and honour the sacrifices of our heroes; celebrate the freedoms we now enjoy; and embrace the shared responsibility to shape a better future. This year's celebration is particularly significant as we highlight the growing and strategic partnership between the Philippines and the United Arab Emirates.' 'Anchored in mutual respect and reinforced by the presence of nearly a million Filipinos in the UAE, our bilateral relations have expanded into a forward-looking cooperation and collaboration in new and previously untapped fields. The official visit of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr to the UAE in November 2024 reaffirmed the strength of our diplomatic relations and opened new doors for strategic cooperation.' 'The signing of key bilateral agreements has laid the foundation for greater partnerships in the critical areas of trade and investment; renewable and clean energy; cultural cooperation; digital transformation and innovation; environmental protection; public safety and security; and improved government services. These achievements are not only symbolic of the growing trust between our nations but also tangible commitments to our shared vision for economic resilience, technological advancement, and sustainable development. The UAE's leadership in AI, digital transformation, and smart technologies aligns closely with the Philippines' own aspirations.' 'Filipinos in the UAE – as IT professionals, engineers, creatives, and innovators – are contributing meaningfully in these advanced fields, embodying the Filipino spirit of excellence, dedication and resilience. This year, the UAE celebrates the Year of Community. We take great pride in the integral role that the Filipino community plays in this country's success and in enriching the UAE's social and economic fabric.' 'Filipino workers and entrepreneurs continue to be active contributors not just in traditional sectors, but increasingly in knowledge-based industries, reinforcing their value as partners in nation-building – both here and at home. The Filipino community continues to thrive in this land of opportunity and inclusion while carrying the legacy of our hard-won independence. We honor their sacrifices and their vital role in strengthening Philippines-UAE relations.' 'As we look toward the future, let us celebrate not only the freedom we cherish, but also the strong and evolving partnership we share with the UAE – a relationship that continues to grow in breadth, depth, innovation, shared purpose, and mutual benefit.'
