POEA NEWS: POEA RESTORE VALIDATION OF OFW EXIT CLEARANCE AT NAIA TERMINALS

Starting March 1, 2011, Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) leaving the country through Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminals 1, 2 and 3 will have to pass through POEA's Labor Assistance Center (LAC) for validation of their exit clearance.

POEA Administrator Carlos S. Cao, Jr. said the validation of OFW documents at the airports is necessary to ensure that only workers who are properly documented or have passed through the legal processes are allowed to leave the country. With the validation system in place, POEA is able to check on workers who are carrying tampered or fake travel documents secured through illegal means, Cao added.

Through electronic connectivity, validation of the exit clearance (overseas employment certificate (OEC) or e-receipts) of OFWs can be done in less that a minute. More validation machines will be put in place for a speedier service to the average of 3,500 OFWs who leave the airports daily.

Administrator Cao, also emphasized that the exit clearance which has been validated at the NAIA terminal shall be valid only up to date of the confirmed flight. Re-validation shall be allowed only for a flight that has been cancelled or re-scheduled for valid reasons.

POEA will put up special lanes for OFWs deployed by recruitement agencies which are recipients of performance awards, Cao added.