According to the Facebook page of PIA-OFW Watch, the Overseas Workers and Welfare Administration (OWWA) is set to launch this morning the “Grand Salubong Pamaskong Handog sa OFWs” at the  Terminal 1 of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

The OWWA Administrator, Carmelita Dimzon said that  their agency prepared a red carpet in the OFW Arrival Area where arriving OFWs will pass. Aside from the special red carpet, OWWA will also  give loot bags and souvenirs to all OFWs every day this December.

The secretary of Labor and Employment, Rosalinda Baldpoz announced that seventeen (11) one stop processing centers (OSPCs) located in eleven (11) regions all over the Philippines are now ready to serve OFWs and families. They were created through the efforts of Overseas Workers and Welfare Administration (OWWA) and Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA).

Services for OFWs in OSPCs

• OWWA membership processing
• Issuance of Overseas Employment Certificates (POEA)
• Information services for OFW welfare concerns

The OSPCs where the OWWA and the POEA are housed in one location/building:

Region 1–Zambrano Bldg.,San Fernando, La Union, with Marie Ganal as focal person.

Region 2–RegionalGovernmentCenter, Carig Sur,TuguegaraoCity;

Region 3–Clark Special Economic Zone, with Alma Dizon, Ely Llanes, and Maricel Ayson as focal staff

Region 4-A–Chipeco Ave., Brgy Halang,CalambaCity;

Region 6–2nd Floor, Old City Hall Bldg., Luzurriaga St., Bacolod City, with Jennelyn Oyco as staff;

Region 7–LDM Bldg., Legaspi cor.,M. Cuenco Ave.,CebuCity, with Ma. Ofelia Maloloy-on as staff;

Region 10–2/F Trinidad Bldg., Corales Yakapin St., Cagayan de Oro City, with Aniceta Corpin as staff;

Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao–POEA-ARMM ORG Compound, Gov. Gutierrez, Cotabato City, with Gem Torres as staff

Caraga–NimfaTiuBuilding, J. P. Rosales Avenue, ButuanCity

OSPCs which are separated from the POEA field or regional office:

Region 1–DOLE field offices at the Laoag Provincial Capitol inLaoagCity; Brgy. Carmay, Rosales, Pangasinan, manned by Dolly Anne Camacho; Rizal Street in Vigan City, Ilocos Sur, with Vera Andre Orcino as focal staff; and Alaminos City and Dagupan City, Pangasinan;

Region 5–OWWA Satellite Office, Naga City Hall Complex,Miranda Avenue, Naga City, with Kaye Villamor as staff

Region 11–2/F Amiya Bldg., Quiapo Boulevard, Davao City

Good news for oveseas Filipino workers (OFWs) !

According to the Facebook page of PIA-OFW WAtch, Congressman Theresa Bonoan-David will now withdraw her proposal for House Bill 6195, the bill which would double the required contributions of OFWs for OWWA.

Many OFWs reacts negatively with the news of the proposed bill saying that the additional contributions is unfair to the OFWs.

John Leonard Monterona of  Migrante-Middle East said that the news is a vistory for all OFWs. He said OFWs would sure have a hard time complying with the additional fees if ever the proposed bill would be passed.

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.