Texting-based BM Online OEC service

Workers who are internet-challenged, are senior citizens, or are flying home within 48 hours due to an emergency, can now avail of a new service to obtain overseas employment certificates or OEC exemptions.

The Philippine Overseas Labor Office launched its BM Online Reachout service recently to save these OFWs from the time-consuming process of queuing up at its Admiralty Centre offices.

Labor Attaché Jalilo dela Torre said the new service would help them create emails and BM Online accounts and obtain appointments via an exchange of mobile phone messages.

“This service will be available to those who are just setting up email addresses, and for emergency (flight in 48 hours), bereavement and senior applications,” he said.

To avail themselves of the service, a worker must first access the POLO Hong Kong Facebook page and tick any of the category status on the BM Online Reachout registration form indicating senior citizen, bereavement, emergency or internet-challenged.

“Just indicate here the following data, and we will text to you your date and hour of appointment so you can pay and pick up your OEC: Complete name, date of birth, educational attainment, mobile phone number, gender,” he said.

Applicants must also input their passport number, expiration date, last day of visa, and her personal details such as date of birth, place of birth, email address (if any), civil status, Philippine address down to barangay, mother’s maiden complete name, and spouse’s name, if married, and other particulars.

The applicant is also reminded to attach an ID picture showing entire face without caps, eyeglasses, and bangs.

Labatt Dela Torre also explained the common stumbling block of BM Online applicants – the date of last departure and date of last arrival.

“Date of last departure – the date when you last left the Philippines. Date of last arrival – the date of your flight to start the vacation for which you are now applying an OEC,” he said in another FB post.

POLO will text the applicant when it is already creating her email address and BM Online account.
“You need to text back to the number texting you the verification code sent by Google. Without the verification code, we cannot complete your BM account,” Dela Torre said. – VB Lumicao