IRENE SINO-CRUZ
As the PAMICO Management and Insurance Agency Inc. projects growing demand for the Pinoy OFW Insurance, the company has opened offices in various cities to provide convenience to the migrant workers who are starting to leave the country for jobs abroad.
PAMI President Rizza T. Atayde explained that more overseas Filipino workers would need to get insurance after the government implemented the expanded compulsory insurance coverage for rehired and direct hired migrant workers.
Atayde and other company officials came to Cebu for the opening of its office in Cebu City to provide convenience for OFWs in Cebu and neighboring provinces.
(L-R) PAMI VisMin Regional Head Mr. Danny Atayde; Henjie Bedra, PAMI Finance Head; Cebu Branch Head Jodee Tan; PAMI Operations Head Sarah Cruz; PAMI President Rizza Atayde; PAMI Chairwoman Amy Atayde; PAMI Director Angela Atayde; Janice Diaz, Cocogen Cebu Branch Manager; and Junie Cimafranca, Cocogen Visayas Regional Head
Initially, only agency hired migrant workers are required to get OFW insurance. However, the Department of Labor and Employment had issued Department Order No. 228, Series of 2021, or the Expanded Compulsory Insurance Coverage for Rehires and Direct Hires.
The guidelines on the mandatory insurance coverage of OFWs provided for under existing laws and the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) rules and regulations that include rehires or ‘Balik-Manggagawa’ and direct hires are contained in the POEA Memorandum Circular No. 10 signed by POEA Administrator Bernard Olalia.
PAMI Chairwoman Amy Atayde
With the issuance of the guidelines for the implementation of the order, Ms. Atayde said they are expecting growing number of OFWs who need to get the insurance.
Ms. Atayde explained that PAMICO established recently the Pinoy OFW insurance to cater to the OFW insurance for the mandatory coverage of migrant workers who are Rehires and Direct Hires. The company also serves the agency-hired OFWs.
PAMICO provides migrant workers with maximum insurance protection with its lead insurers – COCOLIFE Insurance Company and COCOGEN Insurance Company Inc.
The two companies, which are among the biggest in life and non-life insurance, have appointed PAMICO as their common management company to administer the compulsory insurance coverage for OFWs.
PAMICO’s appointment as an independent management company provided more focused attention on insurance matters for OFWs, starting with the issuance of the policies up to the satisfactory settlement of claims.
“We have offices around the country, in Manila, Bacolod, Tacloban and other cities like Davao and Cagayan de Oro so wherever there’s a POEA office we’re there now,” Ms. Atayde said.
The insurance provides migrant workers hired or rehired by placement agencies and direct hires $15,000 benefit for accidental death; $10,000 for natural death and $7,500 for permanent disablement.
For the agency-hired OFWs, the insurance will also cover the actual cost for repatriation due to termination of employment as well as repatriation of mortal remains. If terminated, they can also get a monthly subsistence allowance of $100, not exceeding six months; money claims of P1,000 each month also not exceeding six months. The insurance will also cover the actual cost for compassionate visit, medical evacuation and medical repatriation of the insured OFW.
For the re-hired or direct hire OFWs, the insurance will cover the actual cost of repatriation due to termination of employment, repatriation of mortal remains, compassionate visit, medical evacuation and medical repatriation. If terminated, they are also entitled to $100 monthly subsistence allowance but not exceeding six months.
PAMI President Rizza Atayde
“It’s a huge sacrifice for our Pinoy OFWs to make for a shot at a better life. It’s not just the physical toll of being exhausted from work, it’s coming home to a place that’s half a world away from the people who matter the most,” Rizza T. Atayde, PAMI President, noted.
“With PAMICO’s Pinoy OFW Insurance, our modern-day heroes and their loved ones are never alone and are sure to be well taken care of,” Atayde said.
“We always view our Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) as our modern heroes. Leaving behind their lives, friends, and families for months to years to work in another country and be of service to other people who are complete strangers,” Atty. Darren M. De Jesus, Cocogen President, expressed.
He noted that PAMICO’s Pinoy OFW Insurance not only provides for the expenses of the OFW, but for their family as well should there be a need to fly out and be with said OFW.
Migrant workers could also apply for the Pinoy OFW insurance online. Just visit www.pinoyofwinsurance.ph.
PAMICO’s office is located at the Door 6, JSP Mango Plaza, Gen. Maxilom corner Gen. Echavez St., Cebu City.
