TIM eMagazine Volume 3 Issue 12 | Page 33

TIM eMagazine Vol.3 Issue 12 24/7 convenience and assistance with OWWA’s Hotline 1348 By: Nil Garces Belar Photo by: Philip Ortaleza MOA Signing – (L-R seated) Regina Pineda, AVP & Center Head, Smart Communications; Vic Tria, EVP & Head, PLDT Enterprise; Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III and OWWA Chief Hans Leo Cacdac, back row standing are Officials of OWWA and ePLDT-Smart Officers. O FWs who want the ease of 24/7 convenience in keeping updated with, and who need assistance, in labour-related concerns and on inquiries of various programs of the Overseas Workers’ Welfare Association (OWWA) will now enjoy the stress-free benefits of OWWA’s Hotline 1348. Launched last March 29 in commemoration of Women’s Month, Hotline 1348 is a partnership with ePLDT, Inc. Available Monday to Sunday, including holidays, every day of the year, Hotline 1348 is OWWA’s strengthened response in to better, more efficient service to client calls requesting assistance on various OWWA programs, services, and benefits including issues on employment contracts, repatriation assistance, and other OFW- related queries and concerns. To avail of Hotline 1348 is so simple. All the client needs to do is dial 1348 using landline or mobile phone. As for clients outside Metro Manila and based internationally, they key in (02) 1348 and 0632-1348, respectively. Moreover, Smart, another PLDT subsidiary, will also offer free 30-minute WiFi services to OFWs who visit the OWWA building to transact business or who need consultation on overseas employent- related issues “We want the OFWs, their families, and the public to be able to connect with OWWA with as much ease as possible. Thus, our Hotline 1348 is staffed by dedicated live agents” OWWA Administrator Hans Leo J. Cacdac, stressed that he Hotline 1348 is staffed by dedicated live agents trained to respond to calls, provide information, and gather requests for assistance from their clients, adding, “It is also our way of making OFWs, their Credit: Philip Ortaleza families and the public connect with OWWA is the best, stress- free way as possible.” For his part, Labor Secretary and OWWA Board of Trustees Chair Silvestre H. Bello III enthused that “With the Hotline 1348, clients can easily reach the OWWA 24/7 Operations Center that is responsible in monitoring and endorsing OFW- related concerns to appropriate OWWA offices or government agencies for immediate action. This is our way of adhering to President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s mandate to improve government programs and services for our OFWs and their families.” https://owwa.gov.ph/ Launching of the OWWA Hotline 1348 Credit: Philip Ortaleza 33