Source: http://www.theofwonline.com/ (by: By RECTO MERCENE)A new online computer system, tested at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), proved to be effective in tracking down overseas contract workers that have been issued special identification cards.
The aim of the project is to give the ID card to all legitimate contract workers, estimated to be about three million, so that they could avail themselves of benefits without the hassle of verifying voluminous documents.
The Philippines Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) estimates that there are three million overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), while four million others are considered undocumented aliens and are working illegally in various countries abroad.
When all of these legitimate OFWs are eventually issued their ID card, the owner can transact business with the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) regarding claims for benefits without much delay, according to OWWA administrator Wilhelm Soriano.
The ID card that costs P10 will be issued for free to OFWs since the amount has been deducted from their POEA fee and OWWA membership fee, Soriano said.
"The ID system will bring about an efficient assessment of grant of the OWWA's program and services to its members since a quick look at the OFW card will reveal the date of his departure and arrival in the Philippines," Soriano said.
He added that this information will automatically serve as the OFWs contract record.
At the airport, a departing or arriving OFW will have to swipe his ID card and the computer simply stores the record in a databank to be accessed later. Documented workers who are OWWA members and contributors would have to renew their contract yearly if they were contracted on a yearly basis and every two years if their contract is "perpetual."
OWWA members are eligible to apply at the agency's programs and services that include insurance coverage, scholarship program, loan assistant, medical assistance and others.
These benefits are on top of the mantle of protection the OFWs receive from the government.
OWWA officials said the government is planning more innovations to assist OFWs who are considered as "modern heroes" that remit billions of dollars every year and help stimulate the economy during the current economic crisis.
The aim of the project is to give the ID card to all legitimate contract workers, estimated to be about three million, so that they could avail themselves of benefits without the hassle of verifying voluminous documents.
The Philippines Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) estimates that there are three million overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), while four million others are considered undocumented aliens and are working illegally in various countries abroad.
When all of these legitimate OFWs are eventually issued their ID card, the owner can transact business with the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) regarding claims for benefits without much delay, according to OWWA administrator Wilhelm Soriano.
The ID card that costs P10 will be issued for free to OFWs since the amount has been deducted from their POEA fee and OWWA membership fee, Soriano said.
"The ID system will bring about an efficient assessment of grant of the OWWA's program and services to its members since a quick look at the OFW card will reveal the date of his departure and arrival in the Philippines," Soriano said.
He added that this information will automatically serve as the OFWs contract record.
At the airport, a departing or arriving OFW will have to swipe his ID card and the computer simply stores the record in a databank to be accessed later. Documented workers who are OWWA members and contributors would have to renew their contract yearly if they were contracted on a yearly basis and every two years if their contract is "perpetual."
OWWA members are eligible to apply at the agency's programs and services that include insurance coverage, scholarship program, loan assistant, medical assistance and others.
These benefits are on top of the mantle of protection the OFWs receive from the government.
OWWA officials said the government is planning more innovations to assist OFWs who are considered as "modern heroes" that remit billions of dollars every year and help stimulate the economy during the current economic crisis.
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