Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who are vacationing in the Philippines would have an easier time taking care of their overseas employment certificates (OECs) because they can now schedule an appointment online.

The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) launched the online appointment system for exit clearances last November 5. The POEA chief, Hans Leo Cacdac said that the online facility aims to make the short stay of OFWs in the Philippines more convenient. Cacdac hopes that OFWs would get to spend more quality time with their families because of this development.

There are three POEA centers in Metro Manila that OFWs can go to in securing their exit clearances: at the POEA main office in Mandaluyong, at SM Manila and at Duty Free Philippines in Parañaque City.  

According to Cacdac, the online appointment system should be used by OFWs especially during the months of January, March, April, May, November and December because these are the months when many Filipinos working abroad choose to return for a vacation.

To set an appointment for the OEC, one just needs to visit: bmappointment.poea.gov.ph. This new service for OFWs is free

The POEA chief explained that though they want OFWs to use their new online appointment system, they would still accept walk-in applicants.

He said, “We are just starting out with the system and we believe that OFWs without access to internet would still prefer getting their OEC the usual way without setting an appointment with us.”

The requirements for OECs are the same for both walk-in applicants and those who have set an online appointment:

• Passport valid for 6 months from time of departure
• Valid working visa/work permit

(Proof of employment such as certificate of employment, company ID, pay slip, and other equivalent document)

• POEA processing fee: Php100
• OWWA contribution on a per contract coverage: US$25 or its peso equivalent
• Philhealth coverage (1 year): Php1,200
• Pag-ibig Fund contribution: Minimum of Php100

For those who want to take care of their OECs before returning to the Philippines, they can get their clearances at the nearest Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) in their workplaces. Meanwhile, OFWs that lived in the provinces can get OECs at the POEA regional offices.