NATIONAL
Advocates Philippines
PBBM Pushes For Free Overseas Employment Certifications
Photo credit: DMW
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has directed the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), in collaboration with other agencies, to explore the possibility of making the application for Overseas Employment Certifications (OEC) free of charge. This announcement came during a meeting at Malacañan Palace, where the DMW presented the DMW Mobile App to the President.
DMW Secretary Maria Susana 'Toots' Ople expressed that they are currently waiting for the approval of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) for the official launch of the DMW Mobile App, ensuring its cybersecurity features are robust. Secretary Ople stated that they anticipate the app's launch within the week once they receive the green light from the DICT.
The DMW Mobile App was met with enthusiasm by President Marcos, who considers it a simple yet effective digital solution to the problems encountered by overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) when seeking employment abroad. Secretary Ople emphasized that the President's instruction to the department was to ensure that OFWs do not have to pay any fees when using the mobile app to download and obtain their OFW Pass.
This directive from President Marcos follows his earlier instructions during the 2022 State of the Nation Address (SONA) to automate contract verification and issue OECs that can be stored on smartphones. In response, the DMW developed the DMW Mobile App, aiming to simplify the journey of OFWs.
Secretary Ople highlighted that the mobile application would be available for free, as a way for the government to honor the sacrifices and contributions of OFWs, who are considered the country's modern-day heroes. President Marcos recognized the significance of OFWs in sustaining the economy through their remittances and referred to them as the economic lifeline of many households across the Philippines.
The DMW Mobile App features the OFW Pass, a digital and secure version of the OEC that serves as the digital identity of OFWs. After a transition period of two to three months upon activation, the OFW Pass will completely replace the traditional OEC. Notably, the OFW Pass is QR code-generated and can only be acquired through the app, while the OEC requires onsite processing with a fee of PhP100. The OFW Pass remains valid until the expiration of the OFW's work contract, whereas the OEC is only valid for 60 days.
First-time OFWs, Balik Manggagawa OFWs (those temporarily returning to the Philippines but will be going back to the same employer), and OFWs who have transferred to a different employer or need contract registration and verification by the Office of the Labor Attaché are eligible to avail the OFW Pass.
To ensure widespread adoption of the app, the DMW established the OFW Pass Teacher, a volunteer system where registered OFWs will receive relevant materials to educate other OFWs on how to utilize the app effectively.
Before the public release, the DICT will conduct cybersecurity testing of the app and provide its findings to the DMW. Additionally, the agency plans to integrate the DMW Mobile App with the Bureau of Immigration's eTravel and e-Gate systems, and eventually connect it with the DICT's eGov PH Super App.
Both Google Play and Apple App Store have approved the DMW Mobile App, allowing OFWs to download it for immediate use.
DMW Secretary Maria Susana 'Toots' Ople expressed that they are currently waiting for the approval of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) for the official launch of the DMW Mobile App, ensuring its cybersecurity features are robust. Secretary Ople stated that they anticipate the app's launch within the week once they receive the green light from the DICT.
The DMW Mobile App was met with enthusiasm by President Marcos, who considers it a simple yet effective digital solution to the problems encountered by overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) when seeking employment abroad. Secretary Ople emphasized that the President's instruction to the department was to ensure that OFWs do not have to pay any fees when using the mobile app to download and obtain their OFW Pass.
This directive from President Marcos follows his earlier instructions during the 2022 State of the Nation Address (SONA) to automate contract verification and issue OECs that can be stored on smartphones. In response, the DMW developed the DMW Mobile App, aiming to simplify the journey of OFWs.
Secretary Ople highlighted that the mobile application would be available for free, as a way for the government to honor the sacrifices and contributions of OFWs, who are considered the country's modern-day heroes. President Marcos recognized the significance of OFWs in sustaining the economy through their remittances and referred to them as the economic lifeline of many households across the Philippines.
The DMW Mobile App features the OFW Pass, a digital and secure version of the OEC that serves as the digital identity of OFWs. After a transition period of two to three months upon activation, the OFW Pass will completely replace the traditional OEC. Notably, the OFW Pass is QR code-generated and can only be acquired through the app, while the OEC requires onsite processing with a fee of PhP100. The OFW Pass remains valid until the expiration of the OFW's work contract, whereas the OEC is only valid for 60 days.
First-time OFWs, Balik Manggagawa OFWs (those temporarily returning to the Philippines but will be going back to the same employer), and OFWs who have transferred to a different employer or need contract registration and verification by the Office of the Labor Attaché are eligible to avail the OFW Pass.
To ensure widespread adoption of the app, the DMW established the OFW Pass Teacher, a volunteer system where registered OFWs will receive relevant materials to educate other OFWs on how to utilize the app effectively.
Before the public release, the DICT will conduct cybersecurity testing of the app and provide its findings to the DMW. Additionally, the agency plans to integrate the DMW Mobile App with the Bureau of Immigration's eTravel and e-Gate systems, and eventually connect it with the DICT's eGov PH Super App.
Both Google Play and Apple App Store have approved the DMW Mobile App, allowing OFWs to download it for immediate use.
Jul 10, 2023
