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Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA)

owwa overseas workers welfare administration agency for ofws

The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) is an agency of the Philippine government that works to protect and promote the welfare and well-being of Filipino overseas workers. Established in May 1, 1977, OWWA provides a wide range of services designed to ensure that Filipino expatriates are provided with safe, secure and quality working conditions abroad.

From providing medical assistance and financial support for those who become stranded overseas, to helping families reunite with their loved ones abroad, the OWWA helps guarantee the safety and security of Filipinos who go out into the world in search of better opportunities.

By offering comprehensive programs such as health insurance coverage, educational grants for children left behind by their parents, legal aid services and other forms of assistance, OWWA has been instrumental in empowering our countrymen both at home and abroad.

Brief History

The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) was formed with the primary goal of safeguarding the rights and promoting the welfare of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs). The establishment of OWWA marked a significant milestone in recognizing and addressing the unique challenges faced by OFWs. Over the years, OWWA has evolved, adapting to the changing needs and circumstances of OFWs worldwide.

OWWA was initially an attached agency of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE). But since the inception of the newly-created Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), the DMW is now in partnership with OWWA to help Filipino migrant workers abroad.

Purpose and Mission of OWWA

OWWA operates with a central mission: to ensure the wellbeing of OFWs and their families. Guided by this mission, the organization develops programs and services that cater to the diverse needs of its members. The principles that guide OWWA’s operations and services are deeply rooted in a commitment to serve and protect OFWs.

OWWA logo

Structure and Organization

OWWA Board and Management

OWWA’s organizational structure includes a board and management team, each playing crucial roles in governing the organization and implementing its services. The board members contribute their expertise in various fields, ensuring that the organization’s strategies and policies align with its mission. On the other hand, the management team carries out the day-to-day operations, ensuring efficient service delivery to OFWs.

Regional and Overseas Offices

OWWA maintains a network of regional and overseas offices to better serve OFWs around the world. These offices act as vital links between the organization and its members, providing essential services and facilitating communication.

MWO-OWWA Offices Abroad

OWWA has partnered with the Philippine Embassy and other foreign embassies to establish a network of Migrant Workers Offices (by the Department of Migrant Workers) abroad. These MWO offices are also the branches where the OWWA Offices are located. These MWOs support OFWs by providing services such as medical assistance, legal aid, and other forms of counseling. You can check out the official list of MWO offices here.

Services and Programs

Benefits for OWWA Members

OWWA members can avail themselves of various benefits, including financial assistance, educational scholarships, and healthcare coverage. Each of these benefits is designed with the objective of providing support and security to OFWs and their families.

Scholarship Programs

OWWA offers scholarship programs to provide educational opportunities to OFWs and their dependents. These scholarships aim to alleviate the financial burden of education and open doors to better employment opportunities.

Training and Skills Development Programs

OWWA’s training and skills development programs are aimed at equipping OFWs with the necessary skills to thrive in their respective fields. By participating in these programs, OFWs can enhance their career prospects and ensure their competitiveness in the global job market.

Social Benefits

OWWA provides a range of social benefits, including livelihood programs and counseling services. These initiatives are designed to enhance the quality of life of OFWs and their families, providing them with resources and support to navigate the challenges of overseas employment.

Health and Disability Benefits

OWWA offers health and disability benefits to ensure the wellbeing of OFWs. These benefits cover various conditions and provide financial aid to members during times of illness or injury.

Membership

Eligibility Criteria

Becoming an OWWA member requires meeting certain eligibility criteria. These criteria are set to ensure that those who stand to benefit most from OWWA’s services can avail themselves of membership.

Application Process

The application process for OWWA membership involves a few steps, including the submission of necessary documents and payment of membership fees. This process is designed to be straightforward and accessible, ensuring that OFWs can easily become members and start benefiting from OWWA’s services.

Membership Fee

Membership fee are a crucial part of OWWA membership. The fee is only USD25 and it is valid every 2 years. This fee serve as the fund source for the various services and benefits that OWWA offers. They are carefully calculated to remain affordable while ensuring the sustainability of the organization’s operations.

Partnerships and Collaborations

Local Partnerships

OWWA has established partnerships with local organizations and government agencies. These partnerships enhance the reach and effectiveness of OWWA’s services, allowing the organization to extend its impact and better serve OFWs.

International Partnerships

OWWA also collaborates with international organizations and foreign governments. These collaborations contribute to the protection and welfare of OFWs, facilitating the exchange of best practices and fostering cooperation on issues concerning overseas employment.

Challenges and Issues

Issues Faced by Overseas Workers

OFWs face various issues, from labor rights violations to health concerns, and social isolation. Understanding these issues is crucial in formulating effective interventions and policies.

Role of OWWA in Addressing these Issues

OWWA plays a critical role in addressing the issues faced by OFWs. Through its programs and services, OWWA strives to mitigate these challenges and provide necessary support to OFWs. However, like any organization, it faces its own set of challenges in fulfilling this mandate.

Future Directions

OWWA is continuously working towards enhancing the welfare of OFWs. Its future plans and initiatives are designed with this goal in mind, focusing on areas where it can make the most significant impact.

The global workforce is constantly changing, with new trends and challenges emerging. OWWA is adapting to these changes, evolving its strategies and programs to meet the needs of today’s OFWs.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is OWWA?

OWWA stands for the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration. It is a Philippine government organization that aims to protect and promote the welfare of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and their families through various services and programs. It seeks to provide them with financial assistance, educational scholarships, healthcare coverage, training, skills development programs, social benefits, and other forms of support.

2. Who are eligible to become an OWWA member?

To be eligible for OWWA membership, applicants must be Filipino citizens working abroad. They must also meet certain requirements such as being at least 18 years old and having a valid employment contract with an overseas employer.

3. How much does OWWA membership cost?

OWWA membership costs USD25 every two years. This fee helps fund the various services and benefits that OWWA provides to its members.

4. What benefits do OWWA members receive?

OWWA members can avail themselves of various benefits such as financial assistance, educational scholarships, healthcare coverage, training and skills development programs, social benefits, health and disability benefits.

5. What steps need to taken to become an OWWA member?

The process for becoming an OWWA member involves submitting necessary documents such as proof of identity and employment contract as well as paying the required membership fees. Once these steps have been completed successfully, applicants will be issued an official membership card that will allow them access to all the services offered by OWWA.

Summary

All in all, if you are an Overseas Filipino Worker, you should look into becoming a member of OWWA. It is an organization that provides important services and benefits to its members such as financial assistance, educational scholarships, healthcare coverage, training and skills development programs, social benefits, and health and disability benefits.

With the help of OWWA’s services and resources, OFWs can enjoy greater peace of mind in their overseas employment endeavors.

Department of Science and Technology (DOST)

department of science and technology philippines dost

The Department of Science and Technology or DOST is a Philippine government agency responsible for planning, directing, coordinating, and supervising science and technology-related projects in the Philippines. It gives support to people who have innovative ideas that need development, gives a scholarship to students who want to pursue a career in science and technology, and gives updates regarding science and technology around the world.

In 1987, the then-National Science and Technology Authority (NSTA) was restructured into the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and now has different regional offices throughout the country.

Long-Term Vision

The DOST is the “provider of world-class scientific, technological and innovative solutions that will lead to higher productivity and better quality of life.”

Intermediate Vision

The DOST as a leading ASEAN Science, Technology and Innovation Hub by 2022.

Mission

To direct, lead, and coordinate the country’s scientific and technological efforts geared towards maximum economic and social benefits for the people.

Mandate

Executive Order No. 128 mandates the Department to “provide central direction, leadership and coordination of scientific and technological efforts and ensure that the results therefrom are geared and utilized in areas of maximum economic and social benefits for the people”.

DOST-CAR, as an implementing arm of the Department shall:

Carry out the science and technology policies, plans, programs and projects, laws, rules, and regulations.

Provide science and technology services to the people.

Coordinate with other government agencies and with local government units in the region on science and technology matters.

Functions

The DOST-CAR performs the following functions:

Identify the needs and opportunities in science and technology in the region.

Implement DOST programs and projects through
1. Technology transfer and commercialization
2. Information dissemination
3. Testing, analysis, and consultancy services
4. Training, promotion, and education
5. Manpower development and institution building.

Develop institutional linkages and coordinate with regional offices of other departments, local government units, academe, and non-government offices in the region.

Responsibility

Provide funding for research and development projects in various fields of science and technology.

Encourage the growth of local industries through technology transfer, capacity building, and entrepreneurship promotion.

Promote scientific and technological literacy among Filipinos.

Promote the development of science and technology education and training programs.

Create opportunities for Filipino scientists to work abroad.

Core Value (iELITE)

Innovation, Excellence, Leadership, Integrity, teamwork, Empowerment

Quality Policy

“We are committed to provide gender responsive products and services to both the government and private sectors in the Cordillera Administrative Region with the highest standards of quality and reliability within our capabilities and resources according to customer and all applicable regulatory and statutory requirements, plan actions to address risks and opportunities, and to continually improve the effectiveness of our QMS at all times in order to meet customer satisfaction.”

DOST Programs

The DOST created actions and partnerships to develop policies that focus on science and technology. The DOST comes up with different programs to oversee the advancement of science and technology in the Philippines.

Balik Science Program

This program encourages Filipino scientists, technologies, and experts to go back to the Philippines to share their knowledge and expertise with the Philippine society. It focuses on Agriculture and Food, Biotechnology, Disaster Mitigation and Management, Environment, and Natural Resources, Electronics, Energy, Genomics, Health, ICT, Manufacturing, Nanotechnology, and Semiconductor. This program also aims to reach the following:

Reverse the effect of the brain drain

Promote knowledge sharing

Strengthen science and technology capabilities

Enhance the Technology capabilities of the country

Biosafety Clearing-House of the Philippines (BCH Pilipinas)

With the collaboration of the National Committee on Biosafety of the Philippines (NCBP), the Department of Science and Technology (DOST, the Department of Agriculture (DA), the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), and the Department of Health (DOH), they created The Philippine Biosafety Clearing-House to:

Facilitate the exchange of scientific, technical, environmental, and legal information on, and experience with, Living Modified Organisms (LMOs); and

Assists Parties in implementing the Protocol while taking into account the unique needs of developing country Parties.

DOST Biosafety Committee (DOST-BC)

The DOST Biosafety Committee (DOST-BC) is composed of the different departments (the National Committee on Biosafety of the Philippines (NCBP), the Department of Science and Technology (DOST, the Department of Agriculture (DA), the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), and the Department of Health (DOH)) that aims to prioritize the first-rate science available for the Philippines to evaluate the safety of all modern biotechnology operations and products.

DOST Grants-in-AID Program (DOST-GIA)

This program gives financial support to science and technology programs and projects that will help the country’s economy grow. All expert Filipinos, individual or group, may request financial support from DOST as long as their project and initiatives will benefit the Filipino people.

National Committee of Biosafety of the Philippines.

This program focuses on genetic engineering work and the importation, introduction, release, and reproduction of possibly dangerous organisms. With the collaboration of the scientist at the University of the Philippines Los Banos (UPLB) and the Internationa Rice Research Institute (IRRI), they signed a memorandum to establish a joint Committee on Biosafety:

Review research proposals submitted by UPLB and IRRI scientists commencing studies that necessitate particular safety precautions and propose permission or rejection to the institution’s leadership.

Serve as a clearinghouse for knowledge on recombinant DNA technology-based experimental procedures; and

Consult with nations that have biosafety legislation in place so that UPLB and IRRI can develop and implement relevant guidelines for current biotechnology research.

To guarantee that the highest standards of safety are maintained, periodically review ongoing studies in modern biotechnology, particularly those involving fungal, bacterial, and viral diseases, insect pests, and recombinant DNA.

Small Enterprises Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP)

This program provides assistance to small enterprises in upgrading their technology to become more competitive in society. This program has three components:

Technology Transfer Grants

Technology Commercialization Grants

Partnership Grants

DOST Training Programs

The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) provides various training that will improve the Filipinos’ productivity and competitiveness. The training is free but the participants must be 18 years and above.

DOST Technology and Livelihood Training

DOST Training Program on Aquaculture

Livestock Caretaking and Management Training

Vegetable Growing and Processing Training

Agricultural Business Management Training

Animal Husbandry Training

DOST Scholarship for OFW Dependents

The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) aims to provide education to Overseas Filipino Workers’ dependents to help them reach their goals. The DOST offers financial assistance with a maximum of PHP 60,000 per annum to qualified dependents. Here’s the list of requirements to be qualified for a scholarship:

Must be a Filipino citizen

Must be 18-25 years old

Must not be a holder of any other scholarship grant

Must have a general weighted average (GWA) of at least 80 % or its equivalent

Must be enrolled or about to enroll in any of the priority courses identified by DOST

Must be willing to be assigned to any part of the Philippines

DOST Research Centers

The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) runs various research centers and institutions in the Philippines. They provide assistance to conduct research in our country and technical assistance to other countries as well. Here’s the list of research centers and institutes under the Department of Science and Technology (DOST):

National Institute of Health

National Research and Development Corporation (NRDC)

Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD)

Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs)

National Power Corporation (NAPOCOR)

Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA)

Philippine Coast Guard (PCG)

Video: Balik Scientist program ng DOST, gaano nga ba kaepektibo? | Need To Know

Watch this video on how one of the programs DOST helps to grow the numbers of Filipino scientists amidst the Pandemic.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is DOST?

The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) is a Philippine government agency responsible for making policies and projects about science and technology and collaborating with the projects in the Philippines.

What is a DOST scholarship?

The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) provides financial support to qualified students who are enrolled or planning to enroll in science and technology-related course.

How does DOST support the inventions of Filipinos?

The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) organized the DOST-Regional TAPI’s Invention Contest and Exhibits every year for all Filipino inventors, researchers, and students who are willing to participate.

How does DOST help entrepreneurs?

The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) provides access to laboratories and innovation hubs, equipment, and financial support to develop the products of local entrepreneurs.

Summary

Science and technology are one of the most important factors for a country to progress. It boosts the economy and makes people’s lives easier and more fun. The Department of Science and Technology (DOST)’s job is to promote research and development by supporting people who want to become a man of science.

The DOST offers financial support, programs, projects, and training to public and private individuals to help the country keep up with global scientific and technological advancements. It also offers training programs for Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and assistance if they want to come home and work in the Philippines.

How to Get OEC Exemption via BM Online for OFWs

Returning Overseas Filipino Workers who want to spend quality time with their families may not appreciate the day-long processing of their Overseas Employment Certificates, especially for those who have limited time. Perhaps, you also want to avoid long queues in POEA/Migrant Workers offices offices to personally get an OEC exemption.

The good news is that you can now obtain your OEC exemption through the Balik Manggagawa Online portal. Yes, you may not need to secure an OEC if you meet the qualifications or conditions. The BM Online system will allow you to obtain this exemption anytime and anywhere you want. So it’s essential to understand how an OEC exemption works, its benefits, its requirements, and how to process it online.

Table of Contents

What Is OEC Exemption

The OEC exemption is available for returning OFWs that are registered with the DMW Online Services Portal and who are going back to the same job site and employer. Exempted OFWs can go to the airport on their departure schedule without presenting an OEC to immigration. To qualify for an OEC exemption, certain conditions must be met.

Returning OFWs who want to be exempted from applying for an OEC must have a valid work permit or visa, return to the same employer and job site, and have existing records with the DMW Online Portal or POEA database. In short, you must have previously obtained an OEC in order to qualify for the exemption.

Benefits of OEC Exemption

Obtaining an OEC exemption is a huge privilege for returning OFWs because it saves them time and effort while staying in the Philippines. If you’re qualified for an exemption, that means you don’t need to endure the regular process of OEC application. At the airport, you can directly proceed to your flight without having to present an OEC to immigration or other concerned authorities. Plus, you don’t need to pay travel tax and terminal fees.

Requirements for OEC Exemption

So basically, you just need to have a previous OEC obtained from the POEA, a valid work visa, and return to the same employer and job site in order to get an OEC exemption via BM Online System. To avail of the terminal fee and travel tax exemption, you need to provide some documents including your valid work permit, company ID, most recent payslip, Employment Certificate, or Employment Contract.

How to Apply for OEC Exemption Online

Make sure your BM record and DMW account information match with your POPS-BaM account before trying to obtain an OEC exemption. The second is to secure all the requirements for the exemption so you can get exempted from an OEC. If you meet all these requirements, follow the steps below to obtain an OEC exemption online easily:

Step 1: Go to the official page of the BM Online System, then click New User. Complete all the required details and accept the Terms of Service. Wait for the email that contains the confirmation link and activate your new account by clicking on the link.

Step 2: Click on Already Registered and log in using your email and password. To verify, provide your previous OEC number. Confirm that you are returning to the same job site and employer.

Step 3: Update your profile information by filling out the Personal Data, Legal Beneficiaries, and Contract Particulars under the My Profile category. Upload your profile photo with your full face.

Step 4: Tap on the Acquire OEC or Exemption button and enter your flight details. Make sure your departure flight is valid within 60 days of obtaining your OEC. Click Submit and proceed to the next page.

Step 5: Wait for the confirmation message if you’re exempted. It includes the OEC exemption number with instructions on the next steps you need to do during your flight schedule.

Video: How to Get OEC Exemption Online 2023

This video highlights the latest update in getting OEC exemption online including the steps on how to apply using the BM Online System. It also includes other helpful information on the OEC exemption benefits, qualifications, and requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Am I qualified for an OEC exemption?

If you’re returning to the same job site and employer, and you have an existing record with the POEA database, then you can obtain an OEC exemption through the BM Online Portal.

2. How can I get an OEC exemption online?

Register an account at the BM Online website, log in using your email and password, update your profile information, and obtain an OEC exemption online.

3. How much should I pay for the OEC exemption?

Acquiring an OEC exemption doesn’t cost anything, it’s free and easy to process through the BM Online Portal.

4. How many days does the OEC exemption remain valid?

After issuing an OEC exemption to OFWs via BM Online Portal, the validity period is within 60 days.

5. What are the benefits of OEC exemption?

If you are exempted from acquiring an OEC, you can enjoy a few benefits including terminal fee and travel tax exemption, while you can directly proceed to your flight without stopping by the immigration before your departure.

Summary

With all this information, you can now obtain an OEC exemption through the BM Online System. It will help you enjoy the benefits of getting exempted from acquiring an OEC before your departure date to the same employer and job site. More importantly, you can do it online which means you don’t need to visit the DMW or POLO office to secure the exemption.

For OFWs, it’s a great relief to be able to process requirements using their mobile devices. It means more time to do other things during their vacation in the Philippines. Make sure that you qualify before applying for an OEC exemption and prepare all the requirements for the terminal fee and travel tax exemption at the airport.