Benefits of OWWA Membership for Overseas Workers

As a Filipino working abroad, you may take advantage of the various opportunities, programs, services, and financial assistance offered by OWWA, a sub-department of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE). It has a lot to offer its members, but unfortunately, not many people know about it.

If you are an OFW and are curious about the OWWA programs and services to which you may be entitled, we have outlined them in this article for your convenience.

Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Member Perks

Joining OWWA will put you in a position to take advantage of the organization's numerous benefits. Keep in mind that OWWA is a sort of government insurance that may assist you in times of distress, particularly if you are an OFW working overseas. Membership in OWWA has several benefits:

1. Education and Training Benefits

OWWA offers its members several educational and financial support opportunities. These programs are designed to serve both OFWs and their qualifying dependents, by preparing them for deployment, informing them of the fundamental theories, as well as trainings and skills for them to acquire.

Pre-Departure Education Program

Before leaving the Philippines, there are a variety of educational training and skill-upgrade programs available including Country-Specific Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar (PDOS), Comprehensive Pre-Departure Education Program (CPDEP), and Training Programs for Filipino Seafarers.

Seafarer’s Upgrading Program (SUP)

You may get up to Php 7, 500 in training assistance in order to take courses that would help you improve your current career.

Scholarship grants

OWWA also gives scholarship grants to its Overseas Filipino workers OFWs and their families that include Education for Development Scholarship Program (EDSP), MAritime School Assessment Program, OFW Dependent Scholarship Program (ODSP), Skills for Employment Scholarship Program (SESP), and Educational Livelihood Assistance Program (ELAP).

Special Projects: Project EASE and Tabang OFW

For qualifying OFW dependents who have been relocated or who have lost their employment as a result of the COVID-19 Pandemic, OWWA has designed special educational scholarship schemes dubbed Project EASE and Tabang OFW. To inquire about this assistance, you can visit your OWWA Regional Welfare Office.

2. Reintegration Program

The goal is to help reintegrate Filipinos who have worked abroad into Filipino society. This includes programs for Reintegration Preparedness (On-Site) and Reintegration (In-Country).

Balik Pinas! Balik Hanapbuhay! Program (BPBHP)

The goal of this aid is to provide returning OFWs (Distressed/Displaced) with either a Php 20, 000 start-up or emergency fund.

Overseas Filipino Workers – Enterprise Development Loan Program (OFW-EDLP)

Previously known as the OFW - Reintegration Program, OWWA has partnered with DBP or Development Bank of the Philippines and the LBP or Land Bank of the Philippines to implement a new enterprise development intervention and loan facility for OWWA members and their families.

Tulong Pangkabuhayan sa Pag-Unlad ng Samahang OFWs (Tulong PUSO)

This is a one-time grant to help with the costs of a livelihood initiative for overseas Filipino workers. A grant of up to Php 1 million may be used by groups with 52 or more members to purchase raw materials, equipment, tools and jigs, and other forms of assistance.

3. Repatriation Assistance Benefits

The goal of the Repatriation Assistance Program is to return home both human remains and stranded overseas workers. In times of political upheaval or natural disasters, it may be necessary to carry out an emergency repatriation. The following aid is offered to the employees:

• Airport Assistance

• Psychosocial Counselling

• Stress Debriefing

• Temporary Shelter at the OWWA Halfway Home

• Transport Services to their respective Provinces

4. Social Benefits

Those who has OWWA membership are eligible for a variety of social benefits designed to help you and your family cope with unexpected occurrences and difficulties, such as natural disasters, deaths in the family, illness, and other forms of medical care.

Death and Burial Benefits

In the event of the member's death, the beneficiary will receive an amount according to the member's cause of death. For the natural cause of death, beneficiaries can get Php 100,000. On the other hand, for the accidental cause of death, beneficiaries can get Php 200,000.

Moreover, a rider in the amount of Php 20, 000 will be paid to the beneficiaries in addition to the death benefit to help cover the costs of the funeral and burial.

Disability and Dismemberment Benefit

In the event of an accident-related injury, a member might get up to Php 100, 000 in compensation.

Supplemental Medical Assistance for OFWs (Medplus)

In cases that an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW), active OWWA members, or members of PhilHealth are hospitalized due to a dreaded sickness, this program provides additional medical assistance. Those who qualify get a monetary aid package of up to Php 50, 000 per member, which is the equivalent of the PhilHealth Benefits.

Welfare Assistance Program (WAP)

Any OWWA member, active or inactive, or their immediate family members who do not currently qualify for any of the Social Benefit Programs and Services might participate in this program.

This program covers Calamity Assistance, Bereavement Assistance, Medical Assistance, and Relief Assistance.

5. Welfare Programs

These are initiatives created to shield overseas workers (OFWs) from financial hardship and provide support as they navigate life abroad:

On-Site Assistance and Services for OFWs at their Job Sites

• Airport Assistance

• Assistance on the whereabouts of the OFW

• Hospital/prison/work camp visitations

• Legal assistance to OFWs

• Psychosocial Counselling

• Mediation/Conciliation with the Employer

In-Country Assistance for OFWs and Families at the Home Front

• Post-Repatriation Assistance

• Referrals

• Requests of Families/Next-of-Kins (NOKs) from OWWA Overseas Posts for assistance

• Stress Debriefing or Counselling

• Temporary Shelter at the OWWA Halfway House

• Transportation Allowance to their Provinces

An OWWA-OFW member has access to a wide variety of activities and services provided by the national government. With this guide as a resource, you should be able to take full use of what the Overseas Workers Welfare Act guarantees and provides for foreign workers.

Working overseas and away from your family requires a lot of courage and strong will. So make sure that all your efforts and sleepless night overseas don't go to waste and start to have an investment that will benefit you and your future generations as well.

Lumina Homes offer housing segments to OFWs like you that can match the value of your money. With our over 50 projects available nationwide, you can conveniently choose your preferred location that can suit your budget and your family's needs.

Not only that, you can also easily make your home reservations with Lumina Homes anytime and anywhere you are in the globe through our Lumina Homes Online.

So click on the "Properties" section on this website to discover our wide range of home model units available all throughout the country and make your home reservations now!