Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) have expressed happiness at the announcement that they can now pay for and secure their Overseas Employment Certificates (OECs) through the online portal when they go on vacation to the Philippines.

Labor Attache Alex Padaen of the Philippine Overseas Labor Office in the Eastern Region (POLO-ERO) told Arab News on Friday that OFWs no longer need to go to the POLO for their OECs.

Quoting a statement from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Padaen said that more than 500 vacationing OFWs have so far availed of the system since its test run and initial introduction recently.

“This is good news for all Filipinos going on vacation. It will save them time,” said Riyadh-based Cenon C. Sagadal, an RCBC-Telemoney representative and a community leader.

Eric P. Asi, a senior engineer at Riyadh-based Nardeen Lighting added, “This is good news. However, they still have to pay for the membership with the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA).”

In Buraidah, Arnold Pineda, also a community leader welcomed the news saying that it had been a big problem for Filipinos in Qassim to drive all the way to Riyadh for the OEC prior to going home for the vacations.

“Being able to pay and secure an OEC online indicates that the government is trying its best to serve OFWs. As for the OWWA membership, we can always pay through the bank,” he said.

In the Eastern Region, Eduardo R. Rodriguez, also a community leader and spare parts manager at Arab Equipment Est. in Alkhobar, said that Labor Attache Padaen’s announcement is welcome news.

“Many OFWs here are happy about it. It may not be a big deal for many Filipinos overseas but it shows that the government is trying to do something for OFWs,” he said.

He added that the move could be part of government efforts to reach out to overseas Filipinos but “it should do more by deploying officials imbued with the aim to render service selflessly.”