Next OWWA chief must protect money of OFWs

MANILA, Philippines - Someone who can safeguard the interest and the money of Filipinos working abroad should lead the Overseas Workers Welfare Organization (OWWA), according to Senate president Manuel Villar Jr.

“The most important thing is to protect the OWWA fund and ensure that it benefits the overseas Filipino worker (OFW)," said Villar in a statement released on Monday.

He, however, refused to endorse any individual to the OWWA post, and only said that the new OWWA leader should be ready and willing to change the current system to ensure the welfare of OFWs.

“It is clear that the system now for OFWs is nowhere near what is required. We still have a long way to go if we want to extend help to the OFWs," he said.

Villar issued the statement amid the suspension of the loan assistance package for departing OFWs.

The P40, 000 loan that was previously extended to OFWs was discontinued by the Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) after the agency incurred financial losses of P70 million due to the failure of borrowers to pay their dues.

The loans were provided through a partnership between the Land Bank of the Philippines, the Development Bank of the Philippines, and the OWWA. The two government banks had also incurred combined losses of P38 million.

The position of OWWA administrator became vacant after the agency’s chief, Marianito Roque, was appointed by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo as DoLE secretary last month.

Many OFWs are complaining about the fees being charged by the government, which include the $25 membership fee for the OWWA, the P900 contribution to the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (Philhealth), and the P100 processing fee collected by the Philippine Overseas Employment Agency.

Meanwhile, the non-government Center for Migrant Advocacy (CMA) urged OFWs to be vigilant in the appointment of a new OWWA administrator.

The CMA said those with “dubious personalities" should be prevented from being included in the government’s list of candidates for the OWWA post, so that the agency should not become a “milking cow" again.

The group said that on February 2, 2004, then DoLE Secretary Patricia Sto. Tomas, who was also acting OWWA chairperson at the time, and OWWA administrator Virgilio Angelo signed a resolution transferring P530 million worth of OWWA medicare fund to the Philhealth.

It claimed that the money enabled Mrs Arroyo to give away Philhealth cards during her pre-presidential campaign sorties.

“Let us assert our right to participate in the appointment of the next OWWA administrator. Let us insist on transparency, integrity, and credibility in this exercise, " the CMA said. - MARK JOSEPH UBALDE, GMANews.TV

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