The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) stands by its earlier announcement that the identification system for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) called iDOLE will be issued for free.
In a live feed video via Facebook, DOLE Secretary Silvestre “Bebot” Bello III answered some queries often asked by OFWs about the implementation of the iDOLE.
Here’s a rundown of important information that you need to know, based on the interview of Mocha Uson, Assistant Secretary of the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO), with Sec. Bello:
1. Is it really free?
“Libre, walang babayaran ang mga OFW.”
2. What if employers deduct the iDOLE fee from OFWs’ salary?
“Yung employer nila ang ichacharge namin. Wag kayong papayag na kaltasan ang sweldo niyo para ipang-bayad sa ID ninyo. Kapag pinag-bayad kayo, i-rerefund ng DOLE, pero sisingilin din namin sa agency. At yung agency na kumuha sa employer nyo, pananagutin namin ‘yan.”
3. If employers force OFWs to pay for it?
“Ililipat ka namin. Bibigyan ka namin ng bagong employer. Pero yung agency na kumuha sa employer mo, pananagutin namin ‘yan.
4. Can OFWs change their host country or place of work?
“I-inform lang ang OWWA or DOLE and we will give you a new ID. Libre all the way.”
5. Is there an expiration date?
There have been reports that the iDOLE will expire after two (2) years. Bello said, “Walang expiration date na two years. Kapag nawala, bibigyan kayo ng panibago.”
6. Can a former OFW get iDOLE, too?
“Oo pwede kang kumuha dahil nakapag-contribute ka na sa pondo [ng gobyerno]. At walang bayad.”
7. Has the online portal been launched for this?
“‘Wag po kayong maniwala, mga fake news ‘yan. Wala pa kaming online portal. Hindi pa namin ginagawa yung implementing guidelines.”
8. FAQs about iDOLE
For additional inquiries about the implementation of iDOLE, Bello said OFWs may contact DOLE hotline 1349, which he said is open 24/7.
Here’s the link to watch the full interview clip of Assistant Secretary Uson with Sec. Bello:
