CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – A total of 4 389 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Pampanga and nearby provinces benefitted from the services of the extension office of Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) III for the first six months of its operation.
Through the effort of the provincial government in coordination with POEA, Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), the satellite office was established at Global Pinoy Center in SM City Pampanga.
Luningning Vergara, provincial manager of Public Employment Services Office (PESO) said Gov. Lilia Pineda requested POEA to put up an OFWs Desk or the extension office to help the “balikbayan workers” in processing their documents especially their overseas employment certificate (OEC).
“Overseas employment certificate serves as the exit pass needed by the overseas worker so they can return to the country where they are working,” Vergara said.
Vergara added that an average of 40 employment certificates of OFWs is released daily.
“Gov. Pineda is working to make things easy for Kapampangan overseas workers. This also an acknowledgement of their sacrifices to earn a living for their family,” she said.
Dennis Cayanan, a resident of Dila-dila Sta. Rita who is working as domestic helper in Hongkong and Roberto Muldong of Sta. Ana cited the accessibility of the extension office.
“It is very convenient for us. No need to go to Clark or Ortigas City to get employment certificate. Since it is located inside the mall we can bring our family with us,” they said.
BY JENNA LUMBANG
