OFW Party-list Representative Marissa “Del Mar” Magsino lauded the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) for the successful launching of the OFW Pass, a digital platform designed to replace the traditional paper-based Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC) for our Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs).
The party-list lawmaker expressed her hope that the OFW Pass will achieve full functionality and address previous issues faced by OFWs with the OEC application process. Particularly, the OFW Party List hopes the OFW pass will efficiently replace the lengthy, complicated and costly process that OFWs used to endure in processing their OECs.
“It has been a ‘long time coming’, but we are happy and hopeful that the OFW pass will give relief and convenience to our OFWs who have been enduring the traditional process for years. Isang pahirap sa OFWs ang dating OEC process. Naiintindihan nating kailangan ito para sa proteksyon nila pero imbes makatulong ay naging pabigat ang proseso. Ngayon na digitized na ito, sana ay tuluyang maayos na ang sistema at magbigay ng tunay na ginhawa sa ating mga OFWs,” said Magsino.
However, Magsino urged DMW to conduct intensive information-dissemination and training for the proper use of the digital application as limitations on digital literacy may pose a problem for our OFWs. She also urged the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) to continue helping DMW in fine-tuning the application in response to the feedback of end-users.
“We should continue to anticipate ‘birthing pains’ with this new application. Not all OFWs are adept at navigating digital applications so we urge DMW to intensify its efforts on informing our OFWs how to access and use the app. Multiple feedback mechanisms must also be in place as we need to fine-tune the app based on user experience,” said Magsino.
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