Pursuant to Republic Act 10801 also known as the OWWA Act and to accelerate  the access of OWWA programs and services, an OFW e-CARD for membership and benefits was launched by the Overeseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) early this year.

The OFW e-CARD is the official ID card of active and documented Overseas Filipino Workers. It provides easy access to OWWA programs, including welfare services, scholarships, training programs, and social benefits. It has a digital version through the OWWA Mobile App and may also serve as a valid government ID.

As of November 2019, OWWA Region XI has received a total of 8,659 online applications. Of this number, around 5,102 members of OWWA have already claimed their OFW e-CARD at the OWWA Regional Welfare Office XI in Monteverde St., Davao City.

The OFW e-CARD is available for free to all Balik-Manggagawa OFWs with active OWWA membership, a valid Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC) or Exemption number, and a valid passport.

OFWs who successfully applied for the e-CARD may claim it at the nearest OWWA regional office upon their return to the Philippines. Their family member may claim on their behalf provided that they will present an authorization letter and a copy of the OFW’s identification page.

With the provision of the OFW e-CARD, OFWs can now have easy access to the programs and services of OWWA. Aileencris Almania, a data encoder in UAE felt glad to have an OFW e-CARD because she can use it in all her government transactions while Fellcris Orias said that the new ID is useful to her, especially in availing of the OWWA programs and services.

Qualified OWWA members who wish to apply for an OFW e-CARD may visit the OWWA official website at www.owwa.gov.ph or visit the nearest OWWA regional office. In region XI, OWWA is located at Monteverde St., Davao City and can be reached through hotline numbers 0917-7011135 or 0917-7011126. (by: Maricel T. Sarabillo, LCO, OWWA-RWO XI)