THE Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) Lounge at Terminal-1 of Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) is bustling with activity as the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration or OWWA provides services to OFWs for the new OWWA E-card version 2.
The pilot testing for the new OWWA ID card began on June 5 of this year.
According to JP Eben of the Management and Information System Division of OWWA, OFW members will receive numerous benefits.
Especially for transactions where an OWWA member OFW can benefit.
“If you have an OWWA E-card, you are a legitimate member of OWWA.
Our OWWA E-card lasts a lifetime. It doesn’t expire. Only the membership, which is renewed every 2 years, expires,” according to John Paul June Eben, Management & Information System Div., OWWA.
OWWA clarified the significant difference between the Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC) and the OWWA E-card.
The OEC is obtained from the Department of Migrant Workers as an exit clearance, while the OWWA is an insurance membership paid by OFWs for 25 dollars or over Php 1,400.
An OFW who is a member of OWWA can avail of the E-card, which is considered a valid ID for all transactions.
“It means a primary ID is accepted anywhere and cannot be refused.”
“In the Philippines, we only have four such IDs: driver’s license, SSS, passport, and OWWA IDs. Of these four, only two do not expire: SSS and OWWA E-card,” added Eben.
Several OFWs waiting for their departure flights in the lounge happily received their OWWA E-cards.
It takes less than an hour to obtain the ID, even with a long queue.
“I’m super happy because I now have an ID,” stated Cherito Morauda, OFW.
“I’m happy because it will easily help those returning to the Philippines,” Ace, OFW said.
“We can now use it for benefits, like quick action for any benefits we are entitled to as OFWs,” Emma Herrera, OFW said.
Over 1,700 OFWs have received the new version of the OWWA E-card so far.
Currently, the issuance of the OWWA E-card is at the OFW Lounge in NAIA Terminal-1.
The new OWWA ID service will also be available at the OFW Lounge in NAIA Terminal-3 in the coming weeks.
“I’m inviting all OFWs, our modern heroes, to come to the OFW Lounge and apply for an OWWA ID.”
“It’s very easy. Just prepare your OEC and passport to verify your record. This is for all of you,” added Eben.
