A one-stop service center established in Manila will make it easier and more efficient for Filipinos to obtain paperwork for work abroad.
The center, located at the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration building in Mandaluyong City, and opened on Monday, was part of the promise President Rodrigo Duterte made as he pledged to streamline the processes for overseas Filipino workers.
Last May, Duterte pledged to establish a separate department for OFWs, and promised to crack down on illegal recruiters.
“Our president has once again delivered on his campaign promises,” said Vivian De Hoya, 44, who has lived and worked in the United Arab Emirates for more than 20 years.
“In previous years, we had to queue as early as 4am and endure long waits at the embassy for the processing and release of our documents.”
The new facility can accommodate between 2,000 and 3,000 Filipinos with a range of services including passport application, document certification, and issuance of clearances.
According to POEA chief Hans Leo Cacdac, the average time spent processing documents has been cut in half.
“It seems that Duterte is really keen on getting things done,” said Dennis Macanas, 34, a delivery driver in Dubai who queued for a certificate at the Philippine overseas labour office in Abu Dhabi on Monday. “He’s fulfilling his promise to cut red tape in government.”
The processing cycle may vary but documents should be issued within 72 hours after filing an application, Mr Cacdac said.
