Lawmaker pushes ID system for OFWs to provide them with access to vital government and private sector services

Manila: A lawmaker has proposed the establishment of a system for identifying a Filipino migrant worker and providing them with access to vital government and private sector services.

According to Representative Juan Johnny R. Revilla of the party list OFW Family, an identification system is also needed to protect overseas Filipino workers from unnecessary abuse and exploitation by human traffickers and unscrupulous employers.

Through House Bill 5539, Revilla has proposed that the government puts up a global identification system.

Under the measure, the Philippine government, through the participation of several government agencies shall institute an identification system covering all OFWs employed abroad.

“The OFW ID system shall produce an OFW card which will serve as the primary and only identification card for all OFWs.

The OFW card shall contain the worker’s name, date of birth, worker’s latest photo, OFW card number, validity dates, Philippine passport number and expiration date, type of work visa, its validity date and expiry, country of employment and employer’s name,” he said.

Currently, OFWs only have their passport as a identification document. In most cases employers take custody of these for some reasons such as to prevent them from absconding.

Revilla said a machine readable OFW card shall be issued in the Philippines through the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) for all new OFWs before departure to country of employment.

The OFW card will also electronically contain their social security number and all other important information such as membership to the home mutual fund, Pag-IBIG and PhilHealth.

“The OFW card will be linked with SSS and will provide access to the member OFWs contribution summary. Similarly, the OFW Card will be linked with the Pag-IBIG Fund’s system so that member OFW’s may be able to access his/her contribution summary through the agency’s website. It shall likewise be linked to the PhilHealth system to allow member OFWs to view their premium payments,” Revilla said.

The Global ID will also provide OFWs working abroad with access to services such as those provided by the overseas workers welfare administration (OWWA) and Philippine overseas labour offices (POLO).

Unlike other countries, the Philippine government has no formal national ID system. However, it is currently working on a single, all-in-one card that will enable citizens and government and private firms to access their valuable personal records.