POEA’s balikmanggagawa appointment system
ADMINISTRATOR Hans Leo J Cacdac advised returning OFWs for the holidays
to get their exit clearance early. Photo credit to interaksyon.com
“Avoid the rush. Avoid the long lines”.
Administrator Hans Leo J Cacdac advised balik manggagawa or overseas
Filipino workers spending the holiday season in the Philippines to get their
overseas employment certificate or exit clearance early and not get caught with
the last-minute dash to return to their jobs abroad.
Cacdac said that the POEA, for several weeks now, have been gearing up
for the anticipated arrival of thousands of OFWs this December and their
subsequent departure after Christmas and New Year’s Day.
“The POEA has been improving its systems and expanding its facilities
for the workers’ convenience, but still, we warn our OFWs not to wait for the
last day of their vacation to get the exit clearance,” Cacdac said.
Cacdac advised OFWs to avoid the week after December 25 and January 1
when thousands of them troop to the POEA main office to have their travel
documents processed.
He said the satellite processing units Trinoma, Quezon City; SM Manila
near the Manila City Hall; and the Duty Free store in Parañaque City are now
operational and are ready to accept applications for exit clearance during
shopping hours.
OFWs going to their provinces may also acquire their exit clearance
from the POEA’s offices in Baguio City; San Fernando City, La Union; Diosdado
Macapagal International Airport in Clark Field, Pampanga; Calamba City; Legaspi
City; Tacloban City; Iloilo City; Bacolod City; Cebu City, Cagayan de Oro City;
Butuan City; Davao City; and Zamboanga City.
However, Cacdac said the most convenient way especially for those with
tight schedule or little time to spare for the exit document, is to use the
POEA’s balikmanggagawa appointment system which is free and available at
bmappointment.poea.gov.ph.
With the appointment service, the worker may choose
the time, date, and processing unit most suitable to him or her.
Cacdac said OFWs may also get their exit clearance or OEC at the
Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) nearest their jobsite before their
departure to the Philippines.
The POEA also issues to OFWs a multiple travel exit clearance (MTEC),
co-terminus with the validity of their employment contracts, but which shall
not exceed two (2) years.
The worker has the option to secure a maximum of 2
travel exit clearance during the validity of her or his existing contract
depending on the provisions of the contract allowing frequent vacations.
According to Cacdac, the following are considered balik-maggagawa:
1). 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;
2). 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;
3). a returning worker whose employment contract was not processed with
the POEA but was subsequently verified and registered with the Philippine
Overseas Labor Office (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.
Returning workers would have to pay Php100 for POEA processing fee;
US$25 or its peso equivalent for OWWA contribution on a per contract coverage;
Php1,200 for one year Philhealth coverage; and a minimum of Php100 contribution
to Pagibig Fund, Cacdac added.
The required documents are:
1) Php passport valid for 6 months from time of
departure;
2) Valid working visa/work permit: 3) Proof of employment such as
certificate of employment, company ID, pay slip, and other equivalent
document.
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