OWWA Burial Assistance Program Guidelines

Deaths of OCWs, including Balik-Manggagawa, who pay insurance premiums.
Includes deaths by presumption for seamen officially reported as missing at sea.
Applicable for deaths on or after May 1, 1982 during overseas employment or within six months after termination/arrival from abroad.
Deaths beyond the six-month period may be covered as special cases if criteria are met.

P10,000 granted for deaths occurring on or after January 1, 1989.
P5,000 granted for deaths from May 1, 1982 to December 31, 1988.
P5,000 also applicable for seamen declared missing and presumed dead between May 1, 1982 and June 30, 1991.
Burial gratuity increased to P10,000 effective July 1, 1991 for specified instances.
Beneficiaries of Balik-Manggagawa with insurance entitlement receive P10,000 burial assistance.

Deceased OCW must have at least one recorded contribution to the OWWA fund.
The OCW must not be covered by the OWWA insurance program commencing July 1, 1991.

Deaths beyond six months post-employment may qualify if:
a. Death caused by illness or injury abroad or contract-related.
b. Poverty or indigency of deceased OCW's family confirmed by OWWA investigation.
c. Family has not availed any monetary benefit from OWWA at the time of application.

Priority order: surviving spouse, children, then parents.
Other family members who paid burial expenses may claim assistance upon presentation of acceptable proof.

Claimants must submit accomplished application forms personally or by mail to OWWA Social Benefits Secretariat or nearest Regional OWWA Units.
Required attachments include:
a. Original and photocopy of death certificate.
b. Official report for seamen missing at sea.
c. Joint affidavit from two disinterested persons for tribal/cultural community claimants.
d. Proof of overseas employment (contract, NOE, TEP, OEC, or POEA information sheet).
e. Passport for landbased OCW, Seaman Service Record for seamen, or certificate of overseas employment period.
f. Documents establishing relationship to deceased (marriage, birth certificates, affidavits in absence of certificates).
g. One-inch ID pictures of claimant.
h. Medical certificate or indigency investigation report for special cases.

The Legal Department of the OWWA Secretariat adjudicates disputes among beneficiaries.
Their decisions on Burial Assistance Program claims are final and executory.

This Memorandum of Instructions supersedes prior MOI Nos. 061 (1989) and 123 (1991).
Takes effect immediately upon issuance on February 17, 1994.
Signed by the OWWA Administrator, David P. Corpin.