DOLE: 'Balik Manggagawa Online' to speed up overseas work certificates

MANILA, Philippines - Filipino workers abroad who are returning to the country may no longer wait in long lines for their overseas employment certificates (OECs) with the government's Balik-Manggagawa Online Appointment System.

Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said the Balik-Manggagawa BM) Online Appointment System of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration makes transactions more convenient for vacationing OFWs who are returning to the same employers.

With the initiative, vacationing overseas Filipino workers can set an appointment with the POEA for the processing of their OECs online.

Baldoz, citing a report from POEA Administrator Hans Cacdac, said around 500,000 returning OFWs are expected to benefit from the BM online initiative.

With an operational BM online, OFWs returning to the same employer can log on to the POEA website where they can fill out forms and submit the document for processing.

If the name of the employer indicated in the form matches the name of the employer in the POEA database, the system will readily approve the returning OFW’s “new record”.

“The Balik Manggagawa needs only to proceed to pay the fees electronically and print out the OEC either at the comforts of their homes or wherever they are conducting the on-line transaction,” Baldoz said in a statement.

The OEC print-out containing a special bar code will be presented to the immigration officer at the airport upon departure.

When the immigration officer opens the POEA database and finds the Balik Manggagawa’s “new record”, the OFW will be cleared for exit.

Baldoz said the appointment system (personal processing at the POEA Central Office) will only apply to the following:

• Returning OFWs who are changing employers (match could not be found in the POEA database);
• OFWs who have not passed through POEA (visit visa holders or ASEAN tourists)
• Household service workers.

Baldoz said OFWs still have the option of not going through the appointment system at the POEA Central Office and instead secure their OECs from the Philippine Overseas Labor Offices (POLOs) or POEA regional and satellite offices.

“The BM on-line system not only speeds up the process of securing OECs, but more significantly, it provides convenience to our vacationing OFWs. Very soon, our workers will be able to accomplish this transaction from any location where there is online connection,” Baldoz said.

“This will also provide timely updating of the OFW and employer database of POEA,” she added.