The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) is a government agency that has the task to protect and look after the welfare and well-being of the Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) as well as their dependents.
How to become an OWWA member?
You will become OWWA member though enrollment upon processing of your contract at Philippine Overseas Employment Administration or by voluntary registration at job sites overseas. OWWA members must have to pay US$25.00 (around P1,300.00) and in that amount the members, are entitled of the following benefits during the duration of their contract (maximum of 2 yeas per contract).
What are the programs and service that OWWA had to offer?
INSURANCE AND HEALTH CARE BENEFITS
Those OWWA active members that suffering injuries due to mishap while working abroad can avail up to P100,000.00 for disability and dismemberment benefits. P50,000.00 for the partial disability and P100,000.00 for the total permanent disability.
OWWA active members who died naturally, his/her beneficiary can receive up to P100,000.00 for death benefits. On the other hand, OWWA active members who died by accident, his/her beneficiary can receive up to P200,000.00 for death benefits.
As for burial benefits, the beneficiary/legal heirs of the active OWWA members who died can also receive P20,000.00 of funeral expenses.
EDUCATIONAL AND TRAINING PROGRAMS
Beneficiaries of active OWWA members who aims to enroll 4-5 years of bachelor’s degree in any colleges/university can avail (EDSP) Educational for Development Scholarship Program. This scholarship program shall be in form of financial assistance amounting up to P60,000.00 per school year.
Dependents of active OWWA members who will pursue to enroll 4-5 years of bachelor’s degree or associate degree in state colleges/universities can avail (OFWDSP) OFW Dependent Scholarship Program. This scholarship shall be in form of financial assistance up to P20,000.00 per school year. This scholarship program will be granted only to those OFW beneficiaries whose income is not more than US$400.00 (P20,000.00).
OFW dependent can have his/her vocational or technical courses through Skills for Employment Scholarship Program (SESP). The applicant may choose his/her preferred training course from list of OWWA accredited school. The financial assistance of this programs is P14,500.00 per course.
Seafarer’s Upgrading Program (SUP) This program is intended to upgrade the skills and expand the ability of the Filipino seafarers. The applicant may select his/her preferred training course that are accredited from Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) or Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA). Training assistance is P7,500.00.
Educational and Livelihood Assistance Program (ELAP) This is educational assistance for the dependents of the deceased OFW active OWWA member. But only one child can avail the scholarship, it is usually the eldest child. P5,000.00 financial assistance for elementary, P8,000.00 for high school and P10,000.00 for college.
SOCIAL SERVICES AND FAMILY WELFARE SERVICES
Repatriation Assistance Program – the program provides the distressed OFW (mentally/physical ill) back to our country. This includes airport assistance, temporary shelter, stress debriefing, counseling and provision to their transport services back to their respective provinces.
Reintegration Program – offers livelihood opportunities to OFW who finish their contract and no wish to go back abroad. It is also offer to distress OFW by the way of self-employment or livelihood project. This is Balik Pinas! Balik-Hanapbuhay Program, this program intended for skills training and grant it in the form of business starter kit. The starter kits come in form of materials, tools, jigs and small start-up capital.
Being an OWWA member has privileges and opportunities! If you have more questions regarding your OWWA benefits, please get in touch with OWWA Foreign Office or regional office in your place.
This information is useful not only to OFWs as well as their family.
For OWWA OP CENTER, TEXT-(0917) TXTOWWA or (0917) 898-6992, TRUNK LINE– 8917-601-24 LOCAL 5516/5517, FAX # (+632) 804-06-38, Email-0wwa_opcenter@yahoo.com., WEBSITE- www.gov.ph
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fernando v. pineda says
Good day po. Kakauwi ko lang po Saudi pero umuwi po ako s pang aabuso ng company namin. Galing din po ako Qatar 2013-2015.
Maaari po ba sa livelihood program ng owwa kasi po wala po ako naiuwi man lang dahil ako din po nagbayad ticket ko