OWWA Programs and Services for OFWs

OWWA is the government welfare institution that protects and promotes the interest of member-Overseas Filipino Workers.  It develops responsive programs and services for the social protection of its members.

With a membership fee of US$25.00, an OFW is entitled to the following benefits and services:

1. SOCIAL BENEFITS
2. Disability and Dismemberment Benefit

                                Disability / dismemberment benefit of up to Php 100,000.00 for injuries sustained due to accidents while working abroad.

1. Death Benefit

A Php 100,000.00 benefit in case of death due to natural cause and Php 200,000.00 in case of death due to accident, shall be received by the legal heirs.

1. Burial Benefit

                                On top of the death benefit, a rider of Php 20,000.00 shall be received by the legal heir for the funeral expenses.

1. EDUCATION AND TRAINING BENEFITS
2.   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.

1.   Scholarships, Training and Incentive Programs

                                B1.  Scholarship and Incentive Programs for OFWS / Seafarers

1.                                 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.
2.                                 b)  Mariner’s Dugtong-Aral (MDA) – Scholarships for qualified graduates of BS Mechanical Engineering and BS Electrical Engineering, consisting of a maximum of Php 38,120.00 plus Php 15,000.00 for 3-month stipend, leading to a BS Marine Engineering degree.  These are for those who wish to board an ocean vessel as qualified Marine Officers.
3.                                 c)  Incentive Program for Top 200 Maritime Cadets (Cadetship Program) – A financial incentive to top 100 students of BS Marine Transportation and top 100 students of BS Marine Engineering who passed the Maritime School Assessment Program, consisting of a maximum of Php 30,000.00 per cadet to be used in processing documentary requirements needing in boarding an international vessel.
4.                                 d)  Marine Educational Development Loan Program (MEDLOP) – A “Study Now, Pay Later” program.  MEDLOP is an interest-free financial assistance to defray the cost of tertiary education of prospective Marine Officers and Engineers with guaranteed International Onboard Employment.

                                B2.  Scholarship for Dependents

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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

1. 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.
2. 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.

III.  WORKERS WELFARE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

1. 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.

1.   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.

1. 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.

1. REINTEGRATION PROGRAM

                Reintegration is a way of preparing for the return of OFWs into the Philippine society.

1. Reintegration Preparedness (On-Site)

                                 Includes trainings on value formation, financial literacy, entrepreneurial development training (EDT), techno-skills and capacity building trainings.

1. 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.

                The OWWA-NLDC Livelihood Development Program for OFWs is another loan facility, where an OFW can avail of Php 200,000.00 or Php 1 million pesos for group borrowers.

“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.

(Source: OWWA)