OWWA Benefits for Overseas Filipino

Overseas Workers Welfare Administration or OWWA is a government agency working closely with Department of Labor and Employment or DOLE, commissioned to protect and promote the welfare and well-being of Overseas Filipino Workers OFW.  OWWA is a membership institution which programs, projects geared towards the welfare and interests of its members. Membership is acquired compulsory or voluntarily effective after payment of membership contribution. Every member of this agency enjoys its benefits plan which is accorded in their membership contract. As such, every member is entitled to insurance and Healthcare benefits, Education and Training Programs, Livelihood Support Fund Bridging Program and Livelihood Development Program.

Insurance and Healthcare benefit covers Life/Accident Insurance wherein a member is entitled to a Php100, 000.00 for the duration of his employment contract; Disability and Dismemberment Benefit which range from Php2, 000.00 to Php50, 000.00; Total Disability Benefit in case of total permanent disability a member is entitled to Php100, 000.00; and Burial Benefit Php20, 000.00 shall be provided in case of the member’s death.

Education and Training Programs subject to a selection process and accreditation of participating institutionsis offered to an OFW OWWA member or his duly designated beneficiary.

Education for the Development Scholarship Program is a scholarship grant offered to qualified beneficiaries/dependents of OWWA member who intend to enroll in any 4 to 5-year baccalaureate course with Php30, 000.00 worth of financial assistance.

OFW Dependents Scholarship Program (OFW DSP). Skills-for-Employment Scholarship Program is offered in coordination with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) to land-based or sea-based OWWA member or their dependents/beneficiaries with Php7, 250.00 and Php14, 500.00 financial assistance for six-month program and one-year program respectively.

Seafarers Upgrading Program (SUP) is intended to provide OWWA member seafarers job-related training with training financial assistance ranging from a minimum of Php1, 200.00 to a maximum of Php7, 500.00 inclusive of meal and transportation allowances.

DOLE-OWWA Tulay Microsoft Project provides OFW’s IT training and access to technology particularly basic computer applications such as MS Word, Powerpoint, Excel and internet use at the Community Technology learning Centers (CTLC).

Tulay-Aral Project aims to assist less fortunate children of former OFWs who are determined through the family profile provided for with the assistance of DSWD.

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 to support them from the effects of global economic crisis. This may be availed by OFW’s who have contributed to the OWWA Fund (OWWA members) and who were in case terminated from work due to the closure or downsizing of their companies.

Bridging Program

This is a scholarship grant offered to deserving graduates of BS Mechanical Engineering and BS Electrical Engineering who wish to pursue a BS Marine Engineering course with Php30,000.00 per semester.

Repatriation Program

In case of OWWA –OFW needs assistance in returning to the Philippines due to illness and distress Repatriation program includes provision of immediate repatriation services like airport assistance, domestic transport, temporary shelter, etc.

OWWA -NLSF Livelihood Development Program

This program is in partnership of OWWA and National Support Fund to further improve access to entrepreneurial development opportunities and credit facilities to OFWs, their families, and organizations.

Enterprises may include trading, services, manufacture and agri-business. The acceptable purposes of loan are working capital, business assets except lot, business site construction or improvement to the eligible members of OWWA.

Requirements for eligibility of availing any of the benefits provided for by the agency may it documentary and other requirements are comprehensively listed for easy access. If you are not a member or your membership is about to expire, find time to review OWWA Membership for your guide.