Open letter to OWWA

Dear OWWA Administrator Rebecca J. Calzado: We, the overseas Filipino workers on Saipan, would like to request one of your personnel to be part of the scheduled Philippine Consulate General’s mobile outreach to Saipan, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands come Nov. 14-18, 2014.

Last October 2013, during the mobile consular outreach on Saipan, there were about more than 2,000 OFWs that applied for OWWA membership and/or renewal. Ms. Julia Fabian a former CNMI OWWA welfare officer, came to Saipan as part of the Guam consular team.

In October 2014, the memberships that were acquired last year have already expired. I and a lot of fellow OFWs here on Saipan are still interested in renewing our OWWA membership.

On Oct. 11, 2012, the Philippine Consulate General on Saipan closed down their office together with Philippine Overseas Labor Office and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration offices respectively due to economic reasons, leaving OFWs behind with no one to turn to on any problems concerning consular matters. While it is true that the nearest neighboring island of Guam has a Philippine Consulate General, OFWs on Saipan cannot travel to Guam without appropriate visas as required by USCIS that makes us totally helpless and feel abandoned.

On Saipan, CNMI House Bill 17-147 was introduced to remove the mandatory benefits like free medical insurance coverage, free housing, food, and transportation to all nonresident workers, including OFWs. On Feb. 19, 2013, HB 17-147 became CNMI Public Law 17-92. In other words, majority of nonresident workers here are without medical or health insurance coverage. Unlike before we had mandatory health and medical insurance paid by our employer as an integral part of our employment contract. With the current status of nonresident workers under CW rules and regulations, there is no mandatory enrolment imposed on CNMI employers in favor of employees on health and medical insurance coverage. Insuring oneself like having an OWWA membership is a sign of love and care for your family for any unforeseen eventuality that may occur while on overseas work.

We hope that our request will meet your favourable attention and consideration. Thank you very much and God bless.

Carlito J. Marquez
Lower Base, Saipan