10 gov’t agencies serving Central Luzon folk in malls

By Mar T. Supnad

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga – The Department of Labor and Employment other national government agencies rendering frontline services reminded Central Luzon residents that they can visit and transact with satellite offices located in malls in the region.

Currently, 10 government agencies have satellite offices inside two malls in the City of San Fernando namely DOLE, Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Philippine Postal Corporation, Social Security System (SSS), Pag-IBIG, Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority, and Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth).

“With these offices inside SM City Pampanga and Robinsons Starmills, we want our convenience to OFWs  availing of our services. These malls are ideal since food and other amenities are just nearby, and both malls are connected by a shaded footbridge to make it easy for clients to walk from one mall to the other or vice versa,” the DOLE said in a statement.

Among the services that can be availed at the POEA satellite office include documentation of workers (land-based and sea-based), documentation of workers-on-leave (Balik Manggagawa), registration of land-based worker-applicants, verification/certification of OFW records, provision of legal assistance, and response to queries.

Moreover, clients can also avail for the processing of their OWWA Membership/Renewal of Membership and Scheduling of Pre-Departure Orientation Seminars from the OWWA Satellite Office.

TESDA’s Specialista Desk, on the other hand, provides information on technical-vocational scholarships, apprenticeship, and learnership programs.  It also offers career guidance and counseling.

The DFA satellite office meanwhile processes new and passport renewal applications and passport validity extension of returning OFWs.