Manila: The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) is calling on more overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) to become members of the agency to be assured of due assistance and benefits. 'May kababayan akong OFW sa Batangas, namatay abroad. Natulungan naming ma-repatriate ang katawan at gustung-gusto kong tulungan siya para makatanggap ang pamilya ng burial assistance, hindi ko nagawa dahil kasi siya OWWA member at hindi ko basta pwedeng gamitin ang OWWA fund dahil pera iyan ng members (I have an OFW province mate from Batangas who passed away overseas. We were able to help repatriate the remains but as much as I wanted to help some more because the family was supposed to get a burial benefit of an OFW but the person was not an OWWA member and it is not allowed to just use the OWWA fund as it is owned by the members),' Administrator Patricia Yvonne M. Caunan said in a press conference in a hotel here on Friday.
According to Philippines News Agency, Caunan reported that only 2.6 million out of more than 5 million OFWs abroad are OWWA members. Among OWWA membership benefits are health and medical aid, free medicines, repatriation in times of distress, reintegration programs like access to capital funds, grants, upskilling training aid, and scholarships to the OFWs and their family members. Members also receive discounts in local and foreign restaurants, hotels, airlines, courier, and remittance services, as well as clinics and medical facilities with the use of e-cards.
She added that member repatriation assistance for distressed OFWs and for those who opted to return home for good can also be linked to capital sources aside from training, workshops, and lectures on possible business ventures. 'The benefit is also available to families of OFWs. We have about 15,000 scholarship slots, which will be increased by 10,000 more slots and another 25,000 more slots,' Caunan said. 'OWWA membership is voluntary but we hope it comes among the mandatory requirements under the Balik Manggagawa program so that everyone becomes a member.'
The OWWA membership fee is USD25 (about PHP1,400) and is valid for two years. 'We invite our OFWs to be a member and ensure availment of the benefits provided for to a member,' she said. Caunan also mentioned financial literacy training that they conduct for OFWs and family members, to ensure that the hard-earned money from abroad will be utilized properly.
'Lack of awareness of the benefits of becoming members is one of the identified reasons there are a lot who have not listed as a member. We are doing more information campaigns using different channels online, through other OFWs and through lectures and engagements with the media,' she said.
Caunan noted that Filipinos are among the favorite workers in foreign lands due to their "soft skills". 'Amid difficult situations, we still smile and continue to work because of our dedication to our jobs and our love for our families who are relying on us. This is a characteristic foreign employers love in us,' she added. Caunan mentioned their plan to establish an OFW academy for the upskilling of OFWs, to increase the chances of obtaining other jobs and opportunities.
