MANILA, Philippines - Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) no longer need to go to the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) or transfer from one government agency to another, as all government services they need are now clustered in SM Supermalls’ Global Pinoy Centers (GPCs).
In a recent memorandum of undertaking (MOU) among the SM Global Pinoy Center, POEA and the Overseas Workers Welfare Association (OWWA), a Balik-Manggagawa Processing Center will be established in 28 SM malls so returning OFWs can have easy access to government agencies for clearances and permits.
The MOU includes the processing of overseas employment certificates (OECs) at the SM Global Pinoy Centers.
The event coincided with the celebration of Migrant Worker’s Day with the theme “OFW, sa Sipag at Galing, Bilib Kami sa ’Yo.”
Glenn Ang, SM VP for operations and program director of the SM Global Pinoy Center, said, “This joint undertaking with POEA and OWWA is a milestone not only for SM Global Pinoy Center but for all OFWs.”
“The POEA realized they needed to improve their services and that they should have a partner to support their advocacy for OFWs to have an easy access to OEC processing. They found a partner in SM Supermalls,” he said.
“Now, the OEC processing service will already be made available for OFWs at the SM Global Pinoy Centers in SM malls nationwide. This is a first time that this service is brought outside the POEA through SM’s Global Pinoy Center,” he added.
Today, the SM Global Pinoy Center has become SM Supermalls’ “one-stop service hub” for OFWs and their families. It educates, informs and helps bring OFW families together by offering POEA and OWWA services, free Internet services, free mobile phone charging, free voice calls, BDO remittance pick-up services, and foreign exchange services by the SM Department Store, and even free refreshments.
Through the SM Global Pinoy Center, SM honors the country’s modern-day heroes by continuously serving them and helping improve their lives.
SM currently has 28 SM Global Pinoy Centers in SM Supermalls nationwide and an SM Global Pinoy Counter at the OFW lounge at the NAIA Terminal 1.
To become an SM Global Pinoy, simply show proof of remittance and pay P150 to avail overself of the SM Global Pinoy Card which is valid for two years.
For more information on the SM Global Pinoy Center. visit www.facebook.com/smgpc.