Fresh curbs on Filipinos travelling to the UAE drew a mixed reaction from the community.
The Philippine embassy recently announced that a notarised declaration is needed before they stamp an affidavit of support for any Filipino who obtained a visit visa to the UAE through a travel agency.
The notarisation, however, does not apply to those directly sponsoring their next-of-kin. The new requirement caught many Filipinos here by surprise.
Dick Orense, a community leader based in Abu Dhabi, said: "In reality, we don't need this new procedure. Even the next-of-kin travellers are also prevented by immigration officials in Manila from travelling to force them to pay a bribe, though they present the required papers."
The embassy said a host must sign an undertaking stating that he assumes full responsibility for the visiting Filipino national. Notarisation requires appearance of the person executing the affidavit and must present his passport, residence visa and pay a certain fee.
"This additional requirement will not curb illegal recruitment but help revive the extortion racket at the Manila airport. It would only add misery to overseas Filipino workers and cause real travellers a lot of inconvenience."
He stressed that Manila must intensify drive in the provinces to warn people against illegal recruiters.
Joseph Albano, a nurse in Al Ain, said: "This new rule may be one step forward, but it is two steps backward. What's sad is the increasing boldness of our immigration officers back home to use their position to extort money from hapless travellers.
"Even if someone does not present an affidavit of support, he can still get past the immigration counters in the major airports if the traveller offers a 3,000 to 5,000-peso ($100) bribe."
Leandro Hernandez, a community leader from Pampanga, said he supports the travel curbs. "The visit visas have been abused by unscrupulous people. Trading in visit visas is become a big business in which the primary motivation is money."
Ma. Cristie Balde, a secretary in Dubai, said: "The recent move by the embassy is a timely one. There had been a growing number of people supposedly coming on a visit who were promised non-existent jobs.
"Some illegal recruiters are abusing the generosity of the UAE. I just hope that along with this new rule, under-the-table deals at the airport would also be addressed."
Gulf News
