ROME, Italy – Overseas Filipino workers observing the Holy Week break in the Philippines are reminded about the importance of getting an exit pass.

According to the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO), they expect many OFWs to return home to the Philippines to celebrate the graduation of their children and to observe the Holy Week vacation with their families.

“Una kahalagahan nito ay magiging exempt ang isang OFW to pay the travel tax so mas maigi na mas mayroon na siya nito. Pangalawa, ito po ay katunayan na siya ay legal na worker dito sa Italy, at pangatlo, ito ay katibayan na siya ay saklaw ng benepisyo ng gobyerno bilang OFW,” said Labor Attache Chona Mantilla.

Around 12,000 undocumented OFWs reportedly availed of the regularization amnesty or “Sanatoria” offered by the Italian government in September 2009.

The exit pass comes in 3 forms: the Overseas Employment Certificate or OEC issued by the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) and POLO Offices; a e-receipt secured for processing POEA clearance; and, the multiple travel exit clearance of an overseas worker who visits the Philippines more than once in a year.

Mantilla added that the exit pass is easy to avail and will ensure that workers will not encounter any problem once they return to Italy.

“Makuha nila ang exit pass. They only need to bring their passport at kaukulang papers. Iyong sa nakakuha ng benefits sa sanatoria o ricevuta nila na sa katunayan nakabenefits sila,” Mantilla said.

Meanwhile, OFW dependents going to Italy through the family reunification or “Ricongiungimento Familiare” are exempted from getting the exit pass. Priests and nuns, tourists and those traveling on student and business visas need not get an exit pass.