OWWA partners with NTT DATA Philippines to launch DOLE-AKAP Financial Assistance Program

On behalf of Secretary Bello, I’d like to congratulate the OWWA teams and our cloud partner NTT DATA Philippines for this global recognition from Microsoft. I’m proud of our stellar IT team led by Rosanna Siray and Joseph John Padilla, and our indispensable administrative units that provided support services to set up real-time electronic application, evaluation, and database systems to support the DOLE-AKAP financial assistance program for our OFWs.

- Hans Leo Cacdac, OWWA Administrator

INDUSTRY: Public Sector

SERVICES: Microsoft Solutions

COUNTRY: Philippines

Abstract

The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) responded to the people’s call for help through the DOLE-AKAP (Embrace) initiative which provides a one-time financial assistance of Php10,000 or US$200 for displaced land-based and sea-based OFWs.

Since OWWA partnered with NTT DATA to start their digital transformation journey years ago, hosting their applications in Microsoft Azure, OWWA was able to optimize their existing assets across both on-premises and cloud sources, and migrate key services to cloud.

Through the technology solution provided by NTT DATA using Microsoft Azure, OWWA was able to provide fast, secure, and contactless financial assistance for displaced OFWs due to Covid-19 via the DOLE-AKAP (Embrace) portal.

Challenge

Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) are among the largest expat workforce in the world and their contributions account for 10% of the Philippines GDP. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, over a million of these OFWs have been displaced and unemployed. The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) responded through the DOLE-AKAP (Embrace) initiative which provides one-time financial assistance of Php10,000 or US$200 for displaced land-based and sea-based OFWs. Anticipating 300,000 applications and 10,000 simultaneous access, the system has the capacity and flexibility to store documents supporting the claim of OFWs such as proof of identity and employment details like passports, Overseas Employment Certificates (OEC), etc. Compounding to this challenge was the fact that the solution was needed when the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) was already enforced in Metro Manila and other provinces.

Solution

OWWA partnered with NTT DATA to start their digital transformation journey back in 2018. By hosting their applications in Microsoft Azure, OWWA was able to optimize their existing assets across both on-premises and cloud sources, and migrate key services to cloud like the OWWA Mobile App, Membership Processing System (MPS), OFW e-Card Online System, Scholarship Management System (SMS), Benefits Availment Program (BAP), Electronic Case Registry Response System (e-CARES), OWWA Shelter Management, “Uwian Na” Online System, SENA Case Registry, Integrated Financial Management System (IFMS) and the OWWA Website both in the Central Office and Regional Offices.
NTT DATA was able to help OWWA quickly respond to challenges and create the application portal in the provision of the financial assistance for displaced OFWs in just two (2) days.

Results

Within three days of launch, OWWA received 54,000 online applications through its portal. Moreover, the OWWA IT personnel was able to configure, deploy the application and modify updates remotely using DevOps and Azure providing flexibility at an instant with minimal downtime.
OWWA was able to provide fast, secure, and safe programs and services including evaluation of submitted documents and disbursement of cash financial assistance to OFWs. The OFWs and their families need not go to OWWA Regional Offices for the application, thus eliminating the risk of the infection. Also, OWWA’s IT team does not need to be physically at the office to deploy and monitor the solution, and they are able to scale easily when required.
The roadmap for OWWA is to use Azure Intelligent services to enhance their existing applications.

Recognized as best-in-class Community Response Program for 2020 Microsoft Partner of the Year Awards

Among the 3,300 entries collected from over 100 countries, NTT DATA Philippines is one of the organizations recognized by Microsoft with the Community Response Award – a new global award category that recognizes partner organizations providing innovative support or services to customers and the community. This year, the award acknowledges innovative solutions to the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. NTT DATA Philippines will be awarded in this year’s digital Microsoft Inspire.