The OFW Electron Card or E-card is a must have for OFWs, especially these days when everything is automated. Aside from its main function as a valid identification card, it can also serve as a debit card, an ATM card, as well as a discount card. What’s good is that the e-card can be used locally and abroad and it is being issued for free.
About
The OFW Electron Card or E-card or “E-Card” is being issued by the Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) through agencies like the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) and Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA). This card is for the benefit of OFWs and is being issued for free. The following are its features:
· Photo Card
· Digital Signature
· Tamper proof signature panel
· Magnetic stripe with security code or personal ID number
ID
As a permanent ID, the E-Card serves as proof that the card holder is a legitimate OWWA member and OFW. The card will actually help you in processing papers and in availing OWWA benefits and services. This is because the card has a unique ID number that links necessary information about you to various agencies who process your papers. Your E-Card also serves as your Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC).
International ATM Card
If you have an ATM account with Equitable PCI Bank, then you can use your E-Card to withdraw cash in any Bancnet, Megalink or Expressnet in the Philippines. When you’re out of the country, then you can also withdraw from any VISA Plus ATM. Charges from withdrawing would range from US $1 to US $3.
Debit Card
You can use the card to make purchases in any establishment that acknowledges VISA Electron cards. The amounts of your purchases will be deducted directly from your account.
Discount Card
Just present your E-card to any participating establishment and you’ll be able to avail of discounts. You can also use your E-Card to avail of travel tax and terminal fee exemption in any airport in the Philippines.
Where to get
The OFW E-Card is being issued for free. Just collect the card after paying the POEA processing fee and the OWWA membership and Medicare fees at the POEA office. Land based OFWs can get their E-Card at the following offices:
· POEA Head Office
· POEA Regional Office in Cebu City
· OWWA Headoffice
· Singapore
· U.A.E. (Abu Dhabi & Dubai)
For Seafarers and land based workers in other areas, securing of cards are announced subsequently.
Good
Aside from the ease of just having to bring one card for all these tasks, E-Card has other advantages too. Again, it is issued for free. Also, as an ATM card, there is no maintaining balance. You can use it anywhere in the world and not just in the country where you are currently working. Also, as a privilege discount card, you can avail of 10% to 35% discount.
Contact
OWWA website: www.owwa.gov.ph
OWWA hotline: 551-15-60 or 551-66-41.
Equitable Hello Service: 632-867-7977 or 1-800-1-888-3264
Links to other articles:
DoLE: OFW Electron Card
OFW eCard Form
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6 users commented in " OFW E-Card: ID, Debit, International ATM & Discount Card "
Follow-up comment rss or Leave a TrackbackHi po.pano pa magagamit ang E-Card kung ang Equitable Bank ay nagsarado na po..
Thank you..
Before being deployed to Malaysia, I asked the one conducting the PDOS session (pre-deployment session) if they still issue the ofw e-card and the reply at that time was no. the oec is the only id we have at the moment.
Goog after,I’m a ofw 5yrs ago,I’ve got my visa electron from my agency before but i don’t had chance to used it..Can I still use my visa electron?Its says that it is valid until 9/12..what am i gonna do?is this automaticaly activated?can i use it right away for atm used or for remmitance?Do i need to go to bank to fill up some form to be able to get a pin number and account number?hoping for ur answers..thanks!
Yung card namin na nareceived namin nung nandito na kami sa Saudi. Almost a yeat na nga yata nung na recevoed namin. Good thing taga HR ang amo namin at everytime na pupunta saya sa Pinas, eh pinapadala ng agency. Kaso, basta lang pinadala at walang info how to use it. sayang ang card kung hindi nainform ang OFWs sa gamit nya. Buti na lang may google pero siempre hindi pa rin complete ang info like if you’re going use it for remittances. Di ba? Sana isama sa PDOS.
Thanks
hi, if walang maintaining balance ang e-card why does my e-card. took away my accnt bal.200 pesos?..coz i presumed dis card will remained active kahit d kmi nghu2log.tulad ng sabi nyo pwd nmin mgamit din in case mgwindraw as long lagyan lang ng laman.hope to hear from u soon..tnk u..
good day? im an OFW and they give me a visa Electron card last 2006 but until now i dont know how i can use it,and my question is how i can use it? i dont even know my password…can u give information..thank you!!!
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