Whether planning to apply for livelihood and scholarship assistance or renew your OWWA membership, booking an appointment with the relevant offices is essential to ensure you can process your concern during your visit. Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) may need to schedule an appointment to conduct business with Overseas Workers Welfare Administration Regional Welfare Offices (OWWA – RWOs) in the country or at the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) abroad.
In recent years, the policies of OWWA RWOs and POLO-OWWA offices abroad have changed due to the constraints of the pandemic, as some offices require OFWs to schedule an appointment to process OWWA services, including renewal of OWWA membership, availing social benefits, or request for Educational Livelihood Assistance Program (ELAP). However, since there are many OWWA RWOs in the Philippines and POLO-OWWA offices abroad, the procedures for booking an appointment may vary.
Thus, we’ve created an in-depth guide on how to schedule an OWWA appointment for OFWs. This article includes the steps on how to schedule an appointment with OWWA RWOs using the online Appointment Scheduler portal. We will also feature the steps on how to schedule an appointment with POLO-OWWA offices abroad and other ways to secure an OWWA appointment. So if you wish to avail of any OWWA programs and services locally or abroad, keep reading to find out how to book an OWWA appointment.
How to Schedule an Appointment with OWWA Regional Welfare Office via Online Scheduler
For OFWs vacationing in the Philippines, you can apply for OWWA services at the nearest OWWA Regional Welfare Office (RWO). To do so, you need to schedule an appointment with OWWA RWO via the Appointment Scheduler portal by following the steps below:
- Visit the online Appointment Scheduler of OWWA thru this link: https://appointment.owwa.gov.ph/.
- Choose any of the following OWWA Office on the dropdown menu where you want to book an appointment:
- NCR – National Capital Region
- Region I (Ilocos Region)
- Region II (Cagayan Valley)
- Region III (Central Luzon)
- Region IV-A (CALABARZON)
- Region IV-B (MIMAROPA)
- Region V (Bicol Region)
- Region VI (Western Visayas)
- Region VII (Central Visayas)
- Region VIII (Eastern Visayas)
- Region IX (Zamboanga Peninsula)
- Region X (Northern Mindanao)
- Region XI (Davao Region)
- Region XII (SOCCSKSARGEN)
- CAR – Cordillera Administrative Region
- ARMM – Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao
- NCR – National Capital Region
- Region I (Ilocos Region)
- Region II (Cagayan Valley)
- Region III (Central Luzon)
- Region IV-A (CALABARZON)
- Region IV-B (MIMAROPA)
- Region V (Bicol Region)
- Region VI (Western Visayas)
- Region VII (Central Visayas)
- Region VIII (Eastern Visayas)
- Region IX (Zamboanga Peninsula)
- Region X (Northern Mindanao)
- Region XI (Davao Region)
- Region XII (SOCCSKSARGEN)
- CAR – Cordillera Administrative Region
- ARMM – Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao
- NCR – National Capital Region
- Region I (Ilocos Region)
- Region II (Cagayan Valley)
- Region III (Central Luzon)
- Region IV-A (CALABARZON)
- Region IV-B (MIMAROPA)
- Region V (Bicol Region)
- Region VI (Western Visayas)
- Region VII (Central Visayas)
- Region VIII (Eastern Visayas)
- Region IX (Zamboanga Peninsula)
- Region X (Northern Mindanao)
- Region XI (Davao Region)
- Region XII (SOCCSKSARGEN)
- CAR – Cordillera Administrative Region
- ARMM – Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao
- Select any of the following types of programs for your appointment before clicking the Next button:
- BPBH
- Check Releasing
- Conciliation/Negotiation
- Death
- DOLE-AKAP
- EDLP
- EDSP
- ELAP-Education
- ELAP-Livelihood
- FRAP Check Releasing
- MEDPlus
- Reintegration
- Scholarship – ODSP
- Seaman’s Upgrading Program (SUP)
- Skills for Employment Scholarship Program (SESP)
- Social Benefits – Disability
- WAP
- Workers Assistance – Complaints
- Next, choose your preferred appointment date and time for the OWWA appointment.
- Fill out the required personal information and click the Next button. Also, provide an active and valid email address since OWWA will send the appointment confirmation via email.
- Then, review your appointment information before you click the Submit Appointment button.
- Check your email for the appointment confirmation from OWWA. Take a screenshot or print a copy of the confirmation email and bring it on your appointment day.
Do note that the OWWA Appointment Scheduler only applies to selected OWWA RWO. The type of programs you can book an appointment online varies per OWWA office. Also, it is better to inquire at the nearest OWWA RWO how you can schedule an appointment, especially for OFWs residing in Philippine provinces that are not in the OWWA Appointment Scheduler.
How to Schedule an Appointment with OWWA Regional Welfare Office via Email
If your province is not part of the online Appointment Scheduler, contact OWWA via email on how to schedule an appointment for their services. In addition, OWWA RWOs across the Philippines have different rules, as some require appointments while others accept walk-ins.
So it is ideal to inquire with OWWA thru their email at owwacares@owwa.gov.ph or owwa_opcenter247@yahoo.com. You can also ask OWWA how to schedule an appointment thru their official Facebook page.
How to Schedule an Appointment with OWWA Regional Welfare Office via Text/Call
If OWWA is not responding to your emails, another way to schedule an appointment is by texting or calling their office. To contact OWWA, you may call them thru the following numbers:
- OWWA Hotline – 1348
- NCR Hotline – 09666250016,(02)-891-7601
- Reintegration Unit – (02)-8834-0719
How to Schedule an Appointment with POLO-OWWA Offices Abroad via Online Scheduler
Meanwhile, OFWs abroad can avail of OWWA services by booking an appointment with the designated POLO-OWWA offices in their host country. Since POLO-OWWA offices abroad have different appointment systems, OFWs should contact the concerned office for more information on how to book an OWWA appointment. To schedule an appointment with POLO-OWWA offices abroad, follow the guide below:
- Prepare a valid and active Email Address where POLO-OWWA will send the appointment scheduler confirmation.
- Download the forms you need to fill out. If renewing your OWWA membership, download the OFW Information Sheet thru this link: http://philcongen-toronto.com/consular/docs/ofwinformationsheet.pdf.
- Next, launch your browser and look for the official POLO-OWWA website in your host country. For instance, OFWs in Kuwait and Al Khobar can use the OWWA Appointment Scheduler since the POLO offices in these places are in the system. For OFWs in Milan, schedule an appointment thru the OWWA OSMP Scheduler.
If you’re in Riyadh, you can schedule an appointment thru this link: https://riyadhpe.com/, while OFWs in Dubai and Northern Emirates can visit this link: http://www.polodubaiportal.org/schedule-an-appointment/.
- Once you’re on the designated online scheduler, read and agree to the terms and conditions of use.
- Choose the service you want for the appointment.
- A calendar will appear containing the available dates for appointments. Select your preferred date and time and click the Next button.
- Fill out the required personal information, such as your Full Name, Gender, Birthdate, Address, Email Address, and Mobile Number.
- Double-check your information and click the Save button.
- Then, check your email for the appointment schedule confirmation from OWWA. Take a screenshot or print a copy of the confirmation email and bring it on your appointment day.
How to Schedule an Appointment with POLO-OWWA Offices Abroad via Email
On the other hand, not all POLO-OWWA offices abroad have an online Appointment Scheduler portal. Some countries also don’t have a designated POLO-OWWA office. But OFWs can still access OWWA services abroad thru the Philippine Embassy or Consulate in their host country. Moreover, different POLO-OWWA offices conduct Consular Outreach Mission in countries under their jurisdiction, allowing OFWs to access OWWA services.
In this case, the easiest way to schedule an appointment with POLO-OWWA offices abroad is thru their email. For Consular Outreach Mission, the concerned POLO-OWWA and the Philippine Embassy or Consulate offices often provides an appointment link for their upcoming schedule. To check the appointment link, visit the official website and Facebook page of the relevant offices in your host country for more details.
OWWA Appointment Scheduler
The online Appointment Scheduler of OWWA is accessible thru this link: https://appointment.owwa.gov.ph/.
You can schedule an appointment thru this portal at selected OWWA Regional Welfare Offices (RWOs) and POLO offices abroad. However, the services are limited in some offices.
Below is a screenshot of the OWWA Appointment Scheduler portal:
Reminders for OWWA Appointment
If you wish to apply for any OWWA services, please keep in mind the following reminders:
- An appointment with OWWA RWOs and POLO-OWWA offices may be necessary for selected OWWA services.
- OWWA RWOs in the Philippines may have different policies regarding the appointment. So OFWs should contact their office directly to confirm if they require appointments or accept walk-in applicants.
- Vacationing OFWs may schedule an OWWA appointment online thru the Appointment Scheduler portal at https://appointment.owwa.gov.ph/.
- The OWWA Appointment Scheduler portal has limited OWWA RWOs, and the programs offered vary per office.
- OFWs in Kuwait and Al Khobar can also schedule an OWWA appointment using the Appointment Scheduler portal.
- OFWs who wish to schedule an appointment with POLO-OWWA offices abroad should look for the designated appointment portal in their host country.
- OFWs without an appointment or who cannot present a printed copy of the confirmation email from OWWA may not be permitted to enter the premise on the appointment day.
- Dress appropriately during your appointment since you’re visiting a government office. Applicants will not be allowed to enter the premise if wearing prohibited outfits, including sleeveless or tank tops, sando, shorts, miniskirts, ripped jeans, and slippers.
- Maintain social distancing and always wear your face masks during the appointment.
- No matter what service you’re processing, ensure your requirements are complete since OWWA RWOs or POLO-OWWA will not process applicants with incomplete documents.
- Contact the relevant offices or visit their official websites and Facebook pages for more details on the appointment procedures.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to apply for OWWA services?
To apply for OWWA services in the Philippines, you should book an appointment to visit the OWWA Regional Welfare Office (RWO), which covers your permanent address. If abroad, book an appointment with the designated POLO-OWWA office in your host country to apply for OWWA services.
Can I go to OWWA without an appointment?
It depends. You should verify with the OWWA office you’re visiting if they require an appointment or accept walk-ins since each office has different policies. The same goes for POLO-OWWA offices abroad.
Summary
Remember, this guide only features an overview of the basic steps on how to schedule an OWWA appointment for OFWs. Thus, we advise OFWs to contact directly the concerned office for the detailed steps and requirements for the service they wish to apply for since the policies will vary based on the location of OWWA RWOs or POLO-OWWA offices abroad. Nonetheless, you can still refer to this guide to schedule an appointment for OWWA services.