Filipinos to get new ID card in stages
GOVERNMENT IS YET TO ISSUE GUIDELINES AND TIMELINE OF NEWLY LAUNCHED SYSTEM
The unified identification card system for overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) was officially launched yesterday but the card will not be immediately available to all OFWs as the production process will be in stages, officials said.
Labour officials confirmed that the new ID system for Filipino workers abroad was presented to Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte yesterday afternoon.
The OFWs warmly welcomed the new ID as it would later replace the need to get an exit pass or Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC).
The exit pass, which most Filipinos would like to be abolished, proves that an OFW has been hired legally and intends to go back to the same employer abroad.
“The OFWs who carry this [new] ID would mean that his documents have been legally processed by the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA),” presidential spokesperson Ernie Abella said in a statement.
“This [ID system] is a project of the Department of Labour and Employment (DOLE), together with its partner agencies, which include the Social Security System (SSS), Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP), PhilPost among others,” he added.
During the launch, DOLE officials demonstrated the printing of the OFW ID through the APO Printing Unit for a female OFW who works as an events manager in New Zealand.
Aside from the worker’s name and signature, the ID contains the OFW’s unique ID number, profession, country of employment and name of employer.
At the back of the card is a note that says the ID serves as the travel exit clearance for the bearer that is valid for two years from the date of issuance. This entitles the holder to travel tax and terminal fee exemptions levied by the Philippine government.
Media reports quoting POEA officials said an estimated four million ID cards will be printed in batches.
Those who are departing and newly joining the workforce overseas will be prioritised, according to reports. The existing OFWs will receive their IDs at a later stage but the timetable is still unclear.
DOLE Undersecretary Ciriaco Lagunzad III said the production process of the ID will start with POEA. “POEA will upload the names of processed OFWs to the DOLE cloud, then DOLE will download the information which will then be sent to APO for the printing of the cards. After this, the card will be delivered to the address of OFW here or abroad,” Lagunzad told For video, pictures, log on to: