Bahrain Opens New Seafarer’s Centre

The Bahrain General Organisation of Sea Ports (GOP) has announced the opening of a new center for international seafarers calling at the state-of-the-art Khalifa Bin Salman Port (KBSP).
he move comes as part of its commitment to the seafarer and maritime community during last year’s Bahrain Maritime Festival 2010, said a GOP statement.

Shaikh Daij bin Salman Al Khalifa, GOP chairman inaugurated the new Bahrain Seafarer’s Center building in the presence of the members of the board, management and staff of GOP and guests.

The new centre was developed with facilities for international seafarers calling at the port and office space to Bahrain International Seafarers Society (BISS).

The facility will provide international seafarers various amenities, services and support for rest and relaxation, all of which will meet international standards, the statement added.

In addition, the new centre will include several ICT dedicated rooms, where computers, printers, and internet connections will also be provided.

Continue reading at Trade Arabia

Bahrain’s PM donates to Bukidnon High School

Sheikh Khalifa Salman bin Al-Khalifa. Photo credit: asiantribune.com, Poor Filipinos have long been benefiting from the generosity of Sheik Khalifa Salman bin Al-Khalifa, the prime minister of Bahrain.

Whenever the country faces a calamity like typhoon Ondoy, the prime minister is always on the list of foreign donors helping the country.

Recently, he responded to the request of a sick teacher in Bukidnon High School in Malaybalay.

Sarah Querol has been teaching for 32 years in Bukidnon.

Most of her students belong to cultural minorities and lack knowledge on new technology.

Querol said she just read on the newspaper that Sheikh Khalifa helps the poor.

Although it was a long shot, Querol still sent him a handwritten letter requesting for a DVD set and a computer. She never expected that her small wish would come true.

Students and faculty members of the Bukidnon High School were so happy with the donation they received from the prime minister.

Continue reading at ABS-CBN News

22 Pinoy Illegals From Bahrain Arrive Home

Twenty-two Filipinos who were caught working illegally in Bahrain arrived back home Saturday.

The workers, who had been staying at the Philippine Embassy’s half-way house in Manama, Bahrain, for several months, were finally able to leave after Philippine Embassy officials secured exit visas for them.

Philippine Ambassador to Bahrain Ma. Corazon Yap-Bahjin accompanied the repatriated workers back to Manila aboard a Qatar Airways flight.

Yap-Bahjin said the workers were under the care of the embassy for over four months while embassy officials worked to get travel clearances from their employers.

“Most of them are runaways who could not adjust to the cultural conditions there. Had they gone through the legal process they would have been briefed by their recruitment agencies on what to expect,” she said.

Yap-Bahjin said the embassy staff were able to speed up the travel clearances for the workers since it was the month of Ramadan, when people in the Gulf State are in a more giving and forgiving spirit.

Continue reading at Manila Bulletin