Nature of the OWWA.
SEC. 4. Nature of the OWWA. – The OWWA is a national government agency vested with the special function of developing and implementing welfare programs and services that respond to the needs of its member-OFWs and their families. It is endowed with powers to administer a trust fund to be called the OWWA Fund. Being a chartered institution, the OWWA shall not fall under any of the following categories: government instrumentalities with corporate powers (GICPs), government corporate entities (GCEs), government financial institutions (GFIs) and/or government-owned or -controlled corporations (GOCCs).
The OWWA shall be an attached agency of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE). Its officials and employees are covered by the Salary Standardization Law.
Scope.
SEC. 5. Scope. – This Act shall apply to the OWWA, the OWWA Secretariat, the OWWA Fund, to its member-OFWs and those who will avail of the voluntary membership program of the OWWA, and to overseas recruitment/manning agencies/employers who are duly registered with the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA).
Functions.
SEC. 6. Functions. – The OWWA shall exercise the following functions:
(a) To protect the interest and promote the welfare of member-OFWs in all phases of overseas employment in recognition of their valuable contribution to the overall national development effort;
(b) To facilitate the implementation of the provisions of the Labor Code of the Philippines (Presidential Decree No. 442, as amended) and the Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995 (Republic Act No. 8042, as amended), concerning the responsibility of the government to promote the well-being of OFWs. Pursuant thereto, and in furtherance thereof, it shall provide legal assistance to member-OFWs;
(c) To provide social and welfare programs and services to member-OFWs, including social assistance, education and training, cultural services, financial management, reintegration, and entrepreneurial development services;
(d) To provide prompt and appropriate response to global emergencies or crisis situations affecting OFWs and their families;
(e) To ensure the efficiency of collections and the viability and sustainability of the OWWA Fund through sound, judicious, and transparent investment and management policies;
(f) To undertake studies and researches for the enhancement of the social, economic, and cultural well-being of member-OFWs and their families;
(g) To develop, support and finance specific projects for the welfare of member-OFWs and their families; and
(h) To ensure the implementation of all laws and ratified international conventions within its jurisdiction.
