The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA)has welcomed the P300-million budget allocated by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) for a livelihood program that is expected to benefit returning overseas Filipino workers (OFW).
DOLE, headed by Secretary Silvestre Bello III, has allocated P300 million as a livelihood support for OFW organizations through OWWA’s "Tulong Pangkabuhayan sa Pag-unlad ng Samahang OFWs "(Tulong Puso) program.
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It is a mechanism of DOLE-OWWA to urge OFW organizations or groups to put up new livelihood programs or businesses.
Together with their partners like the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and Department of Agriculture (DA), they will conduct enterprise development training and other social preparation intervention to equip OFW groups all the vital skills and trainings to ensure high success rates of whatever project they want to start. Any interested DOLE, CDA accredited or SEC-registered OFW groups may submit their project proposal together with the required documents at any of the 17 OWWA Regional Welfare Offices for evaluation.
*For the complete list of the needed requirements, click here.
DOLE believe that the Tulong PUSO program could convince the OFW organizations to start a productive endeavor for the good of every OFWs and their family as the community benefit as well.
This is filed under the category of DOLE, ofw, ofw loan in owwa, OWWA Benefits, OWWA Benefits Loan, owwa business program for ofw, owwa cash assistance, owwa cash loan, owwa membership benefits, owwa office, OWWA Pangkabuhayan Loan,
Hazel worked as an OFW in Malaysia taking care of a household of a medium sized family including a mentally challenged kid. A few months ago, she decided to return home for good to take care of her own family after serving her sponsor for 6 years.
On December 18, 2017, she was invited by a friend to attend an event at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC). Hazel learned that she can avail of the "Balik-Pinas, Balik-Manggagawa Program" benefit amounting to P20,000 as a former OFW. On December 27, she rushed to the OWWA Office to try if what OWWA officers were saying at the PICC was true and she can really avail her benefits as an active member.
To her dismay, she was told that she cannot avail it because only distressed OFWs are qualified to avail. Far from the information she heard that every returning OFWs can avail it. Sponsored Links
There maybe an information lapse, but in Hazel's part, she only believed what she has been told by OWWA officers who supposed to be in the know of their own policies and bring enlightenment to the OFWs who are seeking correct information, and in this case, Hazel acted on what they have told her— that she is qualified.
It is not the first time that OFWs tried to avail OWWA benefits and failed. We made a survey on the experiences of OFWs in availing OWWA benefits and many of them said that it is a lengthy and full of hassle as compared to paying the membership which only take minutes to complete. Most of them who tried ended up dismayed and disappointed.
The thread was flooded with comments pertaining to their not so good experience while trying to avail OWWA benefits. Some of the consider paying OWWA membership as useless because many of them has been a member for many years and has never availed any OWWA programs. There are some OFWs who successfully availed their benefits.
The bad experience of OFWs in availing OWWA benefits doesn't end with technicalities and processes, some of them also complain about the attitudes of OWWA personnel.
As a government office which claims to be concerned about the welfare of our modern day heroes— the OFWs, OWWA has to be committed to making the lives of OFWs easier by formulating and implementing programs and benefits accessible to all the members. They must also provide correct informations for the OFWs to be fully educated about their programs. The OFWs has sacrificed and endured enough hardships to be further burdened by lengthy procedures and hassles of availing the benefits they rightfully deserve.
OWWA is giving scholarships to OFW dependents, not just in Baguio in NCR but in all other regions in the Philippines. This program is replicated all over the Philippines and interested applicants can apply for the scholarships provided by OWWA to the children of OFWs and their dependents.
The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration -CAR are now accepting applicants under OWWA College Scholarships on the following programs for the qualified dependents of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) with active OWWA membership for financial assistance of P60, 000.00 per SY.
A. Education for Development Scholarship Program (EDSP) for courses leading to any 4 to 5-year Baccalaureate course
Who may apply under EDSP
1. For incoming Freshmen
- Child /sibling of active OFW for EDSP
- Single
-Grade 12 graduating student this coming 2018
- Not more than 21 years old.
2. For those already enrolled in 2nd to 5th year college
- Single
- Not more than 30 yrs old
- With a general Weighted average not lower than B letter grade or 85% equivalence in all academic and non-academic subjects during the last school year attended in full load.
B. Congressional Migrant Workers Scholarship Program (CMWSP) for baccalaureate courses from the priority fields in Science and Technology as identified by Department of Science & Technology – Science Education Institute (DOST-SEI)
Basic qualifications under CMWSP
1. Be a child of an OFW whose annual gross income is not more than US $6,780.00 2. Not more than 21 year-old and graduating high school student or who has graduated but never enrolled to college or associate courses; 3. A Filipino citizen with good health and of good moral character; 4. Not a recipient of any scholarship award from any government or private institution; 5. Has passed the qualifying examination for OWWA CMWSP scholarship conducted nationwide by DOST on 15 October 2017.
Where to file?
a. OWWA BAGUIO Office-17 Manongdo Bldg.,Private Rd, Magsaysay Avenue, Baguio City b. You may also file your application at DOLE provincial office, Municipal Office (look for PESO or Migrant Desk officer)
When: All applications must be submitted before July 31, 2017.
What are the basic requirements?
a. Application forms (available at OWWA office of at OWWA website) b. 2x2 picture of applicant c. Birth certificate of applicant(proof of relationship to OFW) d. Proof of OWWA membership
Please submit applications at Owwa Baguio 17 Manongdo Bldg,Private Road Magsaysay Avenue, Baguio City. Mobile number is 0999-994-9296, 0917-500-1294 or Landline 300-3658 , Tele fax 445-2260
Senator Sonny Angara has hailed the signing into law of a bill that institutionalizes and strengthens the government's support to overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and their families by introducing reforms to the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA).
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GREATER GOVT SUPPORT, MORE FUNDS FOR OFW WELFARE PROGRAMS UNDER NEW OWWA LAW - ANGARA
Senator Sonny Angara has hailed the signing into law of a bill that institutionalizes and strengthens the government's support to overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and their families by introducing reforms to the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA).
"Nagpapasalamat po ako sa ating Pangulong Aquino at sa ating mga kasamahan sa Senado at Kongreso sa pagpasa ng batas na ito na naglalayong palakasin ang mandato ng OWWA upang mas matugunan ang mga pangangailangan ng ating mga dakilang OFW at ang kanilang mga pamilya," said Angara, acting chairman of the Senate labor committee and sponsor and one of the authors of the new OWWA law.
Under Republic Act 10801, OWWA is declared as a national government agency and an attached agency of the Department of Labor and Employment, and would now receive government funding instead of relying solely from the contributions of its OFW members.
The recently enacted law also mandates greater representation of OFWs in the OWWA Board of Trustees by increasing the number of representatives from the OFW sector from the present three to five (two from land-based OFWs, two from sea-based OFWs and one from the women sector) while representatives from the government will be reduced from seven to six.
"As the principal agency of the government that serves and promotes the rights, interest and welfare of OFWs and their families, the composition of the OWWA Board of Trustees must be reformed to really represent the OFW sector. Sa ilalim ng batas na ito, higit nang mabibigyan ng boses ang ating 2.4 milyong OFWs sa kung saan mapupunta ang pondo ng OWWA at sa kung anong programa at serbisyo ang dapat bigyang prayoridad at lalo pang paigtingin," Angara said.
RA 10801 further boosts the government's capacity to assist migrant workers who lost their jobs by making the reintegration of OFWs one of the core programs of OWWA, which will be funded with not less than 10 percent of the total collection every year.
The reintegration program includes granting of loans and other financial support, trainings on financial literacy, entrepreneurial development, techno-skills, business counseling as well as job referrals for both local and overseas employment.
The new law also seeks to ensure transparency in the utilization and management of the OWWA funds, and mandates the OWWA to maintain an interactive website to collect OFW feedback, comments, suggestions and complaints on existing programs and services.
"Gaano man kalayo ang mga OFW sa ating bansa, nais nating iparamdam sa kanila, sa pamamagitan ng batas na ito, na mayroon tayong gobyerno na nakikinig at agad tumutugon sa kanilang mga hinaing at problema. We should better equip and strengthen the OWWA so it can truly fulfill its special duty of developing and implementing welfare programs and services that respond to the needs of its member-OFWs and their families," Angara said.
THE FULL ARTICLE REGARDING BENEFITS AS STATED IN THE REPUBLIC ACT or RA 10801
OWWA BENEFITS AND SERVICES
SEC. 34. Guiding Principles. – Pursuant to its mandate, the OWWA shall provide gender-responsive reintegration programs, repatriation assistance, loan and credit assistance, on-site workers assistance, death and disability benefits, health care benefits, education and skills training, social services, family welfare assistance, programs and services for women migrant workers and other appropriate programs that provide timely social and economic services.
Nothing in this Act shall be construed as a limitation or denial of the right of an OFW to avail of any benefit plan which may be adopted in the employment contract, or offered voluntarily by employers, or by the laws of the receiving country, over and above those provided under this Act.
SEC. 35. Benefits and Services to OFWs. –
(a) Reintegration of OFWs. – The reintegration of OFWs, taking into consideration the needs of women migrant workers, shall be one of the core programs of the OWWA. In this regard, and for purposes of policy and program coordination, the National Reintegration Center for OFWs created under Republic Act No. 10022 shall be an attached office of the OWWA. It shall be headed by an Executive Director who shall be under the supervision of the OWWA Administrator.
To be able to sustain the viability of this program, not less than ten percent (10%) of OWWA’s collection of contribution for the immediately preceding year shall be allocated annually for the reintegration program,
(b) Repatriation Assistance. – Consistent with the provisions of Republic Act No. 8042, as amended, the OWWA shall assist the Department of Foreign Affairs in providing OFWs with services necessary to facilitate repatriation, as may be required.
(c) Loan and Other Credit Assistance. – The OWWA shall provide low-interest loans to member-OFWs. It shall have the authority to hire experts in finance or banking to assist in implementing the said loan programs.
(d) Workers Assistance and On-site Services. – The OWWA shall sustain and maintain assistance to member-OFWs in all its overseas and regional offices. Services shall be gender-responsive and shall include information regarding the names, occupation/job categories and addresses of the member-OFWs; legal assistance providing guidance and information on protection of migrant rights, including the prevention of gender-based violence; developing materials for the predeparture orientation seminars; conducting psycho-social counseling services; conciliation services; appropriate services and intervention for victims of gender-based violence, and outreach missions, among others. The OWWA shall likewise make competent representations with employers, agents, and host government authorities to assist member-OFWs in obtaining relief from grievances and work-related issues, including claims for unpaid wages, and illegal recruitment cases among others.
(e) Social Benefits. – A member-OFW shall be covered with the following social benefits:
(1) Death and Disability Benefits:
(i) Death Benefits. – A member shall be covered with life insurance for the duration of his or her employment contract. The coverage shall include one hundred thousand pesos (P100,000.00) for natural death and two hundred thousand pesos (P200,000.00) for accidental death;
(ii) Disability and Dismemberment Benefits. – Disability and dismemberment benefits shall be included in a member’s life insurance policy, as provided for in the impediment schedule contained in the OWWA Manual of Systems and Procedures. The coverage is within the range of two thousand pesos (P2,000.00) to fifty thousand pesos (P50,000.00);
(iii) Total Disability Benefit. – In case of total permanent disability, a member shall be entitled to one hundred thousand pesos (P100,000.00); and
(iv) Burial Benefit. – A burial benefit of twenty thousand pesos (P20,000.00) shall be provided in case of the member’s death.
Based on actuarial studies, the Board may increase the amount of the abovementioned benefits.
(2) Health Care Benefits. – Within two (2) years from the effectivity of this Act, the OWWA shall develop and implement health care programs for the benefit of member-OFWs and their families, taking into consideration the health care needs of women as provided for in Republic Act No. 9710, or the Magna Carta of Women, and other relevant laws.
(3) Education and Training Benefits. – A member, or the member’s designated beneficiary, may avail any of the following scholarship programs, subject to a selection process and accreditation of participating institutions:
(i) Skills-for-Employment Scholarship Program. – For technical or vocational training scholarship;
(ii) Education for Development Scholarship Program. – For baccalaureate programs; and
(iii) Seafarers’ Upgrading Program. – To ensure the competitive advantage of Filipino seafarers in meeting competency standards, as required by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), International Labor Organization (ILO) conventions, treaties and agreements, sea-based members shall be entitled to one upgrading program for every three (3) membership contributions.
The annual scholarship lists of all these programs shall be submitted to the Board.
SEC. 36. New Programs, Interactive Website and Extension of Services. – The OWWA shall continue to develop and implement new programs to meet new OFW needs and requirements as they arise, and to assess the effectiveness of existing services and benefits in serving the welfare of OFWs.
The OWWA shall also maintain an interactive website to collect OFW feedbacks, comments, suggestions, and complaints on existing programs and services.
The OWWA may also extend appropriate programs or services to non-members, as may be determined by the Board.
