March 29, 2024

LAGAWE, Ifugao – The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration here is propping up the promotion of its various programs and services to benefit more migrant workers and their families.
Flordeliza Dumangeng of OWWA-Ifugao said their office served 107 clients last year. Fifteen 15 availed of the Scholarship for Dependents Program under the Overseas Filipino Worker Dependent Scholarship Program, three under the Education for Development Scholarship Program, two for death assistance, two for bereavement assistance, five for medical assistance under the Welfare Assistance Program, and five for Organizational Development Activities for OFW Family Circle.
There were 45 beneficiaries under the Balik Pinas Balik Hanapbuhay (BPBH) Livelihood Assistance Program while 30 requested for OFW welfare assistance.
Dumangeng said OWWA works for the protection and promotion of the well-being of all OFWs and their families in jobsites abroad and at home in the country as the agency has the twin mandate of delivering useful welfare services and benefits and ensuring capital build-up and fund viability.
With $25 membership contribution, an OWWA member is entitled to various benefits and services. An OFW can be a member by compulsory registration upon the processing of employment contract at the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration; by voluntary registration of the OFWs at jobsites; or through electronic registration where membership to the OWWA is valid for two years.
The Workers’ Welfare Assistance Program involves onsite assistance and services, such as assistance on OFWs’ whereabouts, psycho-social counseling, mediation/conciliation with employer, airport assistance, hospital/prison/work camp visitation and legal assistance to OFWs who wish to pursue labor/welfare case against their employer in the host country; and in-country assistance like post-repatriation assistance, counseling, referral and other concerns.
Its social and family welfare services include repatriation program for distressed OFWs and human remains; emergency repatriation, which is carried out in the event of any political unrest or natural calamities; and the reintegration program that includes the BPBH, onsite reintegration preparedness, in-country reintegration, and the OFW enterprise development and loan program.
Aside from social benefits, OWWA also provides training program for Filipino seafarers, short-term and information technology training programs for OFWs. – Daniel B. Codamon