The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) is giving cash assistance to OFWs bound for China, HK, or Macau with flight tickets from February 2 to 9, 2020; who are unable to return to work due to the temporary travel ban for all Filipino citizens flying to China, HK, and Macau.
PhilCham SH went today, and WE WERE IMPRESSED. The OWWA team is efficient, courteous, hardworking without complaint, and well-organized. When it was around 5pm, they even distributed bottled water and hot snacks (which was delicious). The staff went overtime until all applicants before the cut off time were processed.
This is part of the OWWA CARE (Cash Relief) Program, a one-time cash assistance to OFW-members and their dependents who were displaced or laid-off en masse due to economic/political/health situations.
WHAT MUST YOU BRING TO CLAIM?
1. Passport and a photocopy
2. Print out of Air Ticket from Feb 2 to 9, FINAL destination must be China, HK, or Macau
3. Print out of a Proof of Legal Employment (such as an OEC, work contract, work permit, work visa)
4. Fill out a form, which you'll get once you've registered on site
Bring a pen, snacks, water, and perhaps a book. Mask and alcohol may come handy if it gets crowded. Waiting time today was 2 hours at San Andres Sports Complex in Malate, it may vary per location.
WHERE TO CLAIM?
A. METRO MANILA
Feb 7, 2020 at SM MOA MUSIC HALL
(NOT Convention Center as originally informed to us). 8am to 5pm, but cut-off time was around 4pm. Cut off time varies on the crowd, so come early.
There is no next event date given yet, according to the OWWA staff we asked. Best you go to the OWWA office near you to inquire. They advised to check www.OWWA.gov.ph or their Facebook official account (but as of press time, there is no info there yet).
B. REGIONAL OFFICES
The cash will be given out allegedly by Feb 7 (Friday), or Feb 10 (Monday) at the latest. This is according to an OWWA rep we asked. Best to double check your nearest OWWA branch. You need to go there anyway to submit the paperworks.
WHAT CAN YOU CLAIM?
10,000PHP One-Time cash assistance (confirmed)
Some say there's transportation allowance for those going back to their province (unconfirmed)
This article is based on personal experience. Do your due diligence in fact-checking in your nearest OWWA office