DOLE to launch new OFW ID on July 12

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is set to launch next week the new identification card for OFWs that will replace the Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC), Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said Tuesday.

"Sa July 12 sa Aguinaldo [Room] before the President, we will launch it," Bello said at a briefing in Malacañang.

He said the new ID — called the ID of the Department of Labor and Employment or iDOLE — could also be used for Social Security System, Pag-IBIG Fund, and Philippine Health Insurance Corporation transactions.

Bello said they are working on ways to allow the use of the ID as passport.

"And maybe given another six months, we are trying to adopt a system that this iDOLE can serve as their passport," he said.

For this, the department is now talking with the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Department of Justice through the Bureau of Immigration.

Bello said OFWs do not need to apply to get an iDOLE.

"All we need is iyong inventory of all the bonafide OFWs on the basis of which our POEA (Philippine Overseas Employment Administration), in conjunction with the Department of Labor, will start processing the IDs," he said.

“Hindi na kailangan mag-apply. If you are an OFW, bibigyan ka na kasi nandoon ka na sa roster ng OFWs, so they will start processing your ID and we will give it to you,” he added. —KBK, GMA News