The remittances from the huge number of today's modern day heroes, the overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) have greatly helped shape the economy of the country.

Most OFWs decided to leave the country to look for greener pasture abroad but after years of service, some have decided to stay on the foreign land, for good.

To help Filipinos migrate abroad, Prisca Niña Mabatid decided to put up Pinoy Care Visa Center. Prisca is a Cebuana businesswoman who is a classic example of rags to riches.

She started her career on bringing Pinoys abroad as a clerk in a consultancy firm of a local recruitment agency. From that experience, she decided to put open her own immigration company.

For Prisca, starting an immigration company is not only an opportunity to earn but also a bridge to a better life for others. From a small office with only two chairs that cater to 15 clients per day, Prisca's company grew and can now serve thousands of applicants everyday. "Though it is difficult to put up an international business for Filipinos, I was able to do it because of my determination to help," she said.

And after 12 years of sacrifice, Pinoy Care has already 12 service centers located in Manila, Davao, Zamboanga, Tacloban, Dagupan, Dumaguete and their main office in Cebu.

Aside from the Philippines, Prisca has also put up her immigration company in other countries like Abu Dhabi, Kuwait and United Arab Emirates.

PINOY CARE IN ILOILO

To also help Ilonggos with their dreams to move in other countries, Pinoy Care Visa Center has opened in Iloilo and was inaugurated on April 16 at the 2nd Floor of MSL Building, along Quezon Street.

"I would like to bring the opportunity closer to Ilonggos," Prisca said.

She also added that they have started their operation in the city and has helped almost 300 Ilonggos already.

WHY MIGRATE TO CANADA?

Prisca clarified that she is not pushing Filipinos to go outside the country, but to help those who wanted to explore the other parts of the world.

However, because of the global economic crisis, even economies of big countries like the United Kingdom and the United States of America have shaken.

"But one that remained stable is Canada," according to Prisca.

For other nationalities to stay in other countries, they need to have a visa card. Immigrant visa will serve as security for Filipinos to stay in one country without the risk of deportation.

According to Prisca, the immigrant visa for Canada is permanent and lifetime, which could be for a single person or even the whole family.

"All immigrants are also entitled to the benefits of the locals," she added. Immigrants can avail free medical assistance, old age security, and free education for their children.

Once granted an immigrant visa, Pinoys still have the option to stay in the Philippines but should make sure to visit Canada once a year for the visa not to expire. "It is the best security you could give to yourself and to your family," she stressed.

Aside from the benefits, more jobs also await immigrants of Canada. Prisca said that as of 2012, there are 29 job categories open for Filipinos including health care professionals, psychologists, social workers, restaurant and food service professionals, engineers, architects, and other skilled workers.

She also noted that all applicants must have a bachelor's degree and a one year experience to be qualified for the job openings.

The Canada immigration applications take at least seven years to process.

As of now, Pinoy Care has 1,879 applications filed at the Canadian Embassy, 1,105 with medical notice, and 878 already waiting for visa release.

To make sure that Ilonggos would be able to understand the laws and regulations in Canada, a free orientation on 'How to live and work in Canada' is open everyday at the Pinoy Care service center.*