Davao Region – DOLE XI issued a report on foreign nationals issued with working permits under the Alien Employment Program (AEP)  for the year 2019. Data shows that the top five (5) applicants are: Chinese (145), Indian  (140), Korean (42), Pakistani (34) and Japanese (19). Other nationalities issued with working permits were Vietnamese, Zimbabwean, Thai, Russian, Swish, Spanish, Moroccan, Belgian, etc.

The number of aliens issued with working permits in 2019 totaled to 452 compared to 343 in 2018. The increase of 109 is due to a) Increase of awareness about our Employment Regulatory Services Program, b) Verification-inspections conducted by the AEP Focal and TSSD Staff, and c) Authorized Agents also help in the advocacy among their clients.

The breakdown by province of the 452 aliens given permits are: Davao de Oro (6), Davao City (368), Davao del Norte (42), Davao del Sur (27), Davao Oriental (6), Davao Occidental (3). (By Eduardo P. Monreal, LCO-Designate, DOLE XI)