Amid the global health crisis, the Philippines Department of Labour and Employment (DOLE)-Region IV-A is leveraging the networked public and cyberspace to simplify its processes and observe alternative work arrangements and other health and safety protocols.
By conceiving new systems, ways to communicate, and approaches, DOLE’s new online services can be used to minimise work disruption, share information, and keep clients and employees safe.
DOLE’s Regional Director noted that the services will prevent the spread of COVID-19 by promoting social distancing measures and maintaining cleanliness and orderliness in all its offices.
DOLE IV-A Client Appointment System
As per a press release, one of the online services is the DOLE IV-A Client Appointment System (DCAS). It allows clients to schedule appointments through an online portal.
This system aims to reduce congestion in the DOLE IV-A regional office as well as in its provincial offices to prevent people from gathering, in line with social distancing measures.
The Director highlighted that another reason for launching this system is to slash the long queues in the offices of DOLE IV-A, by providing an easy-to-navigate, faster, and more convenient way to schedule an appointment.
In DCAS, a client shall be given an allotment of one hour per appointment on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Hearings, conferences, meetings, teleconferencing, and the release of documents or permits shall be scheduled on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Walk-in guests will still be accommodated. However, those with online appointments will be prioritised, the release added.
AEP Online Application System
Another initiative is the AEP Online Application System. It is an online portal wherein clients requesting for alien employment permits (AEP) shall submit their applications including pertinent documents for evaluation purposes.
The government believes the online system will make it easier for AEP clients in the province to apply for permits or requests for a certificate of exclusion. This also aims to get rid of the long hours of waiting in applying for AEP.
Through the AEP Online Application System, AEP clients may apply for their permits online, by registering on the website.
This system is capable of validating and authenticating the submitted application forms and other documents such as a certified true copy of passport bio page, notarised contracts of employment or secretary’s certificate, mayor’s permits, SEC general information sheets, and PAGCOR authorisation to operate for pogo applicants.
Clients shall be notified if there is an incomplete and/or inconsistent document before the issuance of the order of payment.
The client shall receive a confirmation receipt of their application. The evaluator shall notify the client on the approval of the application, date of publication, submission of all the hard copy documents, payment, and release of the AEP card or certificate of exclusion.
These new digital services will be accessible on desktops, laptops, and mobile devices to provide a better client experience. It will allow them to make appointments for transactional services at their preferred time and location in a simple and standardised way, the release claimed.
DOLE IV-A will continue to develop new tools to cushion the impact of COVID-19 on society and to improve its online services so that the public will still have access to their programs and services while the pandemic persists.
Over the coming weeks and months, DOLE IV-A will be going deeper into the solutions technology can offer.
