Digital OFW Pass hailed
A neophyte solon has lauded the national government for the creation of digital application containing the overseas Filipino workers (OFW) Pass.
The OFW Pass is aimed at streamlining the application process for the Overseas Employment Certificate (OECs) of the OFWs.
According to OFW Party-list Representative Marissa “Del Mar” Magsino, this process is already long overdue since many OFWs are complaining about slow processing of their applications.
The project was initiated by the Department of Migrant Workers’ (DWM) and is currently working on the final stages of its modernization program with the imminent launch of a digital app, which is envisioned as the digital alternative to the OEC.
The OFWs raised their complaints against the OEC application process such as the long and tedious process occasioned by back-and-forth dealings with concerned agencies, the accompanying exorbitant expenses for the prescribed requirements; the insufficiency of appointment schedules and personnel assigned to process the applications vis-à-vis the volume of applications; and the misinterpretation and misapplication of regulations by some frontline government personnel who demand additional documents over and above what the rules only require.
“I am happy that DMW is responding to the clamor of our OFWs to streamline and digitize the OEC process. Previously, DMW informed us that some mandatory requirements have been removed and, now, the digital platform, OFW Pass, is in its final stages,” Magsino said.
“While we recognize the importance of the OEC in verifying the legal status of an OFW and as as a crucial tool for protection against illegal recruitment and human smuggling, our OFWs simply request for a well-organized, clear, and straightforward process where they can obtain their OEC. This is a simple and reasonable plea from our OFWs who contribute USD 36.14 billion in remittances or 8.9% of our GDP,” she added.
However, Magsino asked the DMW and DICT to look into the reported issues such as difficulty in logging in, repeated system glitches, and errors in field entries.
So far, the current version of the OFW Pass application has been met with frustrations from users, highlighting the pressing need for improvement. Comments online voice concerns and disappointment by OFWs who feel let down by the challenging user interface of the application.
“While we appreciate the efforts made thus far, we have to conduct a thorough review of the application in light of initial comments received. The final review and tweaking of DMW through DICT’s help will ensure that the digital application will become more user-friendly, will provide smoother transaction, and will align with the expectations of our OFWs.
“We are, after all, doing this innovation for our OFWs’ benefit so we have to consider their initial feedback,” she said.
