OWWA ramps up eCard rollout for OFWs

The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) is accelerating the nationwide and overseas distribution of its enhanced eCard, aiming to reach all 2.6 million active overseas Filipino worker (OFW) members.

In a briefing last week, Deputy Administrator Ryan Vincent Uy said the agency issued more than 300,000 eCards in 2025, a significant jump from around 56,000 in 2024.

“Right now, we have two kinds of cards. We have a physical card, which we print, and we have a digital card. Ito pong digital card nasa e-Gov app na. Once na nag-register sila sa OWWA, lalabas din po sa e-Gov app nila yung card na yun,” Uy explained.

He added, “Right now, we have close to 300,000 cards issued. Ang goal po natin is maging 100 percent issuance ng eCard.”

Deputy Administrator Jasmin Gapatan said OWWA is currently holding its “Alagang OWWA Serbisyo Caravan” in Manama, Bahrain, from Jan. 2 to 29. Even before the event, about 2,763 OFWs have received services, with 2,542 eCards already issued.

“Out of the feedback submission, we have a satisfaction rating of 4.9 out of 5 stars, and the recommendation rate is 100 percent. So natutuwa po kami na natutuwa yung marami sa aming pinagsiserbisyuhan, mataas rin po ang kanilang rating po sa aming services dito,” she said.

The eCard serves as proof of active OWWA membership and as a government-issued ID that can be used at Migrant Workers Offices, embassies, or consulates abroad.

Uy added that the agency, under Administrator Patricia Yvonne “PY” Caunan, has partnered with at least 200 businesses, including hospitals, remittance centers, logistics hubs, and Filipino-owned enterprises abroad, to provide eCard holders with discounts.

“Ang mga companies na partner po natin, some of them are hospitals, remittance centers, mga logistic centers, even yung mga kababayan natin na nagbukas ng negosyo sa ibang bansa, we partner with them para matulungan din natin yung negosyo nila,” Uy said.

To speed up issuance, OWWA has decentralized card printing. Machines are now available at overseas posts, the central office in Pasay, NAIA Terminals 1 and 3, and selected regional offices, with more facilities—including seafarers’ welfare centers—expected online this year. Funds have also been released to regional offices for the direct printing of eCards to members.