Expanded compulsory insurance for Pinoy OFWs now available in Cebu, Visayas

MINERVA BC NEWMAN

CEBU CITY – The Expanded Compulsory Insurance Coverage for Overseas Filipino Workers both re-hires and direct hires is now available in Cebu with the opening of the PAMICO Management and Insurance Agency, Inc. at Door 6, JSP Mango Plaza Bldg., Gen. Maxilom corner Gen. Echavez St., Cebu City on June 22.

“We open the PAMICO office in Cebu and in four major cities in the Visayas and Mindanao specifically in areas where there are major international airports such as Cebu, Davao, Baguio, Iloilo, Bacolod, Tacloban, to cater to Pinoy OFWs in these regions for ease and comfort,” PAMICO president, Rizza Atayde told media during the presscon and opening of the office.

Atayde noted that Pinoy OFWs make huge sacrifices 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.

This expanded insurance for Pinoy OFWs includes the repatriation of the physical and mortal remains of the OFW in cases of extreme emergencies, man-made disaster, death and others where immediate repatriations are needed, Atayde said.

“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,” she said.

According to Atayde, PAMICO provides migrant workers with maximum insurance protection with its lead insurers – COCOLIFE Insurance Company and COCOGEN Insurance Company Inc. for life and non-life insurances.

The two companies, which are among the biggest in life and non-life insurance, have appointed PAMICO as the common management company to administer the compulsory insurance coverage for OFWs that provided more focused attention on insurance matters for OFWs, starting with the issuance of the policies and ends with the satisfactory settlement of claims, Atayde explained.

PAMICO provides personal accident coverage for OFWs who are hired and rehired by agency as well as the direct hired migrant workers 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.

“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,” Cocogen president, Atty. Darren De Jesus said.

De Jesus 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.

Atayde added that applying for the Pinoy OFW insurance and claims are easy due to PAMICO’s adherence to digital technology. Pinoy OFWs can apply for the insurance coverage via online at www.pinoyofwinsurance.ph, and as long as all documents and payments are done, the Pinoy OFW can have his/her insurance policy in real time via email and or other social media accounts.

Atayde said that since PAMICO opened in Cebu, it has catered to about 300-400 OFW clients and “we are expecting a swell of insurers in the next few days and months now that travel and working abroad are coming back to normal,” she added. (Photos: mbcNewman)