EVER since 2015 Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach became an Overseas Welfare Workers Administration (OWWA) ambassador last July, she has seriously taken on the cause of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs).
She has travelled abroad – in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) and Hong Kong – to reach out and bond with migrant workers, know their status and needs, share what OWWA is all about and how it continues to uplift the lives of our OFWs.
“Dahil sa inyo, patuloy ang pag-angat ng Pilipinas,” Pia addressed the millions of OFWs abroad. “At sa bawat sakripisyo, narito ang OWWA para sumuporta sa inyo.
“Ang OWWA ay ang ahensya ng pamahalaan na naka-focus sa kapakanan ng OFWs. Mga pangunahing serbisyo ay pre-departure orientation at legal support, welfare services while abroad, medical, psycho-social and repatriation support, reintegration programs for the return of OFW, scholarship, livelihood and training assistance for the family of the OFW.”
As an OWWA member, the OFW has access to emergency help and legal assistance, hospitalization and disability assistance, free training, seminar and counseling, livelihood starter packages and reintegration support and scholarship programs for the children.
That’s why the renewal of an OFW membership is imperative. Updated membership means updated access to OWWA help.
OWWA has 17 regional welfare offices around the Philippines. In Luzon, OWWA is in the Ilocos Region in San Fernando City, La Union (Region I), Cagayan Valley in Tuguegarao (Region II), Central Luzon in San Fernando City, Pampanga (Region III), Calabarzon in Calamba (Region IV-A), Mimaropa in Calapan, Oriental Mindoro (Region IV-B), Bicol Region in Legaspi City, Albay (Region V) and National Capital Region in Pasay City (NCR).
In the Visayas, OWWA is in Western Visayas Iloilo City (Region VI), Central Visayas Cebu City (Region VII), Eastern Visayas Tacloban City (Region VIII), Zamboanga Peninsula in Zamboanga City (Region IX), Northern Mindanao in Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental (Region X);
Davao Region in Davao City (Region XI), SoccSarGen in Koronadal City, South Cotabato (Region XII), Butuan City in Agusan del Norte (Caraga Region), Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao in Cotabato Region (BARMM).Pia banners OWWA’s 15-part video series that tackles HIV (Human Immuno-Deficiency Virus) awareness, sexually transmitted infection (STI), mental health, reproductive rights, health for men and women, substance abuse, digital safety, parenting, love and consent, money management, healthy living, emergency tool kit and repatriation guide.
“Ang pagiging OFW ay hindi madali,” said Pia. “Pero hindi ka kailanman nag-iisa. Sama-sama tayo sa mission na maging ligtas, malusog at empowered ang bawat Pilipino saan mang panig sa mundo.”
Meanwhile, OWWA administrator lawyer PY Caunan, who has been Pia’s lawyer even before the latter became Miss Universe, was the reason Pia got into OWWA without any professional fee. What many Filipinos don’t know that Pia is the daughter of an OFW caregiver.
“When you look for an ambassador, you want someone who will represent many Filipinos,” Caunan shared. “Pia is one personality that is Philippines’ pride and OFWs are pride of the Philippines, as well. Super pro-bono in getting Pia.
“Today is special for OWWA and its members because we received the ceremonial turn over of the donated medical truck from the Office of the First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos in support of the OWWA initiative to have it registered under the PhilHealth Yakap program,” the OWWA administrator added. “That means, it will provide free diagnostic for our OFWs.”
The truck is parked at OWWA’s central office in Pasay, but it will be roving. “The second component of it is we want it to be a complete solution,” Caunan added. “It doesn’t just end with the check-up. We partnered with the Alagang OWWA Botika (drugstore) and Vidacure, the GAMOT-registered PhilHealth partner.
“After getting checked, your bloodwork and the prescription, they can go straight to our drugstore for maintenance drugs prescribed, get enrolled there and you can get free access to over 70 different medicines for free. The allowance is P20,000 every year.
“In the event there are needs that cannot be catered by the two companies, OWWA has a Kalinga desk partnered with DSWD, DOH, PCSO and the Office of the President Action Center. We endorse cases and request for guarantee letters. There is a need for them for their medical needs to be covered financially. That’s also something that we extend.
“I know that this is just one, but it’s the start because what we want is for us to have the same facility in all our 17 regional offices.”
