The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) is one of the government agencies mandated to protect and promote the rights and well-being of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and their families. It implements different kinds of programs, such as financial assistance, scholarships, livelihood training, and more.
Recently, OWWA launched “Alagang OWWA Botika,” an initiative that provides free medical check-ups and medicines for OFWs and their dependents. Read on to learn more about the program and how OFWs can access medical consultations and medicines!
OWWA Program Offers Free Check-Ups, Meds for OFWs and Families
Based on a report by the Philippine News Agency (PNA), “Alagang OWWA Botika” was launched last Friday, October 3, 2025, at the agency’s head office in Pasay City. OWWA Administrator Patricia Yvonne Caunan stated that the program aims to benefit OFWs and their families, even after they have finished working abroad.
“After so many years of working abroad, ilang taon na pagtatrabaho abroad, pag-uwi sa Pilipinas, minsan ang ating mga kababayan, para bang nagtatampo’t nararamdaman nilang bakit wala ng aruga mula sa OWWA. Hindi po totoo yan (After so many years of working abroad, upon returning to the Philippines, our OFWs sometimes feel neglected and think that OWWA no longer cares about them. This is not true),” Caunan explained.
What is “Alagang OWWA Botika”?
“Alagang OWWA Botika” is part of a bigger program, “Alagang OWWA: Yakap at Gamot,” carried out in coordination with the Department of Health (DOH), PhilHealth, and VidaCure Pharmacy.
Aside from Alagang OWWA Botika, which provides free medical check-ups and medicines, the program features the “LAB for All Medical and Clinical Laboratory Mobile Vehicle,” which offers free laboratory and check-up services to communities nationwide. These diagnostic services include blood tests, X-rays, and ultrasounds.
Notably, under PhilHealth’s “Yaman ng Kalusugan Program” (YAKAP), beneficiaries can expect to receive PHP 20,000 worth of medicines each year from accredited pharmacies.
Beneficiaries of the Program
Alagang Botika Program caters to active as well as inactive OWWA members, including those who have retired or returned to the Philippines “for good.” As long as they have a PhilHealth number, they can qualify for the program.
Where to Get Check-Ups
To avail of free medical check-ups, OFWs and their families can go to any of these places: OWWA Head Office in Pasay City; Gateway Mall in Quezon City; and Festival Mall in Alabang, Muntinlupa City.
The free medical consultations may be availed of every Friday, hence the program’s tagline, “Every Friday is YAKAP Day!” Please note that there are no consultations from Monday to Thursday.
“Let’s make every Friday a YAKAP Day,” Caunan said. “We want our OFWs, active, retired, or those who have returned for good, to feel that they remain cared for. Even when they are no longer earning abroad, they can still rely on government support for their health needs.”
Where to Get Medicines
As for the free medicines, these can be claimed from the OWWA Botika (pharmacy) at the agency’s office in Pasay City. The pharmacy is open from Monday to Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.
To claim the free medicines, beneficiaries need to show a prescription from a YAKAP-accredited doctor. Each prescription contains a Unique Prescription Security Code (UPSC).
Future Plans and Expansion
Caunan shared that although “Alagang OWWA Botika” is still in the pilot stage, the program will soon be implemented nationwide. At the same time, PhilHealth’s YAKAP program is currently being rolled out; targeting not just OFWs and their families, but all Filipinos!
According to the agency, “Alagang OWWA” is just the start of a wider initiative — “Alagang OWWA: Serbisyong May Puso,” which seeks to provide help, protection, and welfare assistance to all OFWs and their families. Indeed, we are looking forward to more programs that benefit our modern day heroes!
For OFWs, membership to the OWWA is a must, especially since it provides them with essential benefits and services. If you are an OFW and your OWWA membership is expiring soon, check out this guide to renewing your membership using the OWWA mobile app.