Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) now has less than 30 days to register for the Overseas Absentee Voting (OAV) that will end on August 30.

To encourage more OFWs to register, Blas Ople Policy Center will organize the Usapan OFW: A Leader’s Forum which will be attended by politicians that are said to be running for presidency on May 2010 elections.

The forum which will be held in ABS-CBN Studio on August 15 aims to encourage OFWs to participate in the 2010 elections and also for them to gain an idea on who among the “presidentiables” have better plans for the OFWs.

“As more aspirants bare their platforms for our OFWs and their families, the more encouraged our OFWs shall be in going out to register and vote,” says Ople Center’s founder Susan Ople.

The forum will be aired live on August 15 at 4:00 to 6:00 pm thru DZMM 630 and DZMM Tele Radyo Channel 26. The forum can also be viewed via www.netvision.com.ph

The government targets to get 1 million OAV registrants on or before August 30^th but as of June 2009, only 115,560 had signed up.

Ople believes that many OFWs will register this time, “I am confident that the numbers will improve especially as we near the August 31 deadline, based on the feedback I received from OFWs.”

All OFWs may file their application in person at the nearest Philippine embassy or consulate in their host country. For OFWs who are still in the country, application may be filed in the OFW Pre-departure Lounge at the NAIA Terminal 1 or at the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) office in Ortigas.

Seafarers on the other hand can register to any posts abroad or at any designated locations around Metro Manila.

Applicants must be 18 years old upon the date of election to qualify. The following requirements should also be presented:

• Accomplished OAV form which can also be downloaded through the Commission on Election (COMELEC) website, www.comelec.gov.ph
• Valid and authentic Philippine passport or a certification issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) in the absence of such.
• The applicant must personally process application for biometrics capture of photo, thumb mark and signature.
• A photocopy of seafarer’s book for seaman.
• Original and certified true copy of Order of Approval under RA 9225 for Filipinos who availed of Citizen Retention and Reacquisition Act.

For more information about the OAV registration, you may visit the Philippine embassy in your host country or visit COMELEC website, www.comelec.gov.ph.