By Leslie Ann Aquino
Over P40 million has so far been released by the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) for its rebate program for its long-time members.
Overseas Workers Welfare Administration's (MANILA BULLETIN)
"Over 17,000 beneficiaries na po tayo, with P43 million released," OWWA Administrator Hans Leo Cacdac said in his Twitter account @HansLeoCacdac.
He also revealed that 186 of the beneficiaries allocated their rebate benefit for the education of the children of distressed overseas Filipino workers.
The OWWA started the release of the rebate September 10, in compliance with the provision of the OWWA Act which is to implement the grant of rebate to long-time members of OWWA.
Qualified beneficiaries of the rebate program are OFWs who have been members of OWWA for at least ten years with at least five or more contributions made as of December 31, 2017 and OFW-member or his/her family has not availed of any program or benefit from OWWA.
Last September 1, OWWA opened the OWWA Rebate Portal that aids in the distribution of the OWWA Rebate Program. It is an online system where member-OFWs can easily verify if they are eligible for rebate. It also serves as an appointment system where qualified beneficiaries can set an appointment with the nearest OWWA office.
Qualified OFWs may present their appointment code that was sent through a text message and bring at least one valid government-issued ID to their chosen OWWA office for verification. Next-of-kin/family members of OFWs abroad or sick/deceased OFWs are eligible to claim rebate on their behalf.
Qualified OFWs may be able to claim P941.25 up to P13,177.50 based on the number of their contributions. The computation for the Rebate Program is based on an actuarial study commissioned by OWWA which determined the capability of the OWWA Fund to implement the rebate program without negatively affecting the regular programs and services of the agency.
Based on the actuarial study, P1 billion was earmarked for the rebate program to be distributed to the 556,000 beneficiaries per OWWA database.
OFW-members may access the OWWA Rebate Portal via the OWWA website owwa.gov.ph.