Seoul, 13 November 2021 - The Philippine Embassy in Seoul, through POLO OWWA, spearheaded a webinar entitled "Let's Do the POPS-BaM" on 12 November 2021 to introduce the POEA's new e-Registration system to the OFWs in South Korea.

According to Ambassador Maria Theresa B. Dizon-De Vega, the POEA Online Processing System - Balik Manggagawa or POPS-BaM offers a more efficient way of securing the OEC as it has become an integral part of the whole online registration and processing structure administered by POEA. "We are very fortunate to have the POEA's Director Ken P. Sarmiento and Mr. George V. Parlan as resource speakers because they designed this new system and they can impart to you first-hand information, provide explanations and clarifications on creating and using one's e-Registration account", she said. Ambassador de Vega emphasized the importance of the digitalized form of OFW database in line with the government's efforts to provide contact-less and online services to the public. "Having a complete, reliable and transparent database of OFWs is necessary for our country's policy making and labor migration governance. It is equally important for our OFWs who will now have online access to POEA services and their employment records through the POPS-BaM", the Ambassador said.

OFWs with e-Registration accounts, and who are vacationing and returning to the same employer can secure an automatic exemption certificate online through the said account. However, workers who changed their employers at the jobsite should make an appointment with POLO-Seoul to secure their OEC. An OFW must have one e-Registration account only and ensure correct/factual information. To make changes in one's employment record, the OFW must file an electronic ticket for an appointment or to access the HelpDesk.

The webinar drew interest from over 100 OFWs via zoom and generated 5,000 views on FB live. It was also attended by the personnel of POLOs in the Asia and Pacific region.

Labor Attache Maya Valderrama of POLO Korea encourages all OFWs in Korea to create and/or check the entries of their e-Registration accounts in advance to avoid inconvenience should there be need to correct or update information prior to securing their OEC. They may also call 3785-3634/5 for queries and view the recording of the webinar via the POLO-Korea FB page.END