AMID the controversy surrounding illegal foreign workers in the country, the Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) is calling on those with Alien Employment Permit (AEP) to make sure that they are not expired.

In a statement, Dole Central Visayas Director Salome Siaton said AEPs must always be renewed on time and not allow them to expire.

“We are appealing to our clients to observe the prescribed period in filing their applications,” said Siaton.

“Working foreign nationals with expiring AEP should apply and renew their permit on time,” she added.

The Dole-Central Visayas chief also noted that while an application for renewal of AEP should be filed not earlier than 60 days before its expiration as provided by Department Order 186-2017, exemptions may be granted.

“In the event that the foreign national needs to leave the country or is into other similar circumstances that will hinder the filing of renewal with the 60-day prescribed period, the application may be filed earlier,” said the official.

Siaton also reminded foreign nationals and their employers that only applications with complete documents and those with fully paid fees plus fines, if there is any, will be received for processing.

At present, the Dole-Central Visayas records show that there are already 136 pending applications for AEP renewal.

To note, the AEP is a document issued by the Dole as one of the requirements for a foreign national to legally work in the country. (HDT/SunStar Philippines)