MANILA – The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) on Tuesday has extended the application period for new alien employment permits (AEPs), as well as renewal and applications for licenses of private employment agencies (PEAs).
In Labor Advisory No. 16, series of 2020, signed by Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III, these applicants are given 45 days to submit their applicants after the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) and general community quarantine (GCQ) have been lifted.
“Alien employment permits and licenses to operate private employment agencies, due for renewal during the implementation of the enhanced community quarantine (ECO) and general community quarantine can be filed within 45 working days after the lifting of the same, without penalty,” the DOLE said.
As for the publication and posting of new AEP applications, it added that such may be undertaken primarily in the official DOLE website of the concerned Regional Office (RO) and/or Public Employment Service Office (PESO), and is temporarily allowed in regions where publishers of newspapers of general circulation are not yet allowed to operate.
“However, upon resumption of operations, publication in newspapers of general circulation shall be conducted in full compliance with the requirement of the labor market test,” it added.
Likewise, DOLE ROs may issue internal guidelines concerning the acceptance of applications for new and renewal of permits and license authorities as they may deem efficient subject to the said period.
The DOLE is pushing for the filing of applications online, otherwise, safety and health measures should be observed in the regional offices.
“Online application is highly encouraged, otherwise, the social distancing requirement, and health and safety measures, shall be observed strictly in the filing of applications for permits and licenses and issuance thereof,” it added. (PNA)
