THIS pertains to the letter to the editor of Mr. Francis Oca dated 22 February 2008 (”OWWA’s Undeclared Priority,” 22 February 2008).
We at the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), sympathize with the relatives of the late OFW Roberto E. Panganiban. However, the medical assistance program for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) was transferred to the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PHIC) or PhilHealth since March 2005.
OWWA provides to OFWs, among other programs and services, disability/dismemberment, life insurance and burial benefits. The life insurance and burial benefit, of which OFW Panganiban is entitled to as an OWWA member, has already been facilitated. Also, OWWA provided financial assistance to his family while the said OFW was ill on top of this entitlement.
We take this opportunity to express our gratitude for the feedback that OWWA receives from our clients and social partners as those aid the agency in improving its operations and the services provided for OFWs and their families.
We are in the process of reviewing the package of services to the member-OFWs to be more responsive to their needs.
– Marianito D. Roque, Administrator, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration
Loading ...
February 28th, 2008 at 4:59 am
OFW sa Kuko ng OWWA
OWWA…ano bang pakinabang namin sa yo?
Sa oras ng aming pangangailangan ikaw ay di maasahan
Sa oras ng kagipitan ikaw ay di malapitan
Saan mo ba dinadala mga pera naming pinagpaguran
Sana aming magamit upang kabayan gipit magkaroon ng ticket
Papauwi sa Pilipinas upang mahal sa buhay ay mayakap ng mahigpit
OWWA…ano nga ba ang iyong kahulugan?
Ikaw ba ay para sa mga OFW o para gatasan…
Ng mga pulitiko at mga magnanakaw sa kaban ng bayan
Dapat kami ay iyong pagsilbihan at kung hindi…
Ikaw ay dapat nang buwagin dahil ikaw ay pahirap lang!
February 28th, 2008 at 12:26 am
Gawing OPTIONAL na lang ang pagbayad o pagmember sa OWWA. Kung ayaw ng OFW magpa-insure sa OWWA, huwag pilitin. Kung ayaw ng OFW mag-enjoy ng so-called OWWA “benefits”, huwag pilitin. Pinaghirapang kitain ng mga OFW ang perang nilulustay ng OWWA sa kanilang mga kapritso. Ako’y isang OFW for ten years now. Every two years, tuwing bakasyon, nagbabayad ako sa OWWA.
Wala pa akong na-avail na benefits mula sa OWWA. Pag-retire ko, may makukuha ba ‘ko sa OWWA?
February 27th, 2008 at 5:43 pm
–
OWWA is supposed to be (or understood to be) an institution created to protect and/or promote the WELFARE OF OFWs.
Are we (OFWs) to believe that OWWA has no jurisdiction over processing of claims for and on behalf of an OFW as regards medical benefits?
Doesn’t it make even more difficult for us and/or our family members to claim such medical benefits, when the said “transfer to PhilHealth” was made - without clear reasons and explanations to the main beneficiaries (OFWs) on why it was made; without ensuring that the process is understood by the beneficiaries and is easily accessible?
Does it need a case like that of the late fellow OFW Panganiban to clarify and rectify OWWA’s oversights and missteps made in the past (not necessarily with the current OWWA administration)?
OWWA should be structured in a way that an OFW can treat it as a one-stop-shop for his needs - “needs” are to be specific and clearly understood by the OFW / beneficiary. It should cover all the current programs and services and should include the medical assistance program - regardless whether it is outsourced (currently thru PhilHealth) or otherwise.
The medical assistance program need not be through PhilHealth as it currently appears imposed to be with. Asking how and why it is as it is now, is totally moot and useless.
But rectifying a mistake, if it is a mistake - is very much in order.
There are other health insurance providers that must be considered and must be invited to bid on providing the services to OFWs and OWWA should have a link with this health insurance provider to directy demand the service on behalf of the beneficiary OFW when the need arises.
Perhaps, OWWA should also explore the possibility of creating a social insurance system similar to SSS with considerations focused on the unique circumstances surrounding the “OFW phenomenon”.
I believe a truthful review of the “package of services” along with an “organized and systematic consultation” with the OFWs regarding the same package - is ideal.
A truthful and real change is now warranted.
February 27th, 2008 at 4:49 pm
di ko lang maintindihan dyan sa OWWA kung bakit every year kailangang magbayad ang vacationing ofw ng membership fee??? Magmula pa noong 1997 ofw na ako ibig sabihin hindi pa ako member unless updated ang bayad ko? At saan napupunta nag mga nakokollekta nilang milyones sa mga ofw? sa mga bulsa nila o sa malacanang mafia?
February 27th, 2008 at 4:11 pm
Isa pang loophole sa policy ng OWWA.
Namatay ang isa nating kababayang OFW sa Diego Garcia. Nag claim ang mga kaanak ng life insurance at burial benefits sa OWWA. Sabi ng OWWA, hindi daw siya qualified sa life insurance dahil 1 year lang daw yung coverage nya (yearly kasi ang uwi at contract duration niya) at nag expire na ito noong time na namatay yung OFW.
Dahil nag extend siya ng stay at hindi umuwi for 2 years, hindi nga naman na renew yung kanyang coverage. Ang pag re renew ay ginagawa lang pag umuwi ka ng Pilipinas. Wala namang instruction sa amin na mag renew ng coverage pag nasa ibang bansa ka.
Dahil maraming ganitong kaso - nag eextend ng stay sa ibang bansa, saan nga ba lulugar ang OFW.
Paki liwanag nga po ito.