Latest news with #OWWA
Filipino Times
a day ago
- Filipino Times
Pia Wurtzbach-Jauncey is new OWWA ambassador; joins Serbisyo Caravan in Saudi
The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) has officially named Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach-Jauncey as its new ambassador. The Filipina beauty queen, currently based in Dubai with her husband Jeremy Jauncey, was chosen to help promote the government's programs and services for overseas Filipino workers. As part of her new role, Wurtzbach joined the 'Bagong Bayani ng Mundo: OFW Serbisyo Caravan' in Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia earlier this month, which brought together 12 government agencies offering on-site services for Filipinos, including social security, health coverage, legal aid, and repatriation assistance. 'Al Khobar welcomed us with open hearts. Grateful to be part of the Serbisyo Caravan with [OWWA] and [LoveYourself]. Always a privilege to serve our fellow Filipinos abroad,' Wurtzbach wrote on Instagram following the visit. As a long-time ambassador of HIV advocacy group LoveYourself, Wurtzbach delivered a message on mental health awareness and self-care — topics that are often left undiscussed but, according to OWWA, are essential to the well-being of OFWs. She also visited the Bahay Kalinga Center in the host country, which serves as a temporary shelter for distressed OFWs undergoing repatriation or reintegration processes. Wurtzbach is also featured in OWWA's latest campaign urging overseas Filipinos to secure their e-Card, which serves as proof of active membership and provides easier access to government services. 'Si Pia nga, may OWWA e-Card na… Ikaw, papahuli ka ba?' OWWA said in a Facebook post. 'Bilang bagong OWWA Ambassador, hinihikayat ni Pia ang ating mga OFW na kunin na rin ang kanilang e-Card.' E-Cards are currently available at the DMW Center Building, OWWA NCR Regional Office, and the OFW Lounge at NAIA Terminal 3, with more distribution sites to be opened soon.
GMA Network
4 days ago
- GMA Network
Ilonggo seafarers who survive Red Sea attack return home
Three of four Ilonggo crew members of a cargo ship attacked by Houthi rebels at the Red Sea in Yemen have come home to Iloilo. Their families met them along with officials of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) 6 and Public Employment Service Office-Iloilo. One of them is Rodmel Canto from the Municipality of Oton, while the others are from San Miguel and Iloilo City. The Ilonggo crew members of MV Eternity C survived the attack on July 8, 2025. The fourth Ilonggo seafarer from San Miguel has chosen to stay in Metro Manila yet, as of this writing. However, the three Ilonggo seafarers refused GMA Regional TV One Western Visayas an interview. According to OWWA 6, they will continue to coordinate with the three for psychosocial counseling. Meanwhile, the search for four other crew members from Western Visayas who are among 13 missing persons continues, as of posting time.
GMA Network
4 days ago
- Politics
- GMA Network
First Lady Liza Marcos visits Bahay Kalinga in Saudi
First Lady Louise 'Liza' Araneta-Marcos visited the Bahay Kalinga temporary accommodations in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia over the weekend. As part of her working visit there, the First Lady met with distressed overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), mothers, and children, delivering the message that they were coming home. Her visit marked the first time a Philippine First Lady visited Bahay Kalinga, which is a temporary accommodation facility for OFWs awaiting repatriation in Saudi Arabia. During the visit, the First Lady listened to the stories of hardship, quiet strength, and hope of the OFWs. As directed by President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr., the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) facilitated the safe repatriation of 43 distressed OFWs and eight minor dependents, including those with medical needs. Each repatriate received financial and reintegration assistance — ?50,000 from DMW, ?10,000 from OWWA plus Balik Pinas, Balik Hanapbuhay aid, ?10,000 from DSWD, and ?60,000 from the Office of the President — along with travel luggage and essentials from the First Lady. The OWWA also provided transportation and temporary accommodation support for the OFWs who are returning to Visayas and Mindanao. Meanwhile, the First Lady also visited the Bagong Bayani ng Mundo Serbisyo Caravan, where she met OFWs availing themselves of services from frontline agencies. It was the first time a wide array of government agencies — including DMW, OWWA, PhilHealth, SSS, Pag-IBIG, DTI, Landbank, DSWD, PAO, and PSA — came together in one caravan to bring services to OFWs in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.—LDF, GMA Integrated News
Filipino Times
17-07-2025
- Business
- Filipino Times
Serbisyo Caravan to launch in Riyadh, PH gov't to bring full services to OFWs
OFWs in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will be the first in the Middle East to benefit from the 'Bagong Bayani ng Mundo: OFW Serbisyo Caravan,' launching on July 18, 2025, at the Green Hall Bowling Center in Riyadh. The initiative, led by the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), aims to deliver whole-of-government services directly to Filipinos abroad, with various national agencies participating, expecting to serve around 4,500 individuals. Joining the DMW are the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, the Department of Social Welfare and Development, the Department of Trade and Industry, the Public Attorney's Office, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), Social Security System, Home Development Mutual Fund (Pag-IBIG Fund), Land Bank of the Philippines, and the Philippine Statistics Authority. Attendees can avail of services including legal consultations, counseling, welfare and livelihood assistance, OWWA e-card processing, contract verification, national ID application, business support, and membership verification with various agencies. DMW officials Undersecretary Dominique Rubia-Tutay and Assistant Secretary Venecio V. Legaspi, along with OWWA Administrator Patricia Yvonne Caunan and Labor Attaché Atty. Dominador Salanga, will lead the event. The Serbisyo Caravan will also be held in the UAE at the Dubai World Trade Center on August 3.
Filipino Times
17-07-2025
- Filipino Times
8 Filipino Seafarers Attacked in Red Sea Return Safely Home, Gov't Extends Full Support
Eight Filipino seafarers from the MV Eternity C, who were caught in two Houthi rebel attacks in the Red Sea earlier this month, have arrived safely in the Philippines. They landed at NAIA Terminal 1 in Pasay City on July 16, 2025, via flight SV870. Their homecoming was facilitated through the coordinated efforts of various Philippine agencies, following President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s directive. The seafarers had been working on a Greek-managed cargo vessel when it was attacked on July 7 and 8. Support teams from the Migrant Workers Office (MWO), Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), and the Philippine Consulate in Jeddah ensured their safety and immediate assistance prior to repatriation. The returning seafarers will receive financial aid, medical care, and reintegration support from the DMW's AKSYON Fund, OWWA, DSWD, DOH, DOTr, and TESDA to help them transition back to life with their families.
