OWWA Bicol to Open Satellite Office in Naga City

LEGAZPI CITY, Dec, 14  -- In consonance with the 22-point agenda of the Aquino administration and through the initiatives of Naga City Mayor John G. Bongat, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) in Bikol will open its satellite office in Naga City on December 15, this year to directly serve more than 25,000 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and their families in Camarines provinces.

OWWA Bicol director Jocelyn Hapal said the agency will field three personnel at the new office Mondays thru Thursdays at 9:00am-5:00pm and provide the whole range of OWWA programs in time for the peak season of OFW arrivals for the holidays.

Naga City has the highest number of OFWs in the Bikol region.

“We are more than happy to host the OWWA operation. It is our way of recognizing the contributions of the Filipino workers abroad to the development not only of the City of Naga but of the whole Region as well,” Mayor John Bongat of Naga City said.

OWWA administrator Carmelita S. Dimzon said that she hopes to make the satellite office in the immediate future a one-stop shop by inviting in PhilHealth, Pag-Ibig, and SSS and make their programs and services accessible to most OFWs and their families.

OFWs who are on vacation can now secure the overseas employment certificates (OEC) or exit permit at the satellite offic, instead of going to OWWA in Legazpi City or to POEA in Manila.

According to Hapal, the satellite office will bring about the following benefits: immediate action on complaints and request for assistance of OFWs and their families, including monitoring of illegal recruitment and trafficking incidences; increased and faster processing of program availment; faster and less costly processing of OECs and OWWA membership for vacationing OFWs and name hires; continuity and holistic benefit from integrated community and LGU-based support; and more active participation in organized OFW family circles/associations.

The OWWA Naga satellite office is located at the 3rd floor of the R.S. Roco Library in Naga City Hall Complex. (KTRamirez-Villamor, OWWA Bicol/PIA)