POEA to returning OFWs: get exit clearance early

The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) has formed Task Force Balik-Manggagawa for the thousands of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who will arrive for Christmas, and advises returning workers to have their overseas employment certificate (OEC) or travel exit clearance processed early.

According to a POEA news release, POEA Administrator Carlos S Cao Jr said, to avoid long lines at the Balik-Manggagawa Processing Center, OFWs should get their OECs as soon as they arrive in the country.

Cao recommends this so that OFWs can avoid flocking to the POEA office in Ortigas immediately after Christmas and New Year’s Day.

Cao also said returning OFWs could already secure their exit clearance at the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) nearest their jobsite even before their flight to the Philippines.

Workers going to the provinces may also get their exit clearance at the POEA regional office nearest their residence. POEA offices are located in Baguio City; Tuguegarao City; San Fernando City, La Union; Clark Field, Pampanga; Calamba City; Legaspi City; Tacloban City; Iloilo City; Bacolod City; Cebu City; Cagayan de Oro City; Zamboanga City; and Davao City.

Cao said OFWs may also use the OEC courier system that is available online at http://www.citizenservices.com.ph/poea.

According to the POEA, the following are considered balik-maggagawa:

• A worker who is on vacation or on leave from employment under a valid and existing employment contract and who is returning to the same employer, regardless of any change in jobsite, to finish the
  remaining unexpired portion of the contract;
• A worker who was rehired by the same employer after finishing his/her contract and who is returning to the same employer, regardless of a change in jobsite; and
• A returning worker whose employment contract was not processed with the POEA but was subsequently verified and registered with the POLO in the jobsite and who is returning to the same employer either as a worker-on-leave or rehire, regardless of any change in jobsite.

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