By William Casis | FilAm Star Correspondent
A one-stop shop for the convenience of OFWs mostly employed in the Middle East was recently opened at the Clark International Airport in Pampanga.
Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said OFWs coming from the region and nearby provinces can now go to Clark to transact their requirements for their convenience.
This will help facilitate the documentation processes especially for overseas workers.
The new facility is home to 16 agencies in a single building at Clark Polytechnic, a few kilometers from the Clark International Airport.
Among the agencies included in the facility are the Bureau of Immigration, PhilHealth, Pag-IBIG Fund, Philippine Statistics Authority, National Bureau of Investigation, Philippine Overseas Employment Administration, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, Department of Labor and Employment, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, Professional Regulation Commission, Department of Education, Commission on Higher Education, Social Security System, Maritime Industry Authority, Commission on Filipino Overseas and Bayad Center.
The Center will provide services such as the processing of the Overseas Employment Certificate, NBI clearances , the processing of Pag-IBIG OFW members contributions, PhilHealth payment premium contributions and members registration, SSS registration and membership data amendment including acceptance of loans and benefits claim applications, PSA’s processing and issuance of birth certificate, marriage certificate, death certificate, and CENOMAR.
MARINA’s issuance and revalidation of seaman’s book, issuance of PRC’s professional licenses and TESDA’s issuance of training certifications and applications for scholarship programs will also be facilitated at the Center.
The facility is also equipped with a Wi-fi for the convenience of the agencies and the OFWs.
Bello said Clark Airport is being prepared as the next alternative airport to decongest the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Metro Manila.
“There is now a move to transfer several flights [to] Clark Airport, and the establishment of the One-Stop Shop in Clark is timely,” he added..
Bello said they will put up the same centers in other parts of the country — San Fernando City in La Union, Cebu City, Cagayan de Oro and Davao City. The additional facilities will be completed within the year.
Department of Transportation (DOTr) Sec. Arthur Tugade said the establishment of the One-Stop Shop Center in Clark, now open and operational, is part of the requirements of International carriers especially those from the Middle East.
Tugade also said the facility will benefit OFWs mostly residing in Central and Northern Luzon who fly out of or into Clark International Airport in Pampanga.
The opening of the facility was also attended by former President and Second District Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Pampanga Gov. Lilia Pineda, Angeles City Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan, Catanduanes Congressman Cesar Sarmiento, former Nueva Ecija Rep. Renato Diaz, CIAC President Alexander Cauguiran and CDC President Noel Manankil.
The DOTr and DOLE took the lead in the establishment of the Center at Clark.
The Clark International Airport Corp. and the Clark Development Corp. also provided support for the establishment of the facility.
