The Philippine Embassy Brunei through the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) recently conducted outreach program to Filipino workers in Sunlit Advertising Sdn. Bhd. on Friday, 29 April 2011 for an orientation on POLO, OWWA, SSS and Pag-ibig programs and services.
The purpose of the visits/briefings was to provide OFWs with basic knowledge/updates on Philippine Embassy programs and services, particularly on labour and welfare services and OWWA/SSS/Pag-ibig membership coverage.
The said activity was part of the Embassy’s continuing effort to reach out to overseas Filipino workers, and in the process, promote better understanding and cooperation between and among the Philippine Embassy and OFWs in Brunei.
Mr. Jackson Ting, Managing Director, and Ma. Jocelyn Asong, HR Administrator of Sunlit Advertising, welcomed the Philippine Embassy Officers and staff.
The resource speakers on these briefing were Labor Attaché Ana C. Dione, Welfare Officer Zenaida S. Ramos, SSS Representative Marivic Rutor, and Pag-ibig Representative Arlina Feliciano.
·Labor Attaché Dione discussed POLO’s major programs and services, which generally included labor and welfare services for OFWs. She cited the current Philippine policies on the deployment of Filipino workers; the need for contract verification; requirements for returning OFWs; and issuance of OECs, which facilitated exit from the Philippines and exempted OFWs from paying travel tax and airport fees. She likewise encouraged OFWs to save toward financial independence.
·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 is 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 EDSP, a 4 to 5 years baccalaureate scholarships for OFW’s qualified dependents; 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, “Tuloy-Aral” and “Tuloy-Kolehiyo” Scholarship for children of former OFWs who could not send their dependent to elementary, high school and college.
4. Workers assistance and on-site programs such as tracing whereabouts of OFWs, conciliation services, outreach programs, prison/hospital/company visitation, reatriation assistance of distressed workers and human remains, airport assistance, coordination with families; and reintegration program through entrepreneurial skills training/livelihood, financial literacy, and IT training; and
5. Livelihood loan programs for OFWs who wanted to go into business
Welof Ramos reminded the workers to renew/update their OWWA membership to avail themselves of its various programs and benefits and as insurance protection.
. SSS Representative Rutor updated the participants on Social Security System (SSS) program and benefits. 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 also discussed maternity, sickness, partial or total disability, death, and funeral benefits. 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.
· 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.
A total of forty one (41) overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) of Sunlit Advertising attended the orientations.
