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
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March 10th, 2008 at 9:41 am
Di lang naman bayani ang mga OFWs. Immune pa from suits and the gallows kung gumawa ng heinous crimes sa labas. Nakauwi nang walang bahid ng crime nila courtesy of our government. Pumila lang dito masama na ang pakiramdam.
March 9th, 2008 at 8:04 pm
Just wondering what happened to my suggestion earlier. So disturbing to the continued existence of OWWA perhaps?
March 6th, 2008 at 1:29 pm
WAG ISISI SA POEA ANG 3 ORAS NA PAG PILA PARA SA EXIT PERMIT O PAGBABAYAD SA POEA….
PROBLEMA KASI MGA TAMAD MGA YAN PUMUNTA SA EMBASSY KUNG SAAN BANSA SILA NAG TATRABAHO PARA MAGBAYAD NG KAUKULANG HALAGA.
March 6th, 2008 at 11:48 am
The government always hails the OFWs as “bagong bayani”. But what exactly are the programs that they have put in place that would make the OFWs feel like they are heroes. Every time the “bayanis” come back, they have to go to POEA and wait in line for at least three hours so that they can get their exit permit (OEC). I’m sure there’s a better way.
February 28th, 2008 at 11:19 pm
Whatever OWWA did in the concerned case, still there are questions. Most important one is, whether or not OWWA is useful and needed.
There are so many OFWs, at least in western countries,where health insurance is anyway a duty and covers most of what OWWA would cover, or even better. Much more useful if the administration would make sure that all countries with OFWs provide such insurance, ususlly the fees are shared between employer and employee. So, in case or accident or illness, the OFW can easily avail of the services needed, there where he works.
Instead of trying to enforce a minimum salary in other countries which is a meddling in local matters of other countries the government should check if the often exorbitant placement fees are correct, since it is very usual that an employer who contacts an agency is already paying his client fees, mostly even including transportation of the OFW. What is fully normal since the employer is buying a service from the agency. There should not be any double charching of employer and employee for the same services. Then, maybe there would not be so many illegal agencies which disappear after a short time, if there would not be the possibility of a big profit. Agencies want to make it looking as if they roam around in foreign countries and ask if someone wants to hire an OFW. The contrary is usual, employers are looking viaads and agencies where they could get the needed employee.