The Philippine Embassy in Brunei through the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) conducted an outreach program for Filipino members of San Lorenzo Ruiz (SLR) Prayer Community Group at the Church of Our Lady of Assumption (COLA) at Bandar Seri Begawan on 24 July 2011.

The purpose of the briefing was to provide OFWs info on Philippine Embassy programs and services, particularly on labor and welfare services and OWWA/SSS/Pag-ibig membership coverage.

The said activity was part of the Embassy's continuing effort to reach out to overseas Filipino workers, and in the process, promote better understanding and cooperation between and among the Philippine Embassy and OFWs in Brunei.

SLR Prayer Community Group Leader Crisanto Medrano welcomed the Philippine Embassy Officers and staff.

The resource speakers for these briefings included Welfare Officer Zenaida S. Ramos, SSS Representative Marivic Rutor, and Pag-ibig Representative Arlina Feliciano.

•Welfare Officer Ramos discussed the documentary requirements and the purpose for securing Overseas Exit Clearance (OEC) for all migrant workers traveling to the Philippines. She cited the OEC as a means to exempt a Filipino worker from paying the Php 750.00 terminal fee and Php 1,620.00 travel tax for his return to his overseas employment.

She clarified that the OEC would be issued only to legitimate Overseas Filipino Workers whose employment contract had been verified by the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) or by the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA). The OEC would not apply to tourists.

She noted that OFWs who had any changes in their contract - - e.g., the salary, position, employer - - needed to have their contract verified by POLO to update their employment record at the POEA, prior to the issuance of their OEC.

She stressed that this requirement was in accordance to Republic Act 10022 amending Republic Act 8042 known as the Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995, signed into law on 08 March 2010.

•Welof Ramos also discussed the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) programs and benefits. These consisted of:

1.disability, dismemberment, and death benefits, on top of what was stipulated in the OFW's employment contract;

2.education and training benefits, such as Education Development Scholarship Program (EDSP), a 4 to 5 years baccalaureate scholarships for OFWs qualified dependents with 150 scholarship slots per school year; Skills for Employment Scholarship Program (SESP), a short-term or up to 2-years TESDA accredited vocational or technician courses for OFWs and their dependents; Overseas Filipino Workers Development Scholarship Program (OFWDSP), a financial assistance for poor but deserving students or dependents of OFWS under the new OFW dependent scholarship with a target of 1,250 scholars nationwide;

3.livelihood loan programs for OFWs who wanted to go into business; and

4.workers assistance and on-site programs such as reintegration program through skills training/livelihood, counseling services, conciliation of cases, healthcare concerns of OFWs (visit to sick OFWs in hospitals), and assistance in the repatriation of distressed workers and human remains;

5.Special programs and projects such as the "Balik-Pinay, Balik-Hanapbuhay" DOLE Kabuhayan Starter Kit Project for Returning Women OFWs, a livelihood skills training intervention through self/wage employment;

6.OWWA's "Tuloy-Aral at Tuloy Kolehiyo" scholarship project which would encourage an individual or organizations to sponsor the education of children of less-fortunate former overseas Filipino workers; and

7.opening for nomination for the search for 2011 Model OFW Family of the Year Award (MOFYA) and the extension of the deadline for nomination of 2011 Bagong Bayani Awardees (BBA) to 31 July 2011.

Welof Ramos reminded workers to renew/update their OWWA membership to avail themselves of its various programs and benefits as well as for their protection.

She also encouraged OFWs to nominate OFWs who qualify for the 2011 MOFYA and 2011 BBA and to be role models for other OFW families.

•SSS Representative Rutor updated the participants on Social Security System (SSS) programs and benefits. She emphasized the need for members to continue paying their premium contributions, preferably up to 120 months contributions to qualify them for lifetime retirement pay plus year-end bonus.

She also discussed maternity, sickness, partial or total disability, death, and funeral benefits. Likewise, she briefed participants on various SSS loan packages and investment in the SSS Flexi Fund. She urged OFWs to continue paying their monthly contributions until the age of 60 years or 65 years old to continue enjoying these benefits and have pensions to pay for their needs during old age.

•Pag-ibig Representative Feliciano discussed Philippine Republic Act 9679, requiring all overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) to join the Pag-IBIG and enjoy its benefits such as savings that will earn tax-free dividends, low interest housing loans, salary loans, and calamity loans for eligible members.

A total of forty three (43) overseas Filipino workers attended the orientation.

They expressed appreciation to the Philippine Embassy for this orientation, which would enhance their understanding of the various labor policies of both the Philippines and Brunei Darussalam and enable them to avail themselves of programs and services being offered by the Philippine Embassy.

Orientation on PE's Programs and Services For San Lorenzo Ruiz Prayer Community Sunday, 24 July 2011