The head of Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) issued an urgent appeal Friday for millions of undocumented or non-registered migrant workers to enroll in the national welfare fund, citing a recent case where a family was denied funeral benefits because a deceased worker was not a member.
OWWA Administrator Patricia Yvonne M. Caunan told reporters at a press conference that only 2.6 million of the estimated 5 million Filipinos working abroad are currently active members of the agency.
The disparity leaves nearly half of the country’s overseas workforce without a safety net during emergencies.
“I have a fellow Batangueño OFW who died abroad,” Caunan said. “We were able to help repatriate the remains, but as much as I wanted to help the family receive burial assistance, I couldn’t. They weren’t an OWWA member, and I cannot simply use the fund because that money belongs to the members.”
The agency serves as the primary welfare institution for Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), a demographic whose remittances are a vital pillar of the Philippine economy. Membership costs $25 (approximately 1,400 pesos) and is valid for two years.
While the agency assists in the repatriation of any distressed Filipino regardless of status, many secondary benefits—including burial grants, health aid, and scholarships—are strictly reserved for dues-paying members.
Caunan outlined a suite of benefits intended to incentivize registration, including 15,000 existing scholarship slots for OFW families, with plans to add another 35,000 positions. Other perks include reintegration programs that provide access to business capital, upskilling at a planned “OFW Academy,” and discounts on travel and medical services via an electronic ID card.
The administrator noted that many workers remain unregistered due to a lack of awareness. To bridge the gap, the agency is ramping up digital information campaigns and financial literacy workshops.
“OWWA membership is voluntary, but we hope it becomes among the mandatory requirements… so that everyone becomes a member,” Caunan said.
The Philippines is one of the world’s largest exporters of labor, with workers sought after for what Caunan described as “soft skills” and a reputation for resilience.
“Amid difficult situations, we still smile and continue to work because of our dedication to our jobs and our love for our families,” she said. “This is a characteristic foreign employers love in us.”
