POEA to OFWs: Register online for exit clearance

The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) urged overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) to register for an appointment online for their exit clearance or the overseas employment certificate (OEC). POEA administrator Hans Leo Cacdac said the online appointment system aims to help OFWs avoid long lines and have their OECs processed in their own schedule. “OFWs using the appointment system can have their OECs processed in  their own schedule and would be spared of the expected long lines of workers at the  POEA offices who want to go back to their job sites after spending the holiday season  in the country,” said Cacdac in a statement. The POEA frequently faces problems on the influx of OFWs who are applying for OECs before returning to jobs, especially during the Christmas holidays. Cacdac can process their documents in key shopping areas in Metro Manila as the POEA has processing counters at Duty Free Philippines in Parañaque City, SM Manila and Trinoma in Quezon City. Cacdac said the processing center for OECs at the POEA main office is from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The other sites follow the schedule below:

• Duty Free  9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.,
• Trinoma 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and
• SM Manila 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Those without appointments Meanwhile, Cacdac said OFWs who go to the POEA without appointments should come early for their convenience. Those who arrive in the afternoon  “are likely to experience longer waiting time as they will be considered for the  second batch to be processed in the afternoon,” he said. The documentary requirements for returning workers are: (1) Passport  valid for six months from time of departure; (2) Valid working visa/work permit, and (3)  Proof of employment such as certificate of employment, company ID, pay slip, and other equivalent document. - VVP, GMA News