WHEREAS, the Department of Labor and Employment has mandated the rationalization of the conditions, requirements and procedures for the deployment of performing artists;

WHEREAS, in pursuit of such rationalization, a system of training, testing and certification of performing artists has been put in place to ensure that only performing artists in possession of an artist record book (ARB) shall be deployed overseas;

WHEREAS, the ARB System requires the performance of specialized pre-employment functions separate and distinct from other skill categories, including among others, the issuance of ARBs and its certified copies as required by the Immigration Offices onsite, administrative supervision of the Pre-Departure Showcase Preview (PDSP), accreditation of principals, processing of contracts and providing administrative support to the Entertainment Industry Advisory Council (EIAC);

WHEREAS, the deployment of performing artists necessarily requires monitoring of developments, updated information on OPAs concerns and review of systems and procedures in order to determine its relevance and effectiveness for policy formulation;

WHEREAS, the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration, cognizant of its role to provide our migrant workers with speedy and efficient service has envisioned to provide the whole package of pre-employment services related to the entertainment sector under one office;

WHEREAS, the task of assembling and putting together the performance of these functions under one office will require the creation of a center that will oversee the delivery of services;

NOW, THEREFORE, the POEA GOVERNING BOARD in a meeting duly convened resolves as it is hereby resolved to create an Overseas Performing Artists (OPA) Center under the supervision of the Welfare and Employment Office (WEO) which will handle the delivery of all pre-employment services related to the deployment of performing artists.

The POEA is hereby tasked to come up with the implementing guidelines for the smooth transition and turn-over of all pre-employment functions from its present offices to the OPA Center.

Adopted: 8 May 1998.

(SGD.) CRESENCIANO B. TRAJANO
Secretary, Department of Labor and Employment
Chairman

(SGD.) FELICISIMO O. JOSON, JR.
Member

(SGD.) PATRICIA A. STO. TOMAS
Member

(SGD.) EZEKIEL T. ALUNEN
Member

(SGD.) VICENTE F. ALDANESE
Member

(SGD.) RICARDO C. VALMONTE
Member
Countersigned:

(SGD.) ROSALINA VILLAMOREL
GB Secretary