OEC – Overseas Employment Certificate – is the certificate by the POEA (Philippine Overseas Employment Administration) that verifies that a person is a registered overseas Filipino worker. The worker will be exempted from paying the travel tax and terminal fee once the OEC is shown to the immigration officer at the Philippine airports.

OEC-EXEMPTED FDW ON A PILOT BASIS:

1. FDW who are returning to the same employer
2. FDW who have existing record/s in the POEA database

HOW TO VERIFY IF THE FDW IS EXEMPTED FROM GETTING AN OEC

1. FDW shall register online using the Balik-Manggagawa Online Processing System (http://bmonline.ph/) prior to the scheduled date of return to the employer. The worker must update her personal and employment information as may be applicable. (Registration is free of charge)
2. No need for OEC if the worker is qualified.
3. FDW who are not exempted from the OEC requirements shall be redirected to the BM appointment page to avail themselves of the appointment service of the regular processing of the OEC (https://www.philippine-embassy.org.sg/labor/hsw/oec/)

**FDW are reminded to register in the Balik-Manggagawa Online Processing System before proceeding to the airport to avoid inconvenience.

HOW TO REGISTER AT THE BM ONLINE WEBSITE

A. For Registered/Record Found/Returning to the same employer

1. Go to http://bmonline.ph/
2. Log in as Already Registered. Enter last issued OEC number. If no record found, set an online appointment.
3. If you see your record, update any Beneficiaries, Personal Data and Contract Particulars, as needed
4. Click Acquire OEC or Exemption for online assessment. Enter the flight date and confirm if returning and working for the same employer.
5. A message will display in the system stating the worker is exempted from paying a processing fee and securing an OEC if returning to the same employer.

B. For New User/No Record Found

1. Go to http://bmonline.ph/
2. Click “Sign Me Up”
3. After entering your OEC number and no record is found, schedule an online appointment

 TERMINAL FEE AND TRAVEL TAX EXEMPTION

**FDWs are required to pay the P550 airport terminal fee when they buy tickets online or in airline ticket offices. They can claim their refund upon departure at the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) counter at the airport terminals.

SHOW THE FOLLOWING AT MIAA COUNTER AND THE AIRLINE COUNTER FOR FEE AND TAX EXEMPT:

1. Work Permit or valid employment contract/Employment contract that is POLO verified
2. Show to the MIAA counter the ticket invoice with a code “LI International” for exemption of terminal fee

REMINDER ON THE DATE OF DEPARTURE

1. Go to MIAA counter for tax/fee exemption
2. Check-in at the Airline airport counter
3. Continue to present your passport (valid for at least 6 months), work permit and valid employment contract/Employment contract POLO verified to the immigration counter

References: http://www.philippine-embassy.org.sg/wp-content/uploads/POEA_MC_6.pdf,  http://www.philippine-embassy.org.sg/labor/overseas-employment-certificate-oec/

Related article: https://www.anisya.com/2015/02/home-leave-application-for-filipino-foreign-domestic-workers/