15K OFWs from E. Visayas qualified for rebates


By Sarwell Meniano  September 11, 2019, 5:15 pm
REBATE. An overseas Filipino worker claims his rebate at the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) field office in Tacloban City on Wednesday (Sept. 11, 2019). Some 15,000 overseas Filipino Workers from Eastern Visayas are expected to receive financial grants under the OWWA's rebate program. (PNA photo by Sarwell Meniano)
TACLOBAN CITY -- Some 15,000 overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) from Eastern Visayas are expected to receive financial grants under the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration's (OWWA) rebate program.
The number is based on the list provided by the OWWA main office to the regional office, citing the criteria on length of membership and contribution payments.
OWWA regional information officer Katrina Obejera said in an interview Wednesday that this is the first time their office will release rebates to OFWs.
"The rebate program will run until Dec. 10 this year. We asked qualified overseas workers to take advantage since the next release will be after three years," Obejera told the Philippine News Agency (PNA).
Qualified for the rebate program are OFWs who have been members of OWWA for at least 10 years, with at least five or more contributions made as of December 31, 2017.
The OFW-member or his/her family member has not availed of any financial benefits from OWWA to qualify for the rebate program. OWWA provides death benefit, disability and dismemberment benefit, burial assistance, livelihood assistance, and scholarship grant.
An OFW member has to contribute USD25 every two years to OWWA to avail of the benefits and services from the government agency. An OFW can be a member by enrollment upon the processing of contract at the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration and voluntary registration of a would-be member at job sites overseas.
On Tuesday, OWWA field offices nationwide opened its rebate help desk to allow OFWs to submit documents and claim their grant.
Qualified beneficiaries will present the appointment code that will be sent via text, after setting an appointment, to their chosen OWWA regional welfare offices, including other documentary requirements for verification.
After the verification process, the beneficiaries will provide his or her bank details where OWWA will deposit the rebate. Qualified OFWs may be able to claim PHP941 up to PHP13,177 based on the number of their contributions. The amount represents about 10 percent of their contribution.
The field office has scheduled rebate processing and distribution by appointment in different provinces -- Northern Samar (Oct. 8 to 12), Samar (Oct. 14 to 18), Biliran (Oct. 28 to 30 and Nov. 5 to 6), Eastern Samar (Nov. 11 to 15), and Southern Leyte (Nov. 18 to 29).
Recipients have the option to donate the rebate amount to OWWA’s scholarship program to help send kids of less fortunate OFWs to school. It can also be used as payment for the renewal of OWWA membership for OFWs who still have active employment contract abroad.
The computation for the rebate program is based on an actuarial study commissioned by OWWA, which determined the financial capability of the OWWA Fund.
The actuarial study found PHP1 billion for the rebate program up for distribution to 556,000 beneficiaries nationwide.
The rebate program is in compliance with the provision of the OWWA Act, which is to implement the grant of rebate to long-time members. (PNA)

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