The POEA Article

In an ordinary afternoon along EDSA corner Ortigas Avenue, Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) is packed with hundreds of busy applicants going in and out of the old Blas F. Ople Building. This must be one of the busiest places in Manila where you can find the never-ending growth in number of many Filipinos aspiring to work abroad. These Filipinos believe that working abroad is the only solution, if not one of other promising solutions they can they can think of, that will give way to the realization of their goals.

Many have said that they have decided to work abroad for the sake of their family. They are even much aware of the many sacrifices that come with it. Some have given other reasons of working abroad such as poor local economy, loss of faith in the government, and personal dreams, however, these reasons always lead down to its primary concern - that is financial.

Whatever reasons these Filipinos may have, it is undeniably true that the role of POEA is very significant to the realization of their goals. POEA was established in 1982 as an attached agency of the Department of Labor and Employment. It is mandated to manage the migration of many Filipino workers. It provides various services for employment and welfare, adjudication and employment regulation, and management services for all Filipino workers applying abroad.

POEA is expanding the grassroots tri-media outreach of public orientation and education on the risks and rewards of overseas employment. One of these is the consistent campaign against illegal recruitment.

The quarterly publication of list of licensed recruitment agencies in the Philippines is part of POEA's Anti-Illegal Recruitment Campaign. It is free of charge and is available from the information lobby of POEA. The list includes the complete information of each agency along with its contact person and contact numbers. It also provides OFW Advisory related to jobs abroad, prospect employers, and bits of OFW stories.

Despite of all the efforts of POEA in providing support and services to all OFWs and aspiring OFWs, many are still not satisfied with its services. Some of the respondents said they are looking forward to more efficient services and better facilities in POEA. Nevertheless, there are some applicants who said otherwise.

As reactions and opinions of many aspiring Filipinos who want to pursue an overseas employment may vary from time to time, POEA is continuously improving its services for the benefit of many Filipinos.


To get to POEA, if you are coming from Katipunan, you can take either MRT or a bus going to EDSA. However, if you are coming from the south, you can take a bus going to Cubao and get off at Robinson’s Galleria. #