How to pay SSS contribution via PRN (Payment Reference Number)

Today's Exchange rate. PayPal vs UnionBank PH

Be wise. Ride Angkas

DFA Shortens Wait Time for Passport Releases

Passport applicants will no longer have to wait almost a month before they could get hold of their passports as these would be available in as early as six working days effective 1 October, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) announced today.

“We made a promise to the President and to our kababayan that we will work hard to give them fast, efficient, and secure passport services,” Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter S. Cayetano said in a statement from New York where he is attending the 73rd Session of the United Nations General Assembly.

“Shortening the length of time our kababayan would have to wait before they could receive their passports is part of that promise,” Secretary Cayetano said in announcing the new passport releasing schedules.

The Secretary said that beginning Monday, applicants at DFA Consular Offices in Metro Manila who pay the regular processing fee of P950.00 can receive their passports after 12 working days instead of 15 working days. Those who opt to pay the express processing fee of P1,200.00 can receive theirs after 6 working days instead of 7.

Secretary Cayetano said applicants in DFA Consular Offices outside Metro Manila can receive their passports after 12 working days instead of 20 for regular processing and after 7 working days instead of 10 for expedited processing.

Secretary Cayetano said the DFA is also currently working on reducing the waiting time for passport applications filed at Philippine Embassies and Consulates General around the world that currently takes as long as two months.

Aside from reducing the processing time for passport applications, the Secretary said the DFA has also been able to shorten the waiting time of applicants in securing online appointment slots to as early as two weeks to one month compared to as long as two to three months last year.

The Secretary said this was the result of reforms that have been initiated since last year that included efforts to increase the capacity of the DFA to absorb the surge in passport applications such as the e-payment and the opening of at least 10,000 slots at 12 noon and 9 pm, Monday to Saturday, except holiday.

“From the 9,500 passports that were being processed daily in May last year, we have increased our capacity to almost 20,000 passports a day.  We endeavor to increase this number to 30,000 by the end of the year,” the Secretary said.

“Providing better passport services is at the heart of our work at the DFA,” Secretary Cayetano said in assuring the public that the agency will continue to work hard to further improve the delivery of passport services to them so they can study, work and travel abroad as they may desire. END

source: https://dfa.gov.ph/dfa-news/dfa-releasesupdate/17995-dfa-shortens-wait-time-for-passport-releases

Passport Appointment Slot availability is REAL

Series Recommendation: THE GIFTED นักเรียนพลังกิฟต์

Thai science fantasy suspense television series produced by GMMTV and Parbdee Taweesuk. It is directed by Patha Thongpan, Dhammarong Sermrittirong, Waasuthep Ketpetch, and Jarupat Kannula,.

The series is adapted from the 2015 short film The Gifted and the novel The Gifted ภารกิจลับ นักเรียนพลังกิฟต์ by SandOtnim.

Ritdha High School is not the only school with gifted students. But what makes it unique is its "Gifted Program". In the Gifted class, only a handful of students were chosen to be in this program, but only those who are deemed "special".

Unfortunately, “Pang” (Korapat Kirdpan), the poor 10th-grade student suddenly passed the Gifted placement test for an unknown reason. His entrance to the Gifted Program was filled with confusion. He and his new friends in the class started to feel that there is something strange about this class.

Eventually, they figured out that this Gifted Program is unleashing something about their "potential" in themselves to be awaken.

Their lives are about to change, when great power that fulfill all their dreams come with troubles. Moreover, their gift is about to reveal a secret that this school tries to hide. 

I highly recommend the series. Below is the official Youtube link with English subtitle from GMMTV.

Watch it here.

Enjoy!

#TheGifted
#นักเรียนพลังกิฟต์









References:
"เรื่องย่อ The Gifted นักเรียนพลังกิฟต์". SpringNews (in Thai). July 31, 2018. Retrieved August 13, 2018.
J., Khanittha (August 1, 2018). "ปลุกพลังลับให้ตื่น "THE GIFTED นักเรียนพลังกิฟต์" ห้องเรียนเด็กพิเศษที่ไม่ใช่เด็กเก่งธรรมดา". Sanook.com (in Thai). Retrieved August 13, 2018.
"อีกไม่กี่วัน! จากหนังสั้นธีสิส สู่ซีรี่ย์ที่หลายคนรอคอย The Gifted นักเรียนพลังกิฟต์". Sudsapda (in Thai). July 23, 2018. Retrieved August 13, 2018.

Don't procrastinate. Go out! Register.

The deadline for voter registration for the upcoming MAY 13, 2019 NATIONAL AND LOCAL ELECTIONS is on September 29, 2018.

If you don't, don't complain.

Based on Resolution No. 10392 promulgated on 19 June 2018

source: https://www.comelec.gov.ph/php-tpls-attachments/VoterRegistration/Resolutions/com_res_10392.pdf

FACT: Senior Citizen Benefit in the Philippines

In the Philippines, we always celebrate our love for our GRANDPARENTS everyday by giving them RA 7432 series of 1992 and RA 9994 series of 2010. It gives a mandatory 20% discount and an additional 12% VAT exemption to all senior citizen (with senior citizen ID) to all basic goods and services.

Local government units also have specific programs and additional benefits for their elderly.

Read RA 7432 here and RA 9994 here.

Disclaimer: This is not a paid nor a political post.

Travel in Style with UBE

Not in a hurry going to Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1, 2, 3 and 4? Take UBE express (Ultimate Bus Experience), it is operated by Airfreight 2100 Inc. in partnership with  DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND COMMUNICATION and its attached agency, LAND TRANSPORTATION FRANCHISING and REGULATORY BOARD.

They offer daily operation to and from NAIA, and 24 hour service available in NAIA Terminal 3.

Travelling with UBE express provides comfort, convenient and hassle free airport transfer experience or you get your money back guarantee. This means you will be able to avoid scams, rude service, and communication problems quite frequently with taxi drivers and you don't need to wait up to an hour for a vacant taxi in the airport or city centre during busy hours.

See image below for the available routes. They just added a new route from Araneta Center Cubao.

Operating Hours

Ticket Outlet and Operating Hours:

NAIA Terminal 1 , 8:00AM – 10:00PM

NAIA Terminal 2 , 8:00AM – 10:00PM

NAIA Terminal 3, Available 24-hours

Robinsons Manila, 6:00AM – 10:00PM

Victory Liner Pasay, Available 24-hours

SM Mall of Asia, 12:00NN-8:00PM

Online booking is also available. Click here.

Try it now and you'll see the difference.

#notapaidpost

source: http://www.ubeexpress.com/

HOW TO: Apply for CHED Student Financial Assistance Programs (StuFAPs)

Documentary Requirements
For Incoming Freshmen:
For 4th year HS applicants – 3rd year grade and first three grading periods of fourth year
For high school graduates – Form 138
For Applicants with Earned Units in College – Certificate of grades in all subjects in completed semesters
Other Applicants

ALS – Accreditation and Equivalency Test Passer Certificate
PEPT – Certificate of Advancing to the Next Level

Other Requirements
Any one of the following: Latest Income Tax Return (ITR) of parents or guardian, Certificate of Tax Exemption from the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), Certificate of Indigency from their Barangay, Case Study from Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), or Affidavit of No Income. For children of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) and seafarers, a latest copy of contract or proof of income may be considered.
Certificate of good moral character from the last school attended.

Priority Courses CMO-01-2014 

Application Period is from
FEBRUARY to APRIL

For further information, please contact
Office of Student Development and Services
3/F HEDC Building, CP Garcia Avenue, Quezon City
Tel No.: (02) 988-0001
E-mail: oss@ched.gov.ph


source: Commision on Higher Education (CHEd) PH

FOOD: A must try in General Santos

Are you headed to the southernmost city in the Philippines - General Santos? Here is my top 10 list of food that you MUST need to try.

Tell me what you think? Happy Eating!

PhilHealth: New Policy on Benefit Eligibility to Start in October

The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) reminds the public anew that the sufficient regularity of payment (SRP) will be required for all benefit availments starting October 1, 2018.

Previously set for implementation last January, PhilHealth postponed the execution of the directive to provide its members with ample time to update their premium contributions in order to ensure themselves and their dependents of uninterrupted social health insurance coverage.

The SRP rule is contained in PhilHealth Circular No. 2017-0021 which states that, “...to establish sufficient regularity of payment, members should have paid six (6) months contributions preceding the three (3) months qualifying contributions within the twelve (12)-month period prior to the first day of confinement...”

In effect, to be eligible to PhilHealth benefits, a member should have paid at least nine (9) months’ worth of premiums in the twelve (12) months preceding the confinements including the confinement month of the patient.

“We call on our members to see to it that their membership information and premium contributions are up to date in order to maintain an active PhilHealth membership. In doing so, they ensure themselves and their qualified dependents of social health insurance benefits for their medical needs,” said PhilHealth Acting President and CEO Dr. Roy B. Ferrer.

Further inquiries on this policy may be referred to PhilHealth’s 24/7 Corporate Action Center Hotline, (02) 441-7442. E-mails may also be sent to actioncenter@philhealth.gov.ph for clarifications, comments, and suggestions. For more updates, members and stakeholders are encouraged to follow PhilHealth on Twitter (@teamphilhealth) and Facebook (facebook.com/PhilHealth). END (JJ Rico)

Reference: Shirley B. Domingo M.D., Vice President for Corporate Affairs and Official Spokesperson | Mobile No.: 0917-1360964

source: https://www.philhealth.gov.ph/news/2018/new_policy.html

Philippines Social Security Systems for Dummies

Every adult Filipino needs protection and this is where Philippine Social Security System comes in. It doesn't matter whether you are employed, self-employed or OFW, you MUST get your SSS set-up.

Social security is the protection that the SSS provides to its members against the economic hardships caused by life’s contingencies such as sickness, maternity, disability, old age, and death.

If you are an SSS member, you can depend on the SSS to provide financial support and assistance (whether in the form of cash allowances, pensions, or loans) in times of emergencies or life’s contingencies. It is important, however, that you regularly and actively pay your contributions so that you can be assured of the benefits and loan programs being offered by the SSS.

source: https://www.sss.gov.ph/

7 habits of a wise saver

We need to be wise. YOLO is OK, but being a pulubi later is not.

Here are the 7 habits of a wise saver.

source: Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation - PDIC

#wisesaver #iponipondin

Sending and Receiving money in the Philippines EASILY.

Inter-bank transactions is easy. No queue need and saves a LOT of time.

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas launches Instapay where you can send and received money real-time. It it safe and secure.

source: http://www.bsp.gov.ph/

PH Weather: As of 9:44AM

Dummy Guide in getting BIR Registration for Freelancer

Even as a freelancer, we need to pay our taxes as a duty being a Filipino.

You may used your income tax return as a requirements for Loans, VISA application and other purposes that needs financial documents.

Here is the dummy guide to help you through the process.

#BIR #upworker #freelancer #homebased #buhayonliner

SSS payment made EASY

When Philippine Social Security System Circular 2017-010 started to launch the Payment Reference Number (PRN), self-employed and voluntary paying members have the hard time paying their contribution. SM Supermalls temporarily stop accepting SSS payment, and you are ONLY limited to BAYAD CENTER outlets.

Worry no more, if you are a Security Bank account holder, you can pay your contribution through online or using their mobile app. Simple! Banking made easy.

(This is not a paid post)

#SSSpaymentcontribution

#socialsecuritysystem

#securitybank

#upwork

#buhayonliner

#digitalnomad

E-commerce: View from a Customer Support

“The most powerful display of customer satisfaction is positive word of mouth.” — Steven Lowell

E-commerce is the largest market in the world that caters to all types of customers. Amazon, is the largest that values a trillion dollar following apple. They have a selling platform called Amazon Marketplace where individuals, small enterprises and small entrepreneurs can start selling different products. One of the top platform were these products were sourced is from AliExpress - where you can find wholesalers of different products. 

This is where customer support agent and/or virtual assistant came into picture. We processed your order through AliExpress, and wholesalers will ship it directly to you (customers). Once order is placed, we will wait for the shipping information from the supplier and we will update the customer directly through the selling platform like Amazon. Shipping will take 7-20 business days and longer for Canada orders.

Customers didn’t know that their order is coming directly  and shipped from China. This is why there were a lot of angry customers and support will do everything to save the sale due to late arrival of the order. Especially those who pays for expedite shipping or express shipping. Other factors that made the customer angry is product that they received didn’t meet their expectation or defective.

As a support representative, we listen but we don’t give in easily to customers demand. As much as we understand how f*ck up the situation is, we need to think about the welfare of the business we are serving. These owners even they had a large profit margins, there are lots of other expenses to consider like advertising cost, maintenance cost and other operating cost that sometimes they earn only a small portion of the mark up.

To maintain customer satisfaction even with the above mentioned circumstances, we provide some discounts, free items and voucher codes that they can share to their friends. 

Also, always answer their questions in a timely basis with a 24-hour turn around time.

We are saddened by how it works but it is how it is and at the end of the day, customer service job and virtual jobs put food on our plate. Business owners must be transparent on their shipping times to ensure customer satisfaction and lessen losses.