Dubai Police Hails Starbucks Employee for Honesty for Returning Customer's Bag Full of Cash

Dubai Police Hails Starbucks Employee for Honesty for Returning Customer's Bag Full of Cash

A Starbucks employee is being hailed as a “true example of honesty” after she returned a customer’s bag containing cheques and a huge amount of cash.

Mae Anne Olmidillo from Philippines, who works as a branch manager at the Starbucks outlet in Dubai Mall, was honored by the Dubai police in presence of her coworkers on August 29.

Dubai Airports will use face scanner technology

The Dubai’s General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) has signed up an agreement with a British company named “ObjectTech” to put up biometric face scanner technology that will scan passenger faces to eliminate long queues at the passport control counters and go right away to baggage reclaim.

Dubai, which handled 83.6 million passengers last year and expecting the number of arriving passengers, will increase this year. Dubai Airports, the operator of the world’s busiest airport, will test this new facial recognition technology.

RTA enabled the IVR System on its credit card payment service

The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) keenness to save customers’ time and effort, serves there third Strategic Goal ‘People Happiness’ and conforms to the Smart City drive of Dubai Government, last Sunday (June 10, 2017) announced that it has enabled the Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system of its hotline number 8009090.

In cooperation with the digital communications specialist company Avaya, RTA customers can now use the IVR system for the credit card payment service, and pay for a number of services, including:

Watch New Year's Eve Fireworks in Dubai

Thousands of people waited for hours around Downtown Dubai to enjoy the spectacle and watch
the spectacular display of lights that lasted for 8 minutes. It was shoot off from 23 locations in Downtown Dubai, with Burj Khalifa at its centre.

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.

Philippine Wedding & Travel Expo @ Dubai and Abu Dhabi

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21 recruitment agencies suspended for 'reprocessing' Dubai-bound OFWs

At least 21 recruitment agencies based in the Philippines are facing suspension or cancellation of their licenses after illegally reprocessing 30 Filipinos headed to Dubai, The National reported Tuesday.

The National reported that the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) investigated the agencies last week and discovered enough evidence to warrant their suspension or the cancellation of their licenses.

Delmer Cruz, a Dubai-based labor attache, said the 21 agencies reprocessed the 30 Filipinos or used job orders different from the work given at their destination country.

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.

Pinoys hold fundraiser in Dubai for Typhoon Ruby victims

A Filipino non-government organization in the United Arab Emirates held a fundraising activity at the Philippine consulate in Dubai for the victims of Typhoon Ruby, a report from GMA's “News TV Live” program said Saturday.

According to the report, Sangguniang Masang Pilipino launched the event named “Brunch for a Cause” which was attended by at least 200 people. The event featured Filipino artists and bands who performed for the crowd.

The funds raised will be used to buy food and other necessities for typhoon victims in the Samar province and other areas.

Flag down rates of Dubai taxi change starting on December 1

CEO of RTA’s Public Transport Agency, said the flag down rates of taxis in Dubai will increase from Dh3 to Dh5 from December 1, it will be applicable to all taxi franchises in Dubai.

Only the flag down rate is revised and not the Dh1.71 per kilometre rate.

RTA has also revised the basic charges for booking cabs, with the non-peak hour bookings costing Dh8, up from Dh6, and the peak-hour bookings will be charged Dh12 up from Dh10.

Nathaniel Alapide the Filipino sand artist in Dubai

The 7DAYS meet the Filipino sand artist Nathaniel Alapide who has been creating a sensation with his amazing works on Dubai seafront. See how he creates his temporary masterpieces in the video below.

Pinoy artist makes Dubai shoreline his canvas

For his sand murals along a Dubai shoreline, Filipino artist Nathaniel Alapide is slowly making a name in the United Arab Emirates.

“For me it is a like a form of meditation,” Alapide told lifestyle website 7Days in Dubai, referring to his drive to create sand murals on the Burj Khalifa shoreline.

An aquarium specialist in Dubai's Atlantis hotel, Alapide said he gets his inspiration from his aquatic charges and various life experiences.

Dubai-based Filipino dragon boat club rules Ireland tilt

A Filipino dragon boat club based in the United Arab Emirates made waves in the Dublin Dragon Boat Regatta in Ireland on September 14 and 15.

The A-Team Dragon Boat Club, which is composed of rowers from the Philippines and the UAE, bested five other teams in the 200-meter and 400-meter races in the International Challenge.

The Pinoy paddlers defeated local club teams from Ireland and Britain such as the Crusaders Dragon Boat Club, GB Slayers, Irish Pub Punk Team, and two teams composed of breast cancer victims and survivors, the Plurabelle Paddlers and Team Ireland.

Passport released as of September 7, 2014

The list of names of applicants whose e-passports are now available for pick-up at the Consulate General in Dubai beginning with the latest batch (as of September 7, 2014) received from DFA-Manila.

Philippine Consulate - Dubai, Holy Week Holiday

The public is hereby informed that the Consulate General shall be closed on the following dates in observance of the Holy Week:

17 April Maundy Thursday
18 April Good Friday
19 April Black Saturday
20 April Easter Sunday
Notwithstanding, PCG Dubai’s Passport Unit shall be open to all applicants who have renewal appointments on 20 April, Easter Sunday.

Regular office hours will resume on Monday, 21 April 2014.

2014 Fireworks - Burj Khalifa, Dubai

Pinoy household helpers in Dubai to receive $400 monthly minimum pay

Placement agencies in the Emirate of Dubai have agreed to give a $400 (more or less P16,500) monthly minimum salary for Filipino household workers, following the steps recently taken by Saudi Arabia.

According to Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz, this was after licensed recruitment agencies (LRAs) in the Philippines signed a joint statement of commitment with their counterpart placement agencies in Dubai.

Baldoz said the signing will pave the way for the full implementation of the many provisions of her department’s Household Reform Package for household service workers (HSWs), including the payment of the minimum monthly salary of $400 and non-charging of excessive fees.

Social Security System launches new office in Dubai

The Social Security System (SSS) launched a new office in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said.

In a news release, the DFA said a simple ceremony led by SSS President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Emilio S. de Quiros Jr. at the Consulate General’s premises marked the opening of the SSS office on September 21.

SSS currently has 15 offices in 11 countries.

Aside from newly-opened office in Dubai, SSS has six other offices in the Middle East. They are in Riyadh, Jeddah, Al Khobar, Kuwait, Doha, and Abu Dhabi. SSS is also re-opening its office in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Consulate General in UAE revises office hours for Ramadan

The Philippine Consulate General (PCG) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) announced this week its office hours during the Holy Month of Ramadan.

In a post on its website, the Consulate General said its offices will be open from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. during the month.

"The Consulate General of the Republic of the Philippines, in observance of the Holy month of Ramadan, shall be open from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.," the PCG said.

A prominent Islamic group had announced that Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting, will begin on July 20.

Dubai-based Pinoys register for OAV

Filipinos based in Dubai took the opportunity to register for the Overseas Absentee Voting that would enable them to participate in the 2013 midterm elections in the Philippines.

“Ito ay isang magandang sensyales na talagang interesado sila at gustong-gusto nilang makiaalam sa darating na halalan,” said Vice Consul Gerry Suliguin.

The OAV registration was conducted during the Philippine Independence Day celebration.

The program was also supported by the Filipino Community in Dubai and Northern Emirates.

“This time, we are supporting the government's campaign for overseas absentee voting," said Alan Bacason, the group’s president.