OWWA Launches 2026 with Expanded Services and Growing Trust Fund for OFWs
18 January 2026
OWWA reports growth in Trust Fund and membership, expands welfare services, and launches its largest scholarship program for OFWs in 2026.
The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) officially kicked off 2026 with its first press briefing, highlighting key achievements and plans to strengthen services for Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs). Administrator PY Caunan presented updates on the growth of the OWWA Trust Fund, rising membership, and expanded programs for OFWs.
The OWWA Trust Fund remains stable, secure, and steadily growing, reaching ₱21.3 billion in December 2025, up from ₱20.3 billion in 2024. Admin Caunan emphasized that the growth reflects the trust of OFWs in OWWA and its advocacy, Alagang OWWA: Serbisyong May Puso, ensuring proper fund management from departure to return.
Active OWWA membership also increased significantly, from 2 million in 2024 to 2.6 million in 2025, marking an addition of 600,000 members, a clear sign of continued confidence in the agency.
The briefing highlighted improvements in OWWA facilities and services, including Pre-Departure Orientation Seminars (PDOS) and OFW airport lounges at NAIA Terminals 1 and 3. A major addition is the Seafarer’s Welfare Center in Monarch Parksuites, Parañaque City, the first in the National Capital Region, providing comprehensive support in line with the Magna Carta for Seafarers.
Internationally, OWWA continues to strengthen its presence through Global Centers, such as the one in Hong Kong, which has served over 2,000 OFWs with legal assistance, clinic services, and training programs.
In healthcare services, OWWA continues to assist OFWs with serious illnesses, including cancer patients, providing financial assistance and essential support items through the Welfare Assistance Program (WAP) during OWWA Serbisyo Caravans in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
Responding to the growing Trust Fund and membership, OWWA launched the Alagang OWWA Fund, a dedicated budget line supporting welfare programs. The agency also announced the largest expansion of its scholarship program, adding 10,000 new slots to the existing 15,000, marking a historic investment in the children of OFWs.
Admin Caunan concluded the briefing by reaffirming OWWA’s mission:
“Ibalik sa OFW ang pondo. Ibalik sa kanila ang benepisyo, at ipadama ang tunay na malasakit at alaga ng pamahalaan.”
OWWA’s 2026 initiatives signal a stronger, more inclusive, and service-oriented approach to support OFWs both in the Philippines and abroad.