POEA eases OFW exit procedure at airports

The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration is dropping the validation of documents of OFWs leaving through its labor assistance counters (LAC) at international airports to further streamline processes in the deployment of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs). Starting March 24, 2008, departing OFWs shall present the exit clearance or overseas employment certificate issued by the POEA directly to the airline counters, terminal fee counters, and the Bureau of Immigration counters. The POEA labor assistance counter shall remain open 24/7, but its services shall be limited to assisting OFWs with documentation problems, issuing overseas employment certificates (OEC) to OFWs leaving the country within 24 hours, and dissemination of information and education materials to OFWs and families. The implementation of the new procedure coincides with the start of the peak season when thousands of OFWs are expected to return to their job sites after attending the graduation of their family members, and observiong Holy Week in the country. The POEA has labor assistance counters at NAIA 1, NAIA 2, Mactan International Airport, Davao International Airport, and Diosdado Macapagal International Airport. - POEA