THE Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) on Sunday said regular operations of six of its regional offices and One-Stop Service Center for OFWs in general community quarantine (GCQ) areas will reopen today, Monday.
Based on POEA Memorandum Circular No. 11-2020, there will be regular operations in six regions that are now under GCQ.
“Regular office operations shall resume to the following regions under GCQ without prejudice to strict observance of minimum health standards and precautions,” POEA Administrator Bernard Olalia said, citing POEA Memorandum Circular No. 11-2020.
The six regions are Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), Cagayan Valley, Calabarzon, Zamboanga Peninsula, Davao Region, and Caraga.
The POEA main office and offices at the National Capital Region, however, shall continue to operate with a skeletal workforce as it is still under a modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ).
“Assigned skeleton workforce in POEA offices covered by the MECQ shall be enabled to report to work in order to ensure the continuity of services, subject to interzonal movement protocols from their residence to POEA offices, clearances in crossing community checkpoints placed by LGUs, and availability of public transport/shuttle services,” Olalia said.
Olalia said a part of the limited skeletal workforce at the POEA main office shall serve as personnel for the “Green Lane for OFWs” to provide pre-employment services.
The POEA said minimum health standards shall be implemented in the offices to ensure the safety of POEA clients and employees, which include the use of face mask/face shield, sanitizing foot bath, temperature check, and use of hand sanitizers/hand washing area.
“Refusal of the visitor/client to use or undergo such measures may mean denial of entry into the POEA premises,” said Ola