OWWA assistance limited only to repatriation?
Under Republic Act 10801, or the Overseas Workers Welfare Act, OWWA’s responsibilities go beyond repatriation. They also cover healthcare, death and disability benefits, among others.
The son of a former overseas Filipino worker (OFW) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is asking for help after his father’s brain surgery left them with overwhelming hospital bills.
On Tuesday’s episode of DAILY TRIBUNE’s digital show Usapang OFW, Mark Manongsong shared that their medical expenses have already reached AED 153,000 (roughly P2.37 million) following his father Joselito Estrecho Manongsong’s stroke and urgent operation.
“They found in the CT scan that there was a blockage in his head veins, and his brain was being compressed, so surgery was necessary,” Mark explained.
Joselito worked for 14 years as an industrial machine sales technician in a construction company in the UAE. He eventually became a resident and brought Mark to live with him. However, a travel ban tied to a credit card debt has prevented him from returning to the Philippines.
This debt came about after his former company failed to release his end-of-service benefits worth AED 10,750 when he resigned. Although a Dubai court ruled in Joselito’s favor three years ago, the benefits remain unpaid.
Seeking financial help, Mark approached the Philippine Embassy in the UAE, where he was referred to the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA).
But OWWA told him their assistance is limited to repatriation. DAILY TRIBUNE has sought a comment from OWWA on the matter.
“They told me at OWWA that the help they could offer was repatriation, but for that to happen, the travel ban must be lifted. I understand that, since it’s the rule,” he said.
However, under Republic Act 10801, or the Overseas Workers Welfare Act, OWWA’s responsibilities go beyond repatriation. They also cover healthcare, death and disability benefits, among others. In some cases, OWWA can extend certain programs even to non-members.
Mark was later referred to the Assistance-to-Nationals (ATN) team and the legal division but was left waiting until mid-afternoon and had to leave early to attend to his father.
The ATN, once under the Department of Foreign Affairs and now under the Department of Migrant Workers since 2023 through Republic Act 11641, handles cases that include medical assistance and go beyond repatriation.