The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) opened its field office in Catanduanes last Monday, July 27, 2026, as it started distributing 25 kilos of rice each to 7,900 active and inactive Overseas Filipino Workers in the province.
OWWA Bicol Regional Director Jenivie Diaz-Aguallo expressed the agency’s gratitude to Virac Mayor Sinforoso Sarmiento Jr. and the local government unit for allowing the use of the office which she said is a big step towards bringing the agency closer to qualified OFWs and their families.
The distribution of the 25-kg. packs of rice is slated from July 27 to 31 in the 11 towns for OFWs who are registered with OWWA, regardless of the status of their membership.
If the OFWs are still working abroad, the nearest kin or family member will be able to claim the rice assistance as long as they bring proof of their relationship like a birth certificate and valid ID.
If the worker himself or herself will claim the pack, all he or she has to do is to present a valid Philippine passport.
The director explained that the rice distribution is part of the OWWA’s emergency assistance program for super typhoon “Uwan” but the release was delayed by the request for funding and the procurement process.
Dir. Aguallo also announced that the online application for the OWWA scholarship program will start this August, with the Bicol region allotted a total of 700 slots.
She said that Public Employment Service Office (PESO) Managers in each LGU will assist applicants in filing the application especially in areas with weak internet connections.
The OFW Dependent Scholarship Program offers financial assistance to children or siblings of OFWs, enabling them to complete a four- or five-year college course.
Intended for OFWs earning $1,000 monthly or less, the program gives P20,000 financial assistance for each school year to qualified beneficiaries.
On the other hand, Dir. Aguallo urged OFWs to ensure that their OWWA memberships are active so they would be able to avail themselves of expanded benefits like death, medical, livelihood, reintegration and other programs.
For instance, she stated, active members who die of natural causes will get P120,000 death benefit while inactive members, those who failed to renew their two-year memberships for US$25 will be receiving only P20,000.
Likewise, she highlighted the importance of legally going abroad to work and of registering with OWWA and reminded that OFWs who left as tourists or did not pass through the legal process is likely to have no record with the agency and cannot avail of the benefits.
The OWWA director reiterated that her office continues to coordinate with PESO managers in Catanduanes for the speedy repatriation, referral and other services for distressed OFWs.