Get travel exit clearance early, POEA tells returning OFWs

The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration advises overseas Filipino workers returning to the country for the holidays to have their overseas employment certificate (OEC) or travel exit clearance processed early to avoid the holiday rush.

Administrator Jennifer Jardin-Manalili said returning workers should avoid flocking to the POEA office in Ortigas immediately after Christmas and New Year’s Day as this results to long lines at the Balik-Manggagawa Processing Center. To avoid the huge crowd, Manalili suggested that returning OFWs secure their exit clearance instead at the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) nearest their jobsite even before their
flight to the Philippines, or as soon as they arrive in the country. Workers going to the provinces may also get their exit clearance from the POEA regional offices nearest their residence. The POEA offices are located in Baguio City; Tuguegarao City; San
Fernando City, La Union; Clark Field, Pampanga; Calamba City; Legaspi City; Tacloban City; Iloilo City; Bacolod City; Cebu City; Cagayan de Oro City; Zamboanga City; and Davao City. Manalili said OFWs may also use the OEC courier system that is available online at www.poea.gov.ph.

Nevertheless, all POEA offices nationwide will be open on December 22, 23, 24, 26 and 29; and January 2, 2009; considered as peak days, to process exit clearance of returning workers, Manalili said.

from poea.gov.ph