ILOILO CITY – A new center in Passi City aims to streamline access to government services for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) from the city and surrounding municipalities.
Cynthia Dario, manager of the Public Employment Services Office (PESO) Iloilo, announced on Monday that while other local government units have dedicated OFW desks, Passi City stands out with a purpose-built facility specifically for OFW services. The city, noted for having the highest number of OFWs in Iloilo province, recently received the 2024 Governor’s Award for its efforts.
Mayor Stephen Palmares initiated the construction of the center to alleviate the challenges OFWs face when returning home and processing necessary documents. According to Rhea Palomillo, head of the Passi City Department and PESO manager, the mayor is personally invested in the initiative, having three siblings who are OFWs.
The center houses various government offices that cater to OFW needs, including the National Bureau of Investigation, Social Security System, Bureau of Internal Revenue, Home Development Mutual Fund (Pag-IBIG Fund), Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, and the Public Attorney’s Office. Palomillo emphasized that the facility allows OFWs to save time and effort, enabling them to spend more quality time with their families during their short visits.
In addition to the OFW services, the Best PESO award criteria included performance impact, employment facilitation, and active leadership in organizations that contribute to employment initiatives.
