'One-stop shops' where government services will be available to Filipinos who are currently working or planning to work overseas is launched Monday.

According to the Presidential Communications Office, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said the center will reduce the transportation expenses of the overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and will shorten the processing time of their documents.

The One-Stop Service Center for OFWs (OSSCO) will be disseminating information on its programs and services and will respond to queries of clients, while the following government agencies will offer their respective services under the same roof.

1. Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA)

• Passport Services

• Passport Validity Extension for Balik-Manggagawa (vacationing Workers)

2. Overseas Welfare Workers Administration (OWWA)

• Processing of OWWA Membership/Renewal of Membership

3. Technical Education and Skills Development (TESDA)

• Assistance for Competency Assessment

• Verification of Certificates and Special Order

• Assistance for Replacement of National Certificates (NC)/Certificates of Competency (COC)

• Training Assistance and Scholarship Program

4. Professional Regulation Commission (PRC)

• Issuance of Professional License

5. Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA)

• Issuance/ Revalidation of Seaman’s Book

6. Home Development Mutual Fund (HDMF)

• Processing of Pag-ibig Membership

7. Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PHIC)

• Payment of Philhealth Contribution

• Member registration and updating

8. Social Security System (SSS)

• Registration and Membership Data Amendment

• Acceptance of Loan and Benefits Claim Applications

• Loan Verification and Status

• UMID Capturing and Card Releasing

9. Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA)

• Processing and Copy Issuance of

- Certificate of Live Birth

- Certificate of Marriage

- Certificate of Death

- Certificate of No Marriage (CENOMAR)

10. Bureau of Immigration (BI)

• Departure Clearance Information

11. National Bureau of Investigation (NBI)

• Issuance of NBI Clearance

12. Commission on Higher Education (CHED)

• Verification and Authentication of School Credentials

13. Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA)

• Travel Tax Payment

• Processing of Travel Tax Exemption and Reduced Travel Tax

14. Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA)

• Documentation of Workers (Landbased and Seabased)

• Documentation of Workers-On-Leave/Balik-Manggagawa

• Registration of Landbased Worker-Applicants

• Verification/Certification of OFW Records

• Provision of Legal Assistance

The OSSCO in Metro Manila is located at the ground floor of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration’s (POEA) main office at Blas F. Ople Building in Ortigas Avenue corner EDSA, Mandaluyong City.

The Department of Labor and Employment is setting up similar one-stop centers in all regions in coordination with regional offices of the aforementioned agencies, local government units, and other stakeholders.

The OSSCO in Ortigas and regional offices will be operating on weekdays, from 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M., and may extend the services during weekends and holidays on its discretion, with prior approval of the POEA or DOLE Regional Office.