An oasis in the middle of a scorching desert symbolizes hope and life. Likewise, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) created the OFW Assistance Information System or OASIS to give hope and a second chance to have a better life in the middle of the pandemic.
The OFW Assistance Information System (OASIS) was created to provide smooth and efficient assistance to Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) who were gravely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. OFWs who were forced to go home because they lost their job or their company closed down can take advantage of all the programs and services that the Philippine government is offering such as scholarships, training, and livelihood projects.
For OFWs who want to be assisted, they must register first. If you are planning to go back to the Philippines, you have to register five (5) days before the scheduled flight or repatriation. You must also be aware that once you registered, your personal information will be distributed to other government agencies such as the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), and the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO).
The OASIS is a centralized database that will enable the Philippine agencies to work in sync and provide suitable and effective services to all OFWs who need them. This system has two main objectives:
- To provide fast and efficient service delivery to OFWs who want to return to the Philippines.
- To provide an orderly and organized process by using one date base and aligning and collaborating with other Philippine government agencies.
OASIS Benefits
The OASIS provides a smoother and more coordinated process from testing and quarantine for COVID-19 to transportation. They also give easy access to government programs and services that are suitable to their needs. This system also serves as a database that will enable the Philippine government to monitor and provide assistance to all OFWs in need.
Eligibility
The OASIS’s main objective is to help OFWs to have a safe and hassle-free journey back to the Philippines. OFWs who lost their job, are on vacation or finished their contract, can register and request assistance with this program.
Requirements
The only requirement that the OASIS ask is for OFWs to register online. They can visit the OWWA website: https://owwa.gov.ph/?page_id=4680 to provide the necessary information they need such as personal information, employment details, and flight information. You must be careful in encoding your information and only provide true and correct details.
OASIS Online Registration
An OFW must register in OASIS before he or she can request assistance from them. To register, follow this step-by-step process.
Step 1: Visit the OASIS website at https://oasis.owwa.gov.ph/ or go to the OWWA website at https://owwamember.com/. Always double-check the website you are on and make sure that it is a legitimate website to avoid being scammed.
Step 2: Once you are on their website, a text box will pop up and will ask you to choose your preferred language. You can choose between English or Filipino. Choose the language you are comfortable in and can fully understand.
Step 3: Click “Register” and fill out the form completely and accurately. Once done, double-check the details to make sure there’s no mistake.
Step 4: At the bottom of the form, there are boxes you must tick. When you click on these boxes, it means you fully understand what is the form for and that you are giving your consent to process your data under the Data Privacy Act of 2012. If the “I’m not a robot.” pops up on your screen, you must click on that, too.
Step 5. Once you are done encoding your details and double-triple-checking everything, you can click “Submit Application”.
Step 6: Go to your email and wait for the OASIS notification. They will send a message once your registration is successful.
Step 7: If, by any chance, you encoded the wrong information or need to update it, you can edit your profile by clicking the link that the OASIS sent you in your email. After changing the information, click the “Submit Application” to update it.
OASIS Manual Registration
Registering online is the easiest and most convenient way of accessing the OASIS. However, not everyone has access to the internet. If you are not a techy person or accessing the internet is challenging, you can register manually. Follow these step-by-step processes to guide you.
Step 1: Secure the OASIS form by downloading and printing it. You can download it here: https://www.dole.gov.ph/php_assets/uploads/2020/06/OASIS-Form-as-of-9-June-2020-9-pm.pdf. You can also get a copy from OWWA or POLO offices.
Step 2: Fill out the information accurately and clearly. Make sure that your handwriting is readable. Double-check the information you provided.
Step 3: You can submit your form to the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), and the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO).
Once you register and submit your form, you also consent to process your data under the Data Privacy Act of 2012. If an OFW can’t register on his or her own, he or she can ask for assistance from the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) or the OFW’s recruitment agency. They will register the OFW to the OASIS and assist them in requesting repatriation. The recruitment agency must secure a consent form when processing the OFW’s registration.
Arrival in the Philippines
After registering in the OASIS, the OFW must also secure the e-CIF. The e-CIF or Electronic Case Investigation Form must secured three (3) days before the OFW arrives at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA). You can register and fill out the e-CIF at the Philippine Red Cross website: https://ecif.redcross.org.ph/. The e-CIF enables the NAIA to gather the logistics of OFWs arriving there.
Arriving OFWs will be tested for COVID-19 and undergo quarantine before returning to their hometown. OFWs must proceed to the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) and recruitment agencies for the seafarers’ section to know where they should go. If their test is positive, the Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ) will transfer them to the hospitals to give them proper treatment. If the result is negative, they can go back to their hometown.
Video: Paano Mag-Register Online sa OASIS
Watch this tutorial video by cmblogs as he guides us in registering for the OASIS program of OWWA.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of OASIS?
The OASIS was created to keep a database of all returning OFWs. This database will enable government agencies to collaborate and give better services.
How many days should I file a request for repatriation?
OFWs must register at least five (5) days before their flight.
How will I know if I successfully registered in OASIS?
Once you are done encoding your details on the OASIS form, you will receive an email confirming that you have registered.
What are the languages I can choose from?
The language available is English and Filipino. You can choose your preferred language to fully understand what is being asked in the form.
What are the information they need in the form?
The OASIS form asks for some personal information, employment details, and flight information.
Who can request assistance from OASIS?
OFWs who want to return to the Philippines must register and request assistance from OASIS to guide and provide them with a proper service.
What is the e-CIF?
The e-CIF or Electronic Case Investigation Form is a form created by the Red Cross. Returning OFWs must fill out the form before they arrive in NAIA.
Where can I register for OASIS?
OFWs can register online via the OWWA website at https://owwa.gov.ph/. If the OFW is unable to register online, he or she can request assistance from the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) or their recruitment agency.
Summary
Before the OFW Assistance Information System (OASIS) was created, the support given to Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) was slow and disorganized. When the pandemic happened in 2019, most countries, especially the Philippines, were not prepared. People are scared and dying and the government is trying very hard to put things in order. Every government agency in the Philippines must be united and act fast and for them to do so, they needed one database where they can align their work and process accordingly. And this is where the OASIS comes in.
The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), and the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) work together to help Filipinos stranded abroad. They wanted to help them be with their family in times of need and provide them with a safe return.
The COVID-19 pandemic surely changed a lot of things in us. It changes the way we see things and appreciate the things we have. It also changes the way we provide services. Now that the pandemic is over, the OASIS process may change too.