Is POEA application mandatory?

The government has a mandatory requirement to all returning OFW's to report their arrival to the POEA and get a certification or stamp.The OFW will be needing to present that upon departure to return to work.I think the main purpose of the requirement is to keep track of the OFW and to check if they indeed has a valid working visa to return to their jobs abroad.I have a sister who has been working overseas and that is what she does first thing whenever she arrives here.Some airline companies would even ask for that POEA certification upon check in.In as much that it is indeed a hle, you might as well take care of it while you still have plenty of time while in PI to save you problems on your departure day.