The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) is one of the partner agencies of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA). It develops and implements welfare programs and services for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and their families.
Based on Republic Act 11641 or “An Act Creating the Department of Migrant Workers” formed in 2022, OWWA became an attached agency of the Department of Migrant Workers or DMW.
Vision and Mission
According to its Citizen’s Charter, OWWA is envisioned to be a global leader in migrant workers welfare. Correspondingly, it is tasked with the mission of “developing and implementing welfare programs and services that respond to the needs of its member-OFWs and their families.”
Key Programs and Services
The key programs and services of OWWA include membership collection, repatriation, education and training, reintegration, social benefits, etc.
Membership Collection
OWWA is basically a membership institution, with each OFW contributing USD 25. This contribution entitled members to various benefits.
Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar (PDOS)
This is a mandatory orientation-seminar that teaches departing migrant workers about their labor rights abroad, work standards, foreign culture, health and safety, and other essential information.
Repatriation Program
This program focuses on bringing back distressed OFWs to the Philippines, particularly in times of conflict, political unrest, or natural calamities.
24/7 Operations Center
This is OWWA’s round-the-clock “help desk” that provides immediate assistance and coordination for distressed OFWs and their families.
Education and Training
The agency offers the following education and training programs for OFWs and their dependents:
- Skills for Employment Scholarship Program (SESP). This is a short-term program that provides up to PHP 14,500 per training course leading to the completion of a technical or vocational course.
- Seafarers’ Upgrading Program (SUP). This is a short-term training program that provides seafarers with up to PHP 7,500 per upgrading course in an accredited maritime training center/institution.
- Education for Development Scholarship Program (EDSP). This is a scholarship grant for qualified dependents of OFWs who plan to enroll in a 4- or 5-year baccalaureate course in a Philippine college or university, amounting to PHP 60,000 per school year. Scholars must belong to the top 1,000 passers of the qualifying exam administered by the Department of Science and Technology – Science Education Institute (DOST-SEI).
- OFW Dependents Scholarship Program (ODSP). This is a scholarship program that offers PHP 20,000 per school year to qualified dependents of OFWs who plan to enroll or are currently enrolled in a 4- or 5-year baccalaureate course or associate course in a Philippine college or university.
- Education and Livelihood Assistance Program (ELAP). This program provides educational and livelihood assistance to survivors of deceased OFWs, and OFWs who are incarcerated/convicted and meted out the death penalty in foreign countries.
Reintegration Programs
The agency offers these programs to returning OFWs:
- Balik Pinas, Balik Hanapbuhay (BPBH). This program provides returning OFWs with entrepreneurship training, marketing assistance, and cash assistance as start-up or additional capital for a livelihood project.
- OFW Enterprise Development Loan Program (EDLP). In partnership with the Landbank of the Philippines (LBP), this program enables OFWs and their families to establish business enterprises.
Social Benefits
As for social benefits, OWWA provides the following:
- Supplementary Medical Assistance (MEDPLUS). This program helps OFWs afflicted with dreaded diseases by paying their hospital/medical bills through sharing in medical costs equivalent to PhilHealth case rate benefits, not exceeding PHP 50,000 per member.
- Disability Benefit. This includes financial assistance worth PHP 2,500 to PHP 25,000 for partial disability, and PHP 50,000 to PHP 100,000 for total/permanent disability, for OFWs who had accident-related injuries.
- Death and Burial Benefits. These include insurance benefit worth PHP 100,000 for survivors of deceased OFWs, and funeral grant worth PHP 20,000 to assist them for the decent burial of their loved ones.
Welfare Assistance Program
This program is extended to OWWA members, active or non-active, and/or their families who are not eligible under any of the existing OWWA social benefit programs. It provides cash assistance for OFWs and their families under any of the following situations:
- Calamity assistance for OWWA members and their families affected by natural calamities;
- Bereavement assistance;
- Disability assistance for OWWA members who were victims of crimes or accidents; and
- Medical assistance for OWWA members who have illnesses that are not covered by the MEDPLUS program.
Contact Information: OWWA Main Office
For inquiries and concerns, you can get in touch with the OWWA Main Office through the following contact details:
Address: F.B. Harrison St, Pasay City, Metro Manila, Philippines
Telephone: 02 8891 7601
Email: owwacares@owwa.gov.ph
Website: https://owwa.gov.ph/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OWWAofficial/
Google Map:
Together with OWWA and other government agencies, the DFA plays a major role in protecting OFWs and their families. In fact, due to the current Middle East crisis, the agency has helped in the repatriation and reintegration of thousands of OFWs from the region.