ou can alo According to an FB Wall post of PIA-NCR, the Overseas Workers and Welfare Administration (OWWA) is offering cash loans to repatriated OFWs or to returning OFWs who wants to stay in the country for good and wants to become entrepreneurs.

Those who want to apply for the loan needs to show documents to prove that they used to work as OFWs. They are also required to undergo a financial learning seminar and present a business plan with the help of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

The cash loan that OWWA will provide will depend on the business plan. The loanable amount can range from Php300, 000 up to Php2 million. The cash loan is payable in five (5) years with a grace period of two years. The interest is 7.5% every year. For more information, you can send an SMS to OWWA at 0917-8986992.  You can also visit http://www.owwa.gov.ph

The OWWA Administrator, Carmelita Dimzon said that the Philippine government is offering Php10, 000 cash assistance to the repatriated OFWs from Libya.

Secretary Baldoz said, “The financial relief assistance of Php10,000 is a one-time grant to each qualified displaced OFW to help them undergo adjustments in their communities. The grant is part of the government’s repatriation assistance program for OFWs which aims to cushion the impact of employment and income displacement affecting the OFWs upon their repatriation to the country.”

Click here to know how one can avail of the cash benefit for repatriated OFWs from Libya.

For the benefit of OFWs that are in the midst of the crisis in the countries of Libya and other Middle Eastern countries, here are the contact details of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) 24/7 Operations Center. The details below are also applicable for friends of affected OFWs in New Zealand.

OWWA’s 24/7 OPERATIONS CENTER
Address: 7th St. cor. F.B. Harrison Pasay City, Philippines

OVERSEAS POST HOTLINES (Middles East Crisis)
DFA HOTLINE Nos. – 834-4488 / 834-4596 / 834-4580

LIBYA
00-218-927-485-473
00-218-483-3966
00-218-925-195-079
00-218-728-527-012
00-973-367-464-79

TEL
632.8336992
551-1560
(833OWWA)
632.8917601 – 24

Globe HOTLINE 2917, Press 3 for OWWA
TXT: 63917.898.6992
(TXT.OWWA)
FAX: 632.5516651
E-Mail: opcenter7@owwa.gov.ph, owwa_opcenter@yahoo.com

The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) wants to help the families and friends of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) that are based in New Zealand and other Middle Eastern countries such as Libya, Yemen and Bahrain communicate with their loved ones. Many are concerned about the situation of OFWs in the Middle East countries due to the ongoing violent protests and the recent earthquake in Christchurch , New Zealand.

That is why the NTC has partnered with Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) in Pasay City (OWWA) and set up a “Libreng Tawag” booth at the main office of the said government agency in Pasay City.

The free calls will be available for the relatives of affected OFWs from: from March 1-8, 2011 (9:00a.m. to 6:00p.m.).

The free calls initiative is in cooperation with local telcos Globe Telecom, Di— Newsbytes.phgitel Phils. (Sun Cellular), and Smart Communications.

In accordance to the revised Mirant Workers Act that aims to provide better protection to overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) are now accepting nominations for OFW representatives to their respective boards.

The two government agencies announced that they have signed a joint memorandum circular that would seek for nominees for OFW representatives. This move is in compliance with Republic Act (RA) 10022, a manendatory law to RA 8042 or the Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995.

Click here to view full article about the nomination of OFW representatives for POEA and OWWA boards.