Overseas Filipino workers or OFWs no longer need to visit different government agency to process documents when applying for a work abroad as a one-stop shop was launched.

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) launched a one-stop shop for OFWs wherein all government frontline services are made accessible to Filipinos who are currently  working or planning to work overseas.

Located at the ground floor of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration’s  main office, the One-Stop Service Center for OFWs (OSSCO) will reduce the transportation expenses of OFWs and shorten the processing time of documents.

The government services available at OSSCO are:

1. Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA)

• Passport Services

• Passport Validity Extension for Balik-Manggagawa (vacationing workers)

2. Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA)

• Processing of OWWA membership

• Renewal of membership

3. Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA)

• Assistance for Competency Assessment

• Verification of Certificates and Special Order

• Assistance for Replacement of National Certificates (NC)/Certificates of Competency (COC)

• Training Assistance and Scholarship Program

4. Professional Regulation Commission (PRC)

• Issuance of Professional License

5. Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA)

• Issuance of Seaman’s Book

• Revalidation of Seaman’s Book

6. Home Development Mutual Fund (HDMF)

• Processing of PAG-IBIG membership

7. Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PHIC)

• Payment of PhilHealth contribution

• Member registration and updating

8. Social Security System (SSS)

• Registration and Membership Data Amendment

• Acceptance of Loan

• Benefits Claim Applications

• Loan Verification and Status

• UMID Capturing and Card Releasing

• Response to Queries

9. Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA)

• Processing and Copy Issuance of - Certificate of Live Birth, Certificate of Marriage, Certificate of Death, Certificate of No Marriage (CENOMAR)

10. Bureau of Immigration (BI)

• Departure Clearance Information

11. National Bureau of Investigation (NBI)

• Issuance of NBI clearance

12. Commission on Higher Education (CHED)

• Verification and Authentication of School Credentials

13. Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA)

• Travel Tax Payment

• Processing of Travel Tax Exemption and Reduced Travel Tax

• Response to Queries

14. Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA)

• Documentation of Workers (Landbased and Seabased)

• Documentation of Workers-on-Leave/Balik-Manggagawa

• Registration of Landbased Worker-Applicants

• Verification/Certification of OFW Records

• Provision of Legal Assistance

• Response to Queries

Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said that one-stop centers will also be set up in all DOLE regional offices, from 8am to 5pm Monday to Friday. It may also extend services during weekends and holidays upon prior approval of POEA or DOLE regional offices.

OSSCO is a response to President Duterte’s order to make it easier for OFWs to avail the services of the government.