Services of Philippine foreign posts for OFWs

Overseas Filipino workers should know where Philippine foreign service posts are located in host countries because these are OFWs’ first line of defense in times of need. A foreign-service post may be an RP embassy or consulate general or consular office or any Philippine post. OFWs may visit or contact nearest government post for the following services: Consular services - Passport/insurance renewal - Replacement of lost or worn out passport - Issuance of one-way travel document - Reporting of birth or marriage or death - Correction of entries in civil registry documents under RA 9048 or the Civil Registry Corrections Law - Notary services - Authentication of documents - Registration of Filipinos and issuance of consular ID - Issuance of legal capacity to contract marriage - Certifications - Mobile passport services - Filing of income tax returns (ITR) - Updating or explaining of new laws, policies and programs of the Philippines or of the host country - Reacquisition of Philippine citizenship under RA 9225 or the Citizenship Reacquisition and Retention Law - Voter registration under RA 9189 or the Overseas Absentee Voting Act Assistance to nationals - Representation with concerned authorities and entities in the host country such as employer/police/immigration or labor offices/manpower agencies/judicial offices - Representation of ill/stranded/distressed/detained OFWs including payment of immigration penalties - Repatriation of remains - Temporary custody/shelter of OFWs in distress, especially in posts with established Filipino Workers Resource Center (FWRC) - Referral/endorsement of distressed OFW to organizations or NGOs for legal advice/counseling/temporary housing/shelter and other assistance - Visit of OFWs in prison/jail/detention camp - Translation services - Counseling on legal, family and personal matters - Filing of reports and cases of illegal recruitment with concerned authorities in host country or in the Philippines - Locating whereabouts of relatives - Evacuation of OFWs in war-torn or calamity-stricken areas Assistance on employment matters Normally, the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (Polo) provides the following services in countries that host significant numbers of OFWs: - Verification of employment contracts and jobsite inspection of new companies hiring Filipinos - Issuance of employment certificate - On-site orientation program for new arrivals on the culture, working and living conditions, worker rights, among others, in host country - Company/on-site visit to monitor the working conditions of OFWs - Counseling on employment problems - Following up of insurance or end-of-service benefits in case of death or termination of contracts - Skills training and language sessions at FWRC - Mediation/conciliation of minor disputes between employers and employee - Blacklisting of erring/abusive/negligent employers - Information on membership with OWWA, SSS, Pag-Ibig. Philhealth Source: Be a Smarter Pinoy Abroad,Smart Pinoy Publishing (2006)