THE Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) on Saturday, January 16, 2021, assured departing overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) that they won't need to apply for a new overseas employment certificate (OEC) even if this has expired due to travel restrictions or community lockdowns.

In an advisory, the POEA said it is prepared to revalidate OECs.

"Departing OFWs are hereby informed that OECs, which expired during the period of community quarantines in the Philippines, lockdowns, or travel restrictions in countries of destination, and unforeseen flight cancellations due to force majeure shall be revalidated for deployment purposes," said POEA Administrator Bernard Olalia.

Newly hired and returning workers with expired OECs may simply proceed to the Labor Assistance Center (LAC) in Philippine international airports on the day of their departure to have their exit clearance revalidated.

They will be required to submit the original copy of expired OEC, copy of employment contract, copy of valid work permit/visa and valid passport.

The LAC shall, then, evaluate the documents and validate with the available records if the worker's employment documents has been processed and approved by POEA.

The OEC, which is presented to the immigration officer upon exit from the Philippines, is a document certifying the regularity of recruitment and documentation of an OFW. It also serves as proof of his/her registration with the POEA. (HDT / SunStar Philippines)