DOLE to distribute 4 million OFW ID cards

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is looking to distribute at least 4 million OFW ID cards or Integrated DOLE (iDOLE) System.

Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III, however, said DOLE has prepared 200 ID cards for the official launch today, July 12.

“We have to prepare at least 4 million ID cards to cover even those not working abroad anymore because when you become an OFW, you become an OFW permanently,” Bello said in a statement.

Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella said the processing of iDOLE for new OFWs will be shouldered by employers. Hence, the ID cards will be distributed to OFWs for free.

The ID cards will then be delivered to OFWs’ respective addresses via PhilPost.
“OFWs who carry this ID mean that his documents have legally processed by the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA),” Abella said.

In a separate statement, Labor Undersecretary Dominador Say said the OFWs should fill out necessary information on POEA website.

Bello added inactive OFWs will need to provide old employment records to obtain their IDs.
OFWs may use the streamlined ID system to pay for government services such as SSS, Philhealth, and Pag-IBIG; and as debit card for the soon-to-open OFW Bank.

The ID cards will likewise exempt holders from paying travel tax and terminal fee.
Meanwhile, OFWs around the world will have to wait for the full implementation of the iDOLE