The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) is moving closer to full coverage of its enhanced electronic membership card, with issuance figures climbing sharply as the agency scales up both digital and physical distribution channels for overseas Filipino workers.
At a media briefing on Wednesday, OWWA Deputy Administrator Ryan Vincent Uy reported that more than 300,000 OWWA eCards were released in 2025 alone—an increase of more than fivefold compared with the roughly 56,000 cards issued the previous year. The acceleration forms part of the agency’s push to reach its estimated 2.6 million active members worldwide.
“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 (This digital card is already in the e-Gov app. Once they register on OWWA, that card will also appear in their e-Gov app),” Uy said.
“Right now, we have close to 300,000 cards issued. Ang goal po natin is maging 100 percent issuance ng eCard (Our goal is to achieve 100 percent issuance of eCards).”
The eCard serves as proof of active OWWA membership and is accepted as a government-issued identification. It can be presented at Migrant Workers Offices, Philippine embassies, and consulates abroad when OFWs seek assistance or access welfare services.
Beyond identification, the enhanced eCard also functions as a gateway to discounts and partner benefits. Uy said the program, led by OWWA Administrator Patricia Yvonne Caunan, now involves partnerships with around 200 companies, including hospitals, remittance firms, logistics providers, and Filipino-owned businesses overseas.
“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 (Our partner companies include hospitals, remittance centers, logistics centers, and even our fellow Filipinos who have opened businesses abroad; we partner with them to help their businesses as well),” Uy said.
On the ground, overseas outreach activities have also contributed to the higher issuance rate. OWWA Deputy Administrator Jasmin Gapatan said the agency’s “Alagang OWWA Serbisyo Caravan,” currently running in Manama, Bahrain from January 2 to 29, has already reached thousands of workers even before the main activities concluded.
She noted that about 2,763 OFWs had availed themselves of various services, with 2,542 eCards issued during the period. Feedback collected from participants showed strong approval of the services delivered.
“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 (So we’re happy that many of those we serve are pleased, and their rating of our services here is also high),” Gapatan said.
To sustain the momentum, OWWA has begun decentralizing card production. Printing machines are now operating at overseas posts, the OWWA central office in Pasay, Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminals 1 and 3, and selected regional offices, with more facilities—including seafarers’ welfare centers—expected to be added within the year. Uy said funds have also been downloaded to regional offices to allow local procurement of printers, enabling on-site issuance without routing applications through Manila.
