DMW-LA-01-2025 — REITERATION OF POLICY ON PASSPORT POSSESSION OF OVERSEAS FILIPINO WORKERS (OFWs)

Republic of the Philippines MBepartment ot Aliarant Morkers Blas F. Ople Building, Ortigas Avenue cor. EDSA, Mandaluyong City 1550

1159.8TA7S65 BACONC PILIPINAS

LABOR ADVISORY NO. 0 1

Series of 2025

REITERATION OF POLICY ON PASSPORT POSSESSION

OFOVERSEAS FILIPINOWORKERS (OFWs)

Pursuant to the Department of Migrant Workers' mandate to protect the rights and welfare of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), this Advisory reiterates the long- standing policy that the passport is the personal property of the Philippine Government and shouid remain in the possession at all times, including the OFWs. particularly prior to departure and during the period of deployment.

Legal Basis

Section 13 of Republic Act No. 11983, otherwise known as the Philippine Passport Act of 1996, provides that:

Section 13. Ownership of Passports. - A Philippine passport remains at all times the property of the government and the same may not be confiscated by any entity or person other than the DFA. Any other government agency, official or employee who confiscates a passport or travel document shall promptly turn over the same to the DFA.

Persons who confiscate or otherwise withhold a passport without authority therefor shall be punished in accordance with Section 22(a) of this Act.

General Policy

Principals and Employers, are reminded that OFWs shall retain custody of All Licensed Recruitment and Manning Agencies, including their Foreign their passports at all times.

The passport must not be withheld, confiscated, or surrendered to the agency. employer, or any third party as a condition for deployment, employment, or accommodation, except under the following limited and justified circumstances:

a. For visa stamping and embassy-required documentation; and

b. For immigration-related processing, where temporary surrender is

required by official procedures.

DEPARTMENT OF MIGRANT WORKERS

General Services Divisior Administrative Ser

Date: August 12, 2025 RECEIVED By:_RICHIE M. GUEVARRA Time: 05:00 P.M CONTROLLED AND DISSEMINATED By: DMW General Services Division on August 12, 2025

Republic of the Philippines Mepartment of Aligrant Morkers Blas F. Ople Building, Ortigas Avenue cor. EDSA, Mandaluyong City 1550

22 TIS9,8724366 BACONG PILIPINAS

Ill. Responsibilities of Licensed Agencies and Employers

Licensed Recruitment Agencies (LRAs) shall ensure that passports immediately to-the-OFW-upon completion of the specific transaction. temporarily collected for visa or documentation purposes shall be returned

LRAs or foreign principals who impose passport withholding as a policy or practice may be subject to disciplinary action, including disqualification, suspension, or cancellation of accreditation.

IV.Call for Vigilance

or coercive practices to the DMW Hotline or through the Migrant Workers Resource Centers (MWRC)in Migrant Workers Offices (MWOs). OFWs are encouraged to report any unauthorized withholding of passports

This Advisory shall take effect immediately

Issued this _o8h day of _August ,2025, in Mandaluyong City,Philippines

HANS LEO J.CACDAC

Secretary

CONTROLLED AND DISSEMINATED By: DMW General Services Division on August 12, 2025