When going abroad, you will be required to pay certain fees approved by government agencies in the Philippines. But it seems like money extortion is already happening even to OFW’s bound for abroad. Excessive fees were reportedly imposed by a certain agency which clearly adds burden to these workers.
The Philippine Licensed Agencies Accredited to Kuwait sent a letter to the State of Kuwait and to Kuwait Ambassador to the Philippines to immediately suspend those agencies with unreasonable visa and medical fees.
The Mawared Visa Stamping Services is charging higher than normal fees for medical and visa. Every applicant is required to pay P3,457 for the visa fee which is not refunded in case the visa gets denied. In addition to the large fees, applicants are also required to personally appear for the stamping of visa and pick up in Taguig City.
According to PHILAAK, they do not required applicant’s personal appearance during visa stamping because it is just an added expense. Instead, a door-to-door delivery by a courier company that charges P387 serves as a very effective alternative.
In addition to the excessive visa fees, a medical fee of P7,000 is charged by a medical firm, Winston, to every applicant which is clearly unreasonable. The Department of Health only allows P2,580 for medical fees.
According to PHILAAK, the Winston system is the same with Gamca system which is currently flagged as invalid by the Supreme Court of the Philippines.
Source : ManilaTimes
