OEC lah!

So I learned it the hard way.  Last Monday, I went to the Philippine Embassy at around 10-ish to have some documents certified and to obtain an OEC (Overseas Employment Certificate).  Processing the documents was a breeze but I was surprised to know that the Philippine Embassy has imposed a quota for OEC processing during this period.  I felt sorry that I wasn't a frequent visitor of their website so I was totally uninformed.  I know it's a busy period since a lot of fellow Filipinos will be rushing to get their OECs for Christmas  vacation.  I just didn't expect that the said quota will be out before 10 AM on a Monday... and just an FYI, the embassy opens at 9 AM.  That quick!

With this awareness, I went back at the embassy yesterday (Wednesday) and started my trip at 6:30 AM.  Yes, I had to wake up at 5:30 Singapore morning to get ready!  Zombie-like, I reached the embassy at 7:30 AM and this was the scene that "woke" me up:

Long queue outside the Philippine embassy at 7:30 AM, on a weekday. Queue was doubled behind me by 7:45 AM.

Other embassies nearby were still "sleeping" but the Philippine embassy was already quite a scene.  Super early birds were on queue (and standing) as early as 6:30 AM and most of them already complained of hunger.  People I've spoken to were on their 2nd trip as well and were unlucky to be served previously... just like me.  Leave was wasted so they had to file for another leave or a medical leave to make this 2nd trip.  Well, you'd hear different stories and make friends during this time. :)

Finally at 8:50 AM, after waiting and standing on queue outside for more than an hour (or more for the others), they let the first batch in.  Official queue numbers and forms were given.  I was number 56!  In a day, they give out 250 queue numbers, to be processed until 3 PM.  All 250 were given out by 9-ish, I guess.  I bet more than a hundred behind had to leave and didn't make it yesterday.

I hate to say this, but it was still a mess while we're inside waiting.  It was normal to expect that at least, due to the quota, it would be a bit manageable.  Unfortunately, it wasn't.  Most people were confused, angry and impatient. Well, probably due to the time and effort they need to endure to get the thing done. You have to be at 2 windows/counters if you'll only be processing an OEC.  If you haven't paid for Pag-ibig (which is a requirement), you have to visit a total of 3 windows.  For those who would renew OWWA membership, you need to devote more time.  Hold on to your queue number, you're going to need it the whole time you "come and go" to and from the windows.  A classic story of the Philippine window-system...  What's worse, at around 10:20 AM, they announced that people holding 151 and above will be served at 1:30 PM.  Imagine how loud the "aahhhsss" were!  They were advised to go out first, eat, or pass the time and then come back after lunch.  Considering the location of the embassy, I don't think people would want to walk under the hot "Singapore" sun or take a cab to pass the time and be back again... Oh well.  

I was number 56 and I finished at 10:45 AM.

So if you want to finish before noon, plan your trip and be there at 7:30 AM latest.  Sunday might be worse, though.  Make sure to bring all the requirements with you.  For OEC/OWWA processing (Employees) you'd need passport, work pass, pag-ibig receipt, air ticket (they no longer check this, but bring it anyway), and the duly completed form, the one you need to fill out on the embassy.

Wishful thinking, I hope they'd consider an online OEC processing.  Embassy has started with an e-appointment for electronic Passport so I'm hoping we're not far from doing most services online...  It will help both the embassy and the people anyway...  God bless the Philippines! :)