POEA did well in 2009 - COA

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Overseas Employment Agency (POEA) surpassed its targets and was able generate an all time high of $17.348 billion in remittances by overseas Filipino worker (OFW) in 2009.

The Commission on Audit (COA), in a report, noted a significant increase in the deployment of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) last year despite the global financial crisis.

State auditors said the POEA managed to remain stable and afloat last year in the midst of financial difficulties faced by the world.

The COA report stated that average deployment grew to 3,897 OFWs daily thereby generating an increase of 10.5 percent in deployed new hires as well as a 15-percent increase in rehires which is “the highest in OFW history.”

It added that the ratio of Filipino seafarers moved up to 23 percent which is a two-percent increase from that of 2008 “thus reinforcing Philippine domination on ocean going vessels.”

“OFW remittances totaled an unprecedented $17.348 billion for the year and contributed 9.5 percent for the country’s gross domestic product (GDP),” COA said.

“Thus, we noted that POEA either exceeded or closely met their targets for 2009,” state auditors said in citing the agency’s accomplishments.

Records show that for 2009, POEA reported an income of P392.85 million from the issuance of on-site Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC) for the Balik Manggagawa (BM) Processing Services and from miscellaneous sources amounting to P12.511 million.

“We noted the increasing trend of management’s collection efficiency particularly on Service Income (including Balik-Manggagawa Fees from POLO offices) with a reported collection of P392.85 million compared to last year’s P380.02 million showing an increase of P12.83 million or 3.38 percent despite of the financial crisis that paralyzed most of the world’s economies,” COA reported.

State auditors also acknowledged the prompt action taken by the POEA management on its previous years’ audit recommendations by registering 30 percent full implementation and 35-percent partial implementation or a total of 65-percent compliance.

“We also recognized management’s efforts in reducing its outstanding cash advances to officers and employees from P1.55 million to P1.45 million with a reduction of P0.10 million representing 6.45 percent,” they added.

In essence, the POEA, an attached agency of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) tasked to manage the country’s labor migration program, did well in 2009.