More overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) return during the month of December in time for the holidays. To make the vacation of OFWs more pleasant, the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) has prepared to make their services better for the thousands of returning OFWs.

Some of them are the following: Additional counters in its Balik-Manggagawa Processing Center in Ortigas for the processing of Workers-on-Leave (WOL) or Balik-Manggagawa (BMs) and more evaluators, assessors, and cashiers from POEA, OWWA and PhilHealth to be in charge of the added counters.

Note: Balik-Manggagawa is an OFW who went home to the Philippines only for vacation or leave but will return to the same employer.

The documents of returning OFWs can be processed at the Philippine Overseas Labor Offices in their host country before they take their vacation. They can also opt to have it processed in the POEA regional offices.

To get their BM/WOL certificate, OFWs have to submit the following: a valid passport, re-entry visa, work permit and proof that the worker will go back to the same employer.

According POEA chief, Rosalinda Baldoz, “Household Service Workers (HSWs) from Singapore are required to present a copy of their latest employment contract duly verified by the POLO in Singapore.”

“Cabin crew/ flight attendants, offshore workers and other work classification with frequent vacations may avail of the Multiple Travel Exit Clearance (MTEC),” Balzo added.

The POEA chief also said that returning OFWs may avail of the Balik-Manggagawa exit clearance delivery system thru Teleserv and Multiple Travel Exit Clearance (MTEC) at the POEA main office.

The MTEC is an exit document given to OFWs consisting of two or more clearances issued to OFWs. This document has one-year validity from date of issuance. On the other hand, OEC or e-receipt is valid for 60 days from the date of issuance.

Fees to register and secure an e-receipt/(OEC)

POEA processing fee: Php 100.00

PhilHealth coverage:  Php 900.00