In an interview, OWWA officer Reynaldo D. Tayag said paying a $25 membership fee could come a long way especially if emergencies arise.
“Of course we wouldn’t want anything unfortunate to happen, but if something happens to an overseas Filipino worker and he is an OWWA member, any assistance could come handy,” Tayag said.
Although he still has to look into the actual statistics, Tayag said he believes many of the Filipino workers in the CNMI have already realized the importance of an OWWA membership.
“For those who are still not members, we would be expanding our efforts to encourage them to join,” Tayag said.
OWWA members are entitled to several services and benefits above the provisions of the employment contract like education and training benefits and repatriation and airport assistance services.
Tayag said he will continue with the programs and services that former OWWA officer Leonor C. Mabagal and the others before her has initiated.
“I will continue the programs in the Filipino Workers Resource Center, like trainings for business planning and other skills development, health screening and other services,” he said.
Tayag took over the post of Mabagal who left the island on Nov. 7 after completing a two-year term here.
Prior to his assignment here, Tayag was posted at the headquarters office in Manila. He arrived on Saipan on Nov. 1 and started work on Nov. 3.
The CNMI is Tayag’s second post abroad. He was assigned to South Korea in 1997-1999. Tayag hails from Pampanga, a province north of Manila.
