The Overseas Workers and Welfare Administration (OWWA) is a government agency tasked to protect the interest of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) by providing services that would be beneficial for them. One becomes an OWWA member by paying the USD25 membership contribution.
All registered members of can avail the many OWWA services that range from health care, disability and death benefits, scholarships and financial assistance for education and training, workers assistance and on-site services, and social services and family welfare assistance .
The OWWA provides assistance to all its members in all its regional and overseas offices.
Services on-site include:
- Providing information and guidance;
- Psycho-social counseling and conciliation services;
- Legal assistance, outreach missions, and training, among others
On behalf of the OFW, the OWWA may provide appropriate representation with employers, agents and host authorities.
EDUCATION AND TRAINING BENEFITS
A. Pre-Departure Education Program (PDEP)
A mandatory orientation / training for all departing OFWs. It consists of the following:
1. Country Specific Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar (PDOS).
A whole day orientation to OFWs consisting of a comprehensive module on employment contract familiarization, profile of the country of destination, stages of the OFWs life, health and safety, airport procedures, government programs and services.
2. Comprehensive Pre-Departure Education Program (CPDEP).
A. 3 to 6-day live-out training for Household Service Workers (HSWs) consisting of language training, culture familiarization and stress management to prepare them for life overseas.
B. Scholarships, Training and Incentive Programs
B1. Scholarship and Incentive Programs for OFWS / Seafarers
a) Seafarer’s Upgrading Program (SUP) – Scholarships for attendance to short-term upgrading courses for seafarers. First availment consists of Php 7,500.00 training assistance. Availment in another training course every after 3 recorded membership.
B2. Scholarship for Dependents
a) Education for Development Scholarship Program (EDSP) – Scholarships for qualified dependents of OFWs consisting of a maximum of Php 60,000.00 per school year, leading to a four-to-five year baccalaureate course in any college or university.
b) OFW Dependents Scholarship Program (OFWDSP) – Scholarships consisting of a maximum of Php 20,000.00 assistance per school year leading to a baccalaureate or associate degree in a state college or university. OFW parents must have a monthly salary of not more than US$400.00.
c) Education and Livelihood Assistance Program (ELAP) – Scholarships for survivors of deceased OFWs consisting of Php 5,000.00 for elementary, Php 8,000.00 for high school, Php 10,000.00 for college (per school year) and livelihood assistance of Php 15,000.00 for the surviving spouse.
B3. Short-Term Training Programs for OFWs and Dependents
a) Skills-for-Employment Scholarship Program (SESP) – Scholarships for attendance to short-term training program consisting of a maximum of Php 14,500.00 per course leading to the completion of a vocational or technical course in any school accredited by TESDA.
b) Information Technology Program – An Information and Communication Technology (ICT) skills training the purpose of which is to bridge the communication gap through the use of internet between the OFW and his/her family. Through this program, they learn how to use basic applications like Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
WORKERS WELFARE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
A. On-Site Welfare Case Management
Includes requests for assistance on OFWs’ whereabouts, pscho-social conseling, conciliation, airport assistance, hospital/prison/work camp visitations and legal assistance to OFWs who wish to pursue labor / welfare case in the court of the host country.
B. In-Country Welfare Case Management
Includes requests by families and NOKs (next-of-kin) for assistance from Post, post-repatriation assistance, counseling, referrals, and other concerns. Requests for assistance from NOKs or from OFWs can be channeled through the 24/7 Operation Center and the OWWA Regional Offices.
REPATRIATION PROGRAM
Includes bringing distressed OFWs back to the country or bringing back of human remains. Emergency repatriation is carried out in the event of any of political unrest or natural calamities.
Repatriated OFWs are accorded with airport assistance, temporary shelter at the Halfway Home, psycho-social counseling, stresss debriefing, and provision of transport services or fares for their on-ward travel to their provinces.
REINTEGRATION PROGRAM
Reintegration is a way of preparing for the return of OFWs into the Philippine society.
A. Reintegration Preparedness (On-Site)
Includes trainings on value formation, financial literacy, entrepreneurial development training (EDT), techno-skills and capacity building trainings.
B. Reintegration (In-Country)
Consists of job referrals (local and overseas employment), business counseling, community organizing, financial literacy seminar, networking with support institutions and social preparation programs. Reintegration Program is being implemented by OWWA and DOLE-National Reintegration Center for OFWs (NRCO).
2 Billion-Peso Reintegration Fund for enterprise development is a loan facility in cooperation with the Land Bank of the Philippines and the Development Bank of the Philippines, where a member or their legal dependent can avail of Php 300,000.00 to Php 2 million.
“Balik-Pinas, Balik Hanapbuhay” is a program of DOLE-OWWA where displaced / distressed workers can avail of either starter kits worth Php 7,500.00 or a livelihood assistance of Php 10,000.00.
