DOLE strengthens One-stop service center for OFWs

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), with the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), signed a collaboration deal with over 16 government agencies to further strengthen the One-Stop Service Centers for OFWs (OSSCO) in the country.

In an advisory released on Wednesday, DOLE secretary Silvestre Bello III said that through the OSSCO, the  "time to process documents is shortened, travel expenses are reduced, and effectiveness of delivery of services is increased."

POEA Administrator Bernard Olalia, on the other hand, said, "We have already signed MOU with our partners in the regions, but it is the first time that we will be signing the MOU at the national level. Through this, we expect to explore other areas of cooperation with our partner agencies."

As of December 2018, a total of 3.8 million clients have already been served by the 19 OSSCOs nationwide. 

Aside from over 30 identified services from 16 different government agencies now accessible to OSSCO clients, a 24/7 hotline has also been set up to provide guidance for various OFW concerns.

The OSSCO, launched back in August, 2016 at the POEA in Mandaluyong City, give Filipinos currently working or planning to work overseas an easier time in approaching government frontline services. The service operates from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Mondays to Fridays.

Among the government agencies in collaboration for the OSSCO are: Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).

The other agencies are the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC), Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), Home Development Mutual Fund (HDMF), Philippine Health lnsurance Corporation (PhilHealth), Social Security System (SSS), Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA),  Bureau of Immigration (BI),  National Bureau lnvestigation (NBI), Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Tourism lnfrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA), Philippine National Police (PNP), and Bureau of lnternal Revenue (BIR). — BAP, GMA News