The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) has granted PHP1 million in cash rebates to 1,700 Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in Eastern Visayas (Region 8) in the past three months.

The program has been running since Sept. 10 but the majority of qualified overseas workers in the region have not yet availed the financial aid, OWWA Region 8 officer-in-charge Juliet Tan told the Philippine News Agency (PNA) on Wednesday.

“We asked all qualified OFWs in Region 8 to take advantage of this opportunity that will only run until Dec. 10,” Tan said.

In the region, some 15,000 OFWs are qualified to avail of the program. They are those who have been members of OWWA for at least 10 years, with at least five or more contributions as of Dec. 31, 2017.

Only OFW member who has not availed any financial benefits from OWWA, which includes a death benefit, disability and dismemberment benefit, burial and livelihood assistance, and scholarship grant is entitled to receive rebates.

Applicants are encouraged to visit the OWWA Rebate Portal via the OWWA website where they will enter some details including complete names to verify their qualifications.

Qualified beneficiaries will present the appointment code that will be sent via text message after setting an appointment to their chosen OWWA regional welfare offices, including other documentary requirements.

After the verification process, a beneficiary will provide his/her bank details where OWWA would deposit the rebate amount.

An OFW can claim a minimum of PHP941 and a maximum of PHP13,177 based on the number of their contributions, Tan said.

Recipients have the option to donate the cash rebate to OWWA’s scholarship program or use as payment for the renewal of OWWA membership for OFWs who have an active employment contract abroad.

“This is the first time OWWA opened the program. The next release will be after three years,” she added.

A total of PHP1 billion is up for distribution to 556,000 qualified beneficiaries nationwide. (PNA)