Processing of returning OFWs’ papers now at POEA ROs
Returning Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), particularly, those who are on-leave will now have greater and more convenient access to the services of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) through its “Balik Manggagawa Program”.
POEA 6 Officer-in-Charge Rhea Glynda Calantas explained that the “Balik Manggagawa Program” allows returning OFWs who want to file home leaves from abroad or who are planning to return to their countries of employment anytime soon to process their papers directly with the local POEA offices in their respective regions, or from the Philippine Overseas Labor Offices (POLOs) in the countries where they are employed.
Under the “Balik Manggagawa Program” valid passports, working permits and other relevant documents of OFWs can now be verified and processed at the POEA Regional Centers, Regional Extension Units and satellite offices in the various regions, POEA-deputized OWWA Regional Offices and Units, POLOs in the various Philippine embassies and consulates abroad.
Calantas explained before the program’s implementation some vacationing OFWs in the region have to go back to the Balik Manggagawa Processing Center in POEA Manila to process their documents.
“With the program our returning OFWs will have more time with their family while they are here on vacation,” said Calantas.
On the other hand, POEA Administrator Jennifer Jardin-Manalili said in an agency’s press report that by taking advantage of these facilities, OFWs not only have their needs and concerned addressed more swiftly, they also help decongest the Balik Manggagawa Processing Center at the main office at Ortigas thereby allowing them to render more varied services.
To promote the welfare of the OFWs who are considered the country’s modern day heroes has been a top priority of the government, in fact, in her recent trip to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo told Philippine Ambassador Antonio Villamor to work closely with Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo in speeding up the request of OFWs for an Embassy-on-Wheels program where OFWs can have their documents processed without going to a Philippine consulate.
For further details about the Balik Manggagawa Program, OFWs in Panay Island can visit the POEA Regional Extension Unit-Iloilo located at the 2nd floor S.C. Divinagracia Bldg., Quezon St., Iloilo City or call telephone numbers 336-8611, 335-1058 or email poea_iloilo@yahoo.com. (PIA)