Cordillera OFWs to get better services from OWWA. OFWs can take non-collateral loan up to P350,000

OWWA Administrator Han Cacdac talks during a consultation meeting of Federation of OFWs in CAR. Photo Courtesy: OWWA Baguio.

Cordillera - Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in Cordillera will soon experience better services from the Overseas Welfare Administration (OWWA) after a memorandum of agreement (MOA) was signed on  Monday by both Baguio City/Benguet province officials and OWWA officials. 

No less than OWWA Administrator Hans Cacdac  and Baguio City Mayor Mauricio Domogan lead the signing at the Baguio Country Club together with Local Government officials of Baguio and Benguet. 

The MOA aims to help OFWs and their families to have an easy access to government services when they need. 

Part of the MOA is the creation of a help desk that will serve as link to other agencies of the government like the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

Cacdac explained that the help desk will also serve as a venue for OFWs and their families to get help and immediate assistance in the different localities. 

He also mentioned the OF bank that was just launched on Jan. 18, a campaign promise of the president to aid OFWs who needs financial assistance like loans and livelihood funding. 

OFWs can take advantage of the non-collateral loans of up to Php350,000 at only 6% annual interest rate and OFWs can borrow capital to start a business of other projects.

Just like any other banks, the OF bank provides competitive deposit products such as Peso ATM Savings, time deposit and checking accounts. It also include a special Savings Plans designed for OFWs to encourage and inspire them to develop the habit of saving money. 

Soon the bank will be used by OFWs as a center to remit money at the cheapest, fastest, secure, and convenient mobile credit-to-account-system that is better than other remittance centers in the country.

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OFW recieves Php50,000 under the new OWWA MEDPlus program.

Mr. Aspuria receives his medical assistance from OWWA-CAR worth Php50,000

Cordillera - The Overseas Worker's Welfare Administration - Cordillera (OWWA-CAR) has awarded cash benefits to an OFW from Saudi Arabia who went home due to illness.

Mr. Fernando Aspuria received the amount of P50,000 pesos from the OWWA-CAR office on August 2 as medical assistance under the newly implemented OWWA benefits called MEDPlus. 

Mr Aspuria was an OFW for almost 17 years in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as a Trailer Truck Driver and went home on February this year due to stage 5 chronic kidney disease. 

He learned about this new program of OWWA for OFWs suffering from illness through social media and went to OWWA-CAR office in Baguio city and was given cash assistance right that day. 

According to OWWA-CAR, Mr Aspuria was the first beneficiary of the said medical assistance in the region. 

Aside from the MEDPlus he recieved, he was also advised to apply for Balik Pinas Balik Hanap Buhay Program (BHBHBP) which he is expected to received P20,000 for livelihood assistance.

The MedPlus Program for OFWs was designed to provide supplemental medical assistance for active OWWA and Philhealth members with dreaded diseases and were hospitalized either at the jobsite of while in the Philippines. 

OFWs who were hospitalized overseas or here in the country on February 1,2017 onward are covered under this program.

OWWA-CAR started accepting applicants for MEDPlus on June 15, 2017. 

source: OWWA Baguio FB page

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OWWA CAR now offering college scholarship for OFW dependents

The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration -CAR are now accepting applicants under OWWA College Scholarships on the following programs for the qualified dependents of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) with active OWWA membership for financial assistance of P60, 000.00 per SY.

A. Education for Development Scholarship Program (EDSP) for courses leading to any 4 to 5-year Baccalaureate course

Who may apply under EDSP
1. For incoming Freshmen
a. Child /sibling of active OFW for EDSP
b. Single
c. Grade 12 graduating student this coming 2018
d. Not more than 21 years old.
2. For those already enrolled in 2nd to 5th year college
a. Single
b. Not more than 30 yrs old
c. With a general Weighted average not lower than B letter grade or 85% equivalence in all academic and non-academic subjects during the last school year attended in full load.

B. Congressional Migrant Workers Scholarship Program (CMWSP) for baccalaureate courses from the priority fields in Science and Technology as identified by Department of Science & Technology – Science Education Institute (DOST-SEI)

Basic qualifications under CMWSP

1. Be a child of an OFW whose annual gross income is not more than US $6,780.00
2. Not more than 21 year-old and graduating high school student or who has graduated but never enrolled to college or associate courses;
3. A Filipino citizen with good health and of good moral character;
4. Not a recipient of any scholarship award from any government or private institution;
5. Has passed the qualifying examination for OWWA CMWSP scholarship conducted nationwide by DOST on 15 October 2017.

Where to file:

a. OWWA BAGUIO Office-17 Manongdo Bldg.,Private Rd, Magsaysay Avenue, Baguio City
b. You may also file your application at DOLE provincial office, Municipal Office (look for PESO or Migrant Desk officer)
When: All applications must be submitted before July 31, 2017.
What are the basic requirements?
a. Application forms (available at OWWA office of at OWWA website)
b. 2x2 picture of applicant
c. Birth certificate of applicant(proof of relationship to OFW)
d. Proof of OWWA membership

Pls submit applications at Owwa Baguio 17 Manongdo Bldg,Private Road Magsaysay Avenue, Baguio City.
Mobile number is 0999-994-9296,
0917-500-1294 or
Landline 300-3658 ,
Tele fax 445-2260.

source: OWWA CAR FB page.

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Three OFWs from Cordillera receive assistance and benefits from OWWA-CAR

Mrs. Casuga received her starter kits livelihood assistance. Photo Credits: OWWA-CAR

Baguio City - Three Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) just received benefits and assistance from the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration-Cordillera regional office in Baguio City.

OWWA-CAR posted on its Facebook account three former OFWs who were the recent beneficiaries of cash, livelihood and medical assistance and also skills training assistance.

Ms.Rosalina B. Casuga is a worker from Malaysia for six months. She is a returnee from San Carlos Heights,Baguio City. She applied under the Balik Pinas Balik Hanap Buhay Program at OWWA CAR and received her starter kits livelihood assistance on June 2,2017 . The program is a package of livelihood support to OFW s who are returning to the Philippines either displaced by hostilities,distressed workers or other distressful situations.



Ms. Rita B. Banggawan is an OFW from Pasil, Kalinga and worked as caretaker for six years at Taipei, Taiwan. She reported at OWWA CAR Baguio and was able to file her application under the Welfare Assistance Program, illness category and received the amount of P 10,000.00.





Ms. Irene P. Gaoken from La Trinidad Benguet is a former OFW from Hongkong for 6 years and have availed under Skills for Employment Scholarship Program (SESP). 

Ms Gaoken encourage her fellow OFWs to be aware of the OWWA programs so that they too can avail as long as they are a member of OWWA.
OWWA is a government welfare institution that protects and promotes the interest of Overseas Filipino Workers. It provides many programs and services to the member such as scholarship grants for OFW dependents, medical assistance, livelihood trainingx and assistance, loan program for those who want to start a business and many more.

To know more about OWWA, you can visit any of their nearest regional office in your area or you can also visit their website at http://www.owwa.gov.ph/?q=content/programs-services 

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