The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration urged vacationing overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in the Philippines to avail of the OFW e-card.
During the Department of Labor and Employment’s annual OFW “salubong” held at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Pasay City, OWWA Administrator Hans Leo Cacdac encouraged OFWs to register for the said e-card by registering at https://owwa.gov.ph/.
The OFW e-card can be picked up at the OWWA Central Office or at the OWWA Regional Offices, Cacdac added.
The OFW e-CARD, which may be used as valid government ID, serves as proof of active OWWA membership and provides easy access to welfare services, scholarships, training programs, and social benefits from OWWA.
Meanwhile, labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III spearheaded the said event which served as away of showing gratitude to the country’s modern-day heroes.
OFWs who arrived in Manila via Kuwait Airways Flight 417 were welcomed with food, gift items, and Christmas baskets from the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA).
Three lucky OFWs were each handed cash gift of 50,000. They were Aurora Abelle Casano, Aisa Ismawil Husain, and Annabel Merio Melencio.
“Gusto kong ipaalam sa inyo na pinapunta kami rito ni Pangulong Duterte upang personal kayong salubungin at pasalamatan para sa inyong mga ginagawa sa ating bansa. Kayo po ang tunay na mga bayani ng ating bayan,” said Labor Secretary Bello as he welcomed the OFWs at NAIA Terminal 1, along with Undersecretary Renato Ebarle, and OWWA Deputy Administrators Brigido Dulay and Arnel Ignacio.
He encouraged the OFWs, however, to stay in the country for good by putting up their own business or taking advantage of the local job opportunities.
Anchored on the theme, “Kalingang Walang Patid sa OFW ay Hatid,” the OFW salubong is part of OWWA’s Pamaskong Handog, which is an annual activity to bring cheers and presents to OFWs and their families.
Regional OFW salubong will also be held at the Clark International Airport and at Mactan-Cebu International Airport.
