Many Filipinos believe that working abroad will make their lives abundant and better. However, working overseas is a life-changing decision that requires sufficient knowledge to strive and adapt to a foreign environment. Therefore, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) provides Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) the Pre-Departure Education Program (PDEP), which consists of seminars that provide them with adequate information about their work and destination countries.
OFWs have been attending the Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar (PDOS) of OWWA since 1983 to equip them with relevant information and skills essential to adapting to their destination country. In 2009, OWWA administered the Comprehensive Pre-Departure Education Program (CPDEP) to Household Service Workers (HSWs). So before you try your luck abroad, keep reading to learn more about OWWA PDOS and CPDEP training programs to ensure your welfare and safety.
What is OWWA PDEP?
The OWWA Pre-Departure Education Program (PDEP) is the Philippine government’s initiative to educate OFWs on necessary information and skills that benefit their welfare and safety. Under PDEP, OFWs will attend training programs based on their work status if departing as migrant workers or HSWs.
PDOS is for migrant workers, which is a country-specific seminar. Meanwhile, HSWs should attend the CPDEP, an orientation seminar to understand the challenges and difficulties OFWs faces.
Country-Specific Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar (PDOS)
The Country-Specific Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar or PDOS is a one-day orientation seminar mandatory for departing migrant workers. PDOS aims to provide basic information that will benefit migrant workers and are country-specific and skill-specific. In addition, this 6-hour orientation seminar discusses OFW’s employment contract, health, safety, travel tips, country profile, financial literacy, and other information to prepare them for overseas employment.
PDOS Modules
Here are the modules under PDOS:
- Migration Realities
- OFW Code of Discipline
- Cultural Perspectives
- Destination Country Profile
- Multi-Cultural environment
- Working hours
- Employment Contract
- Contract obligations and rights of OFWs
- How to deal with a broken contract
- Health and Safety
- Financial Literacy
- Financial planning importance
- Saving and investing
- Available Government Programs and Services for OFWs
- Services and Programs of OWWA
- Other services and programs from government migration agencies
- Travel Procedures and Tips
Comprehensive Pre-Departure Education Program (CPDEP)
The Comprehensive Pre-Departure Education Program (CPDEP) is another version of PDOS, specifically for Household Service Workers (HSWs). CPDEP is an orientation seminar attended by departing HSWs tackling the struggles of OFWs, such as language barriers and destination countries’ cultures. It usually lasts 2 to 6 days and is a mandatory seminar for HSWs. Moreover, CPDEP aims to prepare and educate HSWs regarding working environments abroad to help them cope and adapt.
CPDEP Modules
Under CPDEP, HSWs will learn the following:
Language Training
To help with the language barrier, OWWA offers basic language classes to help HSWs, including:
- Arabic (3-day training)
- Cantonese (3-day training)
- Hebrew (3-day training)
- Italian (3-day training)
- Mandarin (6-day training)
The language courses offered by OWWA involve household vocabulary, proper pronunciation, alphabet, numerals, currency, time, calendar, values, and customs.
Cultural Familiarization
CPDEP also provide reading materials and helps workers face cultural barriers in their destination country.
Stress Management
Stress Management is a half-day seminar that aims to raise awareness of the cause and effects of stress and prepare workers mentally and physically for the difficulties of working overseas.
Benefits
Through the PDOS and CPDEP, OFWs will learn valuable information and skills that can help them adapt to a new working environment and lifestyle. Both seminars aim to assist OFWs with a good start and preserve their job abroad for at least six (6) months. Furthermore, they can be skill-specific or country-specific, improving OFWs’ capacities and maximizing their job opportunities abroad. Although seminars can be exhausting, they will surely benefit departing migrant workers and HSWs.
Qualifications
To qualify for PDOS or CPDEP, the registrant should meet the following qualifications:
- Has an issued immigrant visa
- Adults ages 20 to 59 years old
- Children ages 13 to 19 years old
Do note that PDOS and CPDEP are not for minors below 13 years old and adults over 59 years old.
Requirements
Before registering for PDOS or CPDEP, qualified registrants should secure the following documentary requirements:
- Valid original passport
- Valid original visa
- One (1) valid ID with a picture
- Original copy of the following documents based on your destination country:
- For US-bound emigrants- Immigrant Data Summary (IDS), excluding K-visa holders
- For Canada-bound emigrants- Permanent Residence Confirmation
- For Italy-bound emigrants-Nulla Osta (Clearance)
- For Japan-bound emigrants- Certificate of Eligibility
- For Australia and New Zealand-bound emigrants- Letter of approval for Work to Residence
- Payment fees:
- For PDOS- P400 registration fee
- For CPDEP- it’s free of charge, but you should pay the OWWA membership fee of US$25
For more details on the requirements, visit the official website of OWWA if the emigrant is bound to other countries.
Procedure
To apply for OWWA PDOS or CPDEP, please follow the steps below:
- Visit the official website of the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) via this link: http://owwa.gov.ph/.
- Look for the CFO Online Registration System (OF-CORS) on the main page. On the Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar (PDOS) tab, click Register Here.
- Book an appointment with the Manila or Cebu City Satellite Office to avail of the seminar on-site. But you should register for the CFO Online Registration System (OF-CORS) if you prefer to attend online.
- Fill out the Register form online to verify if you should take PDOS or CPDEP. Then, click the Submit button.
- Check confirmation from CFO on your email. Click Confirm email, and you’ll see the CFO profile page.
- Next, complete the personal information page and click the Verify button.
- After verifying your account, you’ll see the requirements on the CFO page.
- Review them and click the Submit button.
- Check the instructions in your email where to submit your documentary requirements for validation. The validation will take days to process.
- Once the documents are validated, CFO will notify you via email whether or not you should take PDOS or CPDEP.
- If required, click the registration link on your email and choose your preferred schedule. But if exempted, fill out the registration page.
- Next, click the Continue for Payment button.
- Choose your preferred payment mode and provide your delivery details.
- Double-check your payment and delivery details and click the Proceed button. Also, don’t forget to save a copy of your proof of payment in case.
- Then, check your email for the OF-CORS digital certificate and the PDOS or CPDEP confirm schedule if required to attend.
Reminders for OWWA PDEP
If you’re required to attend the seminars under OWWA Pre-Departure Education Program (PDEP), please keep in mind the following reminders on PDOS and CPDEP:
- The Country-Specific Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar (PDOS) is for departing migrant workers, while the Comprehensive Pre-Departure Education Program (CPDEP) is for Household Services Workers (HSWs).
- These orientation seminars are only for those with issued immigrant visas. Also, attendees should be adults ages 20 to 59 and children ages 13 to 19.
- Adults over 59 and minors below 13 years old are not required to attend these seminars.
- PDOS charges a P400 registration fee.
- CPDEP is free of charge. But the worker should pay the OWWA membership fee of US$25.
- PDOS and CPDEP are mandatory seminars that can help departing migrant workers and HSWs with language and cultural barriers and prepare them for overseas employment.
- Qualified registrants of PDOS and CPDEP may access the seminar on-site and online thru webinars.
- For more details on country-specific requirements, departing migrant workers and HSWs should contact OWWA.
Video: PDOS PRE-DEPARTURE ORIENTATION SEMINAR II TIPS TO MAKE YOU BE PREPARED FOR YOUR PDOS
To learn more about OWWA Pre-Departure Education Program, please watch the video below:
As discussed in the video, PDOS is a mandatory seminar for OFWs to prepare and educate them on working abroad. The PDOS is now an online program via Zoom meeting and lasts around 4 to 6 hours. During the online seminar, attendees should wear appropriate attire and ensure their devices are fully-charge if using a mobile phone or laptop. A good internet connection is also ideal for following instructions during the seminar and avoiding problems or delays.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is OWWA Pre-Departure Education Program?
The OWWA Pre-Departure Education Program (PDEP) consists of mandatory orientation seminars to help Filipino workers cope with the new lifestyle abroad and prepare for language and cultural barriers. OWWA PDEP offers the Country-Specific Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar (PDOS) for departing migrant workers and the Comprehensive Pre-Departure Education Program for Household Services Workers (HSWs) to ensure their safety and maximize their job opportunities overseas.
How to book for OWWA PDOS/CPDEP online?
To book for OWWA PDOS or CPDEP online seminar, visit the website of the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) at http://owwa.gov.ph/.
How long is OWWA PDOS/CPDEP seminar?
The OWWA PDOS online seminar will take 4 to 6 hours, while CPDEP takes 2 to 6 days to complete.
How much are the fees for PDEP seminars?
The PDOS online seminar charges P400 for registration. On the other hand, CPDEP is free of charge. But the attendees should pay their OWWA membership fee of US$25.
Summary
The government extends assistance to OFWs worldwide thru the help of OWWA, especially those who are starting to look for opportunities abroad. OWWA ensure OFW’s safety and welfare before being deployed overseas, allowing them to have a good start in their work abroad and provide a better future for their families. Thus, if you need more information on OWWA PDEP programs, contact OWWA thru their hotline, website, or Facebook page.