The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) recently launched the OWWA e-card that would give overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) easier access to the services offered by the administration.
With the card, OFWs can easily avail of the benefits offered by OWWA such as welfare services, scholarships, training programs and other social benefits.
The card is available for free to all Balik-Manggagawa OFWs with an active OWWA membership, a valid Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC) to Exemption Number, and a valid passport.
If you are qualified, here’s how you can apply for the card.
1- Visit OWWA’s website at http://ecard.owwa.gov.ph/.
2- Complete the OWWA OFW e-card application form.
3- Click submit application which can be found at the bottom left side of the form.
4- The OFW e-card can be personally claimed by an OFW from OWWA’s office when he/she returns to the country. A family member can also claim the e-card on behalf of the OFW by presenting an authorization letter and a copy of the OFW’s passport identification page.
OFW e-card holders may also present the cards at the Philippine Overseas Labor Offices (POLO) and embassies and/or consulates to avail of OWWA services and benefits.
The card is expected to benefit an estimated 250,000 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in its first phase of implementation. More OFWs will benefit from the project in the following years. The e-cards are expected to reduce documentary requirements for OFWs who seek to avail of the programs and benefits offered by OWWA.
Photo credit: Rappler/Aika Rey
