TACLOBAN CITY-The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) has opened its OWWA Rebate Portal on September 1, 2019 as part of the launching of the OWWA Rebate Program.
The OWWA Rebate Program is in compliance with the provision of the OWWA Act which is to implement the grant of rebate to long-time members of OWWA.
The OWWA Rebate Portal will aid the distribution of the OWWA Rebate Program and functions as a database for qualified OFW-members.
This online system, developed by OWWA, is where member-OFWs can easily verify if they are eligible to the rebate program. It also serves as an appointment system where the qualified beneficiaries can set an appointment to the nearest OWWA office.
Qualified to the rebate program are OFWs who have been members of OWWA for at least 10 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.
Qualified beneficiaries will present the appointment code that will be sent via SMS after setting an appointment, to their chosen OWWA Regional Welfare Offices including other documentary requirements for verification.
After the verification process, the beneficiaries will provide his/her bank details where OWWA will deposit the amount of his/her rebate.
The amount of the rebate can also be donated by the beneficiaries to the Tuloy-Aral Project (TAP) of OWWA to help send kids of less fortunate OFWs to school. It can also be used as payment for the renewal of OWWA membership for OFWs who still have active employment contract abroad.
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 of the rebate per OWWA database.
OFW-members will be able to access the OWWA Rebate Portal via the OWWA website owwa.gov.ph. For further questions about the OWWA Rebate Program, visit the nearest OWWA Regional Welfare Office in your area or call OWWA Hotline 1348. (PR)
