FIVE government agencies have set up special windows to expedite the processing of
documents and requirements for the visa of Taiwan-bound Filipino workers amid the rift
between Manila and Taipei.
These government agencies are: Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), National Bureau of
Investigation (NBI), Social Security System (SSS), Philippine Health Insurance Corporation
(PhilHealth), and National Statistics Office.
In a press statement, Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. said he has ordered the
five agencies to establish special lanes dedicated to the processing and authentication or
issuance of documents. The directive was stated in a memorandum issued on Feb. 14.
This is in response to the announcement of Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) in
Manila that Taiwan-bound Filipinos would have to submit additional documents as a pre-
requisite for the issuance of work visa.
Under the new guidelines, workers seeking deployment to Taiwan must submit DFA-
and TECO-authenticated birth certificate and NBI clearance, as well as the original and
photocopies of ID cards issued by the SSS, Philhealth and Comelec.
Ochoa said the creation of special lanes would help ease the impact of the new requirements
imposed on Filipino workers. (PIA)
