To further improve services for OFWs, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) has announced that all Overseas Filipino Workers must now include their Pag-IBIG Fund Member ID Number (MID) during Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC) processing. This move is in compliance with the 2020 agreement between the DMW and the Home Development Mutual Fund, better known as the Pag-IBIG Fund.
By linking OEC-related processes to a verified Pag-IBIG MID Number, the DMW aims to unify essential government systems, ensuring smoother transactions and more secure data for all OFWs. If you’re currently employed abroad or preparing for deployment, it’s important to take note of this new requirement to avoid delays in your documentation.
Implementation Schedule by Category
To make the transition organized and manageable, the DMW rolled out this new requirement in phases, depending on the employment category of the OFW:
- Government-to-Government Workers: Effective 01 June 2022
- Direct Hires: Effective 01 July 2022
- Balik Manggagawa (Returning Workers): Effective 01 August 2022
Each phase targets a specific group to give workers and agencies time to comply with the MID Number requirement. Whether you’re a first-time worker or returning for another contract, make sure your MID is ready and updated in the system.
Guidelines to Help OFWs Comply
If you already have a Pag-IBIG MID Number, simply log in to your DMW e-Registration account and input it in the appropriate field. This step ensures your account is linked to your official Pag-IBIG record, allowing faster document validation when applying for an OEC.
Don’t have a Pag-IBIG MID Number yet? You’ll need to register through Pag-IBIG’s official online channels. Details for registration procedures can be found in Annex A of the advisory. Once you’ve registered, you’ll receive your unique MID Number, which can then be used for all future transactions.
Meanwhile, if you’re unsure about your Pag-IBIG MID status, you can easily verify your number via the Pag-IBIG Virtual Portal. This online platform allows members to confirm their records without needing to visit a physical branch.
Next Steps for Deployed OFWs
Already working abroad? You’re not exempt. On your next login to the DMW e-Registration system, you must make sure your Pag-IBIG MID Number is properly recorded in your account. This ensures your future OEC applications will not encounter issues due to incomplete data.
It’s a small step that can save you time and stress later. Many OFWs have already experienced smoother OEC processing because of this added layer of documentation, which helps verify identity and streamline inter-agency coordination.
Moving Toward Smarter Integration
This policy is another example of the government’s initiative to improve services for OFWs by reducing redundancy and enhancing coordination across departments. Integrating systems like Pag-IBIG into DMW platforms helps ensure that services are not only faster but also more secure and accurate.
Ultimately, this will reduce long lines, minimize errors, and allow OFWs to focus more on their careers abroad than on paperwork back home. It’s a future-forward step for both government and migrant workers.
For more updates about Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), visit Filipinokami.com.
Source: DMW Advisory No. 09, s. 2022