Why (and How) to Get Your Balik Manggagawa POPS-BAM ASAP

Acquiring OEC could be quite a handful for OFW whenever they need to get back to the foreign country they are working in after their vacationing in the Philippines.

Since there are now thousands of Filipinos working all over the world, the queue before you can obtain your OEC as a returning OFW should require you to be patient and understanding. The application gets even tougher during special occasions such as holidays and graduation.

Fortunately, the government had come up with an effective and cost-saver way for OFWs to obtain their OEC wherever they are – the Balik-Manggagawa Online Processing System. Now, even at home, OFWs can get their OEC without having to wake up early in the morning and waiting all day long in the POEA office just to get an OEC.

onlineservices.dmw.gov.ph

Here’s your ultimate guideline on how to have an easy and fast balik-manggagawa process especially during special holidays or for emergency purposes.

What is Balik-Manggagawa (BM) Online Processing System?

The Balik-Manggagawa (BM) is an online appointment system that you can access through POEA’s website so that you won’t have to go to POEA’s office or OEC Processing Center just to get an OEC. This online registration form is only meant for OFWs who are going back to the same employer in the same country and had a record with POEA.
Requirements when getting an OEC?

Basic document requirements

To get an OEC, an Overseas Filipino Workers should have the following requirements:

1. Passport with at least six (6) months validity from departure date.
2. Valid work visa, work permit, or any equivalent document
3. A verified employment contract or offer of employment
4. Printed Balik-Manggagawa Information Sheet

What is BM Online and who can use it?

The Balik-Manggagawa Online as previously mentioned is an online processing system that an OFW may use to get and pay for their OEC. All OFWs, exempted or not on obtaining OEC, should register with BM Online System especially for times they will return to the Philippines. Through BM Online, the POEA determines if you are exempted from getting OEC based on the data that they currently have.

Why do I need to register to BM Online to get OEC?

Using BM Online to get an OEC will save you trouble and time on your pre-departure since you will be referred to Labor Assistance Counter (LAC) if you haven’t registered yet. Aside from that, online acquisition of OEC saves you time and effort that you can use to spend more time with your loved ones.

How to Register in BMonline For New User

Here are the easy steps to follow with pictures below:

1. Go to the official website www.bmonline.ph
2. For new users: Fill out and Sign Up You Need to Input: Name, Middle Name, Last Name, Birth Date, Gender, Email address, Password. Please Take Note your mail should be working. In my case, I use GMAIL, but you can use YAHOO also.
3. Please click “I accept the Terms of Service” next Click ACCEPT
4. Congratulation! A pop-up message will appear “Notice: Your account has been successfully created. You can now log in to your account.”
5. Please visit your registered E-mail account. (In my case I use a Gmail account) Registration Confirmation Link will be sent to your registered E-mail.
6. You need to confirm your email by clicking the link, see the actual message with the blue link.
7. Pop Up Notice will appear: “Your account has been successfully activated. You may now log in.”

Tips in Applying for an Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC)

Here are some tips that you may want to utilize while applying for an Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC):

1. You should bring both a photocopy and an original of your documents just in case they’ll be needing an extra copy of your files.
2. Using POEA’s list of requirements as your reference, organized your files so it won’t be a hassle for you to submit your documents.
3. Of course, don’t forget to bring money for all payments and other fees that may come up upon applying for OEC.

FAQ’s

How long is the processing time before getting OEC in POEA?

Getting an OEC from POEA should only take around ten (10) minutes if the OFW has already BM Account. If you’re going to set an appointment online and have already chosen your specific POEA branch, it should only take at least one (1) hour to obtain your OEC as long as you have prepared your documents and payment.

What are the benefits of OEC Balik-Manggagawa?

There are benefits in obtaining an OEC Balik-Manggagawa although it’s quite hard work to obtain one. It serves as the OFW’s permit to work in another country. It also serves as your receipt of payment for your contributions with PHILHEALTH, PAG-IBIG, membership to OWWA, and POEA processing fee.

Aside from that, an OEC helps the OFW to be exempted from travel taxes that a usual traveler gets when leaving the country. Also, exemption from airport terminal fees will be given to OFWs once they have presented their OEC.

Final Thoughts on Balik-Manggagawa

Although the Balik-Manggagawa can be tedious and tiresome, it’s definitely helpful in ensuring the safety of the Filipinos workings abroad. Fortunately, today’s technology had helped that the time of OFWs can be saved through various online technologies that can be utilized in providing OEC for our modern heroes.

Also See: How to Qualify for ($200) DOLE AKAP Cash Assistance

Soon enough, various methods will be developed for ease of obtaining of OEC especially for the growing number of Filipinos finding opportunities abroad.