2nd One Stop Shop Center for OFWs Opens at Clark Freeport Zone in Pampanga

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Secretary Silvestre Bello III and Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Arturo Tugade on Friday (September 16, 2016) led the opening of the 2nd One Stop Shop Center for Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) that will fast track government processes especially for overseas workers.

“This is part of President Rodrigo Duterte’s program to provide convenience to our OFWs mostly working in the Middle East and other parts of world, they can now go to Clark to transact their requirements for their convenience,” Bello said.

According to Bello, “this is the 2nd one stop shop center for OFWs established inside Clark Freeport Zone and it is near the Clark International Airport.”

He said that “the requirement is to put up a one stop shop at Clark and at the same provide all the facilities which will include not only the Foreign Affairs, actually the NBI and DOJ as well as the medical facilities to our Kababayans.”

Bello said that they will put up the same centers in other parts of the country such as in San Fernando La Union, Cebu City, Cagayan de Oro and Davao City, adding that the facilities will be completed within the year.

Bello said that Clark Airport is being geared as the next alternative airport to ease decongestion at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in Metro Manila.

“There is now a move to transfer several flights at Clark Airport, and the establishment of the one stop shop in Clark is timely,” he added.

For his part, Tugade also said that the establishment of the One Stop Shop center in Clark is part of the requirements of International carriers especially those from the Middle East wherein OFWs will benefit from this facility in Clark Freeport.

Tugade also said that the facility in Clark will benefit OFws mostly residing in Central and Northern Luzon who flies at Clark International Airport (CRK) in Pampanga.

Tugade said that the one stop shop center is now open and operational for the convenience of the OFWs.

The opening of the facility were also attended by Former President and 2nd District Congresswoman Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, Pampanga Governor Lilia Pineda, Angeles City Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan, Catanduanes Congressman Cesar Sarmiento, Former Nueva Ecija Rep. Renato Diaz, CIAC President Alxander Cauguiran and CDC President Noel Manankil.

The DOTr and DOLE took the lead for the establishment of the said Center at Clark. The Clark International Airport Corporation (CIAC) and the Clark Development Corporation (CDC) also provided support for the establishment of the facility.

The new facility is home to sixteen agencies in a single building located at Clark Polytechnic, just a few kilometers from the Clark International Airport (CRK).

Among the agencies are, the Bureau of Immigration (BI), Philhealth, Pag-Ibig Fund, Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), Overseas Workers Welfare (OWWA), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Professional Regulation Commission (PRC), Department of Education (DepEd), Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Social Security System(SSS), Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), Commission on Filipino Overseas (CFO) and Bayad Center.

The one-stop-shop center will provide services such as the processing of the Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC), NBI clearances , the processing of Pag-Ibig OFW members contributions, Philhealth payment premium contributions and members registration, SSS registration and membership data amendment including acceptance of loans and benefits claim applications, PSA’s processing and issuance of birth certificate, marriage certificate, death certificate, and CENOMAR.

MARINA’s issuance and revalidation of seamans’ book, issuance of PRC’s professional licenses and TESDA’s issuance of training certifications and applications for scholarship programs will also be facilitated in the Center.

The facility is also equipped with a WiFi internet connection for the convenience of the agencies and the OFWs.

The Largest IT Event in the Country Returns for its 14th Year, Joined by Lamudi PH

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Committed as an enabling event for today’s youth, the Youth Congress on Information Technology (Y4iT) returns for its 14th year on September 27, 28, and 29 at the SMX Convention Center Manila, MOA Complex, Pasay City.

The three-day congress, which has been at the forefront of information technology-gathering events in the country, is once again expected to gather more than 20,000 delegates nationide, from IT college students and professionals to enthusiasts.

“Y4IT provides a venue for IT students from all over the country, not just to learn from local and international IT thought leaders, but more importantly from each other. It is also not just about learning but also about having fun with newfound friends and getting connected,” said Commissioner Monchito Ibrahim, Deputy Executive Director of the Department of Science and Technology–Information and Communications Technology Office.

The long-running event aspires be a constant source of inspiration to many as it helps bridge industry authorities and the youth. “Each year, we are overwhelmed by the number of people coming together who all want to learn. Each year, they motivate us to continue our goal to inform, involve, and encourage the youth to be active in creating and developing solutions (through technology) to urban challenges,” saidY4iT Marketing Head Cha Ramos.

Retail, the Digital Way with SMART Store Manager

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Retail continues to be one of the Philippines’ most dynamic industries, a leading economic growth driver buoyed by the robust consumer spending and a market that has become increasingly sophisticated. With local and global brands all vying for the attention of Filipino shoppers, success in the retail space may not only be determined by providing quality products and value for money, but also great customer sales experience.

The SMART Store Manager solution is one such offering from PLDT Enterprise that helps retailers enhance customer service delivery. It aims to improve the shopping process by enabling customers to check out their purchases assisted by store personnel deftly managing transactions through the mobile Point-of-Sale (POS) solution. SMART Store Manager also acts as a tablet-based menu, providing images that highlight the product or service customers are paying for, allowing them to fully appreciate the shopping choices they are about to make.

“SMART Store Manager is one of the many solutions of PLDT Enterprise that aims to support Philippine enterprises in growing their business,” said Gio Abaquin, Head for Digital Mobility, Disruptive Business Group (DBG), the emerging technologies business unit of PLDT Enterprise. “Such innovative solutions let enterprises build their competitiveness, distinguish themselves from other industry players, and deliver superb shopping experiences to their customers.”

Aside from enhanced customer experience, the SMART Store Manager also offers a range of benefits for enterprises operations-wise. Not only does it eliminate the need to invest in electronic registers or expensive software, it also frees up valuable store space -- usually taken up by cash registers -- to be used for other purposes such as merchandise display. Furthermore, the SMART Store Manager bundles the Mobile Application, Tablet, and SIM-based connectivity in one affordable package, so retailers can readily deploy their mobile POS in their stores.

“With an engaging, user-friendly interface and reliable connectivity to ensure that customers enjoy seamless shopping, SMART Store Manager truly creates an enhanced and differentiated digital retail experience for today’s Filipino consumer.” added Chet Alviz​, Head of SMACS (Social, Mobile, Analytics, Cloud & Security).