The Philippine Embassy Brunei through the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) conducted outreach/briefing programs on POLO, OWWA, SSS and Pag-ibig programs and services to OFWs in Kuala Belait District, Brunei Darussalam on Sunday, 14 August 2011.

The session for Adinin Hardware Sdn Bhd was held in Rockgarden Restaurant, and for members of Filipino Association Brunei (FAB) in Kuala Belait District at St John Parish Hall.

The purpose of the visits/briefings was to provide OFWs with basic knowledge/updates on Philippine Embassy programs and services, particularly on labor and welfare services and OWWA/SSS/Pag-ibig membership coverage.

The said activities were part of the Embassy’s continuing effort to reach out to overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and, in the process, promote better understanding and cooperation between and among the Philippine Embassy and OFWs in Brunei.

Ms. Rosemarie Moog of Adninin Hardware Sdn Bhd. and Mr. Willy Tabion, Filipino Association Brunei (FAB) Kuala Belait Chairman, welcomed the Philippine Embassy Officers and staff.

The resource speakers on these briefings were POLO Labor Attaché Ana C. Dione, OWWA Welfare Officer Zenaida S. Ramos, SSS Representative Marivic Rutor, and Pag-ibig Representative Arlina Feliciano.

• Labor Attaché Dione discussed Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) major programs and services, which generally included job search assistance and services; capacity building services; services to safeguard fair and just terms and condition of employment; social protection and welfare services; work accident, illness prevention, compensation and rehabilitation and policy and labor cooperation services for OFWs.

She discussed the current Philippine policies on the deployment of Filipino workers; the government effort to update the master list of Filipino Migrant workers; and the need for contract verification.

She cited the documentary requirements for securing an Overseas Exit Clearance (OEC) for all migrant workers traveling to the Philippines, and clarified the OEC as a means to exempt a Filipino worker from paying the Php 750.00 terminal fee and Php 1,620.00 travel tax for his return to his overseas employment.

She stressed that these requirements were in accordance with Republic Act 10022 amending Republic Act 8042 known as the Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995, signed into law on 08 March 2010.

Labatt Dione also announced that the checklist of requirements and downloadable forms will be available on POLO Brunei website effective on 1st week of September 2011, and POLO mobile processing at KB and Seria would be in November 2011 subject to availability of appropriate space and internet connection to access POEA data base.

• Welfare Officer Ramos discussed the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) programs and benefits. These consisted of:

1. life insurance benefit for the duration of employment contract, which was over and above what was stipulated in the OFW’s employment contract;

2. disability, dismemberment, death, and burial benefits;

3. education and training benefits, such as Education for Development Scholarship Program (EDSP), a 4 to 5 years baccalaureate scholarships for OFWs qualified dependents; Skills for Employment Scholarship Program (SESP), a short-term or up to 2-years TESDA accredited vocational or technician courses for OFWs and their dependents; OFW Dependents Scholarship Program (OFWDSP), financial assistance to poor but deserving students or dependents of OFWs;

4. workers’ assistance and on-site programs such as tracing whereabouts of OFWs, conciliation services, outreach programs, prison/hospital/company visits, repatriation assistance for distressed workers and human remains, airport assistance, coordination with families; and reintegration program through entrepreneurial skills training/livelihood, financial literacy, and IT training;

5. livelihood loan programs for OFWs who wanted to go into business

6. Special programs and projects such as the “Balik-Pinay, Balik-Hanapbuhay” DOLE Kabuhayan Starter Kit Project for Returning Women OFWs, a livelihood skills training intervention through self/wage employment;

7. OWWA’s “Tuloy-Aral at Tuloy Kolehiyo” scholarship project which would encourage an individual or organizations to sponsor the education of children of less-fortunate former overseas Filipino workers; and

8. Search for 2011 Model OFW Family of the Year Award (MOFYA) with a call for FILCOM to nominate families from KB District.

Welof Ramos reminded workers to renew/update their OWWA membership to avail themselves of its various programs and benefits.

She further announced the scheduled deadline for the application for OWWA-EDSP Scholarship on 30 September 2011 and informed that the nationwide DOST-SEI Merit Scholarship Examination was scheduled on 20 November 2011. All interested applicants were requested to visit the OWWA website for the downloadable application forms.

• SSS Representative Rutor updated the participants on Social Security System (SSS) program and benefits such as maternity, sickness, partial or total disability, death, and funeral benefits. She also mentioned available loan privileges available to SSS members such as the 1 month to 2 months salary loan, housing loan, and home repair and improvement loan.

She emphasized the need for members to continue paying their premium contributions, preferably up to a minimum of 120 contributions to qualify themselves for lifetime retirement pay plus year-end bonus.

She urged OFWs to continue paying their monthly contributions until the age of 60 years or 65 years old to continue enjoying these benefits and have pensions to pay for their needs during old age.

She also discussed SSS Flexi-fund a voluntary provident fund exclusive for OFWs, as an additional service of the SSS on top of its regular OFW membership. She clarified its nature as a pension plan and savings account rolled into one.

• Pag-ibig Representative Feliciano discussed Philippine Republic Act 9679, requiring all overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) to join the Pag-IBIG and enjoy its benefits such as savings that earn tax-free dividends, low-interest housing loans, salary loans, and calamity loans for eligible members.

She also discussed the new Pag-ibig 2 Program which was open to all existing Pag-ibig and OFW members and featured a shorter membership term, higher dividend rate per annum, a minimum of P500 monthly contribution, and savings withdrawable at the end of 5 years at the member’s option.

A total of one hundred three (103) overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) attended the orientations, with thirty four (34) Filipino workers from Adinin Hardware Sdn Bhd and sixty nine (69) FILCOM members.