Dubai to release 11 Pinoy prisoners in observance of Ramadan

Eleven Filipinos detained in Dubai for various offenses are among the 734 prisoners scheduled to be released in observance of Ramadan, the Department of Foreign Affairs said Thursday.

They were ordered freed by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai, the DFA said.

Citing a report from the Philippine Consulate General, the DFA said Dubai’s Attorney General, Mr. Issam Al Humaidan, announced that the public prosecution has begun the legal procedures to implement the Sheikh’s release order, in cooperation with the Dubai Police.

Pinoy helpers in UAE face vacation trip delay over exit clearance

Filipina household helpers in the United Arab Emirates who want to go home for the Holy Week and summer (dry season) may face long delays in getting clearances at the Philippine embassy in Abu Dhabi, a UAE news site reported Thursday.

Employers of the Filipino housemaids are complaining about the long waiting period for the exit clearance or overseas workers travel permit, Gulf News reported.

How to get an OEC in U.A.E.

Who may apply for an OEC?

1. If you are an OWWA member with expired membership or you are a first time OWWA applicant, accomplish the following forms:
    A. OWWA Membership
    B. OEC
    C. Pag-Ibig

2. If you are an OWWA member with valid unexpired membership, accomplish (B) and (C) above.

April 2015 Holidays of Philippine Embassy and Consulate in U.A.E.

The Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the Philippine Consulate in Dubai will be closed on the following dates:

02 April 2015 - Maundy Thursday 
03 April 2015 - Good Friday 
09 April 2015 - Araw ng Kagitingan

PHL assures help for Pinay in foiled UAE robbery

Philippine officials in the United Arab Emirates are extending assistance to a Filipina arrested for trying to rob a money exchange establishment last week.

Ambassador to Abu Dhabi Grace Princesa confirmed the woman is indeed a Filipina, and that the embassy is trying to help her.

"We are trying to assist her," she told GMA News in a phone call from Vienna, Austria.

But Princesa also urged Filipinos in UAE who are having financial problems to get help from the Embassy.

Pinoy group brings consular services to kababayans in Al Ain

An outreach program conducted by a Filipino group here last month was attended by more or less 200 Filipinos.

Al Ain is located 160 km east of Abu Dhabi, the UAE’s capital. It would take almost two hours going there and another two hours coming back.

The program, conducted by the Filipino Community, Al Ain (FilCom, Al Ain) last October 31, aimed to bring the services of the Philippine embassy in Abu Dhabi to Filipinos who have no or limited time to go to the capital.

2 Pinoys killed in Abu Dhabi road crash

Two Filipinos were among three people killed in a grisly car crash in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates Sunday.

Eleven people were also injured in the accident, according to a report posted early Monday on news site Gulf News.

Sunday's incident involved a 14-seater minibus that hit a taxi after it allegedly jumped the red light at the intersection of Shaikh Saif Bin Mohammad Street and Al Saada Street in Al Mushrif area in Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi Police Traffic Accidents Section Investigation Department director Major Abdullah Al Suwaidi said.

UAE airline supports financial literacy project for Pinoys — DFA

Etihad Airways, the flag carrier of the United Arab Emirates, home to over 600,000 Filipinos, has pledged support for the Philippine government's efforts to encourage overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) to save, invest, and become entrepreneurs.

In a news release, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Friday said officials of Etihad Airways made the pledge after a meeting with Philippine ambassador Grace Princesa on June 20.

"(Etihad) officials lauded the Embassy's initiative and informed Ambassador Princesa that they would support it by allowing a training session for Filipino employees of the airline to be held in one of the company's training rooms or auditoriums," the DFA said.

"Etihad Airways is the national airline of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. As of June 2012, it employs 747 Filipinos working in various capacities," the DFA said.

OFW guide: When in Abu Dhabi, do as the Arabs do

The Abu Dhabi Tourism Police released a pamphlet to guide the public, especially tourists, on the basic do’s and don’ts in the emirate.

A report of the news site The National said Brigadier General Omair Al Mihiri, deputy director general of police operations, said the pamphlets were for the tourists’ welfare and awareness.

Aside from specifying the rules of public behavior, the pamphlet also includes trends and behavior considered as uncivilized in the UAE and "would make them subject to prosecution," Al Mihiri said.

The pamphlet is available in different languages: Arabic, Chinese, English, French, German, Hindi, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Russian Spanish, and Urdu.

Delay fees for Emirates ID in Abu Dhabi begun

Last Thursday, Emirates Identity Authority (Emirates ID) announced that Saturday (March 31) would be the final chance for residents to register without paying delay fees in Abu Dhabi.

Imposing the delay fees for those living in Abu Dhabi who has not renewed or registered for their Emirates ID card was began last Sunday (April 1).

The EIDA has reminded any resident who has not registered or renewed to do so as quickly as possible.

They also reminded that for those who want to renew or register for an Emirates ID try to use the e-form, either at a typing center or through the website, because it really would help to avoid further delay fees

Pinoy in UAE recycles aluminum cans to send PHL kids to school

A Filipino in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) raises funds by recycling aluminum cans to send children in the Philippines to school.

A report of the news site Gulf News on Friday said after work, Michael Del Moro Manlogon collects around 300 aluminum cans a day from a food court near his workplace.

He then flattens the cans with his feet and sells them to a city scrap dealer who pays him Dh4 (P46.55) per kilo.

Vice Ganda No Concert in Abu Dhabi on January 20

Comedian Vice Ganda denied that he will be having a concert in Abu Dhabi this month.

The concert, which has a teaser video on YouTube, will supposedly be held on January 20, 2012 at the Abu Dhabi Golf and Equestrian Club. The teaser video also said Vice Ganda will have Jon Avila, Mc and Lassy, David Heart, DJ Rico and Brownfusion as guests.

But Vice Ganda made it clear that his show in Abu Dhabi is scheduled for March.

"Wala pong magaganap na show diyan sa Abu Dhabi ngayong January. Ang naka-sched po ay sa March pa. Kaya kung nakabili na kayo ng ticket, habulin ninyo," he told ABS-CBN News.

Fine in Spitting, Throwing Cigarette and Chewing Gum In The Street of Abu Dhabi

The Abu Dhabi municipality will be soon launch their campaign slogan "Keep the city of Abu Dhabi clean" and spitting, throwing cigarette butts or any waste, or spitting gum on public streets of Abu Dhabi will be given a fine for doing those things.

According to a municipality statement in Al Khaleej: “The offending person will be accountable and the fine will start at Dh100 for spitting, Dh500 for throwing chewing gum, Dh200 for throwing cigarette butts, and Dh500 for waste like water bottles, cans or paper waste.”

Location and Contacts of Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi, U.A.E.