OEC Processing - Go online, don’t fall in line

The POEA advised Balik-Manggagawa or vacationing Overseas Filipino Workers to use its online system to get an Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC) or exit clearance instead of lining up at the POEA office and its processing centers. 

Administrator Hans Leo J. Cacdac said BM Online or the Balik-Manggagawa Online Processing, which will be officially launched October 16, is intended not only to get rid of queues but also to speed up the process at the convenience of vacationing OFWs.

“With the new system, a returning OFW can now apply online for the OEC and have the approved OEC printed by him/her anywhere, anytime.

With the existing database sharing with the Bureau of Immigration, the updated information of OFWs who have successfully secured their OEC using the system will be automatically shared with the Bureau. This facilitates the validation by the immigration officers at the airport of the OEC being presented by the bearer,” Cacdac said.

Cacdac said BM Online is available only for workers on vacation, rehired, or returning to the same employer, and with existing record in the POEA database.

A Balik-Manggagawa or returning worker who does not meet the said criteria will be redirected to the BM Appointment page for regular processing of OEC on a chosen date and time and preferred processing site of the worker.

Workers using the system will have to pay Php100 for processing fee and Php19.50 for e-payment service fee. The system is now available at bmonline.poea.gov.ph and can likewise be accessed through the POEA website.