the CEO of the company, Fivecent Global Engr. Stanley Siahetong was interviewed by DZMJ Online at the TELA Conference of the Philippine Textile Research Institute in Taguig

New faces of Philhealth Member Portal relaunched 

The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) recently relaunched a new online facility in its website to provide registered members with safe, easy and hassle-free access to their own membership and contribution records.

Dubbed “PhilHealth Member Portal,” this new facility can be accessed using smart phones, laptops, tablets or personal computers that have internet connection from the comfort of homes or offices, saving members from time-consuming lines, transportation costs and more importantly from that hazards of contracting COVID-19.

Meanwhile, the new facility allows registered members to view and verify the accuracy of the information reflected in their membership profiles such as name, date of birth,address, employer, names of dependents, and other pertinent details. It also allows downloading and printing of Member Data Record (MDR) as well as for those who opt to keep a hard copy on file 
Moreover, Members needing to update their membership profile may fill-out the PhilHealth Member Registration Form (PMRF) which can also be downloaded from the website (www.philhealth.gov.ph) or may use their printed MDR indicating therein the correction/s and together with supporting documents must be submitted either via email(clear scanned copy) to the email address to be provided by their respective regional offices or in person at the nearest Local Health Insurance Office (LHIO) for updating.
Furthermore, it also enables members to view their contribution history to see if they are updated with their premiums. Should there be discrepancies or adjustments to be made, members can quickly act in coordination with their concerned employers or with the nearest LHIO.

To access their membership and contribution records, existing members must first register in the Portal using their PhilHealth Identification Number (PIN) to create their own user account and password. They should then confirm the account activation sent to their email address. Once their confirmation is received by PhilHealth, they can start using these services in the Portal.

Finally, self-paying individuals may soon avail themselves of an online payment facility using this Portal to pay contributions, anytime, anywhere while ensuring that their payments are credited automatically to their individual accounts
MJ Olvina- Balaguer of DZMJ Online, Makabuluhang Jornalismo your hapiness channel+639053611058, maryjaneolvina@gmail.com

“Ship to Shore Rights South East Asia”

Migrant workers in South-East Asia’s fishing and seafood processing sectors will benefit from a new programme that continues efforts to promote regular and safe labour migration throughout the industry.

“Ship to Shore Rights South East Asia” is a four year (2020-2024) programme implemented by the International Labour Organization (ILO) in collaboration with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The €10 million (US$11.29 million) initiative is funded by the European Union (EU).

The objectives of the programme include strengthening legal frameworks, protecting labour rights, and empowering workers in the fishing and seafood processing sectors in Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos People’s Democratic Republic, Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand and Viet Nam.

The programme will build upon the work of the EU-funded Ship to Shore Rights project, which came to an end in March 2020. By bringing together the three UN agencies it will draw on the partners’ experience in the region, to protect the rights of migrant workers and address issues such as forced labour, human trafficking, illegal recruitment practices, and poor access to information.

The programme will work with current, potential and returning migrant workers in the fishing and seafood processing sectors, their families, and communities in the countries of origin and destination. It will also collaborate with national government authorities, workers’ and employers’ organizations, recruitment agencies, vessel owners and their associations, civil society organizations, and community-based organizations.

The regulatory framework for labour migration in the fishing and seafood processing sectors is often weak, with migrant workers frequently recruited through irregular and informal channels. While there have been important improvements in recent years, workers still report lack of written work contracts, underpayment or withholding of wages, other types of wage theft, and coercion or involuntary work. The COVID-19 pandemic has also had a severe impact on the lives and livelihoods on migrant workers and their families. The Ship to Shore Rights South East Asia programme will support governments and partners in tackling these challenges and ensure robust protection for all migrant workers in these economically and socially important sectors.

Countries in South-East Asia are among the world’s top producers and exporters of fish and seafood products. The fishing and seafood processing supply chains rely on several elements including capture fisheries and land-based primary and secondary processing. Migrant workers contribute significantly to these sectors as fishers and workers in the processing phase. 

 “The regional, multi-country cooperation will help create a level playing field that will benefit the relevant governments, private sectors and workers. This regional intervention will maintain the political link between sustainable fisheries and decent labour practices.”Ambassador Pirkka Tapiola of the European Union to Thailand explained. 

“While progress has been made to improve working conditions for migrant workers in the fisheries and seafood processing sectors, many challenges still exist. This new initiative will promote innovative, rights-based and safe solutions to manage cross-border migration and employment. It will lead to a stronger industry and decent work for the women and men it employs,” expressed Chihoko Asada-Miyakawa, ILO Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific.

“This programme will continue to promote regular labour migration for those working in the fishing and seafood processing industries, ensuring that workers are recruited through safe channels. The project also places particular importance on the ability of migrants to affect change through increased awareness of their labour rights and ability to seek remedies where exploitation or trafficking is identified,” uttered Nenette Motus, IOM Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific.

Based on the detailed of ILO, 

MJ Olvina – Balaguer, DZMJ Online 

Makabuluhang Jornalismo, Your Happiness Channel +639053611058, maryjaneolvina@gmail.com