OWWA: Know Its Purpose for OFW

Honestly, the first time I heard of OWWA or Overseas Workers Welfare Administration was during the time when I was processing the NAC of my BST last 2010. I went at their main office at 7th St. cor. F.B. Harrison, Pasay City, Philippines to pay for the processing fee of my BST’s NAC.

During that time I don’t have any idea of OWWA‘s purpose and I did not bother to know it either because I’m not an Overseas Filipino Worker at that time. But now is different, I should somehow spend some time researching about it so that I will be informed.

How about you? Do you really know what’s the purpose of OWWA for Overseas Filipino Workers besides from paying $25 for every new working contract you have?

A. Social Benefits
1. Insurance Benefits
A member is covered with life insurance for the duration of his employment contract. The coverage includes Php100,000.00 for death due to natural cause and Php200,000.00 for death due to accident.
Complete details: OWWA Insurance Benefit – Death Claim

2. Burial Benefit
A burial benefit rider of Php20,000.00 shall be provided in addition to insurance benefit.

3. Disability and Dismemberment Benefits
A member is entitled to disability/dismemberment benefits as a rider provision of his life insurance as provided for in the impediment schedule. Coverage ranges from Php2,000.00 to Php50,000.00.
Complete details: OWWA Insurance Benefit – Disability Claim

4. Total Disability Benefit
A member is entitled to Php100,000.00, in case of total permanent disability.

5. Medical Rehabilitation
An assistance extended to OFWs with mental illness or physical disabilities contracted at jobsite in partnership with medical institutions/ clinics.

B. Education and Training Benefits
1. Skill-for-Employment Scholarship Program (SESP) – A technical or vocational training accredited by government institutions granted to member-OFWs or their dependents/beneficiaries in the form of financial assistance of Php14,500.00 maximum.

2. Education for Development Scholarship Program (EDSP) – A scholarship granted to qualified dependents/beneficiaries of active member-OFWs for a college degree (4-5 years), in the form of financial assistance of Php 60,000.00 per school year.

3. Seafarers’ Comprehensive Education and Training Programs

• Seafarers’ Upgrading Program (SUP) – A training assistance to member-seafarers in upgrading their skills and competencies to sustain their employability on board foreign-going vessels in the form of financial assistance of Php7,500.00.
• Maritime Dugtong Aral (MDA) – A scholarship granted to qualified graduates of BS Mechanical Engineering (BSME) or BS Electrical Engineering (BSEE), who wish to pursue a BS Marine Engineering (BSMarE) Course.
• Cadetship Program for Top 200 Maritime Cadets – A financial incentive granted to the top 200 cadets (Deck and Engine) to ensure completion of their course and employability on board foreign-going vessel.
• Martime Educational Development Loan Program (MEDLOP) – An interest free educational loan (Study Now Pay Later) to prospective marine officers and engineers with guaranteed employment on-board foreign-going vessel.

4. OWWA TULAY Project – A special project in partnership with Microsoft Corporation which provides information and communication technology training granted to OFWs and their families to broaden their career opportunities.

5. Tuloy Aral Project (TAP) – An educational assistance to less fortunate children of former OFWs to finish their elementary and high school education by providing US$100.00 financial support from OFWs/organizations/ associations/private sectors at posts.

6. Pre-Departure Orientation Program (PDOP) – A mandatory learning session extended to departing migrant workers to cope with overseas employment realities.

7. Comprehensive Pre-Departure Education Program (CPDEP) – A mandatory language training and culture familiarization for Household Service Workers (HSWs) to acquire conversational skills and cultural know-how, stress management and basic life support skills.

C. Social Services and Family Welfare Assistance
1. 24/7 Operations Center – A quick response action center open 24 hours 7 days a week attending to request for assistance from OFWs and families and public inquiries on OWWA programs and services.

2. Reintegration – A socio-economic program extended to returning OFWs and their families to reintegrate them to the mainstream of Philippine society. It includes community organizing, capability building, values re-orientation and livelihood loans.

3. Loan Guarantee Fund

• Pre-Departure Loan (PDL) – A loan facility for ready-to-leave newly hired OFWs, in partnership with Government Financial Institutions (GFIs) under the credit guarantee scheme, with a maximum loan equivalent to two (2) months salary but not to exceed P40,000.00.
• Family Assistance Loan (FAL) – A loan facility for families of OFWs at jobsite, in partnership with Government Financial Institutions (GFIs) under the credit guarantee scheme, for emergency and other family needs, with a maximum loan equivalent to two (2) months salary but not to exceed P40,000.00. *under review
• OWWA–NLDC Livelihood Development Program – A loan facility extended to OFWs and their families for enterprise development. It is a joint undertaking of OWWA and National Livelihood Development Corporation (NLDC).

D. Workers Assistance and On-Site Services
An immediate assistance extended to OFWs and their families through the OWWA Regional Welfare Offices and Overseas Posts. Services includes: locating whereabouts of OFWs; providing information and guidance; conducting psycho-social counseling and conciliation services; medical and para-legal services and outreach missions, among others.

Frontline Service: WORKERS ASSISTANCE AND ON-SITE SERVICES

Clients: OFWs and their families

Requirements:

• Passport, Employment Contract
• Membership Verification Sheet (MVS)
• Accomplished Intake Sheet

Schedule of Availability of Service: Monday to Friday, 8 am to 5 pm

Address and Contact Information: Workers Assistance Unit, Rm 102, Gnd Flr, OWWA Center Bldg. 7th Street cor. FB Harrison Street, Pasay City (or nearest OWWA         Regional Welfare Office)

Fees (actual amounts or computation):      None

Total Processisng Time: Variable (depending on nature of OFW case)
 
E. Repatriation Assistance Program
The program provides services including negotiations with employers, agents, and host country authorities to facilitate the immediate repatriation of OFWs who are distressed or physically/mentally ill and human remains. They are given airport assistance, domestic transport, temporary shelter, medical/rehabilitation services, coordination with families, etc.

Frontline Service: REPATRIATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

Clients: OFWs

Requirements:

• Passport, Employment Contract
• Membership Verification Sheet (MVS)
• Accomplished Case Intake Sheet

Schedule of Availability of Service: Monday to Friday, 8 am to 5 pm

Address and Contact Information: Repatriation Assistance Division, Rm 202, 2nd Flr. OWWA Center 7th Street cor. FB Harrison Street, Pasay City (or nearest OWWA Regional Welfare Office)

Fees (actual amounts or computation): None

Total Processisng Time: Variable (depending on nature of OFW case)

source: www.owwa.gov.ph

Disclaimer:
The information above was taken from their respective sources. I don’t own it in any way, I’m just sharing it to the people who might need it. On the date of posting the information given is the latest from the specific sources. Updates from the sources may not reflect to this post on the later date unless otherwise stated.