Leading global financial services organization Sun Life, through its Philippine subsidiary Sun Life Philippines, is set to enhance its service for fewer than 200,000 overseas Filipino worker (OFW) members with its latest offering, the Shine Pinoy Program. This initiative is designed to support OFWs in achieving their financial goals for themselves and their loved ones.

During its launch at the Amosup Hall in Intramuros, Manila on Thursday, Carla Gonzalez-Chong, Chief Client Experience and Marketing Officer of Sun Life Philippines, disclosed that fewer than 200,000 of Sun Life Philippines’ 1.7 million clients are OFWs.

“These numbers remain small. This program is indeed an opportunity for us to transform our OFWs to be financially literate. Our mission never stops here; in fact, this fuels us to be more agile in turning our OFWs’ insurance-covered and making their journey to financial freedom successful,” she said.

Sun Life OFW Health Protect, part of the Shine Pinoy Program, is the first health insurance solution of Sun Life Philippines specifically designed for OFWs and their loved ones.

“It is imperative that OFWs’ families are also financially literate. Nowadays, when remittances arrive at the families, the money only goes to non-essential things, and not to savings. That is why we are tapping the Blas F. Ople Policy Center and Training Institute to spread this initiative,” Gonzalez-Chong stressed.

Further, Cary Casipit, Head of Client Segment Marketing of Sun Life Philippines, revealed that most OFWs are skeptical or hesitant to get insurance because it is not included in their budget and is a lower priority.

"A big chunk of the remittances sent by OFWs goes to food and domestic expenditures. If you see reports and studies, the lower priority for OFWs is health and their retirement plans. That is why we are very eager to improve the number of our insured OFWs," Casipit noted.

OFW Health Protect provides coverage throughout an OFW’s health journey — from prevention to diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation — up to age 100.

The prevention feature enables OFWs to proactively maintain their health through an annual physical examination, specific vaccinations, or teleconsultations.

The insured can avail of one of these benefits starting from the 2nd policy year until the 6th policy year.

In case the insured is diagnosed with any of over 100 critical illnesses covered, Sun Life OFW Health Protect helps fund treatment or other medical expenses through a lump sum cash benefit.

The plan also includes a booster benefit for specific cancer conditions, providing additional cash benefits to help with medical expenses such as hospitalization, follow-up care, and home recovery.

Furthermore, starting as early as age 65, five percent of the policy’s face amount may be received by the insured in advance for eight consecutive years.

This ensures that the OFW has funds to enjoy upon retirement, when they are finally home for good.

MOA with Blas Ople Foundation  

Sun Life Philippines signed a memorandum of agreement with the Blas F. Ople Policy Center and Training Institute to explore ways to help OFWs achieve financial security and return to the Philippines for good.

The collaboration aims to develop initiatives supporting OFWs’ financial security and smooth reintegration into Philippine society.

Following the MOA signing, the event concluded with the Global Pinoy Health and Financial Wellness Day expo. This served as a platform to empower both land-based and sea-based OFWs, as well as their families, through health and financial education, while celebrating their aspirations, resilience, and vital role in the nation’s economic growth.

"Our collaboration with the Blas F. Ople Policy Center and Training Institute is a testament to our shared vision of creating a more secure and prosperous future for OFWs. By combining our expertise, we can develop more holistic solutions that address their evolving needs, from financial literacy to reintegration programs," said Gonzalez-Chong.

For her part, Estelle Ople Osorio, President of the Blas F. Ople Policy Center, stated, "We are truly grateful for our partnership with Sun Life, which empowers us to expand our reach and better equip OFWs and their families with the financial knowledge and tools they need for a more secure and well-rounded future."