CALAMBA CITY (PIA) – The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) in Calabarzon encourages Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) to take advantage of the government’s financial literacy programs to ensure the well-being and future of their families back home.
During the Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas, OWWA IV-A Program and Services Chief Francisca Lanuza said the contributions of OFWs benefit their families in many ways, including scholarship grants.
Throughout the years, OFWs have relied on OWWA for government welfare programs and assistance, especially when they encounter problems abroad.
“Their contributions can help the families left behind in the Philippines avail of various benefits, such as our scholarship grants,” Lanuza said.
Lanuza added, “It is important for OFWs and their families to continue paying their contributions, especially to OWWA, because every time an OFW encounters problems overseas, they have no one else to turn to.”
While the establishment of the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) has led to more streamlined programs ensuring the welfare of OFWs, Lanuza said it would be more beneficial if additional government agencies could also address their needs.
“The DMW is there to support them, but it’s better if two agencies cater to them,” Lanuza added.
Aware of the financial problems faced by some OFWs, OWWA also offers training in financial literacy, where overseas workers can learn how to wisely invest their hard-earned money.
“We provide training on financial literacy because they have been working abroad for a long time, yet some still have no idea how to invest their money. We refer them to our partner banks to help them invest,” Lanuza said.
According to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, OFWs bring in $2.88 billion in personal remittances, which contribute to the country’s economy. (PB/PIA-4A)
Quilao also reported that in 2023, there were 286,687 land-based workers and 113,231 sea-based workers deployed for international jobs.
For the first quarter of 2024, the numbers were 72,230 land-based and 23,606 sea-based workers.
“From pre-employment to their return and re-integration, DMW is committed to supporting our OFWs,” Quilao said. “We also work diligently to protect them from scammers, illegal recruiters, and traffickers.” (PNA)