QuestionsQuestions (POEA GOVERNING BOARD Resolution NO. 15, S. 2013)
Republic Act No. 10022 authorizes the POEA Governing Board, after consultation with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), to impose a ban on the deployment of Filipino migrant workers in pursuit of national interest or when public welfare so requires.
Because the DFA raised the Crisis Alert Level in Egypt to Alert Level 4 on 19 August 2013, which warranted mandatory repatriation of OFWs, prompting POEA GBR No. 10, Series of 2013 (10 September 2013) to direct a total deployment ban and coordinate for safe repatriation.
Crisis Alert Level 4 shall warrant mandatory repatriation of OFWs.
The DFA recommended lowering the crisis alert level from Alert Level 4 to Alert Level 3 (Voluntary Repatriation). The policy later evolved in subsequent POEA issuances.
The DFA lowered the crisis alert level from Alert Level 3 to Alert Level 2 (Restriction Phase). Under Alert Level 2, processing and deployment of workers were allowed only for OFWs returning to their current employers with existing employment contracts.
It allowed the redeployment of returning Filipino workers to Egypt, subject to proof of existing employment as determined by POEA.
Level 1 was described as the Precautionary Phase, indicating improved conditions compared with earlier levels and supporting the eventual lifting of the deployment ban.
It resolves to lift the deployment ban in Egypt and resume the processing and deployment of all Filipino workers, including both vacationing and new hires.
Three key changes were cited: (1) 19 August 2013 raised to Alert Level 4; (2) 04 November 2013 lowered to Alert Level 3; (3) 21 November 2013 lowered to Alert Level 2; then (4) 11 December 2013 lowered to Alert Level 1 (Precautionary Phase).
POEA must consult with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) before imposing a deployment ban, under RA 10022.
Only OFWs returning to their current employers and those with existing employment contracts.
Redeployment was allowed subject to proof of existing employment as determined by POEA.
Yes. The resolution explicitly states that processing and deployment will resume for all Filipino workers, including both vacationing and new hires.
It was adopted on 26 December 2013 and filed on 03 January 2014.
DFA crisis alert levels serve as the trigger for POEA policy actions: higher levels (e.g., Alert Level 4) justify deployment bans and mandatory repatriation; lower levels gradually allow limited processing (e.g., Alert Level 2) and later support lifting of bans (e.g., after Alert Level 1).
Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz (Secretary of Labor and Employment and Chairperson), Hans Leo J. Cacdac (POEA Administrator and Vice-Chair), and members Alexander E. Asuncion, Felix Rodolfo M. Oca, Estrelita S. Hizon, and Milagros Isabel A. Cristobal.
It enables POEA to impose deployment bans (and by implication, to lift them when warranted) as a policy instrument to protect national interests and public welfare, subject to the required consultation with DFA.