OFWs could have an easier time accessing their benefits if everything goes as planned with their newly launched e-card.
Rappler reported that the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) officially launched its OFW e-card yesterday. It is a membership card which provides access to welfare services, scholarships, training programs, and other social benefits, ABS-CBN News stated.
In order to avail of these benefits, OFWs may simply present their e-card at any OWWA regional welfare office or at the Philippine Overseas Labor Offices (POLO) and embassies or consulates, ABS-CBN News added. It also has a QR code which can be scanned to verify the card’s authenticity.
According to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Secretary and OWWA Board of Trustees chair Silvestre Bello III, they will now work on the next phase which will benefit more OFWs and will include more features in the card. However, he did not specify what these features are.
The e-card also serves as a valid government ID.
Those eligible to apply are OFWs who are active OWWA members and are under the Balik Manggagawa (Rehires) program. It is free for active OFWs who have valid overseas employment certificates (OECs) and valid passports.
OFWs who want to avail an e-card can visit the card’s official website where they can complete an application form. After that, they can claim their e-cards when they return to the Philippines.
They can also ask a family member to get it in their behalf — all they need to do is give their representative an authorization letter and a copy of their passport identification page, according to Manila Bulletin.
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