The OWWA is a membership institution. As such, its programs, projects and services are geared towards safeguarding and promoting the welfare and interests of its members.

For a US$25.00 membership contribution, an OWWA member is entitled to various benefits and services. Membership in OWWA may be obtained in two ways:

1. By enrollment upon processing of contract at the POEA; and
2. By voluntary registration of a would-be member at job sites overseas.

Proof of Membership

The names of all OWWA members are maintained by the OWWA and the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) in a database which is updated regularly. Members are issued an Official Receipt upon payment of contribution. They shall likewise be issued an OWWA e-Card.

Effectivity of Membership

OWWA membership, either through the compulsory or voluntary coverages, shall be effective upon payment of membership contribution, until expiration of the employment contract.

In case of voluntary members who register on-site, membership shall not exceed two (2) years.

Renewal of Membership

Membership shall be renewed upon payment of contribution on contract renewal / issuance of new contract. In the case of voluntary membership, coverage shall be renewed upon payment of contribution.

Insurance and Health-Care Program 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 Benefits

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.

Basic Requirements for Life Insurance, Disability, Dismemberment and Burial Benefits:
1. Passport (for Land-based OFW)
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

NSO:
-Marriage certificate - if claimant is the spouse
-Birth certificate of OFW - if claimant is the mother or Father
-Birth certificate of child and death certificate of deceased
spouse, if claimant is the child
-Certificate of no marriage

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

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.

1. 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.

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

Eligibility Requirements
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)

2. 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 member-OFW's 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 housewares; 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.

Availment Requirements
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

Three (3) additional membership contributions are required for subsequent availment. After completing the course, must submit for competency assessment and certification administered by TESDA or its accredited testing center.

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

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)

3. 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 fro 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.

Course Offerings
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.

Availment and Documentary Requirements:
All Filipino seafarers who are OWWA members are entitled to avail of the program once every three (3) contributions. Availment 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

4. DOLE-OWWA Tulay Microsoft Project

In partnership with Microsoft Philippines, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and OWWA launched Tulay or Bridge Education Program, which provides OFWs IT training and access to technology that will enable them and thei 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 in La Union, Cebu, and Cagayan de Oro. OWWA overseas posts with CTLCs are: Riyadh (KSA), Hong Kong, Taichung (Taiwan).

5. Tuloy-Aral Project

The Tuloy-Aral Project was launched last 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 foster parents. OFW organizations may also volunteer to act as foster parents.

Identified foster 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 eacg child's progress in school. The Tuloy-Aral project is nationwide in coverage as it is being replicated in each region of the country.

Social Services and Family Welfare Assistance

FAMILY WELFARE AND ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

1. REPATRIATION PROGRAM - provision of services to facilitate immediate repatriation of distressed OFWs, medically-ill OFWs, human remains, etc. like airport assistance, domestic transport, temporary shelter, etc.

2. REINTEGRATION PROGRAM
The Reintegration covers two (2) major components - economic and psycho-social components. 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. 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 OWWA-NLSF LDPO Project
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. Possible enterprises 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 culure, piggery, poultry, etc.).

The OWWA-NLSF Livelihood Development Program currently has the Collateral Loan Windowfor 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

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)

Loan Packages

1.Collateral Loan Window

* 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 availee 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

Additional Requirements for group loan borrowers::
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:

1. Articles of Incorporation for corporations
2. Ratified group By-Laws or Mutually Agreed Term for partnerships
3. Articles of Incorporation for cooperatives
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

Loan Application

Loan applications may be filed at all OWWA Regional Welfare Offices together with the following standard requirements:

1. Accomplished application form (with 2x2 picture)
2. Sketch and routes of residence and/or business site
3. Other requirements if applicable:

* Price quotation
* Bill of materials or building plan

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 loanable amount.

2. Chattel / motor vehicles / machines / equipment (brand new up to 3 years)

OFW GROCERIA PROJECT
This project aims to improve the socio - economic situation of the overseas Filipino workers and their families by providing livelihood and self-employment opportunities through the establishment of 1,000 grocery stores nationwide.

The project is an interest-free loan assistance package extended in the form of merchandise goods worth P 50,000.00 per qualified OFW Family Circle (OFC) beneficiary nationwide.

Loan Details:

Intended Beneficiaries

1. OFW Family Circles (OFCs) composed of OFW families organized by the OWWA's Family Welfare Officers, NGOs, Philippine Council for OFW Reintegration (PhilCORE) members, faith-based organizations, OFW returnees and displaced OFWs; and

2. OFW federations, organizations, associations and cooperatives.

Availment Requirements
1.Project Site: Must have

1. Relatively big number of families/dependents of OFWs
2. Presence of strong OFW organization or OFCs in the area

2. OFW Organization/ Family Circle:

1. Must have at least five (5) members (OFW returnees or dependents) registered with SEC or 15 members registered with the DOLE or CDA
2. Members must be permanent residents of the community
3. Must have good reputation and relationship with community
4. Must be willing to undergo training in entrepreneurship, project management and leadership

Documentary Requirements

1. Business Plan (Pro-forma, to be provided by OWWA)
2. Application Form
3. Proof of OWWA contribution of OFW relative
4. Registration with the DOLE or any of the following:

1. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)
2. Cooperative Development Authority (CDA)
3. Department of Trade and Industry (DTI
4. Local Government Units (LGU)/Barangay Micro-business Enterprises (BMBE)

5. Any of the following organization / association documents:

1. Articles of Incorporation and By-laws (for corporations)
2. Articles of Cooperation and By-laws (for cooperatives)
3. Constitution and By-laws (for organizations/associations)
4. Certification from organization members authorizing officers to contract loan
5. Oath of Undertaking

Model OFW Family of the Year Awards

The Model OFW Family of the Year Awards (MOFYA) is a medium for recognizing the achievements of OFWs and their families in managing the impact of overseas employment in family life. It serves as a strategic mechanism for exemplifying the best practices of OFW families towards optimizing the gains of migration.

The Award also recognizes the ultimate results of OFW family success in terms of enterprise development and generation of employment opportunities.

Workers Assistance and On-site Services

1. Repatriation Program - The OWWA provides and sustains assistance to all its members in all its regional and overseas offices. Services that members may avail on-site includes: locating missing OFW's; providing information and guidance; developing materials for the Pre-Departure Orientation Seminars; conducting psycho-social counseling and conciliation services; medical and legal assistance, outreach missions, and training, among others.

On behalf of the OFW, the OWWA may provide appropriate representation with employers, agents and host authorities.

SOURCE: www.owwa.gov.ph