In compliance to the provision of the Republic Act (RA) 10801 otherwise known as the OWWA Act which sets to implement the grant of rebates to long-time members of OWWA, the Regional Welfare Office (RWO) XI has released a total of Php 2,015,969.25 to 857 OWWA members who availed of the OWWA Rebate Program (ORP) from the date of its implementation on September 10, 2019 up to November 29, 2019.

Qualified beneficiaries of the ORP are OFWs who have been members of OWWA for at least ten years with at least five or more contributions as of December 31, 2017. These OFW-members or his/her family should not have availed of any program or benefit from OWWA.

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. Qualified OFWs may be able to claim Php 941.25 up to Php 13,177.50 based on the number of their contributions. The amount will be deposited to their respective bank accounts.

One of the qualified beneficiaries of the program in Davao Region is Jose Aguilar Jr., a Payroll Analyst of a cruise ship for 17 years now. He felt glad that he qualified for the rebate program. “I appreciate OWWA for giving its members a benefit like the rebate program. It is really a good program of OWWA that can help us in some other way. It’s not just about the amount but the giving of importance to its members,” said Aguilar.

Another OFW who availed of the program is Edward Gramahe who received a rebate of Php 3,388.25. He worked as a seafarer for 30 years with 20 OWWA membership contributions. He thanked OWWA for giving him the opportunity to avail of the rebate program. He said that the he will give the money to his daughter for the processing of her documents for overseas employment.

To date, OWWA –RWO XI is still accepting OWWA members who wish to avail of the OWWA Rebate Program. They may visit the OWWA official website www.owwa.gov.ph for their application and online appointment or visit the Regional Welfare Office XI located at Doors E-G, Cam Bldg., Monteverde St., Davao City. They can be reached through hotline numbers 0917-7011135/0917-7011126 or landline numbers (082) 227-9536/221-8593. The OWWA Rebate Team will assist and facilitate the inquiries, processing and applications of qualified OWWA members. (by Maricel T. Sarabillo, LCO, OWWA-RWO XI)