A suggestion for DOLI

I want to bring out this DOLI matter regarding the processing and issuance of entry permits for alien workers. My purpose is to help DOLI to be more aware of the increasing disappointment among employers and the general public due to administrative delay or lack of motivation among concerned DOLI officials to at least find a remedy to minimize delay.

I strongly believe that one way to protect the reputation of DOLI with regards to timely issuance of entry permits is to be open to the public. DOLI officials should refer back to their previous publications which stated that normal processing time is one month to 45 days. But due to heavy load of paper work caused by prioritizing applications for consensual transfer and immunity, I think the public would understand the delay if they are informed by DOLI that the maximum period of time to wait would be extended for the issuance of permit. In that way employers will just have to come back to pick up their permits instead of taking chances to line up between 3:00 pm and 4:30 pm daily. I think some of your staff at processing section would have time to call up employers to pick up permits not only for consensual transfer and immunity but also for new and renewals. That would be a very pleasant service to the public.

There should be some sort of fairness. If your staff can call those employers who filed immunity applications, why can’t they call employers seeking renewals? We are not asking to expedite permit processing, but we are only asking a maximum period of waiting time.

When this critical period is over, maybe DOLI can implement the one month and 45 days processing of permits. I don’t think it is a difficult thing to do at this point in time. It’s just a matter of sincere commitment without being pushed to do so otherwise your department can not be called a public service department, but a revenue-generating department.

Pete T. de los Santos, Jr.