OWWA Benefits For OFW- Overseas Filipino is one of the contributors in our national economy. Regular remittance is a major backbone of Philippine economy.
OWWA Benefit For OFW is part of this contribution to their future as well as to their family. On the other hand, Many Filipinos especially our OFWs and OFs continue to uplift the standard of our economy as well as the lives of their families back home in the country.
OWWA BENEFITS FOR OFW – Photo credits to the rightful owner.
Based on the statistics, there is an increase of Filipinos working abroad since early ‘90s. They are then called Overseas Contract Workers because they have contracts to be followed and it usually ends every three year. But because some of them are self-employed workers, they are now called Overseas Filipino Workers. They even bring their entire family to live with them to avoid getting homesick.
The increase of their number is not common to us because we are known as hardworking and patient citizens. Some Filipinos are also being lured by huge amount of salary offered. However, it is a sort of financial security to be affiliated with OWWA to insure your lives as well your families in times of unexpected emergencies.
OWWA, an agency for the OFWs
The OWWA is one of our national agencies that protects and insure their OFW members
The Overseas Workers’ Welfare Administration is one of our national agencies that protects and insure the lives of their OFW members. It is under the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) which, in one way, helps our OFWs to be safe in their works here and abroad. As a matter of fact, our government is now requiring those who are applying to work abroad to be members. The monthly contributions are set to be affordable so that they’re remittances will not be affected.
OWWA Benefits
There are many benefits that an OWWA member can avail for in times of unexpected situations. These are the following:
I. OWWA’s Insurance and Healthcare Benefits
A. Life/Accident Insurance
A member is covered with life insurance for the duration of his employment contract. The coverage includes P100, 000.00 for natural death and P200, 000.00 for accidental death.
B. Disability and Dismemberment Benefit
A member shall be entitled to disability/dismemberment benefits ranging from
P2, 000.00 to P50, 000.00.
C. Total Disability Benefit
In case of total permanent disability, a member shall be entitled to P100, 000.00
D. Burial Benefit
A burial benefit of P20, 000.00 shall be provided in case of the member’s death.
II. Education and training programs
An OFW OWWA member may avail for himself/herself or his/her duly designated beneficiary any of the following scholarship programs, subject to a selection process and accreditation of participating institutions.
A. Education for Development Scholarship Program (EDSP)
The Education for Development Scholarship Program is a scholarship grant offered to qualified beneficiaries/dependents of OWWA member-OFWs who intend to enroll in any 4 to 5-year baccalaureate course.
It is given in the form of a financial assistance amounting to P 30,000.00 per semester. The OWWA pays the tuition fee directly to the school and releases the remaining amount upon the scholars’ submission of grades for the semester.
B. Skills-for-Employment Scholarship Program (SESP)
The Skills for Employment Scholarship Program is a scholarship program that the OWWA offers in coordination with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), to land-based or sea-based OWWA-OFW members or their dependents/beneficiaries.
A qualified applicant may avail of either a one-year technical of a six-month vocational course offered following the regular school year calendar.
Upon receipt of the scholarship voucher, the grantee may enroll in any TESDA-registered program. Program choices shall be supportive of the land – and sea-based skills requirement. Financial assistance for a one-year program is P14, 500.00 while for a six-month program is P7, 250.00.
The amount of financial assistance will be paid directly to the training institution. If the tuition fee is more than the financial assistance, the scholar will shoulder the difference. If the tuition fee is less, the difference will be given to the scholar upon completion of the course.
Course offerings include: agriculture and fishery; processed food and beverages; tourism (hotel and restaurant); decorative crafts and ceramics; gifts, toys and house wares; jewelry; metals and engineering; furniture and fixtures; garments; construction; communication/electronics/information technology; maritime; land transport; health, social services; and other community, social and personal services.
C. Seafarer’s Upgrading Program (SUP)
The Seafarers’ Upgrading Program is intended to provide OWWA-member seafarers job-related training in priority maritime courses identified by the Maritime Training Council. It is designed to upgrade the skills, and develop the expertise of Filipino seafarers in accordance with technological advancements and international maritime standards.
Beneficiaries under the SUP receive from OWWA financial assistance for training costs, ranging from a minimum of P 1,200.00 to a maximum of P 7,500.00. These amounts are inclusive of meal and transportation allowances in the case of trainees referred to the National Maritime Polytechnic (NMP).
Filipino seafarers who are active OWWA members may avail of the program. Beneficiaries may subsequently avail of the SUP after payment of three (3) additional membership contributions and if training is availed of within the prescribed period.
The Seafarers’ Upgrading Program is intended to provide OWWA-member seafarers job-related training in priority maritime courses identified by the Maritime Training Council. It is designed to upgrade the skills, and develop the expertise of Filipino seafarers in accordance with technological advancements and international maritime standards.
D. DOLE-OWWA Tulay Microsoft Project
In partnership with Microsoft Philippines, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and OWWA has launched Tulay or Bridge Education Program, which provides OFWs IT training and access to technology that will enable them and their families to communicate through the internet.
The Tulay or Bridge Education Program is a part of Microsoft’s Unlimited Potential (UP), a global initiative aimed at providing technology and skills for underserved individuals. OFWs and their families learn the basics of computer applications such as MS Word, PowerPoint, Excel as well as internet and e-mail use at the Community Technology Learning Centers (CTLC).
Through Tulay, the OWWA expects OFWs to gain IT skills that will enhance their work, thus increasing their value in the workplace. These new IT skills can further help them become more competitive in pursuing a career in the country upon their return.
The project also aims to address the primary issue of family disintegration. It is hoped that through the project, problems arising form OFWs’ prolonged separation from their families will be greatly minimized and as it mitigates the social impact of being away from home because of the accessibility and ease of using technology to connect and communicate to loved ones at home.
The CTLCs being maintained and operated by DOLE-OWWA are located at the OWWA Central Office, OWWA Satellite Office in POEA, OWWA Regional Welfare Offices as well as OWWA overseas posts in Riyadh (KSA), Hong Kong, Taichung (Taiwan).
E. Tuloy-Aral Project
The Tuloy-Aral Project was launched in December 2004 with the objective of assisting the children of less fortunate former OFWs as well as other poor and needy elementary and high school children.
The DOLE and the OWWA regional offices, with the assistance of DSWD, identify children of former OFWs needing financial assistance to send to school. The DSWD or DOLE/OWWA prepares a family profile that shall serve as the basis for the selection of the beneficiary.
The Philippine Overseas Labor Offices (POLOs) are tasked to promote and identify OFWs who are successful, financially stable and in good standing to act as prospective sponsoring parents. OFW organizations may also volunteer to act as sponsor parents.
Identified sponsoring parents are requested to provide a US $ 100.00 financial support per year to the child-beneficiary to enable him/her to continue his/her elementary or high school education. The amount will help cover for expenses such as books, school supplies, materials for projects, transportation, authorized school contributions, and allowance for the whole school year.
The OWWA Family Welfare Officers monitor each child’s progress in school. The Tuloy-Aral project is nationwide in coverage as it is being replicated in each region of the country.
III. FELSF loan program
The Filipino Expatriate Livelihood Support Fund, or FELSF, is part of the government’s Financial Assistance and Micro-Finance for Expatriates of the government as a buffer to the effects of the global economic crisis on overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).
The FELSF is an integral component of the OFW reintegration and serves as an economic safety net for displaced OFWS to combat unemployment and provide them and their families with opportunities for self-employment.
IV. Bridging Program
The Bridging Program is a scholarship grant given to qualified graduates of BS Mechanical Engineering and BS Electrical Engineering who wish to pursue a BS Marine Engineering course.
Scholarship Privileges:
1. Financial assistance amounting to P 30,000.00 per semester
2. The scholar may choose his / her desired program/course offered by a CHED-accredited college
or university.
3. Scholarship shall continue until completion of the course (4-5 years), regardless of the status of
OFW membership provided the Scholarship Agreement is complied with
V. Repatriation Program
OWWA members may avail of official OWWA assistance to return to the Philippines in a situation of emergency or distress. This includes provision of services to facilitate immediate repatriation of distressed OFWs, medically-ill OFWs, human remains, etc. like airport assistance, domestic transport, temporary shelter, etc.
What is the Reintegration Program?
The Reintegration covers two (2) major components – economic and psycho-social components.
The economic component on the other hand, includes social preparation programs for livelihood projects or community-based income generating projects, skills training and credit facilitation and lending. At present, the economic component has two (2) loan programs: the OWWA-NLSF Livelihood Development Programs for OFWs (LDPO) and the OFW Groceria Project.
The psycho-social components includes community organizing program or organizing of OFW family circles and services like social counseling, family counseling, stress debriefing, and training on capacity building, value formation, etc.
VI. OWWA-NLSF Livelihood Development Program
This program is a joint undertaking of OWWA and National Livelihood Support Fund (NLSF) to address the economic component of the OFW Reintegration Program.
It is meant to further improve access to entrepreneurial development opportunities and credit facilities to OFWs, their families, and organizations.
Enterprises may include:
(a) trading (general merchandise and buy and sell, etc.);
(b) services (repair shops, restaurants, parlors, etc.);
(c) manufacturing (meat/fruit processing, shoes, etc.); and
(d) agri-business (tilapia culture, piggery, poultry, etc.).
The OWWA-NLSF Livelihood Development Program currently has the Collateral Loan Window for individual and group borrowers.
Acceptable Purposes of Loan
1. Working capital – for purchase of merchandise goods and/or raw materials
2. Business assets acquisition (except lot) – for purchase of machines/equipment
3. Business site construction or improvement
FAQ’s: Requirements needed for these benefits
1. What are the requirements for claiming insurance and burial benefits?
· Basic Requirements for Life Insurance, Disability, Dismemberment and Burial Benefits:
1. Passport (for Land-based OFW), and Seaman’s Service Record Book (for Sea-based
OFW)
2. Certificate of Membership issued by the OWWA Membership Processing Center (MPC)
3. OFW/Seaman’s undertaking executed by claimant (for Death claim)
· Documentary Requirements for Life Insurance Benefits:
1. Original Death Certificate issued by Local Civil Registrar (LCR) or Authenticated by
National Statistic Office (NSO) or Foreign Death Certificate for OFW who died abroad
and accident report for death due to accident
2. Burial Permit
3. Official receipt of funeral expenses
4. ID picture of claimant (2 pieces
5. Any of the following applicable documents certified by LCR or NSO:
-Marriage certificate – if claimant is the spouse
-Birth certificate of OFW – if claimant is the mother or Father
In the absence of birth/marriage certificate, the following must be submitted:
1. Certificate from LCR that fact of marriage/birth is not recorded in the civil registry
2. Baptismal/marriage certificate certified by the Parish priest /office
3. Affidavit of two (2) disinterested persons re: facts of birth/marriage and claimant’s
relationship to the deceased
Documentary Requirements for Disability Benefit
1. Foreign medical certificate
2. Medical certificate issued by the local attending Physician with medical examination procedure,
e.g., X-ray, MRI, CT scan
3. Accident report
Releasing Requirements
Any 2 (original and valid copy) of the following:
1. Passport
2. Office ID
3. Postal ID
4. Driver’s license
5. Original NBI clearance
6. Senior Citizenship ID
2. Who may avail of a FELSF loan?
OFWs who have contributed to the OWWA Fund (OWWA members) and were terminated from work due to the closure or downsizing of their companies as a result of the 2008 global financial crisis.
3. What are the eligibility requirements for Bridging Program?
1. Must be a child of a married OWWA member or brother / sister of an unmarried
OWWA member
2. Must be 21 years old or below
3. Must be a Filipino citizen
4. Be in good health and with good moral character
5. Must have an average grade of at least 80% and belong to the upper 20% of the
graduating class
Documentary Requirements
1. Accomplished application forms (2 sets)
2. 1″x 1″ ID pictures (2 copies)
3. Proof of relationship to Member (copy of Birth Certificate of applicant and of the
Member if related as brother or sister duly certified by the Local Civil Registrar or NSO)
4. Form 137 or Transcript of Records with Principal’s Certification on Scholastic Standing
5. Proof of OWWA membership (i.e. Official Receipt of OWWA
Contribution/Certification from OWWA Membership Processing Center)
6. Health Certificate attesting to physical fitness of applicant (Form B)
7. Certificate of Good Moral Character issued by the School Principal/Guidance Counselor (Form C)
8. Certification that applicant belongs to upper 20% of graduating class issued by school
principal (2 sets)
9. Statement of applicant that he/she has not earned units in any post-secondary / undergraduate
course (Form E)
10. Sworn Statement that he/she has no pending application for resident immigrant status in any
country and does not have dual citizenship signed by parent or legal guardians (Form F)
4. What are the eligibility and documentary requirements for the Skills-for-Employment Scholarship Program (SESP)?
Qualified beneficiaries/dependents
1. Child not older than 21 years old or spouse of a married OFW
2. Brother/sister not older than 21 years old of an unmarried OFW
1. Must be an active OWWA member (land-based or sea-based) or beneficiary/dependent of an
active OWWA member
2. Must pass the TESDA qualifying examination or Multiple Aptitude Battery Test (MABT) on the
program of choice
3. Have at least one (1) recorded membership contribution
For subsequent claiming, three (3) additional membership contributions are required. After completing the course, must submit for competency assessment and certification administered by TESDA or its accredited testing center.
Documentary Requirements
1. Accomplished application forms (2 sets)
2. 1″x1″ ID pictures (2 copies)
3. Form 137 / HS Report Card or Transcript of Records/ official copy of grades
4. Proof of OWWA Membership: official receipt of OWWA contribution / OFW E-Card
5. If a Member’s beneficiary: proof of relationship to OWWA member (e.g. copy of marriage contract and/or birth certificate of both OFW and applicant- dependent duly certified by the Local Civil Registrar)
5. What are the requirements for the Seafarer’s Upgrading Program (SUP)?
Documentary Requirements:
All Filipino seafarers who are OWWA members are entitled to avail of the program once every three (3) contributions. Claiming may be assured upon first (1st) payment. Documents required are:
1. Accomplished application form
2. Seamen’s Identification and Record Book (SRIB)
3. Poof of OWWA Membership (OR Of contribution)
4. 1″x1″ photo (2 copies)
5. Latest residence certificate
6. Who are eligible borrowers of the OWWA-NLSF Livelihood Development Program?
Eligible Borrowers:
1. Member-OFWs and former member-OFWs
2. Their immediate family members (one family member per one OFW)
3. For married OFWs: spouses or children of legal age
4. For single OFWs: parents or siblings of legal age
5. OWWA LDPO beneficiaries with good repayment records
6. Legally organized groups of OFWs (partnerships / corporations, OFW organizations / associations
/ cooperatives & Federations)
7. What are the loan packages and requirements under the OWWA-NLSF Livelihood Development Program?
1. Collateral Loan Window
* Individuals or Partnerships with less than five (5) members are entitled to a maximum of P 200,000.00 each member
* Service Fee = Four percent (4%)
* Facilitation Fee = Three percent (3%)
* Total interest rate per annum plus fees not to exceed 16%
Loan Requirements
For Individual Borrowers
1. Proof of OWWA Contribution (passport with POEA-LAC stamp, information sheet from OWWA,
POEA-attested Employment Certificate, or E-card)
2. Business Plan / Project Feasibility Study
3. Financial Statement in case of existing business
4. Business permit / license (pre-release condition)
5. Collateral papers (REM or chattel mortgage)
Additional Requirements if claimant is an immediate family member:
1. Marriage Contract and consent (for married borrowers)
2. Birth Certificate and authorization (for single OFWs)
For Group Borrowers
1. Proof of OWWA Contribution at least among officers
2. Business Plan
3. Financial Statement in case of existing business
4. Collateral Papers / Ownership Titles
5. Promissory Note for Non-collateral Loan Window
6. Registration with Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for partnerships &; corporations; Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) for cooperatives; and Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) for associations.
7. Basic organizational instruments:
-7.1 Articles of Incorporation for corporations
– 7.2 Ratified group By-Laws or Mutually Agreed Term for partnerships
– 7.3 Articles of Incorporation for cooperatives
– 7.4 Constitution and By-laws for associations
8. Board resolution or group/partnership resolution specifying intent to undertake a group/partnership project or expand a group/partnership project using capital to be borrowed from the OWWA-NLSF-LDPO
8. How can one apply for a loan under OWWA-NLSF Livelihood Development Program?
Loan applications may be filed at all OWWA Regional Welfare Offices together with the following standard requirements:
1. Accomplished application form (with 2×2 picture)
2. Sketch and routes of residence and/or business site
3. Other requirements if applicable:
* Price quotation
* Bill of materials or building plan
Overseas Filipino – OFW Guide
Assets Acceptable as Collateral and Required Documents (For Collateral Loan Window)
1. Real Estate Property Unmortgaged with no delinquent realty tax and with appraised value of not less than the loaned amount.
2. Chattel / motor vehicles / machines / equipment (brand new up to 3 years)
Why is it important to be an OWWA member
Today, being a hardworking individual is needed to be successful in the future. You should also be practical in securing and insuring the fruits of your sweat. It is therefore important to be an OWWA member so that all of your hardships working in abroad will be rewarded with these benefits either in times of emergencies or if you just want to relax and planned to build a business in your home sweet home-no other than Philippines.
Department of Migrant Workers is a new government agency for overseas filipino #owwabenefits #ofwguide workers.https://t.co/6mGWtyRrbs pic.twitter.com/YS9xVdfxkb
— Overseas Filipino (@OverseasPinoy) November 7, 2022
