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WV OFW land-based deployment reaches 8,762 Jan.-Sept.
A total of 8,760 Filipinos were hired for overseas land based jobs from January to September of this year, according to the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration 6. (OWWA)
The OWWA report indicated that of the 8,762 hired OFWs, 3,392 are males and 5, 370 are females. Most of these OFWs are employed in Saudi Arabia and Hongkong.
OWWA 6 Overseas Workers Welfare Officer III/Collecting Officer Nancy Oyco said that it was in the month of April that the highest number of OFWs deployment was recorded with 1,217. This is followed in May with 1,206, January with 1,192, June with 1,029, August with 939, March with 937, July with 832, February with 710, and September with 700.
Oyco said that these OFWs have also contributed a total of P11, 171, 550 to the OWWA fund during the same period.
One of the requirements before an overseas worker will be granted an Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC) by the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) is to settle their OWWA contribution of P1,275 per validity of contract.
Uyco said the contributions are used for OFWs insurance coverages and repatriation assistance/services. This is also where funds for programs, projects and activities of OWWA are taken.
Aside from providing overseas workers assistance and on-site services, OWWA also provides education and training benefits not only to OFWs but for their families as well.
Some of the educational training and benefits being offered by OWWA to OFW and their qualified dependents include Skills-for-Employment Scholarship Program (SESP), Education for Development Scholarship Program (EDSP) and the Seafarers Upgrading Program (SUP). Just this year, it launched its "Tuloy Aral" project for dependents of former OFWs.
It has also set aside funds for its Loan Guarantee Fund program and other livelihood programs such as the "Groceria cum Botika". This is an income-generating opportunity for OFWs' families/organization where they could avail of loan in form of merchandise goods worth P50,000. This project is in line with the job generation thrust of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.
(PIA)