In view of the necessity to make the pre-departure orientation seminar for overseas household service workers (HSWs) more responsive to the welfare and protection needs of this vulnerable sector, a Comprehensive Pre-Departure Education Program (CPDEP) shall be implemented to include a stress management course to prepare departing HSWs to cope with the stressful work conditions and environment in foreign households. The stress management course shall be in addition to the existing mandatory language training and culture familiarization course.

In this connection, all departing HSWs shall be required to attend the CPDEP to be administered by the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) and its accredited NGO providers. The Certificate of Attendance shall be a requirement of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) for the issuance of the travel exit document.

The OWWA is directed to issue the Implementing Guidelines within Fifteen (15) days from the issuance of this Order.

All other issuances inconsistent herewith are hereby deemed repealed. For strict compliance.

Adopted: 10 Mar. 2009

(SGD.) LUZVIMINDA G. PADILLA
Acting Secretary