Comments:
I am an avid reader of your column in Imbestigador which for me is very informative. I am right now on vacation and one of my itineraries is to visit your office so that I can become a member of your foundation. Mabuhay kayo!

Comments:
More power to POFW-SMENFI!

Comments:
We urge your organization to lobby in Congress to make legislations that can help improve the lives of the OFW families. More power!

Comments:
BOSES NG PAMILYANG OFWs... Ni GEORGE A. ARRIOLA... For Monday (September 6, 2004) issue... Gusto ba ninyong magtrabaho sa France?... Isa sa mga kapamilya natin ang nag-e-mail sa inyong lingkod upang humingi ng payo sa ilan nating kapamilyang OFW sa France upang sila ay makapagtrabaho nang legal sa nasabing bansa. Ayon kay Jay Torres, nabalitaan niya na madali lamang ang trabaho at malaki ang sahod sa France kaya’t siya ay interesado na doon magtrabaho. Nakipag-ugnayan naman kami sa isa nating kapamilya sa France, na ayaw ipalathala ang pangalan, at agad na ini-e-mail niya sa atin ang kanyang suhestiyon sa mga nais na magtrabaho sa nabanggit na bansa. Bilang serbisyo publiko ng IMBESTIGADOR at Task Force Against Illegal Recruitment and Investment Scams o TIRIS, ang mga sumusunod ay ang kanyang payo: Dear Mr. Arriola: This is just a suggestion (which I think is the best) to our kapamilya in the Philippines who would like to work here. Just apply for a Tourist Visa (AND NO NEED TO GET AN AGENT unless you got some problems in obtaining Visa). Sometimes, you only need an agent if you have some problems because they can help you in exchange of HIGHER FEES! So, just visit the Embassy of France in the Philippines or their website to ask for the requirements. Read it vert carefully and make a checklist. Prepare the necessary documents and make sure that all your papers are in order. NO FAKE PAPERS, PLEASE! It’s easy to secure a tourist visa if your documents are in order and you will comply with all the requirements. As soon as they issue you a tourist visa, prepare for your pocket money. Wherever you go in France, you need MONEY! But as a Tourist, the money that the France authority will gonna ask from you is just your SHOW MONEY, meaning, it's a pocket money which is an evidence that you have enough finances to support yourself as a tourist. You're not going to give this money to them or to any agency. It is your OWN MONEY...So even IF you will borrow these money it is ALL YOURS...(Unless you have an agent which you need to pay some fees. But as I said, no need to get an agent, you can do it yourself if your papers and requirements are complete). If you have a relative or you know someone in France, it will be a big help if they can give you a Supporting Letter which should be notarized in France. The letter should state that you are a family member or your friend, who is already there, is ready to assist you while in France. Sometimes, you don't need to bring so much cash to be your show money if you got this letter. Now, if you don't know anybody, as I said, you need the show money. The amount will depend on the embassy officer's request, but usually, it is between U$3,000 and U$5,000. You can show them a bank account, cash, traveller’s cheque and credit cards. If you don't have this letter, they will ask from you a confirmed PLANE TICKET and/or HOTEL BOOKINGS too. Plane travel could be an actual air ticket or just a Confirmation Note (Itinerary) from the Ticketing Agency. Sometimes, if you declared that you have some properties such as lands, etc, you need to submit or show them the proof of these. If you managed to go to France, don't be worried if you don't know anybody as long as you have MONEY. You must read, write and understand common French language. So, buy a dictionary as well. Don't waste time. As soon as you get there, look for a job. They said there are many service related jobs such as waiter, driver, cleaner, helper that you can try first temporarily. If your employer will like you, they can get you a working visa and no need for you to work as TNT! It is almost the same system as in the United States. You can also work as TNT but make sure you'll not be caught! But it's better not be a TNT. At least, have a valid VISA even if it's just a Tourist Visa first. I hope these information will help our kababayans there who intend to work here legally. B.T. * * * Para sa inyong reaksyon, reklamo o sumbong, mag-text lang sa ating 24-hour na text messaging hotline na 0916-7421768 o kaya ay mag-e-mail sa gearcom2005@yahoo.com. Ang mga may problemang legal na gustong kumunsulta kay Atty. J. Oswald Lorenzo ay pwede ring mag-text sa nabanggit kong hotline number. Inaanyayahan ko po kayo na bumisita sa ating website na www.pamilyangofw-sme.com na kung saan ay inyo ring matutunghayan ang kolum na ito. Dapat na magkaisa po tayong lahat upang ipaglaban ang karapatan at itaguyod ang kapakanan ng ating modern-day heroes at kanilang pamilya. Hanggang sa Miyerkules, mabuhay ang pamilyang OFWs! # # #